In the heart of downtown Palm Springs lies a boutique Inn with more character than rooms.
Although we’ve been to Palm Springs several times, the focus of our many stays has been the Ingleside Inn, so it only seemed right to write about this beautiful boutique property.
Besides golf, Palm Springs has a lot to offer and a trip to the Aerial Tramway, Indian Canyons and Joshua Tree National Park are stunning day trips. Bring your hiking shoes and have some fun.
Long before Coachella; Palm Springs enticed many Hollywood “stars” (who had a 2-hour rule in their contract) – keeping them close by.
The Ingleside Inn became a destination, and it is for us. Tucked mere blocks from downtown Palm Springs and home to the famous Melvyn’s Restaurant. The pool is small, and the servers are a wealth of knowledge. About who stayed in which cabin or who’s dropped in for dinner or a drink.
They can tell you where Elizabeth Taylor stayed and the honeymoon suite of Clarke Gable and Carol Lombard. More recently Katy Perry has stayed a couple times, and Ellen DeGeneres stopped in the Lounge for a cocktail.
Probably the most famous and regular “star” was Frank Sinatra. The Inn and Casablanca Lounge napkins have his smiling face on them. Frank’s booth was # 53 at Melvyn’s and there is a strict dress code. Jackets and ties – with a retro menu; several dishes made table side or flambé. The waiters look as old as the restaurant and balance martinis as they go by.
If you prefer to order from the Melvyn’s menu without the dress code, have a seat in the Casablanca Lounge. The locals come every weekend to dance to live music – old style. Our favorite spot when Lounge dining is at the bar. Bartenders are so much fun and have all kinds of info.
About 1000 steps away is the sister property, the Avalon Hotel– also a great place for lunch around one of the two pools. The two properties weren’t connected by room charge yet and it was hardly a brisk walk in 30+ weather for Mike to go back and get his credit card. Never travel without it. Hmmm
And the most fun is soaking up the sun or shade in the heat around the pool (June). People are friendly and come from all kinds of places. The rooms are quaint, and in addition to the courtyard to sip coffee or wine; there is a front veranda to do the same.
Mel Haber, the last long term owner wrote a book of his bloopers “Bedtime Stories of the Ingleside Inn” and a second book “Palm Springs a la Carte: The Colorful World of the Caviar Crowd at Their Favorite Desert Hideaway”. Cute and fun but certainly not literary masterpieces.
It’s a fun place, stay a couple nights, the rooms may appear pricey at first but well worth the adventure.