Parker Palm Springs

Parker Palm Springs hides behind a monumental breeze-block wall in south Palm Springs, opening into a dense 13-acre estate of palms, lawns and winding paths. Jonathan Adler’s interiors lean into the property’s Hollywood history with saturated color, vintage references and deliberately playful details.

The 144 rooms span compact ateliers, poolside accommodations, garden suites and standalone villas. For the fullest version of the hotel’s personality, the Gene Autry House preserves the connection to the entertainer who once owned the property while functioning as a private two-bedroom residence.

The grounds are a major part of the stay. Three pools, clay tennis courts, pétanque, croquet, hammocks, gardens and hidden sitting areas turn the resort into a self-contained desert retreat where wandering is as much an activity as swimming.

Dining is similarly characterful, from all-day breakfast at Norma’s to the dark, theatrical Mister Parker’s, the intimate Counter Reformation wine bar and the jewel-box Mini Bar. The Palm Springs Yacht Club spa adds another layer of escapism with an indoor pool and extensive treatment facilities.

Parker works best for travelers who want Palm Springs to feel glamorous, humorous and slightly surreal rather than restrained. It is one of the city’s clearest examples of a hotel where the design, landscaping and social spaces are the destination as much as the guest room.