For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.
The city’s endless supply of sunshine made it a winter playground for the rich and famous in the Fifties, when life was lived with a putter in one hand and a martini in the other; the exploits of its former Rat Pack residents have passed into legend. Palm Springs’ world-apart atmosphere is accentuated by its fabulous collection of mid-century Modernist architecture – in the style’s '50s heyday, even the most humdrum building merited a futuristic fin or space-age spoiler, to help propel it still further into the future. In recent years (thanks largely to the efforts of former mayor Sonny Bono), the city has recaptured its swing – and not just on the golf course.
Palm Springs has been home to stars such as Liberace, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra; the residents even demonstrated that noble Californian tradition of electing stars to public office and once had Sonny Bono as their mayor. So it seems appropriate to join Celebrity Tours (+1 760 770 2700) for a whirlwind rubbernecking look around the city – including the chance to eyeball some homes of the city’s famous residents, past and present.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Palm Springs
The Viceroy Palm Springs boutique hotel and spa is like the perfect A-list partner: well-groomed but relaxed; glamorous but low-key; attentive but unobtrusive; attractive, but not too obvious. Thoughtful touches include film screenings on the lawn and starlight massages
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
This renowned steakhouse and martini bar at 155 South Palm Canyon Drive has juicy, melt-in-the-mouth beef and expertly mixed cocktails.
A Palm Springs landmark, the award-winning Le Vallauris is a fine French restaurant on West Tahquitz Canyon Way. Traditional delicacies such as sautéed foie gras and Grand Marnier soufflé are served up in an elegant setting of Louis XV furniture and Flemish tapestries.
A fantastic little bistro cum pizzeria with wood-fired ovens on South Palm Canyon Drive. Order Angus beef and brioche mini-burgers, crabcakes, or one of the delicious (and huge) 14-inch pizzas. It does take-aways, too.
This is an excellent steakhouse at 262 South Palm Canyon Drive; it also has very good seafood, too.
This restaurant at 205 South Palm Canyon Drive is a more informal affair but is perfect for refuelling at lunchtime.
Head to 222 South Palm Canyon Drive for one of the region’s most popular and lively haunts for Mexican food. The bartenders here make mouthwatering margaritas and there’s often live music; try to get a table on the terrace.
Located at 621 North Palm Canyon Drive, this is a British-run restaurant that adds a European twist to New American classics.
At 196 South Indian Canyon Drive, this is a popular, upscale place with fine Austro-Californian cuisine (closed Mondays). Try spiced duck breast with apple and chestnut-infused red cabbage.
If you want to take the Palm Springs golf obsession to new heights, try this golf-themed restaurant at 78–164 Avenue 52 in La Quinta. It has an impressive 600-bottle wine cellar, too, including Palmer’s own Cabernet Sauvignon.
Another favourite among the golf set, this restaurant at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge on Shadow Ridge Road in Palm Desert is in the hotel’s golf clubhouse. Plus-fours, patterned jumpers and silly hats entirely optional.
Located at 140 East Palm Canyon Drive, this is a great, inexpensive Mexican restaurant – it's always a good sign when you hear that lots of local chefs flock here after their own shifts to pig out on tasty enchiladas.
Voted one of the top five burger places in California (and that’s against some pretty tough competition), this fun little joint at 149 South Indian Canyon Drive is the best place in town for homemade burgers with all the trimmings.
©2009 Mr & Mrs Smith
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