What’s New in Palm Springs: Winter 2013

2013-01-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Compiled by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism, this quarterly update includes events, specials and renovations. Plus, what to expect for the winter season featuring new venues, attractions, activities, and signature events.

LODGING UPDATE

New Hotel Opens: Skylark Hotel
This hotel has been completely restored to the Skylark Hotel, which was built in 1955. It is located north of the Uptown Design District on Palm Canyon Drive and was formerly Camp Palm Springs. The three-quarter acre property has one – and two-story structures that offer stunning mountain views. The Skylark join other small hotels in the area including The Rendezvous and Alcazar Hotel. In the near future, the Arrive Palm Springs, a 32-room boutique hotel is set to break ground in January 2013 and is owned by a Facebook millionaire.

New Hotel in 2013: Arrive
A 32-room contemporary hotel and restaurant is slated to open in late 2013 in the north end of the Uptown Design District. The owner, Ezra Callahan, is a techie and the sixth employee of Facebook who is now investing in the desert oasis. The architect is Chris Pardo.

New Men’s Resort Opens:  Bearfoot Inn
888 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs/ (888)871-2327/ www.bearfootinn.com
The Bearfoot Inn opened December 2013 and located in Palm Springs historic Movie Colony district near the Uptown Design District. The Bearfoot Inn is a gay men’s resort in a newly renovated, mid-century property.

New Boutique Hotel to open in Winter 2013: Sparrows Hotel
1330 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
On Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, previously known El Rancho Lodge is currently under renovation and is expected to reopen as Sparrows Hotel this fall. The hotel featuring 19 guest rooms was built in the 1950s and is currently being remodeled completely. Sparrow Hotel owners created and once owned the Korakia Pensione.

Renovation: Hilton Palm Springs Resort
400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs/ (760) 320-6868/ www.palmsprings.hilton.com
Ongoing over $ 10 million hotel renovation including rooms, lobby, meeting space and restaurant is scheduled to be completed by December 2012.

Name Change: Travelodge is now The Curve
The new Curve Palm Springs opens its doors and closes the Palm Springs Travelodge chapter Thursday November 1, 2012 at 10 AM. Operating as a Travelodge since it was built in the early 70’s visitors will be welcomed at the new independent hotel called The Curve Palm Springs. The hotel was purchased in May 2008 by two entrepreneurs from Beverly Hills, Allen Yadgari and Robert Kashefi.  Over the past four years, the property has been completed renovated offering more of a hip, affordable mid-century modern property. The hotel will be collaborating with Genre Hotels a boutique company with a collection of beautiful, independent hotels worldwide.  More renovations and added amenities will be added in the near future.

New Condo-Hotel: Random Haus Palm Springs
A new 12-unit condominium hotel is due to open in mid-January with one and two bedroom apartments marketed to the gay traveler and LGBT families. www.randomhauspalmsprings.com

New owners of the Colony Palms Hotel
572 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs/ 800-557-2187/ www.colonypalmshotel.com
The 1936 built 57-room Colony Palms Hotel is said to once having been a common playground for celebrities such as Kirk Douglas, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes and Ronald Reagan. It was sold this past summer to Woodridge Capital Partners in a joint venture with an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management.

New Hotel: The Saguaro Palm Springs
1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs/ (877)808-1439
Media Contact: Lori Lincoln, llincoln@jdvhotels.com
The Saguaro Palm Springs, opened in February 2012, is a 245-room hotel located at the corner of Sunrise and East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, CA. Designed to reflect the colorful vibrant spirit of the Southwest, The Saguaro Palm Springs is the second in an expanding collection of Saguaro hotels managed by Joie de Vivre Hotels, following the opening of The Saguaro Scottsdale in November 2011. The bold Southwestern color palette is the work of renowned architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat, of New York-based Stamberg Aferiat Architecture, who have infused the property with hues that reflect the indigenous flowers of the Colorado Desert. The three-story structure, originally constructed in 1965, features an expansive pool located within a lush center courtyard, and Tinto, an innovative restaurant run by celebrity chef Jose Garces.

More renovations at The Riviera
Riviera Palm Springs/ (866) 588-8311/ www.psriviera.com
After an intensive $60 million renovation completed in 2008, the Riviera Resort and Spa is now planning a $5 million investment in extending the property. The renovations include a new swimming pool, expanding another pool, update sport facilities and guest rooms, and increase the conference space by 3,000 square ft.

New Vacation Property: Colony 29 (a historic Artist Colony)
A labyrinth of stone pathways crawls up and across the mountainside, each turn revealing an unexpected view; gardens of cacti and agave; citrus, guava, mango, and banana trees; outdoor tubs and fireplaces; a barbecue and fire pit terrace; a grotto lined with grape vines; and intimate alcoves perfect for reading, meditating, or just enjoying the view. An adult sized, palapa tree house is large enough to host a small party and high enough to provide views across the city to the mountains beyond.

Above it all sits the main house, built in the mid -1920s by artist John Burnham, the son of Chicago based architect Daniel Burnham (renowned for his work as supervising architect of the Chicago Worlds Fair and for designing numerous early sky-scrapers, including the Flatiron building in New York City). The younger Burnham is notable not so much for his modest artistic talent, but more for starting an artists colony on the Palm Springs property in the late 1920s.  http://www.colony29palmsprings.com/

ATTRACTIONS

Opening in 2014: The Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center
Media Contact: Bob Bogard, Director of Marketing Communications – bbogard@psmuseum.org
The Palm Springs Art Museum recently purchased a 1960’s era former bank building that it will be restoring to its original specifications and is anticipated to open in 2014. The building, which was originally known as the Santa Fe Savings Bank, will be called the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion and will house the museum’s growing collection of architecture and design-related pieces. Visit www.psmuseum.org to see exciting development for this new project.

New Tour:  Wonders of the Coachella Valley
Media contact: Bob Schneider; (760) 898-3327; bobs@red-jeep.com
http://red-jeep.com/WOV or call (760) 324-5337
Desert Adventures, the Greater Palm Springs area’s largest and most respected outdoor adventure and eco-tour company announces the launch of a new tour: Wonders of the Coachella Valley. This tour adds to Desert Adventures existing lineup of amazing excursions to the San Andreas Fault, Painted Canyon and the Mecca Hills Wilderness Area, Palm Springs Indian Canyons, and Joshua Tree National Park. For a limited time, Desert Adventures is offering this excursion for an introductory price of just $89 (Regular price is $150 per person) on select days.

New Tour: Moonlight Hike
http://www.palmspringshiking.com/ / (760) 413-1575/ Scott@PalmSpringsHiking.com
With the Full Moon Hike, Trail Discovery introduces an unforgettable evening under a moonlight sky. This unique walk journeys to a spectacular area in the foothills of Palm Springs. Watch the moonrise from panoramic views of the valley and city lights. The tour fee of $50 includes backpacks, flashlights, drinks and snacks, along with experienced guides who will explain plants, animals, geography and history. Discounts are available for kids and groups over 5.

New Sculpture: 26-foot tall “Forever Marilyn”
Since the 1920s, Palm Springs has been a place for celebrities to escape the hustle and bustle of showbiz, including Marilyn Monroe. The blonde icon returned to Palm Springs in a big way with an unveiling on May 24, 2012. The 26-foot tall “Forever Marilyn” sculpture is located in downtown Palm Springs on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way where she will be on display through June 2013. The dramatic statue by American artist Seward Johnson represents one of the most famous images of Marilyn Monroe, taken from the film “The Seven Year Itch.”

Now Open: The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands
37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage www.sunnylands.org
Media Contact: Mary Perry, Media and Community Relations
The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands / (760) 202-2266 / mperry@sunnylands.org
Opened in February 2012, Sunnylands welcomes national and international leaders for high-level retreats and meetings that address and seek solutions to serious issues facing the nation and the world. Sunnylands Center and Garden is a free public attraction incorporating a visitor center, desert garden, multi-media kiosks, solar farm, and other 21st-century environmental upgrades on the extensive grounds. Visitors to the Sunnylands Center and Garden will enjoy exhibits films, interactive multimedia kiosks, relax in the great room with a spectacular view of Mt. San Jacinto, and enjoy the menu options at the café and browse in the store. The Annenberg Estate Tours: There is a $35 fee for a guided 90-minute electric shuttle tour of residence and grounds by online reservation at www.sunnylands.org

Redevelopment of Desert Fashion Plaza
The City of Palm Springs is in the process of renovating the Desert Fashion Plaza Mall. As part of the redevelopment, over 85% of the existing mall will be demolished to create a pedestrian-friendly urban village. The first phase is expected to be completed by early 2015. http://psmeasurej.com/

Palm Springs Follies presents “DANCE TO THE MUSIC”
125 E. Tahquitz Cyn. Way, Ste. 209, Palm Springs
Media@psfollies.com/ 760-864-6516/ www.psfollies.com
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies has been seen by nearly three million patrons, and celebrates the music and dance of Mid-Century America with a cast ranging in age from 54 to 83 years “young.” The show features lavish, Broadway-caliber production numbers and plays five days a week November through late-May. The Follies is housed in downtown Palm Springs’ historic Plaza Theatre, a charming, neon-encrusted old movie house and is an attraction unto itself. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (760) 327-0225 beginning September 24 or online at www.psfollies.com beginning July 16.

New Walking Tour added: The Marriage of Commerce & Creativity: Modernism in Banking.
After a successful season last year, the Palm Springs Historical Society will continue its city walking tours for visitors and residents and they have added a new tour – The Marriage of Commerce and Creativity: Modernism in Banking. There are four walking tours available and they start in  November  and are only $15.00 per person or $5.00 for members of the Palm Springs Historical Society. Reservations are required by calling 760-323-8297.

Tour 1: The Heart of the City
An overview of the history of downtown Palm Canyon Driving focusing on La Plaza Area. Plus, see the “Forever Marilyn” sculpture up close. This tour is conducted Wednesday-Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursdays. The tour is approximately one hour.

Tour 2: Golden Era Hollywood Homes in Palm Springs
Walk through the Las Palmas neighborhood and see where the sun shines on the stars. See home once occupied by Judy Garland, Lucille Ball and many more. Tour is conducted on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and lasts about 1.5 hours.

Tour 3: Inns, Architecture and Glamour
See some of the most beautiful historic inns in Palm Springs with this exclusive VIP tour. Tour is conducted on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and is nearly 2 hours.

NEW –  Tour 4: The Marriage of Commerce and Creativity: Modernism in Banking
This tour examines the history of development and design on South Palm Canyon including striking bank structures and other significant buildings of the area. This

RESTAURANTS

Now Open: The Workshop Kitchen and Bar
www.workshoppalmsprings.com
Located in the Uptown Design District in the El Paseo Plaza is the home of Workshop Kitchen & Bar, the restaurant draws on local farmers markets with a modern, seasonal American approach.

Another Restaurant Opens by Cheeky’s & Birba Owners: JIAO
515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs/ www.facebook.com/jiaops
JIAO was born out of the desire and love of all types of Asian food and of course the lack of availability of this cuisine in Palm Springs. Tara Lazar as always is thinking outside of the box and consistently brings a dining and food experience to the desert that is usually reserved for the big city. Jiao is a flavor adventure consisting of many different regions of Asia including urban street food. We are lucky to have several chefs bringing their particular expertise of each region as well as many family recipes. JIAO hopes to fill a much needed void in the Asian dining experience here in Palm Springs and particularly in the north end design district.

Now open: Ruben and Ozzy’s Oyster Bar & Grill
241 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way/ www.rubenandozzysoysterbar.com/ 760 325-8800
On August 15th 2012, Ruben and Ozzy’s Oyster Bar & Grill opened 241 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Tourism media contact:
Hillary Angel, Public Relations Manager (760) 322-8425 / hangel@visitpalmsprings.com
Visitor Website: www.VisitPalmSprings.com
Stay Social: Facebook.com/VisitPalmSprings and @PalmSpringsCA

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