The infamous Californian desert oasis and getaway has a long reputation for escapism, especially for the rich and famous of La La Land. At the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs, they’ve taken that to heart, so much so that we couldn’t find it in ourselves to leave this stunning resort.
We had a perfect California vacation at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows, Palm Springs. We were celebrated a birthday, basked, reading on sun loungers beside the swimming pool for days on end and found ourselves more often than not supping an ice-cold martini in the evening sun.
It was a getaway holiday to one of California’s most OutThere destinations, but we were rather happy not leaving the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows. Palm Springs has a lot to offer, but our daily decisions came down to whether we should walk the five footsteps to the jacuzzi for a quick soak, or order from the delicious poolside menu. We often opted for a little bit of both. That’s the level of mental effort you’ll need to exert in this oasis of desert glamour.
Even by American service standards, the waiters and staff at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs are outstanding, not just helpful when it came to service, but actually rather fun and engaging. They went beyond the call of duty, even leaving chocolate strawberries with a personalised message in our bungalow when they realised we were celebrating.
Our villa, a contemporary ode to monochromatic interior design, came complete with a dining area, fireplace and patio onto a fountained courtyard garden – was so gorgeous, it was almost a crime to even venture to the pool. But if there was one thing that would tear us away from the bungalow, it had to be the promise of a relaxing Estrella custom massage at its renowned Estrella spa, which we recommend booking in advance as it can get busy.
Palm Springs is already a beautiful place, renowned for its architecture, so Avalon’s status as among the loveliest hotels in town is serious praise. Take us back, already!
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Escapist | PSP | GMT -8 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Fancy some real-deal California eats, you needn’t leave the gates of the Avalon Hotel & Bungalow, Palm Springs. Chi Chi (we love the name) restaurant serves up fresh gastro cuisine, from light bites (us celebrities have to watch our figures, after all) melon and prawn salad, to a far more extravagant braised beef short rib. Ask for an outdoor table at dinner to dine under the desert stars. |
www.avalon-hotel.com/palm-springs
Photography courtesy of Avalon Hotel & Bungalows, Palm Springs
