Parker
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Parker Palm Springs
Pulling up in my companion’s svelte vintage coupe Mercedes to the entrance of the retro fabulous Parker hotel in Palm Springs has to be one of the most glamorous entries to one of the most glamorous hotels I have ever had the pleasure of staying at. The staff are dressed in powerful pink, referencing the blasts of blossoming bougainvillea that frame the façade. Humming birds flutter and suck the nectar from the flowers, while the palm trees above form a canopy of shade from the bronzing desert sun. This garden oasis is truly a paradise.
Palm Springs, 2 hours by car from LA, was a hideaway for the Hollywood set back in the 50’s, drawn here by its aura of seediness and decadence. Movie stars like Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and Lucille Ball as well as the closeted Rock Hudson and Liberace all came to do everything they couldn’t do back in Los Angeles. Like Key West in Florida, Palm Springs is both gods waiting room for the grey gays and a hedonistic watering hole for buff LA young bucks. I arrived (coincidentally I might add) for the White Party weekend (which takes place every Easter or ‘Spring Break’ as they call it). Talk about a baptism of fire. I have never seen so many beefy blokes battling it out for supremacy. It certainly inspired me to get back to the gym. Poolside shame at being hairy, pale and out of shape soon subsided after the fifth cocktail thankfully.
Unscathed masterpieces by modernist architects such as Richard Neutra and Rudolf are common in Palm Springs but if you hanker after the perfect 50's-style retro retreat, the Parker is the spot. Designer Jonathan Adler (see May’s interior pages where he and his boyfriend were featured) has embraced kitsch and mid century modernism with gusto. With zebra-print rugs, thrift-store Picassos and tangerine macramé, the look is old school Hollywood glam through and through. My private little botanical garden outside my room, accessed through a sliding plantation style slatted window, had a huge hammock slung up between the palms – nice touch. All the suites are filled with period furniture and classic 1950's kit (a vintage paparazzi shot of the delectable Jackie O peers down at you from above the loo). In addition to the now ubiquitous Molton Brown smellies in the bathroom there has the divine addition of Hermes soap – the perfect present to bag for a deserving friend.
The 13-acre grounds include two saltwater swimming pools, a Patonque area, clay tennis courts and a fire pit for post dinner cigarette bonding. The Palm Springs Yacht Club (clearly this being the desert there are no actual yachts but plenty of jaunty outfits sailing around and strong legged athletic types sporting a white Bally deck shoe or two) has a full-service spa, his-and-her swimming pools, sauna, gym and clothing boutique. If you’re planning an outfit, think preppy pastel coloured Ralph Lauren polo shirt with a cashmere jumper thrown nonchalantly across the shoulders and you will fit right in. The main building has a sceney bar, two restaurants (Mister Parker's and Norma's) and a retro groovy lounge with a circular fireplace. The fashionable Hollywood set (gay producers with their handsome young ‘friends’ were out in force when I stayed) lap it up. So will you.
4200 East Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs
USA
t: 08000 28 28 40
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Richard on 18.03.10
Pulling up in my companion’s svelte vintage coupe Mercedes to the entrance of the retro fabulous Parker hotel in Palm Springs has to be one of the most glamorous entries to one of the most glamorous hotels I have ever had the pleasure of staying at. The staff are dressed in powerful pink, referencing the blasts of blossoming bougainvillea that frame the façade. Humming birds flutter and suck the nectar from the flowers, while the palm trees above form a canopy of shade from the bronzing desert sun. This garden oasis is truly a paradise.
Palm Springs, 2 hours by car from LA, was a hideaway for the Hollywood set back in the 50’s, drawn here by its aura of seediness and decadence. Movie stars like Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and Lucille Ball as well as the closeted Rock Hudson and Liberace all came to do everything they couldn’t do back in Los Angeles. Like Key West in Florida, Palm Springs is both gods waiting room for the grey gays and a hedonistic watering hole for buff LA young bucks. I arrived (coincidentally I might add) for the White Party weekend (which takes place every Easter or ‘Spring Break’ as they call it). Talk about a baptism of fire. I have never seen so many beefy blokes battling it out for supremacy. It certainly inspired me to get back to the gym. Poolside shame at being hairy, pale and out of shape soon subsided after the fifth cocktail thankfully.
Unscathed masterpieces by modernist architects such as Richard Neutra and Rudolf are common in Palm Springs but if you hanker after the perfect 50's-style retro retreat, the Parker is the spot. Designer Jonathan Adler has embraced kitsch and mid century modernism with gusto. With zebra-print rugs, thrift-store Picassos and tangerine macramé, the look is old school Hollywood glam through and through. My private little botanical garden outside my room, accessed through a sliding plantation style slatted window, had a huge hammock slung up between the palms – nice touch. All the suites are filled with period furniture and classic 1950's kit (a vintage paparazzi shot of the delectable Jackie O peers down at you from above the loo). In addition to the now ubiquitous Molton Brown smellies in the bathroom there has the divine addition of Hermes soap – the perfect present to bag for a deserving friend.
The 13-acre grounds include two saltwater swimming pools, a Patonque area, clay tennis courts and a fire pit for post dinner cigarette bonding. The Palm Springs Yacht Club (clearly this being the desert there are no actual yachts but plenty of jaunty outfits sailing around and strong legged athletic types sporting a white Bally deck shoe or two) has a full-service spa, his-and-her swimming pools, sauna, gym and clothing boutique. If you’re planning an outfit, think preppy pastel coloured Ralph Lauren polo shirt with a cashmere jumper thrown nonchalantly across the shoulders and you will fit right in. The main building has a sceney bar, two restaurants (Mister Parker's and Norma's) and a retro groovy lounge with a circular fireplace. The fashionable Hollywood set (gay producers with their handsome young ‘friends’ were out in force when I stayed) lap it up. So will you.