*Views of the 65-foot saltwater pool at The Colony Club.*

Where to stay and play in Palm Springs

The desert beckons as autumn in Palm Springs promises warm days and cooler nights. Special events highlight the signature style and sports of the area, including Modernism Week’s Fall Preview (October 14-17) and the BNP Paribas Open (October 4-17). Of course, you can always simply laze at the pool.

Hotelier, design guru, and Montecito resident Steve Hermann has completely renovated the venerable Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows into a stylish 57-room getaway with bold patterns and a fresh new look. Built by Purple Gang member Al Wertheimer in the 1930s, the hotel was a longtime favorite of L.A. celebs. Today it’s a luxe adults-only oasis with lush gardens, an inviting spa, and the sleek Colony Club restaurant. Says Hermann, “We looked to old Hollywood as well as the French and Italian Riviera of the 1930s and ’40s for inspiration.”

“We looked to old Hollywood as well as the French and Italian Riviera of the 1930s and ’40s for inspiration.”

Morocco meets the Mediterranean at the Korakia Pensione. Behind the wooden doors of the grand Moorish entrance are two historic villas with bungalows, rooms, studios, and suites arrayed around two pools and each individually appointed with antiques and handcrafted furnishings. What could be more relaxing than breakfast in the courtyard, afternoon tea in the art-filled library, massages in the indoor-outdoor spa lounge, and vintage movies under the stars. Add sound baths, yoga sessions, and a meditation practices for a truly serene stay.

With just 11 adults-only accommodations, Dive Palm Springs offers the intimacy of a boutique resort with the retro aesthetic of the 1960s French Riviera. Each room has its own vivid color theme, while the image of Lulu (the hotel’s neon diving girl artwork) unites it all. Enjoy an aperitif in the Peacock Lounge, where the curated playlist features music by Françoise Hardy and other Gallic notables. C’est si bon.