Best for… Two Bunch Palms is where you go when you need to reset and recharge. It’s equally fit for a solo trip, a friend trip, a couples trip or a group trip. Not when partying is in the picture. It’s where you go on a whim, or plan ahead to look forward to. It’s a spa hotel, but equally a desert hotel and hideout. Perfect for indoor enthusiasts who like doing indoor activities outdoors (me).
The surroundings… My best friend and I arrived from Los Angeles and San Francisco respectively, reunited in desert splendor. Clear skies, a desert breeze, and snow on the peaks of the mountains set the scene.
The sprawling property is located in Desert Hot Springs, 15 to 20 minutes from the Palm Springs Airport. It’s an entity of its own—a world, an oasis. The kind of place you don’t leave the property (rare for me!). Natural hot springs are what make the magic. Besides the many lithium-rich tubs for soaking, there are ponds with turtles, ducks, really making the word oasis apt.
The vibe… The property was originally built by Al Capone, and has had many lives. The constant, the magic—the piece of Earth it is. It’s about the palm trees—so mesmerizingly many of them. It’s about the abundance of water in so many forms. It’s what I always wanted a more relaxing trip to the Palm Springs area to be.
The design is hard to classify as one specific thing—it’s quite diverse. There are craftsman bungalows and Southwestern-inspired rooms co-existing at opposite sides of the property. The restaurant feels one part California retro diner, one part progeny of Nepenthe in Big Sur.
The overall impression is one of relaxing, curious nostalgia. Its origins with Al Capone and its current life as a luxury wellness sanctuary live in unique harmony.
The rooms… The rooms are cozily Californian in nature, with a rustic simplicity that we found charming. This isn’t fancy-fancy, and I wouldn’t want it to be.
There are multiple types of rooms, located in various areas of the property. We were in a Capone Suite, which was perfectly central and reached via a charming little bridge. I don’t think you can go wrong with a room here – this is the type of hotel where you do your relaxing out of the room. Yet our suite did have a huge, enticing tub and a shower with perfect pressure that was perfect before bed.
The bed was lovely and genuinely comfortable, coming from a bed snob. The fireplace, albeit not working, was a lovely touch. It wasn’t overly designed, and tastefully decorated with desert-inspired prints and finishes.
The wellness… Two Bunch Palms and wellness are nearly synonymous. That is the draw, and that’s how they deliver.
They have many concrete tubs (larger, with lounging areas) as well as teak tubs that are filled with the healing natural springs. What makes them unique is their richness of lithium—it’s very hard to be stressed here. You can pre-book these for allotted periods of time, which I highly recommend doing days in advance of your arrival. If a tub isn’t available, they have two pools—one more traditional, one more like a lagoon oasis.
But it goes far beyond the waters with incredibly unique programming. They offer daily complimentary classes, from yoga and pilates to reiki, sound baths and tai chi. Then there’s the spa, which has a robust but not humongous array of treatments including massage, face and skin treatments. I had a deep-tissue massage with Chase, and she is the type of masseuse whose name you remember for years. The spa treatments take place in these free-standing, beautifully-designed structures that are just the right balance of luxurious and desert organicism.
And then there’s the hammock grove within a canopy of palm trees. Something that deserved its own paragraph!
The food… The menu is heavily-vegetarian, very Californian, and creatively satisfying. While it strayed from my usual preferences, I found myself loving the oyster mushroom shawarma, and the fried artichoke hearts with a black garlic sauce were standouts.
Breakfast, while not complimentary, shouldn’t be missed. In the morning, the menu is a bit closer to what you expect, but executed very well. Their coffee is fantastic, which is an automatic plus. Cocktails, too—interesting combinations that landed instead of staying just interesting in theory. Of course, all types of wellness tonics and beverages are readily available as well.
Extra tip goes to… Honestly, everyone at Two Bunch Palms was great – wonderful communication and likable humans. Sal at the front desk and Chase, the woman who did my massage, get extra thumbs up.
Parting words… A place that will become an annual tradition for two lifelong best friends. A haven that has an unspeakable rejuvenating spirit that stays with you.
Date of stay… April 7-9, 2024
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