It was a surreal moment as I pulled up to the iconic orange doors of the Parker Palm Springs. As the most famous hotel in Palms Springs, it’s certainly a destination of its own.
The Parker Palm Springs has 144 rooms, suites and villas spread out over several buildings. The immaculate gardens sprawl over 13 acres and offer numerous private green spaces.
Stunning interiors designed by Jonathan Adler perfectly blend with the overall playful Palm Springs vibe. Although I’m not really a mid-century modern kind of gal, I can appreciate the excellent design and artwork throughout the property.
I love the property’s history too. Film star, singer and owner of the Angels baseball team, Gene Autry, purchased the then Holiday Inn in 1961 and it became an escape for the players. Later in the 80s, media mogul Merv Griffin acquired the property, further cementing its history as the place to be for celebrities and Hollywood elite. Even today, I saw some guests reading scripts poolside.
For this girls trip, we agreed to splurge. The price was simply outrageous though. Our visit in March was admittedly during high season in Palm Springs as hotel costs drop dramatically during summer. If you’re looking to stay in the desert when it’s not a sweltering 115 degrees though, expect to pay a premium.
I could have done without the pretentious check in complete with a, “Are you suuure you’re staying heeeere?” when they couldn’t find the reservation under my friend’s maiden vs married name.
We got the Garden Deluxe room with two beds. The double beds make a tight fit for four. However, the room was surprisingly large and it easily fit a rollaway bed. The bathroom was adorned with an opulent faucet and nice toiletries by Aesop, Le Labo and Bvlgari.
There was a small mini fridge stocked with drinks and snacks for charge. For hotel guests, complimentary drip coffee or tea is available from the coffee bar inside Norma’s until 9 am. The coffee was absolutely delicious.
Parker Palm Springs is the kind of hotel you’d book for a special occasion. There were so many baby bumps! At just 2 hours from LA and San Diego (depending on traffic), it’s an equally popular weekend getaway for Southern Californians.
I saw a few multi-generational families enjoying their time at the family friendly pool. There was also an older gentleman in a rascal that was able to get around the gardens and sit poolside (they even have an ADA chair for the pool). I walked by a couple swinging in the hammock with their sweet baby, and I almost asked them if they wanted a picture. All to say, this property caters to different demographics with varying needs.
Of course, there’s an influencer scene. Photoshoots are to be expected. There was also a wedding on the weekend we visited, so the pool had a fun celebratory vibe.
Lounge chairs filled up fast and space is tight around the adult-only pool. A light soundtrack plays in the background of the sunny oval pool, while the family friendly pool is lined by a building of guest rooms. So, there’s no music and you’ll only hear the light noise of splashing. There’s also an indoor pool housed with the spa, but I’m here to solar charge.
We particularly enjoyed poolside drinks from the lemonade stand, which was just as adorable as I had anticipated. You’ll find signature cocktails and frosé on the menu along with inventive lemonade flavors like rosemary infused watermelon.
The service at Norma’s for breakfast was exceptionally friendly. My huevos rancheros were forgettable, but I was impressed by the “ring of fresh fruit,” a large ring carved from watermelon with a generous serving of fruit piled in the middle. You’re looking at about $50 a head after coffee, tax and tip.
So, is the Parker Palm Springs “worth it”? From a value standpoint? At four figures a night, absolutely not. However, if budget is not a consideration for you, the Parker is truly the most iconic hotel in Palm Springs. If you’re celebrating a special occasion and this all sounded like your cup of tea, go for it.
Honestly, I haven’t stayed at a hotel in the US in years. I’m more familiar with European luxury hotels after living in Spain and Italy. The Parker was a bit overpriced in comparison to its counterparts at a similar price point across the pond. I paid half as much for a room overlooking the Tuileries with a view of the Eiffel Tower (and you better believe it at least had a Nespresso machine in the room).
I visited Palms Springs in the past and enjoyed my time at Colony Palm Springs and the Kimpton for a fraction of the price. So if you’re visiting during peak season you might consider staying somewhere else, but at least dining at one of the restaurants or getting a cocktail at the bar to still experience it. We loved our fireside cocktails.
We had a wonderful weekend, but if I could do it again, I would not visit during the peak season. May or late September would offer a nice sweet spot of enjoyable weather and lower prices than spring.