Anthea Gerrie takes a walk back to happiness at the retro Saguaro Palm Springs
In a town which has been famous for its iconic architecture for more than half a century, the Saguaro is becoming one of the most iconic buildings of present times in California’s desert playground. Credit a pair of innovative modern-day architects and Instagram, which has made the place famous with the millions of views it has accorded to what must be the world’s most colourful hotel.
It’s hard to resist a resort which lures you in with rooms which can be purple, pink, orange, yellow or green, depending on which side of the building you have booked into. And that choice will have been made by preference for views – tip here, go for rooms at the back of the building which enjoy a sensational mountain view beyond the pool which is at the heart of the lively social action.
Saguaro Palm Springs is not new, but it has been through many iterations since being developed in the 70s at the tail-end of mid-century modernism, the architectural vernacular which defines Palm Springs, home to the greatest concentration of modernist buildings in the world. It opened as The International, became a Ramada and most latterly a Holiday Inn before its full potential was realised by the present owners.
In 2012, it reopened as the Saguaro Palm Springs – a name synonymous with desert plants after considerable renovation. In Palm Springs the architects took inspiration from 14 colours of local wildflowers, having just completed a renovation from a sister property in Scottsdale with colours native to Arizona.
The colour scheme of Saguaro Palm Springs extends beyond the outdoor fascia panels into the 244 rooms, simply but playfully decorated and accessorised with colourful Perspex cacti to remind guests they are sleeping in a desert town, albeit the hippest and liveliest in California; look for more tactic and mid-century-influenced furniture in the expansive lobby.
Saguaro Palm Springs sits at the quieter eastern end of town, almost opposite another mid-century fixture, Mr. Lyons steakhouse, where Frank Sinatra once held court in a booth, but you don’t have to leave the premises to get a good cocktail. The Saguaro’s newly-opened El Jefe Desert Cantina aims to be the go-to place for agave drinks in particular – bring on the tequila and mezcal to wash down the tacos, a particular bargain on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and other Mexican snacks.
Tell Me More About the Saguaro Palm Springs
Saguaro, 1800 East Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs California 92264
T: 001 760 323 1711 E: thesaguaropalmsprings.com
Rooms from $126
