The Wow in the Desert

Nowhere else can you experience star glamour and architecture, wellness oases and desert chic in such an Oscar-worthy setting as in Palm Springs, California: jaw-dropping moments guaranteed.

When private doors open during Modernism Week, a visit to the home of Michael Ostrow and Roger Stoker is an experience that goes far beyond a typical architectural tour. Their Palm Springs estate is a living testament to what contemporary luxury living can be today: a harmonious blend of space, art, and personality. Naturally, the hosts do not extend an invitation to their residence on all 365 days of the year. Yet those fortunate enough to gain entry as registered visitors to Modernism Week in Palm Springs, California, will discover precisely what desert modernism embodies.

MODERNISM WEEK IN PALM SPRINGS Exclusive Home Visits with Designers



THREE WITH STYLE Michael Ostrow, Roger Stoker, and Grace the Dog



A CONNOISSEURS HIGHLIGHT Color and light as stylistic elements, blending interior and exterior



LUXURY OASIS Private wellness with an idyllic golf course

UP HIGH Everything truly revolves here—including the Doppelmayr cable car.



VISITOR CENTER An architectural gem in mid-century style



TAKE A SEAT Twice a year by bus to Palm Springs’ architectural treasures



Architecturally, the residence adheres to quintessential Palm Springs tenets: deliberate “wow” factors provided by art objects, transparent structures, and a fluid interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces. Ostrow and Stoker have personally contributed to every aspect of the project over decades of work. Here, color makes a statement; art is not mere decoration, but narrative. During Modernism Week, to which Palm Springs extends invitations twice a year, in October and February, the philosophy of intellectual exchange is particularly palpable. Visitors move not through a staged setting, but through a living environment—with open conversations, spontaneous encounters, and an almost salon-like atmosphere. The hosts also view their invitation as an art form: less about showing something than about sharing it. What once began as a niche event for architecture enthusiasts has, perhaps for this very reason, evolved into a global gathering place for collectors, designers, curators, and discerning travelers: Among the most sought-after program highlights have always been the exclusive home tours of otherwise inaccessible private residences. Legendary, for instance, are the glimpses into the Frey House II, Albert Frey’s spectacular manifesto of Desert Modernism carved into the rock, which hovers over the city like a minimalist statement.

Equally iconic are the excursions to Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann House—an icon of American Modernism whose clean lines and fluid transitions between interior and exterior continue to set standards to this day. In recent years, these architectural tours have become increasingly curated—supplemented by discussions with historians, designers, and eyewitnesses. Another highlight is the “Signature Home Tours,” during which several residences open their doors to the public in a single day—often accompanied by classic car exhibitions, cocktail stations, and live music. These events are less traditional tours and more social gatherings: a tribute to the glamour of the Rat Pack era, reinterpreted for a cosmopolitan, design-savvy audience.

FRESH ON THE PLATE Palm Springs is home to California’s most creative chefs

The desert is alive—and how!

Storytelling and personalities have shaped Palm Springs for decades. During Hollywood’s golden age, the desert became a sometimes more, sometimes less discreet extension of the dream factory. Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” estate became the epitome of California jet-set life. It wasn’t just the site of legendary parties with impromptu poolside concerts and guests like Dean Martin or Sammy Davis Jr. Sinatra even had the obligatory pool custom-fashioned in the shape of a piano—a tongue-in-cheek statement, whether self-deprecating or self-assured, who knows?

WARNING, UFO The Reset – a hotel like something from another planet



SLOWING DOWN IN JOSUA TREE Time plays little role here.



SPECTACULAR Wake up in a luxury container, relax in the desert



Elvis Presley also made history in Palm Springs. His “Honeymoon Hideaway” became a symbol of a new, youthful pop culture, and the residence’s futuristic architecture still reflects the spirit of the 1960s today. Marilyn Monroe, in turn, gave Palm Springs a glamorous aura that still resonates today. Stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, who reside in private villas and host exclusive parties, ensure that Palm Springs is not merely a nostalgic backdrop. After all, Palm Springs has never been a place of ostentation; the most spectacular moments have always unfolded behind closed doors—by the pool, at sunset, within a select circle of guests. Greater Palm Springs, as the “Fabulous 9”—a collection of nine distinct communities in the region—likes to call itself, is nevertheless an exceptionally diverse destination even beyond the Art Weeks: Its towns—Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, and, of course, Palm Springs—each command attention with their own brand of natural grandeur, exhilarating outdoor pursuits, a vibrant arts panorama, or ultra-luxurious wellness retreats.

A fairy-tale world of water and light

Collectively, they market themselves as a sophisticated year-round destination. Just two hours from Los Angeles and San Diego, guests enjoy sunshine in every season and nature’s dramatic scenic playgrounds—desert, mountains, water, and light—that coalesce to create a dream destination.

California’s boldest hotel concept

While Palm Springs has long drawn the wealthy and celebrated, the bold and the daring, the hedonists and the art aficionados, the city is far more than a mere travel destination for Americans: it stands as a promise of freedom, sunshine, and effortlessly accessible luxury. “360 days of sunshine” is not merely a marketing slogan, but a way of life. Sunlight translates into elevated living—a perpetual outdoor existence. Should you seek self-expression without social pretence, and flip-flops alongside designer sunglasses and minimalist architecture, this is the place for you. Even today, as curious visitors from around the world indulge in this laid-back brand of exclusivity at the region’s hotels and resorts. These authentic Palm Springs “sweet spots” are discovered at the city’s edges. In downtown, a property from the Hyatt Group is highly regarded. Just a few steps from designer boutiques, galleries, and the iconic Palm Canyon Drive, it presents itself as an urban all-rounder with a touch of resort atmosphere.

The big stage, however, is just a short drive away. Set amidst 450 hectares of lushly landscaped gardens, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa comes into view: this spacious oasis of well-being is one of the resorticons of the Coachella Valley: an ambassador of the lightness of being, bringing a tropical paradise right into the heart of the California desert.

SUN & FUN The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is Palm Springs’ premier destination for a spectacular spa experience.

Best Views: Stargazing in New Dimensions

About an hour from Palm Springs, in the small town of Joshua Tree near the national park of the same name, the scenery changes completely. Intimate boutiques offer handmade ceramics, vintage attire, and desert art. Cafés serve soul food and vegan cuisine, often accompanied by conversations about art, music, or life in alternative communities. Music is a central part of the scene. Places like Pappy & Harriet’s are legendary —a roadhouse, concert venue, and bar all in one. Connoisseurs of extreme aesthetics will encounter only a handful of conventional hotels, but instead discover private retreats that blend bohemian flair, minimalism, and confidently rugged charm: unassuming structures elevated by design savvy—concrete, wood, glass, plus outdoor bathtubs, fire pits, and hammocks—raw, atmospheric, and intimately close to nature.

TRENDY AND LOUD Pappy & Harriet’s is the place to go for intense music and hearty drinks



For most visitors, the national park itself is the main attraction. Rugged granite formations rise from the ground like frozen waves, interspersed with the bizarre silhouettes of Joshua trees, their branches reaching toward the sky as if seeking a foothold in infinity. Hikers traverse well-maintained paths over gigantic boulders, such as in Hidden Valley, climb granite blocks, or follow quiet trails where each step stirs up red dust. Climbing is part of the park’s DNA. Sunrises that bathe the rocks in cool pink and sunsets that cause the temperature to plummet rapidly in this desert sea of stone captivate adventurers around the clock. Many stay out into the night—not least because of an unspoiled starry sky that ranks among the most spectacular in North America. Stargazing here is not just an activity, but a ritual.

The Reset Hotel embodies these principles—a refuge on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park that does not strive to impress, but rather to invite guests to slow down. Nestled into the desert landscape, every aspect of the hotel diverges from the conventional resort formula. The architecture adheres to a radical notion: minimalism as luxury. The 65 units, inspired by modular forms, are conceived to be clear, functional, and deliberately understated. Materials such as concrete, steel, and dark wood echo the colors of the desert, allowing interior and exterior to blend almost seamlessly. The “container-style” rooms appear minimalist at first glance—and it is precisely this restraint that lends them their distinctive character. The true heart of each “box” lies outside its four walls. Private patios with fire pits, daybeds, and—in select categories—freestanding outdoor bathtubs transform the desert into a living space. In the evening, the sky becomes the ceiling: telescopes for stargazing, flickering fires, and a silence that is almost physically palpable. Reset is the perfect way to end a journey. It is not a stage for grand gestures, but for subtle perceptions—and an alternative to conventional luxury resorts. Reset feels radical. By stripping the world to its essentials, it renders every sensation all the more intense. “Quiet Luxury” in its purest form: space, light, stars, silence—and the sensation of having momentarily fallen out of the world. Wow!


H O T E L R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S G R E A T E R P A L M S P R I N G S
Connoisseurs are in good hands at these properties.

HYATT PALM SPRINGS

All-suite accommodations open to the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains through floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, embodying a classic California interpretation of luxury: plenty of space, light-colored materials, separate living areas, and a subtle mid-century vibe that fits perfectly with the city’s architectural heritage. Anyone seeking to experience Palm Springs—especially during Modernism Week and just a stone’s throw from the Palm Springs Art Museum—will find their ideal base here, sans fanfare.

JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

Waterways, lagoons, palm-lined avenues, and above all a family-friendly idyll define the scene; small boats glide through artificial lakes; at night, an almost surreal atmosphere hangs over a sea of lights. The suites are classically elegant, with spacious layouts, high-quality materials, and terraces affording views of the golf courses and water features. On the culinary front, the resort boasts an impressive array of ten restaurants—from relaxed poolside dining to ambitious fine-dining concepts, every palate is catered to. What sets the JW Marriott Desert Springs & Spa apart from many other gems in the Valley, however, is its “centerpiece”: the sprawling spa, one of the largest and most renowned in California. Two championship golf courses and a world-class tennis center round out the extensive offerings. With approximately 38,000 square meters of space and over 40 treatment rooms, the Desert Springs Spa ranks among the largest wellness facilities in the Palm Springs area. At its core lies a classic American spa concept, enhanced with modern, science-inspired treatments and locally sourced ingredients. The range of options is correspondingly diverse: in addition to therapeutic massages, body wraps, and high-end facials, signature rituals are also offered that specifically incorporate the local environment. Particularly popular is the “Desert Journey” treatment —a 90-minute ritual featuring a scrub crafted from dates, brown sugar, and citrus notes, combined with a warm stone massage and a paraffin foot treatment. Equally distinctive are modern facials such as the Pro-Collagen Red Light Facial, which specifically stimulates skin regeneration. The spa at Desert Springs is the only resort in the desert to offer this red-light phototherapy treatment: by stimulating collagen and elastin production as well as tissue oxygenation, the treatment delivers effective skin rejuvenation. The spa’s amenities extend well beyond classic treatments: an aromatherapy hammam, a sauna, a wellness lounge, the expansive fitness centre, and a saltwater lap pool compose an environment for holistic rejuvenation.

SENSEI PORCUPINE CREEK RESORT

Wellness of the highest caliber is also a top priority at Sensei Porcupine Creek Resort. The resort is not a traditional hotel—rather, it is a discreet microcosm for guests who place the highest value on discreet, personalized care for body and soul. Picturesquely nestled within 230 hectares of desert landscape at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, this former private estate combines architectural clarity with an uncompromisingly holistic wellness approach—and this is definitely reserved for a select few: only a handful of accommodations—casitas and villas—are scattered across the grounds. Each room functions as a retreat, defined by tranquility and light, in a meditative design that deliberately leaves the outside world at the door. Central to the experience is the “Sensei Way” philosophy: scientifically grounded, individually curated, and overseen by a team of doctors, trainers, and therapists. Exercise, nutrition, and regeneration are seamlessly woven together—a concept that transcends conventional spa expectations. The culinary focal point is Sensei by Nobu —a refined, health-focused interpretation of the iconic Nobu cuisine that combines indulgence with nutritional science. Guests who seek not only to relax but to recalibrate—physically and mentally—in absolute privacy are in the right place at this ultra-luxury retreat.

AT THE HEART OF THE CITY At the Hyatt Palm Springs, you’re right in the thick of it.