Having dreamt of our room at The Orbit In since our trip last year, it was clear we couldn't go to Palm Springs and not return. The amenities were just as great as we remembered; we loaded up our in-room player with complimentary records from the front desk, filled up the mini fridge with drinks, unwound in the hot-tub and had the most refreshing rinses in the fabulous outdoor shower (which was reason alone to return). Located on a quiet residential street sprinkled with a few boutique hotels, The Orbit is just a short walk away from Palm Canyon Drive, the downtown street which is loaded with shops and restaurants (and unfortunately a plethora of tacky souvenir stores). Our friends joined us one evening for the complimentary happy hour, where we chatted with Jinny, one of the owners, and learned the scoop about the hotel and the city. After indulging in several bowls of popcorn (popcorn at a happy hour. genius) and 'Orbitinis' we returned to Birba once more for an incredible al fresco meal. The weather was uncharacteristically cool in the evenings and despite the heat lamps (and the wine) we were pretty chilly and so the waiter provided us with blankets. Truly, a restaurant that hands out blankets is my kind of place...what with me being the annoying, perpetually cold type.
Another nice thing about The Orbit is its proximity to the mountain backed, mid-century neighbourhoods like Old Las Palmas and Vista Las Palmas that we fell in love with last year. We went for an evening drive through the dimly lit streets and for a bike ride on our last morning in town to admire the incredible Alexander Houses. Some of my photos have already served as inspiration for card illustrations, but that's a post all it's own (coming soon). We admired the spectacular Bob Hope house from afar, built by John Lautner and stopped to see the Palm Springs Visitor Center, which lies at the foot of the Aerial Tramway Road. Originally built in 1965 as a gas station by noted architect, and the inspiration for our favourite Orbit In hotel room, Albert Frey, the building is a great example of mid-century architecture.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the final trip recap...
Hi Anne, thanks for reading! Yes, we'll definitely have to chat about PS at the OOAK this year, I have lots of recommendations for sure. It's such a fun place to visit! We have yet to make it to LA, though I really want to - hopefully next time (just read your last post, sounds great!).
Posted by: Ashley | Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 04:25 PM
Just so you know, following these Palm Springs posts religiously! I go to LA a least once a year (and often blog about it too) but am looking forwatd to heading to Palm Springs for the first time this winter! Will make sure to stop by at One of a Kind to get insider tips :)
Posted by: Anne | Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 12:48 PM