The original sculptural sign outside Hope Springs Resort is a testament to its restored mid-century roots as a 1960s motel. In a world gone mad for gadgets and glam, Hope Springs is life peeled back to its essence. Simplicity rules: minimalist white bedrooms, organic teas and fresh fruits, quiet.
The hotel has been lovingly restored to preserve its mid-century features: formica countertops and floors garnished with period-perfect rocking chairs and fake fur rugs. The laidback vibe invites you to make yourself at home: brew a cup of organic tea in the communal kitchen; watch the sunset turn the San Jacinto Mountains and Coachella Valley lavender from the back patio; turn in early. Luxury is a long soak in the satiny, mineral-rich water that bubbles up from a deep aquifer to fill 3 pools, and maybe an aromatherapy salt glow to slough off the layers of 21st-century stress. This restorative retreat will make you feel like you’ve really been away.
Highs
- A great alternative to the typical Palm Springs experience; off-the-beaten path, yet within easy reach of great shops and nightlife
- Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park, famed for its other-worldly geological formations
- Crystal-clear, mineral-rich water directly from a natural aquifer; great for soaking tired muscles and boosting your metabolism
- Snazzy mid-century modern architecture and furnishings
- Adults only; the peace is part of the pampering
Lows
- The laidback, early-to-bed vibe (no noisy pool jets after 10 pm!) and fend-for-yourself minimalism may be too low-key for some
- Likewise, the ‘unplugged’ ethos; if you must have room service or go into withdrawals without a TV, book elsewhere
- There’s only one massage bed, so ensure you schedule your scrub early
- Breakfast is the only meal available
Best time to go
With more than 350 days of sunshine and less than 150 mm of rain per year, Palm Springs is as close to a sure thing as you can get in the weather stakes. Winter brings mild, sunny days with temperatures ranging from 21-27C and rarely dipping below 6C at night. Summer days can be scorching. Yes, it’s 'dry heat', but temperatures of 43C or higher can make you feel like you’re inside an oven. From September through November, expect near-perfect days without the crowds.
Our top tips
Birdwatch: the birding is surprisingly good in the desert, keep an eye out for the noisy cactus wren and the red-tailed hawk.
- Spa Hotel
- 10 rooms
- Breakfast only (+ basic self-catering)
- Adults-only resort
- Open all year
- Heated Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Games
Rooms
The 10 pool-facing rooms with platform, king-sized beds are as ascetic as a monk’s cell: white-on-white with concrete floors, wood-plank bookshelves, and pegs for towels and robes. Four rooms have a kitchen and every room has a semi-private patio with a small table and chairs.
Call it sensory deprivation or balm for an overactive mind, the stark minimalist décor washes away the superfluous and reinvigorates overwrought senses like a cool splash of water. During the day, the desert sun floods through the French doors. At night, pull the curtain across to block the neon-turquoise glow of the pool and relax into a deep sleep.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- WiFi
Eating
A continental breakfast buffet is set out in the lobby from 8 to 10, and included in your stay. Fill your plate with fresh fruits, cheeses and breads. Add a hard-boiled egg and tomato slices, if you like. You’ll also find cold cereals, a toaster, and a wide variety of jams and preserves, honey and nut butters - most organic - along with coffee and instant boiling water for loose and bag teas.
Rooms with kitchens are stocked with the essentials: a toaster oven and induction hot plate; fridge and sink; table with chairs plus pots, pans, dishes and silverware. The nearest grocery stores are about a 5-minute drive away.
Before you head out to dinner, consult Hope Springs’ list of recommended eateries located in Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Pioneertown and Joshua Tree. Recommended restaurants cover a broad spectrum - from sushi to Serbo-Croatian - and include authoritative advice such as “Go for the (Sinatra/Rat Pack) ambience, the martinis and the clientèle rather than the food."
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Breakfast
Activities
- At the hotel: rejuve! Sunbathe beside and soak in one of the three pools of natural mineral-rich water. There’s an open-air hot tub and an enclosed Jacuzzi to choose from, plus a main swimming pool
- Schedule a massage, body wrap, salt glow or combo, all using natural ingredients including clay, sea salt, algae and fresh milk and honey
- Get to know the desert: the office has maps of hiking trails in nearby Joshua Tree National Park. Named for its spindly Joshua tree made famous by the rock band U2, the park includes a range of other-worldly geological formations. The 1,200-acre Living Desert & Gardens in Palm Springs is a reserve, museum, zoo and educational centre where you can see everything from bighorn sheep to roadrunners
- Take in the view: climb aboard the world’s largest rotating gondolas for a 10-minute ride up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Hike through the cool pine forest of the 11,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area and take in a view of the Coachella Valley all the way to the briny desert lake known as the Salton Sea
- Shop: follow Palm Springs’ own Walk of Stars on Palm Canyon Drive, stopping into eclectic boutiques and galleries specialising in mid-century furnishings and décor. The northern section of Palm Canyon is touted as the Antique and Heritage Gallery District
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Golf
- Hiking
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Well being
- Wildlife
Location
Hope Springs Resort is located in Desert Hot Springs, which is 20 minutes' drive from Palm Springs on the western edge of the Coachella Valley in California.
By Air:
Nearly a dozen mostly national and regional U.S. airlines serve Palm Springs International Airport (20km), many with seasonal schedules. Flights from Los Angeles (199km) take about 40 minutes, or it's a 2-3 hour drive. Click on the links below for more information.
By Car:
The hotel is 8 minutes' drive from the airport, so a taxi won't cost much. That said, everybody drives in Palm Springs so it is advisable to have a car, see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to California and getting around
Airports:
- Palm Springs International Airport 20.0 km PSP
- Los Angeles International 199.0 km LAX
Other:
- Beach 180.0 km
- Shops 15.0 km
- Restaurant 4.0 km