Hotel Review: Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs, California, USA

What’s the Curbappeal?

- The only 'stylish and contemporary value-hotel' in Palm Springs. Other options favour a more classic-glam look and are more expensive. So if you prefer the modern to the traditional or historic, then this is the one for you.

P.S. here's some photos from my Canon SLR….

Polite notice: all photos copyright Curbappeal 2013

Ruby's Diner, Palm Springs, California

 What’s the Curbappeal?

- The classic 1940’s American diner styling: think bright red vinyl booths with white Formica tables, soda fountains and colourful ’40’s poster art and memorabilia. It made me smile J

- The menu: as well as serving the usual ‘burgers and fries’ there’s a host of unusual items… and they all come with a calorie count, which is a nice touch. At breakfast choose from ‘Skinny Eggs’ (590 calories) or Ruby's French toast combo (930 calories). At lunch or dinner choose from the calorie-tastic Cheeseburger (740-1020 calories) or opt for the skinnier Double Deluxe Udi's® gluten free burger (706-749 calories). Whatever you choose, I highly recommend the Hershey’s chocolate deluxe shake for dessert J

With Love,

Ms. Curbappeal x

P.S. here’s some photos from my Canon SLR...

Polite notice: all photos copyright Curbappeal 2013

Hotel Review: The Ingleside Inn, Palm Springs, California, USA

What’s the Curbappeal?

- The rambling Spanish architecture

- Lovely tropical grounds and gardens with stunning mountain views

- The ‘retreat’ vibe

- Old-school Hollywood glamour

- The celebrity history. You name it – they’ve all been here: Cher; Elizabeth Taylor; Joan Collins; Liza Minelli; Goldie Hawn; Norah Jones; John Travolta; Clark Gable; John Wayne; Frank Sinatra; Marlon Brando….

- But…style warning(!): the bedrooms are in need of a refurb. They feel oddly ‘corporate’ in such cosy surroundings.

So, would I stay here? Probably not. The architecture and the grounds of the hotel are lovely but the rooms let the whole thing down. Make the rooms ‘cute and cosy’ and the whole package will make sense – and I’ll be back in a flash.

With Love,

Ms. Curbappeal x

PS. here’s some photos from my Canon SLR…

The rambling Spanish architecture, lovely tropical grounds and gardens...

But…style warning(!): the bedrooms are in need of a refurb... they feel oddly ‘corporate’ in such cosy surroundings...

polite notice: all photos copyright Curbappeal 2013

Bar and Restaurant Review: The Tropicale, Palm Springs, California

What's the Curbappeal?

- Chic and sophisticated contemporary-style restaurant: think oversized booth-seating paired with moody amber lighting

- Lovely relaxed atmosphere on the large outside patio: sit under the shade of trees and sip divine cocktails

We just came for drinks (try the Ginger Martini or the Chi Chi Colada) but the food menu looked great: I had my eye on the ‘Vintage Ranch Prime Fillet Mignon with Stone Crab’, the ‘Bip Bim Bap – Kobe Flat Iron Steak with Spicy Korean-style Red Chilli BBQ Sauce’ and the ‘Miso-Glazed Wild King Salmon Rice Bowl’.

With Love,

Ms. Curbappeal x

P.S. here's some photo’s from my Canon SLR….

Polite notice: all photo's copyright Curbappeal 2013

Restaurant review: Circa 59, Riviera Palm Springs, Palm Springs, California

What's the Curbappeal?
- It's not a temple of calm but if you want it loud and in your face (the decor) this could be for you.
I have to say the food was distinctly average on our visit. My steak was cold and not too tasty. The serving staff were slow too. But then it was a slow night judging by the lack of fellow diners.

….as an aside, the hotels' website pictures make this restaurant, and the resort, look more high-end than it is…

Some photo’s from my Canon SLR…

Polite notice: all photos’ copyright Curbappeal 2013

I also reviewed one of the hotels bars, The Arcade

Bar review: The Arcade, Riviera Palm Springs, Palm Springs, California

What’s the curbappeal?

- Love the unusual contemporary artwork

- Uplifting vibe… perfect for the young - or young at heart - party-crowd, but…

...the hotels website pictures make this bar, and the resort, look more high-end than it is…

Some photo’s from my Canon SLR…

Polite notice: all photos’ copyright Curbappeal 2013 

Café/Restaurant Review: Norma’s, The Parker, Palm Springs, California, USA

What’s the Curbappeal?

- An uber-hip all-day diner within The Parker hotel 

- Designed by famous US-stylist Jonathan Adler whose motto is 'colours can't clash'- a point beautifully illustrated around the diner and the hotel: it’s a divinely-done temple to kitschy-camp mid-century interior design.

- Inside – the brown leather chairs and booths work with the white-washed exposed brick walls to create a calming environment. Set outside is a chic patio with a colourful orange, red and white canopy with hanging white Chinese-style lanterns. Sat here, you overlook the large lush gardens of the Parker hotel - well worth a stroll after indulging in Norma’s delights…  

- The menu focuses on indulgent comfort food. Come hungry to appreciate the generous but delicious portions!

- Even after a fantastic ‘Norma’s Eggs Benedict’, the 'Norma's doughnuts' (filled with lemon custard or blueberry jam) were just too hard to resist: soft and fluffy with a generous gooey filling. Mmmm! I also tried ‘McCann’s Irish Oatmeal Brûlée with Sautéed Green Apples and Red Pears’: sweet sautéed fruits and just the right amount of ‘Brûlée’ topping, heavenly.

- If you want to spoil yourself, there are some truly decadent dishes. Ones that caught my eye include ‘Seared Rock Lobster and Asparagus Omelette’, ‘Foie Gras Brioche French Toast With Asparagus and Mushrooms’ and ‘The Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata with 10 oz. Sevruga Caviar’. It’s not your normal kind of diner…

….perfect for a long, lazy and indulgent brunch

It’s on my shortlist for Curbappeal’s ‘Most Fabulous’ 2013 awards: ‘Most Fabulously Uplifting Hotel Diner’

Some photos from my Canon SLR…

Polite notice: all photo’s copyright Curbappeal 2013