Parker Palm Springs: Indulgence in the Desert
by Holly Reich

The latest word on the Parker Palm Springs is that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie checked in a couple of weeks ago using the alias, Bryce and Jasmine Pilaf--not, as you would expect, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

But this relatively new property already has a glittery reputation.

Gossip has it that four years ago at the Givenchy Resort and Spa in Palm Springs,  actor Robert Downey Jr. was arrested for “over enjoying his stay in room 311”. While the room is still there, the hotel name and decor  have changed. Reopened  in October 2004, the kitschy Parker Palm Springs has been renovated to the tune of 27 million dollars. Apparently Downey has been renovated as well. The Parker carries his CD in the lobby along with those of other luminaries who have stayed there including Barbara Streisand and Barry Manilow.

The Parker, owned by the Jack Parker Corporation and affiliated with Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, is quickly gaining accolades in a community where over the top reigns. Stars such as Nicole Kidman, Kevin Spacey and Kirk Douglas stayed during the January Palm Springs Film Festival and Suzanne Somers breakfasts there regularly and uses their 22,000-square-foot spa that was given a world class rating by Conde Nast Traveler.

Tucked into a private neighborhood two miles from downtown Palm Springs, the property opened originally in 1959 as the first Holiday Inn in California. (That was back in the days when Holiday Inn was THE NAME in hotels.) It has lasted through several manifestations--from Gene Autrey's Melody Ranch, where he lived in a two-bedroom, two bath house, to Merv Griffin’s Givenchy Resort and Spa and now, the Parker.

“One of our mantras is 'it’s not enough to be different, we have to be better.' We want people to feel like they are staying at a private estate,” says GM Charlie Robles, who notes that, instead of a formal front desk check in, guests are registered in their rooms. And, the super friendly staff doesn’t wear name tags.

A doorman in a brilliant fuscia-colored polo jacket greeted me at the bright orange, 30-foot door. The bold main entrance is flanked by a bris-soleil,  a curved, 1950’s-style wall of concrete blocks with openings that allow the desert breeze to blow in.

After asking my name, smartly-dressed bell boys in red Nantucket Red pants took my bags immediately to my room - remember there’s no check-in at the Parker.

Aside from the colorful arrival, the first thing I noticed was the lack of attitude. Trendy hotels seem to be synonymous with airs. Happily, not here. “We believe that over the past years hotels have lost something very important and that’s hospitality,”  Robles comments.

Yes indeed. The Parker was created around a fictional character,  a Mrs. Parker who is modeled after the celebrated Auntie Mame. "I told my young staff about Auntie Mame and used the 1940's movie starring Rosalind Russell for training purposes!” reveals Robles.

Myth has it that Mrs. Parker travels the world collecting interesting artifacts like the wraparound couch in the lobby covered in a white Moroccan wedding veil with gold spangles, bells and embroidery. Her other treasures--the colorful 50’s salt and pepper shakers in Norma’s Restaurant, the ‘leopard’ covered lounge chairs and Mexican throws were, in fact collected by Jonathan Adler, a noted potter and store owner, who shopped estate sales for the eclectic décor.  “Everyone that worked on the project had no previous hotel experience which is a good thing ...and a challenge,” laughs Robles. “We picked Jonathan because he was different. He recreated the Palm Springs of the 1950-1970's era, what they call mid-century architecture.” Adler describes the Parker as happy luxe and desert chic. “We want you to be comfortable in our home,” said Ron Smith, Assistant Front Office Manager when I grilled him about the lobby.

As a matter of fact, the Parker felt hauntingly familiar to me. Almost like deja vu. At times I even speculated, "Is this my Mom’s den from her 50’s period?" But then again, Mom would never hang a nine-foot chandelier made of crystal links from the ceiling. The guest rooms, which combine whimsy and simplicity, feature a variety of textures including grass cloth ceilings, seisel flooring,  white brick walls, marble bathrooms, a stark white, four poster feather bed with a feather duvet and pillow,  wooden Horsehead lamps and soft lambs wool rugs laid out at night by the bed. Period pieces  include a stack of novels by Jacqueline Suzanne and Harold Robbins and a Ron Gallela  photo of Jackie Onassis walking in Central Park. But it was the bathroom that made me happy. All my favorite collectibles including Hermes soap, Molton Brown bath gels, Erno Lazlo body lotion, Blistex and L’Occitane hand soap. Also to note, the rooms come equipped with wireless internet access and a CD/DVD/MP3 player. Moroccan tea is available on request.

An import from Manhattan, Norma's, the “5 star diner”, carries on the eclectic flair.

“We have the best breakfast for miles,” boasts Robles describing the Dr. Shmackins'  Orange Marmalade French toast with enough carbs to last a year, the Chocolate Decadence French toast and the macaroni and cheese with lobster chunks swimming in the sauce. (I indulged -- it was dreamy!)

The  surrounding property, a lush garden of mature palm trees and orange bushes, has pockets of quiet courtyards with hanging chairs, hammocks and outdoor fireplaces. The spa has a full menu of treatments and separate men's and women's indoor pools (swimsuits optional) plus Jacuzzis, steam and sauna. The well-equipped 24-hour exercise room is a bright space with floor to ceiling windows.

The Parker also has four European red clay tennis courts (the kind my Dad used to play on) and an 18-hole executive golf course (the very same  where President Eisenhower hit his only hole in one!).

“When we were first talking about what we were doing and how much money we were spending everyone thought that we were nuts,” says Robles. “ But, we wanted to stand out. People may not love it but they are certainly going to talk about it.”

Exactly.

For More Information:

The Parker Palm Springs
4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, Ca. 92664
760 770 5000
theparkerpalmsprings.com

Holly Reich is a travel and automotive writer based in Manhattan. Her website is www.hollywrite.com .

All text copyright Holly Reich. No part of this article may be reproduced without written permission from the author.