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Samantha Comby

Parker Palm Springs

If it was good enough for Elvis...

Palm Springs and the desert cities are an ideal destination to relax, kick back, and begin your new life together. But these resort towns have more than aqua-bottomed swimming pools and mountain-view golf courses to offer newlyweds. Whether you’re looking for a romantic hideaway with a great spa or the trendiest of hotels to lounge by an outdoor fire, the desert will soothe away wedding stress in a just-married heartbeat.

Hollywood Heyday Haunts

The allure of this area has never been lost on the Hollywood set. The village of Palm Springs drew the glamorous during the golden era of movies — tales of Gable, Lombard, Sinatra, and Garbo dancing, sunning, and relaxing in the desert playground grant the town a history unlike any other. Guests came to be pampered away from the limelight, a tradition that continues at the Ingleside Inn.

Hidden behind wrought iron gates, a rounding driveway is lined nightly with Mercedes and Rolls-Royces. The legendary hotel's host, Mel Haber, warmly greets his guests, whisking them inside to a throwback time of luxurious enchantment. Authentic antiques can be found in each room; large fireplaces, steam baths, and sunken tubs indulge every whim. And the romance is undeniable. "We have hosted thousands of weddings since I've been here," Haber recalls. Carole Lombard and Clark Gable honeymooned at the inn and Frank and Barbara Sinatra held their prewedding dinner at the hotel’s renowned restaurant, Melvyn's. Take a peek at the celebrity photo-lined walls across the bar.

No matter where you stay, pop in for a cocktail at the Casablanca Room inside the restaurant. Nightly dancing at this piano bar and lounge is like stepping into an old black-and-white film: the men are mysterious, the women are alluring, and the bartender pours a mean martini.

Young, Hip, and Kitschy Cool

Parker Palm Springs embodies all that is funky and fun in the desert. Opened in 2004, the paparazzi have already captured young celebrities enjoying the Parker's ambiance and good looks, thanks to designer Jonathan Adler. Step out of your car to be greeted by the valets wearing pink pants and bright smiles. Then stroll beautiful grounds scattered with hammocks, fire pits, a croquet course, tennis courts, and four pools (two indoor). Inside, sip a lemon drop while you swing in a wicker chair or perch on a pile of pillows around the open fire in the retro-cool lobby lounge.

The eclectic Parker attracts an equally eclectic crowd. The health-conscious can sign up for Camp PSYC — the hotel spa's fitness boot camp. Gourmands should make reservations at the clubby Mister Parker's restaurant or at Norma's for a sophisticated al fresco breakfast or lunch on the patio. Both are hot spots on the local dining circuit. Rooms are artsy and bohemian with a mix of modern, midcentury, and globalchic touches.

If you're looking for posh digs, stark lines, and a glamorous getaway, try Viceroy Palm Springs, a boutique hotel just a block off the main strip of downtown. The renovated black, white, and yellow décor lends a fresh, crisp look to the entire hotel. Swim, spa, or mellow out and roast complimentary marshmallows over one of the outdoor fire pits. Rooms done up in the Regency style put a sleek spin on Hollywood's golden age.

Citron, the Viceroy’s signature restaurant, attracts fans with their mojito menu at the bar (the watermelon is sublime) but the upscale contemporary American menu is equally delicious.

For something really offbeat and nononsense, check into the Desert Hot Springs Motel or the Beat Hotel, both in Desert Hot Springs and filled with marvelous period furnishings. The former is a restored gem by modernist architect John Lautner while the latter pays homage to the beat generation, particularly William S. Borroughs, who was a personal acquaintance of the owner of both properites.

On a night when you're looking for a light dinner, head east to Rancho Mirage and get cozy at Tastings where low-slung sofas, hassocks, and coffee tables replace traditional restaurant seating. An extensive wine list includes 48 wines by the glass, and the tapas-style menu means small plates that are perfect for sharing. Another option for tapas, Azul in Palm Springs offers peoplewatching with outdoor seating that swings!

Desert Luxury

If wedding planning has left you bedraggled, the Tuscan-inspired Miramonte Resort and Spa in Indian Wells will satisfy your honeymoon desires and get you back to your calm, collected, pre-bridezilla self in no time.

Couples enjoy bougainvillea-draped private terraces, marble baths, and swaying hammocks for two that are set amongst a soothing palette that reflects the desert sunset. The amenity-laden Miramonte is a favorite choice for honeymooners with its world-class spa, villa-style guest rooms and 11 acres filled with bubbling fountains, piazzas, gardens, and Italian architecture. Citrus and olive tree groves make lovely places for strolling away the afternoon hand in hand. And any hotel that has a custom bed made specifically for their guests (the Desert Dream Bed) can certainly be entrusted to provide a luxurious and romantic getaway.

We can't talk desert luxury without a mention of La Quinta Resort & Club. Not only a choice destination for golfers and spa-goers (who can select from a decadent menu of indoor and outdoor treatments), the resort's accommodations also pull out all the stops: fireplaces, patios with chaise lounges, and mountain views complete with your own pool or spa. Without even stepping foot off the grounds, you can sample the cuisine at several restaurants.

If you do decide to venture forth, book a blissful dinner of Mediterranean-French cuisine at Le Vallauris, tucked against the base of the mountains near downtown Palm Springs. One of the most respected and praised restaurants around, this culinary delight offers an enchanting atmosphere inside a restored historical landmark. (Don't forget to leave room for the trio of crème brulee dessert!) If you're in the mood for seafood, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant at the Gardens on El Paseo gets rave reviews for its fresh offerings. After dinner, head to Buddy Greco's Dinner Club for live, late-night music with Buddy's trio and his wife, Lezlie Anders, on vocals.

Old World Charm

You may have landed in the desert for your honeymoon, but you can still stroll European courtyards or nestle behind Moroccan-inspired walls. Hide away inside the Villa Royale Inn in Palm Springs and you will be pampered like a Parisian. The romantic inn is a labyrinth of lush gardens serenaded by the sounds of water trickling from central fountains. Many of the villa's guest rooms lead to private patios and boast large fireplaces. Wake up to the smell of jasmine and lavender and enjoy a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast of omelets, fresh fruits, juices, and coffee and teas.

Or, flee to Korakia Pensione, recognized by the Times of London as one of the "best small hotels in the world." It offers a range of accommodations for every budget. The white-washed walls, international furnishings and flowing curtains whisk you away to an oasis of exotic simplicity. The two villas, one Moroccan and one Mediterranean, were built in the 1920s and became a hideaway for artists and other creative types. Now renovated, its charm and beauty continue to draw admirers from around the world.

Most area hotels offer honeymoon packages and have the facilities to host an on-site ceremony and/or reception, should you choose to make yours a Palm Springs affair.