Pink mid-century Palm Springs motel dressed in playful Moroccan colors and patterns

The Sands Hotel & Spa / Palm Springs / California / USA

It always fascinates me when two design aesthetics come together and creates a perfect match. Who would have thought that sleek mid-century Palm Springs would work so well with colourful and rich Moroccan eleganza? I guess the connecting factor in this case is the desert life and landscape that has inspired two different styles that although very geographically distant are closely related.

When you enter the Sands Hotel & Spa it is like being transported to a kasbah somewhere in Morocco. The Sands building has a classic motel set up, built around a large pool with rooms on two levels facing inwards. The exterior has a dusty rose color which gives the building such a soft, likable look. This former motel was constructed back in the fifties but the current look has been created by renowned designer, Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard.

This 46-key retro-chic desert escape is embedded in olive trees, agaves and - of course - royal palms. Already when I entered the reception I was amazed by the chaotic (in a good way) display of geometric black & white tiles paired with a variety of afferent Moroccan design features.

Our room was huge and designed with something best described as playful sophistication. The interior is made up of bespoke furniture and custom textiles, all having a subtle (or sometimes not so subtle) Moroccan nod. In our room there was a comfy seating area and a cupboard with one of the most extensive mini bars I have ever seen. Next to this a huge bed and an equally huge bathroom. In the back we had a spacious balcony where M did his morning yoga as the sun rose over the San Jacinto mountains.

There is something so relaxing with these kind of hotels where you just go from room to restaurant (the onsite Pink Cabana Restaurant is excellent by the way) to pool to room and back again, lounging around in flip flops, bath robe and swim wear while the sun is shining on you from a clear desert sky. Just a piece of advice, remember that this is the desert so make sure to put on plenty of sun screen. If you have forgotten yours at home, don’t worry! There is complimentary sun block from Sun Bum by the pool right next to the complimentary coffee. I love complimentary stuff!

Everywhere you look there are Moroccan design elements and it really works in this Californian desert context.

Sometimes M steals the camera and snaps some photos. This is a typical M photo, playing with perspectives and the result is always arty and beautiful. This is the chandelier and the ceiling in the reception.

Our spacious room had a a lux but playful look and feel. I love the yellow zebra printed lounge chair in the background.

The best feature of our room, the massive bed with the colorful Moroccan-inspired headboard.

The yellow side table/stool against the blue and white tiles is so beautiful.

Bathroom products from French brand Diptyque.

I love this little window in the room where you can keep whoever is in the bathtub company while they soak.

I don’t think there are many hotels that can rival the selection (nor the look) of the mini bar we had in our room.

Our shady balcony. The pink against the colorful floor tiles is so beautiful is yet another color combination that works so well together.

M has put on a robe and is enjoying some down time on the sofa by the window.

The pool in the early morning light. One of my favorite things to do are to take a fresh morning dip. It is such a joy to have the pool all to yourselves.

If you have forgotten your sun screen, don’t worry! These wooden containers with complimentary Sun Bum sunscreen were placed by the pool. A great idea that I have never seen before.

M is heading to the restaurant for something to eat.

The onsite Pink Cabana restaurant. Full of colors, light and patterns. And great food, of course!

M has been out on a little excursion and is returning back to Sands.

And before bed, a quick dip in the pool.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…like design mashups where mid-century California meets colorful Moroccan. If you like your hotel to be a full service kind of place (where there is even free sun screen by the pool), then please, book a room at the Sand.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is that it is adults only. Hey, I love kids but some hotels feels like they were just made for lounging by the pool with a drink in hand enjoying the subtle sound track without having your afternoon snooze being disrupted by having an inflatable flamingo thrown at you. Well, come to think of it, that could always happen when you vacation with my husband.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…nothing. This is one of those hotels where you check in and wind down. Find the sun lounger that looks most inviting and park yourself there with a book and something to drink. That’s it!

If you like this hotel you might also like…

Silver Lake Pool & Inn, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs, CA, USA

Vagabond Motel, Miami, FL, USA