We are often accused of harping on about hotels that have a sense of place. And it’s hard to get more Palm Springs than Villa Royale. This adults-only hotel is set across three and a half stunning acres of private grounds, with adjoining courtyards with pools and fountains, housing a number of interconnecting Mission Revival-style villas.
Each of the hotel’s 38 villa-bedrooms is unique. If you want to go all out, check into the sprawling two-bed villa, which would be one hell of a property to ‘buy-out’ for a big group. We toyed with how much fun a 1950s-themed wedding would be and, for anyone looking to book for a party of more than 80, ask the owners about the 1950s apartment complex, the Villa Rosa, which will have eight more one-bedroom suites set around a pool.
Design-wise, the property boasts an eclectic mix of styles and eras. Every corner features an Instagram-worthy set-up – the ‘suited to social media’ concept is exactly what hotel co-owner John Janulis had in mind, having created some of the most hipster bars in Portland. Art also plays a huge part in the design. There are over 50 specially commissioned paintings and murals, mostly in a street-art style. In our humble opinion, they jar, but others probably see them as a bit of fun.
Architecturally, the property is captivating, not just in the way it looks, but also in the way it creates a sense of privacy. Walled off from the world, with just the city’s craggy mountains and lanky palms on view from your deckchair, it’s easy to escape from the daily grind. But if you do want to get out and about, the delights of Palm Springs are just a short cycle-ride away on the hotel’s fleet of Electra bikes, though you’ll have the searing heat to contend with.
This Basecamp review is an extract from a longer feature article, first published in print. To read the full article, click here.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Insider | PSP | GMT -8 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Learn more about Greater Palm Springs, the captive area that includes nine cities – one of which is, of course, the star attraction and Southern California’s most storied resort. You can easily go on a self-drive tour of the city’s best Modernist monument (and beyond), but to do the design movement properly, check-in for Modernism Week. |
Photography courtesy of Villa Royale
