When I stepped into the Parker Palm Springs, I immediately felt like I was whisked into the Alice in Wonderland novel. From the whimsical art pieces to the sprawling hedge maze-like property to the bright pops of yellow all over the place, the Parker Palm Springs is a magical luxury Palm Springs resort hotel that is more of an experience versus a place to sleep.
Type: Luxury Resort
IG Rating: 5/5 aesthetics
Good For: Couples, weddings, romance
The Parker Palm Springs is a bit elusive. The hotel takes up an entire block, but you can’t see into the property due to the tall green hedges that surround the grounds. The front gate is famous – it’s tall and white with a large orange door that pops up on my Instagram feed every spring when Californians escape to the desert. But what’s inside? You aren’t allowed to wander the property unless you are a guest – or, part of a conference taking place at the hotel. While attending Alt Summit this year, I was able to see what’s behind the lobby of the Parker.
Designed by Jonathan Adler, this hotel in Palm Springs is packed with mid-century modern flair, palm trees, flowers and art pieces (like a giant golden banana sculpture just sitting in a clearing between the hedges.)
It’s important to stress how the Parker makes you feel like you almost aren’t in Palm Springs. It’s a world of its own, one where you can’t hear the traffic and where the air smells of orange blossoms. There are 5 restaurants on site. Norma’s, Lemonade Stand, Mini Bar, Mister Parker’s, and Counter Reformation. Onsite is the Palm Springs Yacht Club, a spa that offers so many types of treatments, including pregnancy-friendly ones for baby mooners.
Plan a whole day just at the resort. Sleep in, brunch at Norma’s, lounge by the pool, grab lunch at the Lemonade Stand, get pampered at the Palm Springs Yacht Club and later sip cocktails at Mini Bar.
There’s so many types of rooms, from deluxe rooms to suites to villas and even the famous Gene Autry House. The later I had the pleasure of seeing the inside of during a conference event! The mid-century modern Gene Autry house is an actual house on the property, I’m guessing it’s usually booked out for the Parker Palm Springs weddings. The Gene Autry house is just as whimsical as the Parker, complete with a large living room, a kitchen, sauna, suites and a large private back yard. My favorite part, though, is the secret room! Pull back a framed poster in a bathroom to reveal a hidden movie theater room!
See photos of the Gene Autry house below!
I didn’t stay at The Parker as a guest, so I can’t comment on the rooms or the service. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised to find the staff seemed to always help visitors capture the best photos possible. Outside, a bellhop snapped a photo of a woman on her iPhone in front of the orange doors. While I was visiting the Lemonade Stand, the bartenders slipped out of view of the camera without us even asking. If that’s any indication, the level of service here is high.
The Parker Palm Springs Amenities
- 144 smoke-free guestrooms
- 5 restaurants
- Full-service spa
- Indoor and outdoor pool
- Breakfast available
- Health club
- 24-hour business center
- In-room childcare
- 24-hour front desk
- Air conditioning
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi and free parking
- Garden
- Yoga
- Table Tennis
- Giant Chess
- Bikes
- Croquet
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Outfit Inspiration
Palm Springs is warm year-round. It will be cooler in the winter but can easily get over 130 degrees in the summer. The Parker is the perfect place to play dress up. Bring your pretty dresses, your colorful earrings, your straw hats and floral tops. Don’t forget a good pair of sunglasses and sunscreen!
Parker hotel is one of the best hotels in Palm Springs. I hope to return one day as a proper guest and once again surround myself with all the whimsy of this desert resort. If you can’t book at the Parker, check out one of these 9 stylish Palm Springs Airbnbs instead (including That Pink Door house!)
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