Known as one of the most stylish cities in the country, Palm Springs became a beacon for Hollywood starlets during the ’50s and ’60s. With a scenic mountain range that’s never too far away and the hundreds upon hundreds of perfectly manicured palm trees, it’s no surprise that the city of Palm Springs continues to see an influx of tourists and residents who choose to spend a portion of their year there.
One of the most quintessential lodging options is the Parker Palm Springs, a chic, midcentury modern-styled hotel with enough personality to become a character when you refer back to your trip. With more than 13 acres making up the property, you can count on finding something enchanting hidden around every corner. Take a dip in one of the three pools on property (one for every mood they say), or enjoy a game of tennis, péntanque, croquet or giant chess among an array of fruit trees, picturesque palm trees and a backdrop filled with mountains. Inside, things are even dreamier, thanks to the kaleidoscopic and all-around cool interiors by designer Jonathan Adler. The Parker also plays hosts to a variety of events, both private and public, so there’s usually always something going on around there. A favorite among bloggers and it-girls, the Parker is a super trendy spot that is certain to give you a range of Instagram-worthy photos.
In Desert Springs, the next town over, there’s a JW Marriott property that’s ready to give you the “resort-feel” travelers often look for when visiting Palm Springs. There are two luxury 18-hole golf courses on the property that both offer breathtaking views of classic Palm Springs scenery. There are also three swimming pools, a tennis court, a kid’s club, a top-of-the-line spa and a Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar with the option to arrive via boat from the hotel lobby. This property is massive and rooms can be located extremely far away from one another, but the staff recognize that and do their best to be as accommodating as possible. What’s even better is the entire hotel is about to go through a full renovation to create more modern and technologically advanced rooms that they plan on revealing in the fall of this year.
I don’t know if it is because locals are trying to beat the desert heat, or if it is because most visitors choose to sleep in, but Palm Springs has a ton of great brunch spots. While there, we tried quite a few, and although they all offered something different, the one thing they had is common was the ability to enjoy the outdoors (in shade, of course).
If you can’t snag a room at the Parker Palm Springs, try grabbing a bite to eat there instead. During our recent trip we stopped in for brunch at Norma’s and enjoyed their trendy outdoor seating area. Although prices are a bit excessive for a brunch menu, the serving portions are insanely large, and many items are plates you would have a hard time recreating at home (coincidently labeled under “mom can’t make this”). We ordered the crunchy French toast and the turkey with sweet potato hash and loved every single bite.
In the Uptown Design District, we stumbled upon two other great brunch options, Cheeky’s and Jake’s, which just so happen to be located literally next door to one another. Cheeky’s prides themselves on being “genuinely local.” They source meat and produce from small, local farms and create seasonal breakfast and lunch menus. The morning I was there, I ordered the doughnut breakfast sandwich, but the menus change weekly. They are, however, known for their bacon bar with the option of a bacon flight—yum! Next door, you’ll find Jake’s and a more traditional menu. What really sets this restaurant apart from Cheeky’s is the atmosphere in their cozy courtyard. I devoured my croque benedict and helped myself to the challah French toast that my boyfriend ordered.
Palm Springs is known for its abundance in vintage apparel and furniture shopping. People travel from all over the world with hopes to scoring that one-of-a-kind piece. Although I’m not in the market for furniture, I had a field day at all of the vintage clothing stores and walked away with several pieces that I’m sure I’ll love for a lifetime.
The first vintage store I came across was The Fine Art of Design, located just a short drive from the town center. Owner and shopkeeper Nicolas Delgado has built a carefully curated collection of vintage apparel and accessories by both well-known and unknown designers. Walking into his store feels like you’re walking into a giant closet of a well-dressed elderly woman who spent her life accumulating the best in fashion. What’s even better is how well Delgado cares for each of his pieces, ensuring they are ready to wear out of the store if need be (which often times is not the case at vintage stores). He’s also extremely helpful and kind and makes the experience in his store just as fun as coming across a piece you fall in love with.
The other vintage store that’s a must during your visit to Palm Springs is The Frippery. Named for the area in Paris where house servants of the ultra-wealthy would meet up to trade clothes given to them by their female employers, The Frippery of Palm Springs takes the idea and modernizes it to fit the surrounding lifestyle. With pieces collected from local, as well as national, fashionistas, the store is filled with ultra-luxurious and fashionable pieces. What sets this store apart is that each of the pieces was chosen to represent the style of Palm Springs. They have tons of resort wear for the afternoons by the pool, but they also incorporate mod, bohemian and rock-n-roll styles to their collection.
Megan Pinckney (@shadesofpinck) is a retired beauty queen turned lifestyle blogger who loves exploring the world and writing about it.