Weekend Getaway: Del Marcos Hotel

PS, I love you. Your beautiful palm trees, your peaceful mountains, your fabulous retro charm. It’s no wonder I head out to this desert getaway as often as I can. Most recently, my friend was getting married in Palm Springs, so it was the perfect reason to go back. But where to stay? Well … let’s just say I found the cutest little mid-century modern gem just one block from historic downtown Palm Springs. And its name is the Del Marcos Hotel.

So a little about the hotel: The Del Marcos was designed in 1947 by desert architect William F. Cody and it was originally constructed as an apartment complex. It’s gone through a number of changes since then, but thankfully it has maintained that quintessential Palm Springs allure.

The hotel is situated in a residential area just a block away from Palm Canyon Drive. Driving up to the property immediately felt different than pulling up to some huge impersonal hotel — we parked right in front, walked into the lobby, and were greeted by Shanti the manager on duty who gave us the scoop and helped us with our bags. It was so easy and informal, it felt like we were visiting a friend’s house.

As soon as I saw the lobby I was in love. It’s so cute and compact and clean. I love all the retro touches like those George Nelson pendant lamps and sunburst wall art. There are only 17 rooms (sorry Brady Bunch, no kids), so it really maintains a low-key, personal vibe. Oh, and pets are welcome. FYI: Continental breakfast (danishes, cereal, yogurt, fruit, that sorta stuff) is included with your stay and it’s offered in the lobby, but you can enjoy it out by the pool or wherever you want. (We’re all grown-ups, after all.)

It was a little overcast on the evening my fiance and I arrived, but OMG did someone say HEATED SALTWATER POOL?!! The pool was so perfectly warm, even a cold freak like me had no problem jumping in late at night. (I have the pictures to prove it.)

Home sweet home. At least for the weekend. I adore the Poolside Suite, but the manager told us his personal fave is the Errol Flynn room, which is off to the side a bit. I looooved that we could literally take six steps from our doorstep and be inside the pool. Hence the name Poolside Suite, get it?

Everything from the Eames rocker and framed prints to the Saarinen table, new terrazzo flooring and old-school Magnavox entertainment system (with a TV, working stereo and record player!) were perfect. Each guest room has a private patio or balcony and our suite even had a full-on kitchen with a fridge stocked with bottled water. Oh, and this place is not expensive. Depending on which room and time of year, prices are in the $150 range!

I thought the old-fashioned stereo system was just a cool-looking credenza, but when I found records in the living room’s magazine rack, it clued me in. It felt like we were living in an episode of “I Love Lucy” or “Mad Men.”

It was only a matter of time before I was putting on my swimsuit and heading out to the pool for a little night swimming. There is no restaurant onsite (not yet, anyway — there are some plans in the works), so we ordered delivery from the LABite menu in the room. (In case you’re curious: We got vegan from Native Foods, one of our faves in LA, too.)

The poolside open-air cabana with firepit and flatscreen provided the perfect mix of mod charm and modern comforts. Nothing too fancy, just chill and relaxed.

The property is so close to the San Jacinto Mountains. This is the view from the pool during sunrise. I could seriously get used to that.

It’s so hard to say good-bye … so I won’t. Until next time, Del Marcos Hotel. See you soon!

More info: www.delmarcoshotel.com

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Mar Yvette

Lifestyle writer Mar Yvette is on a mission to bring you the best people, places, and products to make your life pop!