A winter tradition turns 21 this month as the Walking Tour of the Inns occurs Dec. 8, from 4-8 p.m. near downtown Palm Springs.
Last year’s tour visited 14 boutique hotels around the historic Palm Springs Tennis Club area. Like last year, the event also serves as a holiday toy drive for Well in the Desert, a local charity.
The tour is free, but toy and gift donations can be dropped off at one of the starting points: the Palm Springs Art Museum at 101 Museum Drive, or the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 South Cahuilla Road.
According to Frank Tysen of Casa Cody Inn, the event is growing in popularity. Each year brings a mix of new and former walkers -— and of locals and visitors mutually drawn to the charm and history of each hostelry.
“It really is what makes Palm Springs,” says Tysen, who owns the Class I Historic Site with Therese Hayes. “[These smaller properties are] really the heartbeat of Palm Springs. If it was made up of chain hotels, it wouldn’t be the same.”
Walk this way to join the inn crowd. (Visit Walk of Inns’ Facebook page for updates.)
CHASE HOTEL AT PALM SPRINGS
Built in the late 1940s, the Chase Hotel is a classic
midcentury design. Spacious rooms come with kitchenettes where you can make a lovely salmon mold.
200 W. Arenas Road. 760-320-8866; www.chasehotelpalmsprings.com
CASA CODY COUNTRY INN
An example of adobe hacienda architecture, it is the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs. Designated as a Class I Historic Site, it was founded in the 1920s by Hollywood pioneer Harriet Cody, cousin to the legendary Buffalo Bill.
175 S.Cahuilla Road. 760-320-9346; www.casacody.com
PALM MOUNTAIN RESORT & SPA
The recently renovated resort borders on boutique huge, with 142 guestrooms and suites. On-site day spa also available.
155 S.Belardo Road; 760-325-1301; www.palmmountainresort.com
SAN GIULIANO HOTEL
The kind of intimate hotel where people have affairs in eight spacious haciendas or the townhouse with rustic
Mediterranean charm. 375 W. Arenas Road. 760-325-7100; www.sangiulianohotel.com
THE ANDALUSIAN COURT
The historic Spanish revival inn encompasses eight villas where you never have to see your neighbor.
Unless you want to.
458 W. Arenas Road. 760-323-9980; www.theandalusiancourt.com
OLD RANCH INN
The eight-room property was recently renovated and remodeled. But it still rocks with leafy luxury.
220 S.Patencio Road. 760-778-8900; www.oldranchinn.com
KORAKIA PENSIONE
Korakia was restored in 1989 and crafted into a
Mediterranean-style resort on 1.5 acres. The New York Times once called it one of the sexiest hotels in the country.
267 S. Patencio Road. 760-864-6411; www.korakia.com
ORBIT IN
The hotel is dressed for its midcentury close-up.
562 W. Arenas Road. 877-996-7248; www.orbitin.com
PHOTO BY DAVID GLOMB
The midcentury-cool space at the Orbit In is where artistic integrity meets the 21st century.
DESERT HILLS HOTEL
Built in 1957 by Allen and Joanne Petty, it still proudly
carries its last-century attitude.
601 W. Arenas Road; 760-325-2777; www.desert-hills.com
COLONY 29 RESORT
The lush grounds span 6 acres with beautiful botanical gardens and private villas; no wonder it’s popular as a wedding and television/film location.
147 S. Tahquitz Drive. 760-322-2500; www.colony29.com
PALM SPRINGS TENNIS CLUB
This is the place for rooms with spectacular views. Relax in one of the three swimming pools, dine at the adjacent Spencer’s Restaurant.
701 W. Baristo Road. 760-325-1441; www.palmspringstennisclub.net
DEL MARCOS HOTEL
The 17-room modernist hotel was designed by William F. Cody in 1947 as his first independent commission in Palm Springs.
255 W. Baristo Road. 800-676-1214; www.delmarcoshotel.com
AVALON HOTEL
The 13-bungalow spread covers 4 acres with Spanish
architecture and manicured gardens, offering more privacy than an NSA code room.
415 S. Belardo Road. 760-320-4117; www.avalon-hotel.com/palmsprings
CALLA LILY INN
The self-proclaimed downtown garden oasis was built in the 1950s by Paul Gros, who planted nine poolside rooms in
different configurations.
350 S. Belardo Road. 760-323-3654; www.callalilypalmsprings.com