Desert,Three Ways
The best way to beat the heat this summer? Embrace it!
Written by Caitlin White | Photographs: The Sands Hotel & Spa, Tim Street-Porter; Hermann Bungalows, Jim Bartsch. Photographs: The Pink Cabana, Jamie Kowal; Azure Sky, Sheva Kefai.
Hermann Bungalows
The zero-edge pool at Hermann Bungalows boasts serene mountain views; the 24 smartly appointed bungalows feature floor-to-ceiling windows. Midcentury interiors at Hermann Bungalows.
A visit to the desert is all about escape—relief from the mundane. Tucked away in a hidden corner of L’Horizon Resort and Spa’s manicured grounds, HERMANN BUNGALOWS offer the kind of decadence that eclipses ordinary life. Proprietor and Montecito resident Steve Hermann has continued his vision for indoor/outdoor living in this new venture. A pathway leads to his hotel’s incredibly private, completely enclosed mini resort. Inside the property, an 85-foot, zero-edge wading pool lined with deep blue tiles lends a tropical aura to the whole area. Situated in the shadow of the San Jacinto Mountains, the enclave has been landscaped with romantic olive trees and equipped with crisp white lounge chairs, along with a private bar available only to guests. The 24 bungalows arranged around the glistening water feature comprise studio suites, junior suites, and a presidential suite that includes a living area, bedroom, and private hot tub on a large enclosed patio. Custom dark wood and magnificent tile round out each bungalow’s luxe desert feel, while Venetian terrazzo floors, gold fixtures, and even TOTO smart toilets add to the sense of opulence in every room. Each bungalow is slightly different from the others, but they all include private outdoor spaces and plush furniture. A select few boast soaking tubs and outdoor showers. An ideal desert oasis, Hermann Bungalows ups the ante for L’Horizon’s guests, doubling down on its already celebrated hospitality. From $1,000/night. 1050 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-323-1858, hermannbungalows.com.
“I wanted to design a luxurious, modern hotel that felt like a fine curated home”
Sands Hotel & Spa
The Sands Hotel & Spa's poolside lounge chairs and cabanas beckon; the Moroccan-inspired lobby designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard; an in-room soaking tub at the Sands.The Pink Cabana restaurant at the Sands.
There are nine cities in the constellation of the Coachella Valley, and Palm Springs is merely one of them. Venture a little deeper into the Greater Palm Springs area, and you’ll come upon Indian Wells, a small outlier best known for its tennis tournament. Even if you have no interest in hitting the court, the SANDS HOTEL & SPA is enough reason to draw you here. Since reopening in 2018, this boutique property by designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard has become exceedingly popular. Bullard’s vision for the hotel, which encompasses 46 rooms, embraces a Moroccan take on the desert, with arched entryways, intricate patterned-tile inlays, and art deco flourishes. The on-site restaurant and bar, The Pink Cabana, is a glittering haven that serves Mediterranean cuisine with Moroccan influences. Select rooms include balconies or private patios, and custom-built furniture carries the hotel’s playful decor through the property. From $329/night. 44-985 Province Wy., Indian Wells, 760-321-3771, sandshotelandspa.com.
Azure Sky
Azure Sky's guest rooms feature custom millwork and built-in beds; the retro exterior; the lobby at Azure Sky pays homage to the property's midcentury roots.
With just 14 rooms, AZURE SKY is a newly renovated microhotel embracing a midcentury modern ethos in South Palm Springs. Originally built back in 1959, the hotel, now operated by Santa Barbara’s Acme Hospitality, features serene grounds that have been thoughtfully transformed. A grassy meadow, formally the original pool, features an inviting fire pit. The expansive new pool area is now the focal point of the property with unobstructed views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Restored and redesigned with a neutral palette, muted black finishes, and glossy wood, the accommodations include plenty of natural light. Boasting custom-built beds, the spacious suites—12 of which feature kitchenettes—call to mind an airy apartment more than a hotel room. With a lobby that doubles as a retro living room, complete with a cocktail bar, guests don’t have to leave the property to enjoy all the desert has to offer. From $299/night. 1661 S. Calle Palo Fierro, Palm Springs, 760-469-4498, azureskyhotel.com.
