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<\/a>Soon, Stearns found himself drawn to the Desert Riviera Hotel\u2019s interior. But for all the history the 1951 Herbert Burns design held, the 10-room property was in more severe shape than he had originally thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shag carpet in the rooms was crunchy when you stepped on it,\u201d he said, thinking back to his first visit.<\/p>\n
But rather than repel him, the motel captured his imagination. About $1.6 million and three years later, the Desert Riviera is the No. 1 Palm Springs hotel on tripadvisor.com, which allows guests to rate and review hotels.<\/p>\n
Stearns and his wife, Patty, along with his sister, Judy, and a few other employees, create a familial atmosphere around the motel\u2019s 90-degree pool \u2013 most of the 10 rooms surround it, much like many of the area\u2019s mid-century modern motels \u2013 offering free beverages, tour advice and restaurant suggestions. Guests can relax on comfortable, oversize lounge chairs with soft, sherbet-colored towels and enjoy the sun or the shade of numerous patio umbrellas. Pool toys \u2013 although this is strictly an adult hotel \u2013 add to the fun, as does piped-in golden oldies.<\/p>\n
The d\u00e9cor nods toward the hotel\u2019s heyday with \u201950s- and \u201960s-themed spaces. Poolside rooms offer a king-sized bed, a large white table (holding a complimentary snack basket) with two chairs, an upholstered side chair, a ceiling fan, a flat-screen TV with DVD player (a free movie library is in the office) and two lighted closets. Slate flooring replaces the \u201ccrunchy\u201d carpeting. <\/p>\n
In a side room with a pocket door is a spacious kitchenette with new cabinets, microwave and refrigerator stocked with free bottled water and sodas, plus enough utensils to prepare a simple meal. An outdoor barbecue is available to all guests, as is the full kitchen in the motel\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the only downside to the rooms is the baths. While renovated and re-tiled, most just include a small shower with water temperatures that can vary dramatically. Hopefully Larry and Patty will further upgrade these fixtures as they continue their success.<\/p>\n
But the Stearns\u2019 and their staff\u2019s cheerful hospitality more than makes up for that minor glitch. From free limo service in the evenings to encouraging guests to gather at the fire pit for drinks to providing Wi-Fi, sunscreen, bikes and golf clubs, the Desert Riviera\u2019s policy of not charging for anything beyond the room rate creates significant value when compared to resorts that tack on fees for nearly every move a guest makes. Plus the \u201cfamily\u201d feeling many guests report on tripadvisor.com creates a welcome atmosphere not found at those sterile chains.<\/p>\n
For a more over-the-top taste of Palm Springs kitsch, travel to the north end of Palm Springs to the Rendezvous, another in the town\u2019s set of recently renovated 10-roomers (and often No. 2 on tripadvisor.com, with nearly as many glowing reviews as the Desert Riviera). Originally built in the 1930\u2019s but expanded in the 1950\u2019s, the Rendezvous has quite a history with the movie set who used the motel as a retreat from Hollywood life. Veronica Lake, Gloria Swanson and Hugh O\u2019Brien \u2013 and, most notably, Marilyn Monroe \u2013 all reportedly slept and swam at what was then the Mira Loma hotel.<\/p>\n
Farther from the road and just as charming is the Pretty in Pink room, allegedly Marilyn\u2019s favorite in the 1950\u2019s. As its name suggests, the space is completely pink, from its walls to its bedspread to a tub that is overseen by a giant Warhol print of Monroe. The room includes the same amenities as \u201cShake,\u201d except for the massage table.<\/p>\n The Desert Riviera and the Rendezvous both offer significant discounts in the hot but pool-friendly summer months. Check their websites for more information.<\/p>\n Distancia desde el centro de la ciudad:<\/strong> 137 miles Desert Riviera<\/a><\/a>
\nTiempo de conducci\u00f3n:<\/strong> 2 hours, 15 minutes
\nMejor momento para ir:<\/strong> Summer is low season but be prepared for triple-digit temperatures. Cooler months bring higher rates.
\nEvitar:<\/strong> major event weekends \u2013 the small city can get crowded quickly
\nMejor para:<\/strong> Both of these inns cater to adults but Palm Springs has plenty of kid-friendly hotels and activities.
\nNo tan bueno para:<\/strong> those seeking a dynamic nightlife, except during event weekends
\nDon\u2019t miss: Aerial tramway, shopping on Palm Canyon Drive, warm evenings with cocktails and music by the pool
\nPropina:<\/strong> Many Palm Springs bars and restaurants have terrific happy hours. Check out The Falls (155 S. Palm Canyon Dr.) on Sundays for an all-night happy hour that includes discounted fresh-fruit martinis and half-price gourmet eats.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>610 E. Palm Canyon Dr.
\nPalm Springs, CA 92264
\n(866) 270-8322
\ndesertrivierahotel.com<\/a>
\nRates from $109<\/p>\n