Saturday, 19 January 2013

Hotel Review: The Parker, Palm Springs, California, USA


Keeping It Short…

What’s the Curbappeal?
- It’s a temple to kitschy-camp mid-century design
- The glamour… the fame: popular with Hollywood stars, past and present
…it feels like how a movie star should live….
- I absolutely loved it here: the interiors are just so incredibly uplifting!

Oh, and it’s on my shortlist for Curbappeal’s ‘Most Fabulous’ 2013 awards – for ‘Most Fabulously Uplifting Hotel Interior’

The Wordier Piece…

Hidden behind a huge white breeze-block retro facade, The Parker is an achingly-stunning hotel. From the minute the pink-jacketed doormen swing open the huge bright orange entrance doors you realise this is no ordinary hotel.  The light and airy lobby combines white-washed exposed brick walls with a colourfully eclectic decor (Italian chandeliers, suits of armour, a zebra print rug, glitzy cushions & a red tapestry hanging on the wall) and it all works together to create a wonderfully chic and decadent  look.   

Continuing through into the lounge area the uber-hip vibe continues... funky lights of differing styles, colourful vintage vases, sofas covered with Uzbekistani throws, an indoor fire pit...it’s just soooo Jonathan Adler (the US designer responsible for the quirky but wonderful decor).  Adler's belief that 'colours can't clash' is illustrated around the hotel and his imaginary Mrs Parker (a fictional 'favourite elegant Great Aunt' who he created for inspiration in styling the hotel), is certainly an Aunt I’d love to have, and move in with…  

Venturing outside into the beautifully manicured grounds, you can enjoy a game of croquet, relax in a hammock between palm trees, sit and enjoy fresh lemonade from The Lemonade Stand or swim in one of the two outdoor pools. In the evenings, if the temperature gets a little chilly, you can wrap up warm and sit snugly by an outdoor fire pit under the stars.

The rooms are well-sized and the use of neutral paints creates a calm feel but, to brighten things up a bit, Adler has added colourful cushions, rugs, cubistic 4-poster beds and other quirky touches. 

Dining is either casual, at the brightly-coloured, retro-styled, Norma’s or more formal at Mister Parker’s.  And, if this wasn't enough, the hotel also houses a simply stunning nautically-themed spa...putting all this together – I think The Parker is pretty near perfect...

Some photos from my Canon SLR...
















































 Polite notice: all photo’s copyright Curbappeal 2013 

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