JETSETREPORT

The Saguaro

Hipster resort enclave with foodie pedigree in PS

1800 East Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92264 United States

hotels

Who's Going

Foodie Travelers, Hipster Weekenders, Design Lovers

Reason to Stay

Pool Scene, Foodie Eatery, Hip Clientele

Hotel Type

Boutique Resort

Along an up-and-coming section of South Palm Springs just past the Ace Hotel, The Saguaro enlivens a once drab intersection with its bold silhouette that mimics 12 colors derived from indigenous desert flowers. This ambitious design-resort opens February 1st within a former-Holiday Inn Resort that been exorcised of its chain-motel décor and reconceived as a contemplative getaway by architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat of New York-based Stamberg Aferiat Architecture. The Saguaro hotel concept got its start in Scottsdale, creating a Southwestern theme design resort that mixes a party atmosphere with foodie eatery and fun all-day pool scene. Sydell Group Limited owns the hotel; which is the same development group behind the Ace Hotel in New York and Palm Springs.

Pronounced 'Suh-gwarh-oh' which is the name of a famous Sonoran Desert cactus, Saguaro is managed by SF-based Joie de Vivre. Lovers of the Ace should expect a similarly playful hotel experience, likely to be the it-hotel of the season with its two new concept eateries by Iron Chef Jose Garces - a James Beard Award winner. Tinto offers a Basque-influenced eatery and tapas lounge while livelier El Jefe delivers a small plates lounge experience inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City. In addition to a boutique spa, the focal Olympic-size resort pool is trimmed in cushy cabanas and fire pits that ignite a desert sky amongst lounge anthems and trendy guests likely with lap dogs in tow. 

The Room

Originally built in the late-70s, the Saguaro Palm Springs will likely extend the weekend party scene started at the Ace Hotel within a series of 3-stories buildings that surround a courtyard resort deck and pool. The design overhaul utilizes a palette of Southwestern colors to define interiors of the 249-rooms that vary between pool and mountain views with preferable patio or step-out balconies (where each air conditioner is unfortunately located). Boutique traditionalists will be surprised at guest rooms that are more colorful and eclectic than your usual design hotel, adorned in original furnishings accented in rattan and hand trimmed leather with walls strewn in images of colorful desert topography. Minimalists may buck the use of oranges, ambers and purples for carpets and textiles but will likely turn the page in the evolving world of modern boutique hotel design.

Preferred Room

Poolside Cabana

Special Features

Hip Clientele, Bike Rental, DJ Pool Scene

Amenities

Restaurant, Lounge, Pool Bar, Spa

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