Anywhere you choose to stay in Palm Springs, the abundance of vibrantly designed Mid-Century Modern hotels and resorts immerses you into the heart of a real-life desert oasis known worldwide for its bold take as a destination for outdoor leisure, luxury, design, and wellness for nearly a century.  On the hallowed site that is now the Parker Palm Springs, the first Holiday Inn in California was opened in 1959, and renamed “Melody Ranch” by actor Gene Autry when he took over ownership of the property.

In the 1990s, talk show legend-turned-hotelier Merv Griffin elevated and expanded it into Merv Griffin’s Resort Hotel and Givenchy Spa, drawing celebrities and Hollywood elites in grand Palm Springs style.  In response to changing times and tastes, as well as a growing appetite for nostalgia, hotelier Jack Parker and designer Jonathan Adler came in to transform the site into the definitive Palm Springs retreat. Their mission was accomplished when the Parker Palm Springs opened its doors in 2004.

Parker and Adler clearly had fun bringing their vision to life when drawing from the site’s and Palm Springs’ history, and they continue to do so now.  The main hotel lobby, along with the just-renovated Mr. Parker and Norma’s restaurants, swings through and around the 1960s and early 1970s. MiniBar, down the hall from Mr. Parker, has a glamorous Prohibition-era setting. Even the names of certain spaces add personality to the resort experience. Treatment rooms inside the Palm Springs Yacht Club are named after famous yachts, and some suites are named in honor of Parker’s children.

Time traveling through the property is a big part of the fun, and Parker’s 144 rooms and suites are dressed in groovy late-1960s California cool, with distinctive touches such as period-evoking accessories and artwork and a meditation corner. Adler’s slightly over-the-top touches, particularly the heavily mirrored bathroom with jewelry-inspired faucets and fixtures, are decadent fun, as is a mini drugstore’s worth of bathroom amenities, which may include items from Le Labo, Bvlgari Green Tea, and Ferragamo, along with more practical items to suit current weather conditions.

The Palm Springs Yacht Club scores points for the ways it transcends the definition of a spa. The lifestyle-driven wellness hub’s lobby bops to the tunes of the 1950s. The soundtrack inside the spa locker areas, treatment rooms, and its indoor pool area evokes the 1940s, and the “Boiler Room” wellness complex pays tribute to U.S. Navy sailors who served in World War II. There are also health elixir shots and flavored waters offered before and after fitness classes and treatments.

In little nooks around the 13 acres of unexpectedly lush tropical landscaping, guests can enjoy two outdoor pools, a hammock area, and unexpected modern sculptures. Noteworthy enclaves house red clay “Terre Battue” courts for tennis matches and private lessons, a manicured English Croquet lawn, and a “Pétanque & Pastis” area where one can try out the old world French boules game. The “Lemonade Stand,” open only to registered hotel guests, has drinks to suit every themed space and occasion.

From August 2025 forward, fine dining restaurant Mr. Parker promises to become one of Palm Springs’ most sought-after reservations. Its even groovier new ambiance brings added context to its reputation for imaginative, high-quality food and drinks executed by Executive Chef Pedro Baroso, with an assist from Sommelier Bruce Barrett.

Beyond the psychedelic painted door, one is immersed in a dark setting brightened up with spot-lit rock memorabilia and whimsical paintings. It is the kind of space where one can picture Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, and other era musicians and producers in their prime, kicking back with a cocktail of choice away from prying eyes. “Cave à Manger,” a companion wine room to Mr. Parker, features a curated selection of wines by the glass and a menu of small plated savory snacks.

Casual dining outlet Norma’s boasts both an old-school indoor diner setting and an adjoining festive patio area. Its eclectic menus are awash with cleverly renamed and reinvented comfort food items, including several that can be readily adapted for gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian diets. Popular lunch and dinner choices include “Claw’s & Chip’s Gone Fishing” (fish-and-chips upgraded with a lobster claw), “Nonna’s Wagyu Lasagna,” the burgers, and grilled fish plates for those who want to keep things light.

Breakfast and brunch at Norma’s are a high point, with sweet and savory main dishes exceeding expectations. “Norma’s Doughnuts” earns its reputation as the morning menu’s must-order item. Other indulgences those with a sweet tooth will want to check out include the “Berry Brioche French Toast” (filled and topped with fresh berries); simple but perfectly prepared waffles; “Get Shredded Corned Beef Hash” with sunny side up eggs, roasted peppers, and Herbs de Provence; and a stacked “Croque Manhattan” with ham, gruyère cheese, mornay sauce, and eggs. Mexican dishes are approachable, beautifully presented, and will stick to one’s ribs for hours.

All the elements dreamed up by Parker and Adler not only add up to a fun, “choose-your-adventure” stay for individuals, couples, and families, but also unforgettable large group events from weddings to corporate retreats. A jaunt through the website’s special events page is sure to inspire.