Who's Going
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Keanu Reeves
Reason to Stay
Fitness Center, Pool Scene, Hip Clientele, Lobby Scene
Hotel Type
Boutique Resort
Formerly known as Merv Griffin's Givenchy Palm Springs, the 11-acre desert resort was acquired in 2004 by owners of NYC's Le Parker Meridien who entrusted friend and pottery-muse Jonathon Adler to redesign and imagine their desert getaway. The result is an imaginative and eccentric hideaway inspired by Adler's figurative character Mrs. Parker as her intimate weekend desert escape, albeit with over a hundred rooms and four swimming pools. A short drive from the main drag of Palm Springs, visitors arrive to a dramatic motor court with two-story concrete-brick façade flanked by doormen in red trousers and '70s smoking jackets. A whimsical lobby is pure Jonathon Adler with feather-trimmed chairs and oversize pottery that smacks of artistic impracticality. A small reception area struggles to handle two guests at a time, forcing everyone else to sit around the circular fireplace with super-low couches and futuristic chairs spaced too far apart for normal conversation. Adjacent to the lobby are the two in-house restaurants. Mr. Parker's is the more formal of the two, offering a dinner-only menu and lively cocktail scene popular with dressed-up locals. Norma's is located on an outdoor terrace overlooking the spectacular resort grounds. The outdoor facilities of the hotel are impeccable. A central green belt features large grassy areas, fire pit with yet another impractical seating area, and two large resort pools located at the back of the property. The larger pool boasts a backyard bar with small snack menu and innovative cocktail list served by chatty staff. The main pool is reserved for adults-only and features a well-situated sunning area and shady cabana with board games, while a smaller courtyard pool keep children and private parties well entertained. The in-house spa known as PSYC, or the Palm Springs Yacht Club, is a regency-style spa area more typical of Kelly Wearstler than retro-chic Adler. Large drawing areas lead to glamorous treatment rooms and separate, clothing-optional pools for men and women. Good or bad, the Parker crowd always seems a drink-or-two away from an all-out frat party, with super-loud weddings and 40-something cocktail crowd on hand for most weekends.
The Room
The fully contained complex offers a central resort area surrounded by five conjoined motel-style buildings, private one-story bungalows, and freestanding villas. The standard guest rooms are found at the rear of the property, located within cavernous two-story structures with red-painted walls, rod-iron staircases and hallways straight out of a CSI-episode. The one-room accommodations feature frill-free beds, thin walls and lackluster bathrooms that were simply painted and refitted with new art. The old toilets and brassy hardware from the Givenchy-days remain. Rooms facing the courtyard pool tend to be loud with cruise-ship style parties and single’s mixers that run well past midnight - the pool is open 24-hours a day. Adjoining the main lobby is a similar two-story structure, but with quieter guest rooms with small balconies overlooking a quiet corner of the resort. All room feature inventive mini bar offering with high-end skin care products, deluxe chocolates and an assortment of top shelf alcohol. Villa accommodations are sublime, with well-decorated living and bedrooms with antique furnishings, deluxe linens and entertainment centers. Furnished patios feature day beds and fountains and are even pet-friendly, although these bathrooms too could use a bit of updating. The even-larger Gene Autry suite (used by Brad and Angelina) offers two-extra bedrooms, poorly equipped full kitchen, and a lavish terrace for entertaining. Room service arrives with white-glove service via colorful three-wheel rickshaws carrying silver-plated trays and Jonathon Adler tableware.
Preferred Room
One Bedroom Villa
Special Features
Spa, Tennis, Pet-friendly,Flaming Party Pit
Amenities
Pool, Spa, Restaurant, Lounge, Butler Service, Private Villas
