Looking for the long lost days of Hollywood luxury? Want to re-create some retro romance? Just gotta get some glamour? Then head to the Ingleside Inn the next time you’re in Palm Springs.
The cozy 30-room hotel is tucked among the trees on the site of a lush family estate, just blocks from the heart of Palm Springs and its upscale restaurants, clubs, shops and sight-seeing. The inn was designated an official historic site in 1990 and boasts proclamations from “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous�? as one of old television show’s 10 best hotels. The Ingleside still prides itself on its old-school glamour and boasts of visits from the likes of Rita Hayworth and Spencer Tracy as well as more contemporary celebrities like Goldie Hawn.
The private setting and intimate size offer a great respite to the heat, sand, pavement and bustle of Palm Springs. The small size and thick landscaping guarantee a quiet stay that’s still convenient to all the excitement Palm Springs has to offer. Clinging to its reputation during the glamorous glory days of the 1940s and 50s is pretty standard at many old Palm Springs hotels and the Ingleside is no exception, with its celebrity photo collection and frequent sales pitches for the books and DVDs about the inn’s glory days, but it’s a nice history lesson.
Each of the guest rooms is uniquely decorated with a blend of over-stuffed comfort and luxury in neutrals and jewel or earth tones. The rooms come with functioning wood or gas fireplaces, semi-private patios and courtyard or mountain views. The guest rooms range in size from fairly small standard rooms to two-room suites. Don’t look for too many modern technological amenities – a telephone and a television set are all that’s provided. Bathrobes, hairdryers and irons are not part of the room package, but can be obtained from the front desk. In-room refrigerators are stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks.
In keeping with its days-gone-by grandeur, the Ingleside offers little in the way of business services. Instead, the inn’s staff focuses on keeping guests relaxed, pampered and entertained. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in rooms, poolside or in the gazebo as well as Melvyn’s Restaurant or the Casablanca Lounge; massages can be arranged in-room; and the front desk is always happy to recommend hikes, shopping excursions or other activities. For more leisurely pursuits, backgammon boards, books and VCRs are available from the front desk. The large heated pool and Jacuzzi are open 24-hours.
The Sunday evening jazz jam sessions in the popular Melvyn’s are not to be missed. On the down side, there have been reports in the past couple years of rooms being broken into, so check the security before leaving the room or take extra care with any valuables. To make a reservation or learn more about the Ingleside Inn’s gilded past and present, go to www.inglesideinn.com.
I stayed there 3-4 years ago and as much as I enjoyed it, I thought it was a bit “tired” and could use a little upgrading. Have they done a remodel recently? The location is great and it’s very quiet — but I’m not sure it would be my hotel of choice in Palm Springs.