Casa Ocotillo Palm Springs Offers Privacy, Respite from White Party Craze

Mexican hacienda estate reportedly began as Howard Hughes' sporting lodge

Karen Graninger Hotels & Resorts

 

VIDEO: Take a tour of Casa Ocotillo with owners Brian Childs and Vic Eisenhut.

 

 

Come to where the boys are.

Jeffrey Sanker's White Party Palm Springs, the nation's largest gay dance music festival arrives April 24-27.

Need a place to stay? Casa Ocotillo, a private vacation home/guest house in Palm Springs offering gay men uniquely designed and appointed bungalows and suites, is an excellent option.

Built in 1934, the delightful five bungalow Casa Ocotillo is a Mexican hacienda estate, reportedly starting out as Howard Hughes' sporting lodge. It went through several owners, including Sam Zimbalist, the director/producer of Ben Hur, then fell into disrepair for many years. In 2006, present owners Brian Childs and Vic Eisenhut completed their two-year restoration and expansion.

 

photo by karen r. graninger

The calm blues and blushes of the Courtyard Suite.

 

Each bungalow is individually designed, from the blue and blush rose accents of the Courtyard Suite to the cowboy art, reds, and tans of the Brokeback Suite.

“We're constantly evolving and re-designing the rooms. It's our labor of love. Our guests feel it is their home and they respect it,” says Childs.

The king beds feature Ralph Lauren linens with feather and fiber-filled pillows. Steam in the oversized shower with a seat and rain head. Lather with Judith Jackson spa products. Feed your pop culture with a movie from the 1000+ video library. Enjoy the solitude of a private patio or porch.

 

photo courtesy of casa ocotillo

Sit among the citrus trees. The outdoor patio of the Grand Suite.

 

For an additional cost, rent the The Great Room, a gorgeous entertaining space complete with full chefs' kitchen, gas BBQ, a trestle dining table which seats eight, and an outside patio for six. It's also equipped with a Bose surround sound theater system for movie watching.

The gated and walled grounds provide privacy, sun and shade for swimming, soaking in the spa, gathering with friends on the outdoor patios, relaxing with an outdoor massage, or picking fruit from citrus trees in the clearing. Twilight brings a fire pit to life near the pool, and accent lights to patios for socializing into the evening.

 

Hotel Essentials:

• Excellent accommodation options when traveling with your friendly, well-behaved dog.

• Family package weekends. Bring your mother, your sister, and their significant others.

• Custom configuration booking of bungalows and Great Room for convenience of your group.

• In-bungalow and outdoor massage is available.

• Gated, off-street parking in a secure motor court.

 

photo courtesy of casa ocotillo

The sitting room of the Grand Suite.

 

Casa Ocotillo, 240 E. Ocotillo Drive, Palm Springs, 800-996-4108, www.casaocotillo.com

 

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What other hotels have we profiled: Hotel Essentials

 

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