Operated by Starwood's niche luxury brand Le Meridien, the Parker simulates the high-hedged privacy of a millionaire's estate because it once was one: Gene Autry and Merv Griffin in turn owned this 13-acre spread, and Autry's original two-bedroom Melody Ranch house is still there and available for rent. The grounds are breathtaking and tempt you to extend your check-out date (if only it wasn't sold out in winter). Amid winding paths and clipped lawns, guests block out the world, and were it not for the heat could almost forget they're in a desert plain at the foot of mountain range—a sense that is accentuated by the resort's location a few miles east of the attractions of downtown. That means you'll need to drive to do anything. Most of the rooms are in two-level hotel buildings that, before they were lavished with a renovation worthy of the price point, belonged to California's first Holiday Inn (1959) bult on Autry's property, so although service is elevated, space and some infrastructure feels a bit old-fashioned. Designer Jonathan Adler made that into an asset by renovating in '70s-retro, and to the hilt—polka-dots, lots of rusty hues and whites, fabric wall hangs, but with modern and sumptuous beds. Guests, if you spot them, lean toward young aesthetes happy to sip mimosas on the patio or crowd the adults-only pool (which is not the cleanest), sneakily checking to see who's looking at them. The finer of its two restaurants, Mister Parker's, has only 65 seats, eschews menus in favor of daily chef creations, and is only open Tues–Sat, but its "diner" choice, Norma's, serves all day, albeit at prices much higher than any diner you've ever been to before. But with a destination resort like this, which seems more suited to Instagram bragging than to family vacations, that's to be expected.
Palm Springs
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Palm Springs› Hotel
The Parker Palm Springs
4200 E. Palm Dr., Palm Springs, CA
Our Rating
Neighborhood
East Palm Springs
Phone
760/770-5000
Prices
From $200 in summer and $325 fall–spring for the cheapest category, "Estate" rooms, plus $35/night resort fee which includes Wi-Fi and valet parking
Units
156
Amenities
4 pools including 2 outdoor heated pools, pool bar, spa, 2 restaurants, 4 red clay tennis courts, croquet and pétanque courts, fire pit, 18-hole executive golf course, spa, 24-hr. fitness center, valet parking (included in resort fee), Wi-Fi (included in resort fee)
Web site
The Parker Palm Springs
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Map
4200 E. Palm Dr. Palm Springs CA Palm SpringsNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.