Glass visits The Parker Hotel, Palm Springs, USA

WHEN you’ve left a place, a truly special place, feelings often resonate deeply. Whether this be leaving a dear friend, a lover, a hotel or finishing a holiday, it’s always the same. Keeping notes or a diary help, but the feelings we’re left with are often the best indicators of the experience. So while sitting in the departure lounge bound for London, my mind wanders instantly back to Palm Springs. As a palm-tree-lined modernist vision, this small town joyfully hops over the line of eccentricity and so does its oldest hotel, The Parker.

Entrance to The Parker

Divided between a handful of separate buildings and connected by manicured gardens and paths, the hotel feels like a chateau but retains a feeling of privacy. Other than pruned trees and high hedges, little can be seen of the Parker from the roadside apart from the two-storey mid-century facade that Jonathan Adler retained when he first designed the Parker in 2004.

Bedroom at The Parker

Double height luminous orange doors, chandeliers and dense shag pile rugs greet guests on entry. From the outset Adler’s playful tone is tangible; a rich mélange of circa 1930 Hollywood and modernist Bohemia working together to give the impression of the exuberant home of a well-travelled eccentric.

Norma’s at The Parker

It’s fun, luxurious and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The recent renovation has bequeathed the gardens with a seven foot bronzed banana, retro-lux pool cabanas and hallways styled on Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, The Shining.Alfresco at The Parker

Rooms are generously proportioned and bathrooms are classic and equipped with toiletries by Hermès and Acqua Di Parma – the devil is in the detail and you’ll need to look and smell your best when dining in Mr Parkers in the evening.

Retro-style spa at The Parker

The restaurant is dark, glamorous and brimming with modern, over-the-top art. The maître d’ greets guests next to a white grand piano and was nothing less than a star – attentive, sharp and welcoming. Service here was like nothing we’ve had recently – Steve our waiter has raised our expectations of service even higher. Food is classic and French, we enjoyed a divine seafood spread of Canadian oysters, scallops and clams, Maine lobster and completed by a S’more kit for the uber-modern fire pit in the garden.

Reception at The Parker

The Parker has an air of luxury country club – it’s provocative, retro, sexy and everything you’d want from an LA hideaway in Palm Springs.

by Stephanie Clair

For more details about The Parker, please visit this link