Sparrows Lodge

Take a hint from the word-of-mouth publicity, the quiet poolside crowd in retro swimwear, and the understated logo — a minimalist illustration of two little birds perched on a branch. Sparrows Lodge is not aiming for the mainstream. Recycled from the Fifties and refreshed for a style-conscious clientele, this woodsy hideaway is the kind of place where people play horseshoes, swing wooden tennis rackets and read books by their private campfires. At night, the property’s original red barn opens for dinner and drinks. It’s like a dreamy hipster version of the summer camp of your childhood — complete with artisan cocktails and deep, luxurious bathtubs fashioned out of old horse troughs.

Considering the mini-Renaissance of Palm Springs as a weekend getaway for cool LA kids working in design and fashion, there’s certainly a place for a rustic-chic ranch in this corner of the desert. And unlike many of Palm Springs’s revamped boutique hotels, the twenty-room Sparrows Lodge has a distinctly outdoorsy vibe: think built-in redwood furniture, tin roofs, patio fireplaces, stone floors, earth tones, exposed beams. There are four categories of rooms and suites: the most luxurious is the spacious Fireplace Room, named for its cozy gas-burning fireplace.

Throughout the property, there’s a noteworthy absence of TV screens. The idea here is to relax with old-school diversions like tennis, hiking, and roasting marshmallows — or, well, lying around the pool. Despite all the trappings of a mid-century mountain lodge, this is after all still Palm Springs.

Please note: Sparrows is an adults-only hotel; guests under the age of 21 cannot be accommodated.

How to get there: Sparrows is about a 5-minute drive from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).