The Lobby
The Greater Palm Springs area has traditionally served as a gateway to California’s deserts since the days of iconic movie stars who came to this desert retreat for rest and recuperation. Nowadays, the original Palm Springs is actually nine different but contiguous cities (Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella of Coachella Valley fame. Each still offers 350 days of sunshine per year. But the lure of this desert oasis is so much more and as it is now considered one of the trendiest places for boutique and vintage shopping (especially for mid-century modern), for outdoor getaways, and for golfing at one of the many nearby courses.
Located on what has now become known as the “Rodeo Drive of the desert”, Palm Desert’s Hotel Paseo is one of the trendiest and newer hotels in this desert playground. It is the essence of midcentury modern design co-mingled with contemporary luxury and comfort. Everything about this hotel embraces the “desert lifestyle” and features mid-century design and decor, art displays, and a 1950 Airstream Cruiser placed strategically in the hotel’s backyard and adjacent to the pool. The property also features award-winning world-class dining.
The Vintage Trailer
The Room
With a focus on contemporary styling and boutique comfort, there are 150 rooms and suites with over 6,000 square feet of event space. My deluxe room came with a private balcony, spa-style bathroom with trendy sliding barn-style doors, designer robes, plush beds and some of the highest-quality linens. Plus, the high-speed WiFi is complimentary. The color palette is mostly white, beige, and gray with accents of turquoise and brushed metal. As a result, the ambiance is spacious, light, and quite soothing.
The Amenities at Hotel Paseo
On site amenities include the award-winning AC3 restaurant, poolside bar, Spa La Vie, 1950s Airstream Trailer, putting green, original artwork, town bikes and private cabanas. Award-winning Chef Andrew Copley and restaurateurs Tony Marchese and Juliana Copley serve farm-to-table ingredients with an emphasis on contemporary cuisine. One of my favorite side dishes from the Bar Bites Menu was the crispy brussels sprouts with smoked jalapeno vinaigrette with pomegranate seeds. Other bar choices include AC3 poutine, skillet veal & beef meatballs, hummus, blistered shishito peppers and an AC3 meat & cheese board that includes macerated figs.
For those who can’t live without golf, the hotel has partnered with the nearby Desert Willow Golf Resort.
Booking a Hotel Paseo Stay in Palm Desert
Rooms can be booked directly with Hotel Paseo or any of the other hotel booking sites such as Expedia or Priceline. Summer rates start from about $199 per night and can be quite the bargain for off-season summer getaways. Winter season is considered high-season, and can run more, especially on weekends. The property is convenient for other activities in the Greater Palm Springs area and also convenient for Uber rides. Located nearby – just minutes away – are The Shops at El Paseo, Living Desert Zoo, and Coachella Music Festival. For the ultimate in convenience, Hotel Paseo is less than 10 miles away from the heart of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs International Airport.
The Food – Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Hotel review by Albuquerque-based travel & food writer/photographer Karin Leperi, who paid for a 3-night conference stay while in Palm Desert. All photos and text by Karin Leperi.