As someone who has been coming to Palm Springs for years it was fun to see the desert through a newbies eyes this past trip. My girlfriend Stephanie fell hard for the desert, and in turn, made me fall for that retro town all over again. I loved taking her to some of my favorite spots and was just the slow speed we had both been craving. I tipped her in the right direction as to where to eat and drink and love her take on 72 hours in Palm Springs… including her stay at the crazy adorable and newly renovated Holiday House where we met up for rosé and nightly pool hangs. Highly recommend a stay here!
Never having been to Palm Springs, I had little expectations when the week of our trip rolled around and the forecast read 122 degrees for three straight days. I assumed we wouldn’t leave the confines of our hotel/wouldn’t see much, but boy was I wrong. Heat is part of the culture, and a little sunshine doesn’t prevent anyone from enjoying all that this incredible town has to offer (plus: Misters. Everywhere.)! While we weren’t quite able to hike the hills or journey into the desert, we were able to eat, drink and lounge. The toughest part was deciding where to begin.
We could not have stayed at a more fun, hospitable or authentic property. Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, Holiday House is a 28-room boutique hotel which first opened in 1951. It was recently reimagined by notable interior designer Mark D. Sikes and the team behind Sparrows Lodge (another fabulous Palm Springs property).
We were fortunate enough to tour the property with the hotel’s delightful owners Jeff and Richard. They led us through each of the room types, categorized by “good”, “better”, and “best” (they make a great point: why not just call them what they are?!) and learned that there were no two pieces of art alike and many elements of the original property had been thoughtfully maintained.
A few of our favorite Holiday House aspects:
A cold glass of rose served in a Moroccan tumbler upon arrival.
The employees. Oftentimes, this can make or break a hotel. We came back from dinner one night, and wound up sitting at the bar chatting with those on shift for hours on end, because, well, they were just that wonderful.
The art. The art. The art.
Floor shuffleboard.
Flights of rose, offered daily.
No television (Hallelujah! You’ll never miss it here, I promise.)
The best in-room mini bar selection you’ve ever seen.
A 24-hour honor system pantry, filled with everything from cold brew to goat cheese and prosciutto, so no matter the hour, you’re guaranteed fabulous, elevated snacks.
Frozen grapes and various frozen drinks served poolside, complimentary.
The best fortune cookie you’ve ever had upon departure.
Where to eat + drink:
Workshop – Because you can’t really go to Palm Springs and overlook the hype that is Workshop. The food is incredible, the drinks are astounding and their interiors are drool worthy.
Truss & Twine – The second venture of the team behind Workshop, Truss & Twine’s creative drink menu is broken down by era (Golden Age, Prohibition, Tiki, Dark Ages, Original). Pro tip: Forget everything you think you know about White Russians and order this one, made with Vietnamese coffee-infused gin, NOLA coffee liqueur and heavy cream.
Birba – Hello, meatballs of my dreams. You can’t go wrong with food or drinks here, and the atmosphere is everything I’d imagined a girl’s night dinner in Palm Springs would be.
King’s Highway – In the name of avocado toast, we headed to King’s Highway for the mother of all avocado toasts. Topped with hibiscus radish and sprouts, we’ll be dreaming of this one for years to come.
Holiday House – In lieu of 122 degree weather, there were a few days in which we just didn’t feel like leaving the misted oasis that was our hotel. We opted to stay in for lunch, and ordered the chicken salad served on bib lettuce. Pro tip: Ask if they can whip you up the veggie burger, which is off the menu but came highly recommended.
Purple Palm at Colony Palms – I’m a sucker for a good tiled floor, but this one took the cake. We ordered drinks inside Purple Palm at Colony Palms hotel, drooled over the interiors, and then took them out to the gorgeous poolside bar for leisurely enjoyment.
We’ve been home a week and I’m already craving another trip to this incredible place. Hoping next time is cooler, and allows for some outdoor exploration. In which case: I’d love to know your favorite spots to visit while down in the desert, where can we just not miss?!
Photography + Post | Stephanie Russo
