Review: L'Horizon Resort & Spa

Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? Everything you'd expect from a quintessential Palm Springs hotel is here: the desert, the mountains, mid-century architecture, a killer pool, and Hollywood history. The vibe is elegant yet unassuming.

What's the backstory? Dating back to 1952, the property was built by prominent mid-century architect William F. Cody. Today, L'Horizon has been lovingly restored by owner and celebrity interior designer Steve Hermann, who has single-handedly evolved this longtime favorite into one of Palm Springs's most desirable places to rest your head.

Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? Each of the 24 bungalows (and one Residence) feels like its own private oasis. Sleek design combines with comfortable, fluffy bedding for a wonderfully relaxing space. It also helps that you're sleeping on 600 thread-count Frette sheets and showering with Le Labo's famous Santal 33 bath amenities. It's worth noting that the hotel doesn't just pay lip service to mid-century design—you can tell that the owner really knows his stuff and cares, as exemplified by the stack of design books in each room. All of the bungalows are outfitted with fancy tech touches such as Apple TVs, motorized curtains to block out those early morning desert sunrises, Nest thermostats, and iPod speaker systems. It's the look and feel of mid-century but totally integrated with the conveniences of today. If you want to pull out all the stops, opt for The Residence, the original home of Hollywood mogul Jack Wrather. It comes with its own private pool and secluded yard.

Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? No charge for Wi-Fi. It works everywhere, including the common areas.

Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? During the day, it's all about grabbing some drinks in the sunshine at the bar and enjoying them poolside. Come nighttime, sleek firepits and a unique al fresco concept make dinner at So-Pa a memorable affair. The menu is eclectic—I enjoyed every bite of the corn risotto. If you prefer to nest in the privacy of your bungalow, you can also have room service delivered to your door.

And the service? It's a fairly small team here, so everyone gets to know your name. This isn't one of those 200-room mega-resorts where the only time you hear from the staff are check-in and check-out. Here, you brush shoulders with them, they walk by you at the pool, and by the end of the stay, it feels less like a hotel and more like you're staying at some funky eccentric friend's mid-century desert escape.

What type of travelers will you find here? You never know who you'll run into in Palm Springs, and I got the sense that this place always has a cast of characters passing through. You get art enthusiasts, architecture lovers, young couples escaping L.A. for the weekend, older couples trying to keep warm during the colder months, but everyone comes together for their love of relaxing in this gorgeous desert landscape.

What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? The hotel is walking distance from a number of restaurants and a very short drive into the center of downtown Palm Springs.

Is there anything you'd change? There's a hefty $150 cleaning fee if you bring your dog.

Any other hotel features worth noting? While it's perfectly acceptable to soak up that dry desert heat and sun poolside for the duration of your stay, it's kind of nice how connected L'Horizon is to the many things to explore in Palm Springs. Many of the top attractions (such as the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens) are just minutes away. The front desk can also make suggestions about how to do a day trip into Joshua Tree National Park, which is just about one hour's drive away from the property.

Bottom line: Worth it? Why? For the location, the pool, the drinks, and the mid-century bungalow vibes, this is the place to be.