We typically rent a house when we are in Palm Springs, primarily due to convenience and because we enjoy staying with friends and cooking our own meals. We will however be staying a night (or two) at The Parker Palm Springs next trip after a fantastic day there on our last trip. One of my favorite things to do is to check out Palm Springs’ hotels and sample the local spas and dining. The Parker Palm Springs is an experience worth seeing (and staying) for yourself. Designed by Jonathan Adler, this place is steeped in funky and eclectic coolness and retro glam. Formerly Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch and Merv Griffin’s Givenchy Resort and Spa, the Parker Palm Springs is situated on thirteen acres of landscaped gardens that are absolutely gorgeous. Around every corner is a new garden, each with its own function and beautiful plants and flowers, along with hammocks, Croquet lawns and Pétanque courts.
The hotel has 131 rooms and 12 villas and while it definitely caters to an upscale crowd, it is a family friendly hotel. We saw many families relaxing with their children playing ping pong, croquet, sipping lemonade at the lemonade stand, or swimming in one of the several pools on the property.
We started the morning at The Parker with a divine brunch at Norma’s where they serve breakfast all day, both indoors, or on their beautiful outdoor terrace. We then returned and spent some time at The Parker’s Spa, PSYC – The 
Palm Springs Yacht Club, rated a world-class spa by Condé Nast Traveler. The staff at the spa treated my daughter like a princess, adorning her with little pink toes. We stopped off to look at all of the eclectic finds at the little boutique adjoining the Spa. It’s filled with a great selection of funky clothes, handbags and unique items, including a collection of vintage Disney patterned belts, handbags, prints and necklaces.
Walking back through the meandering paths of the gardens, you discover a bright open clearing with a lemonade stand where guests can sip lemonade and play outside in the warm Palm Springs sun.
While the villa nightly rate may be a bit steep for most, the Parker’s deals page is currently offering some fantastic packages, with rooms starting at $199 per night. Are you a spa junkie or a big foodie? With their current packages, you will receive a $200 spa credit at their nautical-inspired Spa, the Palm Springs Yacht Club, or $200 worth of food credit to use anywhere on property. Check out The Parker’s current deals here.
One other hip tip: If you are a die hard foodie who collects cookbooks, or breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, make sure to pick up a copy of their cookbook, Norma’s: Breakfast Done Right when you are dining, or you can purchase it on Amazon.com.
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