Sparrows Lodge

"Juxtaposed against much of the city’s midcentury aesthetic, the rustic-chic vibe of Sparrows Lodge feels firmly unique. The bar-cum-front-desk is inside a renovated barn, and outdoor seating areas are scattered among lush citrus trees, herb-filled planters, bubbling fountains, stone fixtures, and potted chubby palms that surround the pool and hot tub. Impressive art from the owners’ collection can be found throughout. The resort is gloriously serene (in part because of its adults-only policy) with just 20 rooms, and it’s far enough from town to feel secluded while still being only a five-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs. The rooms in the luxe lodge are designed with vaulted beamed ceilings, concrete and stone floors, open showers, tubs fashioned out of horse troughs, and—after a recent mini facelift—bright white wood-paneled walls and hammocks on the private outdoor patios. The mostly outdoor onsite restaurant, The Barn Kitchen, does a veggie-heavy Cal-inspired lunch and dinner menu with offerings like cauliflower bisque, a quinoa-tabbouleh salad, and carrot cavatelli." - Lizbeth Scordo

"Recycled from the Fifties and refreshed for a style-conscious clientele, this woodsy hideaway is the kind of place where people play horseshoes, swing wooden tennis rackets and read books by their private campfires." - MICHELIN Guide

"Sparrows Lodge is not aiming for the mainstream. Recycled from the Fifties and refreshed for a style-conscious clientele, this woodsy hideaway is the kind of place where people play horseshoes." - Mark Fedeli

"Sparrows Lodge expertly blends a touch of Old West rusticity with Palm Springs' signature midcentury style. The adult-only hotel originally opened as Castle's Red Barn in 1952 by actor Don Castle, catering to his Hollywood pals, and the country theme still holds strong today. The original barn is now the social hub of Sparrows Lodge, where you'll find the lobby, the bar, and the California cuisine restaurant Barn Kitchen. The 18 rooms and two suites are split between poolside accommodations and garden-facing ones, each featuring wood-paneled walls and lofted ceilings, and most feature steel horse trough bathtubs."

"Tensions dissolve immediately when guests arrive at Sparrows Lodge. Take your welcome cocktail—sangria with wild blueberries—straight to the arbor, where the scent of citrus and the soothing fountain flow embody “out of office.” Like much of Palm Springs, this 20-room bolt-hole dates to the 1950s, when it was owned by MGM actor Don Castle and known as Castle’s Red Barn. Fully restored in 2013, the lodge is more rustic modern than midcentury, with russet red walls, exposed beams, and Swiss army blankets. It’s a decidedly unplugged place (rooms don’t have TVs or phones) with a casual atmosphere that’s akin to summer camp. Plan to spend quality time at the pool, tooling around town on one of the free Sole bikes, or in the Out of Africa–style massage tent. The Barn Kitchen’s family-style dinners on Chicken Wednesdays and Steak Saturdays are a can’t-miss. Strangers become fast friends over three-course feasts by chef Gabriel R. Woo (reserve at least a week in advance). Pro tip: Ask for a poolside room with a deep steel horse trough bathtub—and bring a good book."

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