Exploring Twin Palms hotels, plus a new surf club downtown, this season’s new openings offer lots of fun in the sun. —Sarah Bancroft
Stay
The Azure Sky boutique hotel in Twin Palms might be one of the Valley’s best-kept secrets. Because it does not have a restaurant and it has just 14 large rooms, this age 21-plus TV-free hotel is a desert oasis with gorgeous mountain views. The renovated 1959 condo complex has lush, mature landscaping including olive, banana and palm trees, and 10-foot high Ficus hedges that provide total privacy. The 2-year pandemic renovation included a brand new pool area and plenty of amenities: a reception that doubles as a bar (enjoy that complementary lemon drop martini on arrival), kitchenettes and private patios in most rooms, a well-stocked honour bar, free bike rentals, custom floating beds, complimentary in-room Nespresso and a healthy breakfast hung on a hook outside your door: mini croissants, fresh fruit, French yogourt and granola. The abundance of pool loungers and complete quiet at night make for a restful vacation. Want more action? Walk across the street to the Ace Hotel or Villa Royale or a few more minutes to Bar Cecil or Mister Lyons.
Photo credit: Sheva Kefai
Eat
Another Twin Palms restoration project, the refreshed 1947 Villa Royale is a Spanish-style boutique hotel that has become known for its Thursday paella nights at its indoor-outdoor restaurant, Del Rey. Affiliated with the group that brought us Bar Cecil, reservations are a must. Its huge private lawn for weddings and events rivals The Parker Hotel’s, and there is a fleet of cruiser bikes to explore the surrounding neighbourhood.
Photo credit: Villa Royale
Play
Exploring Twin Palms by bike might just be one of the best ways to start the day. Considered the desert’s first Modernist neighbourhood, you’ll see significant mid-century works from architects Hugh Kaptur, Donald Wexler, and Hal Levitt everywhere. There are always walking tours of Twin Palms offered during Palm Springs Modernism Week (Feb 15-25, 2024) if you want to fully immerse yourself in the history of the area and its many prominent residents, past and present.
Photo credit: Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate (Visit California)
Treat
Mid-afternoon you’ll want to head to Twin Palm’s Kreem artisan ice cream for a refreshing treat. The rotating roster of unique So-Cal flavours might include rosemary, lemon meringue pie and prickly pear (also possibly a hangover cure!). Find the daily menu on Instagram.
Surf
Yes, really! The Palm Springs Surf Club opened in January 2024, spanning 21-acres in downtown Palm Springs. The wave pool can accommodate 25 surfers with its advanced pneumatic wave technology creating swells from 2 to 7 feet high.. There’s also a waterslide for the kids, a social lounge with bottle service and a viewing deck, several restaurants and bars, or loungers and a lazy river if that’s more your speed.
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