PALM SPRINGS, Calif. In a city where the streets are named for Bob
Hope, Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore, old-style glitz and glamour
comes with the territory.
In Palm Springs, the Estrella the area’s largest and certainly
most stylish boutique hotel stands out in true Hollywood
fashion.
“The look tries to capture the golden age of Hollywood,” Steven
Cenicola, Estrella’s general manager, said on a recent hosted
visit. “I don’t think you’ll find anything like us anywhere
else.”
Since its opening in the 1930s, stars such as Elvis and Marilyn
Monroe have sampled Estrella’s hospitality. When the Kor Hotel
Group purchased the property in 2001, it launched an extensive
renovation to recapture the glamour of the hotel’s past, redoing it
in what is described as “contemporary Hollywood Regency style.”
A jaded eye might expect style over substance, for comfort to be
sacrificed on the altar of cool. It’s a pleasant surprise, however,
to discover that the Estrella is not just a fashion plate the hotel
provides exceptional service and comfortable rooms with modern
amenities and many fine touches, including in-room DVD players,
Frette linens and robes and bath products by Molton Brown of
London.
Rooms feature bold black and white wallpaper and upholstery,
with splashes of lemon yellow throughout. All over the grounds,
guests find theatrical touches such as manicured shrubbery, statues
of whippets and flowing formal drapes that seem to spill out of
rooms and into the outdoor spaces.
With 74 rooms, studios, suites and private villas and three
pools on three acres, the Estrella is indeed large for a boutique
hotel. Nearly all the guestrooms come with some private terrace
space, and all the villas have a private outdoor “living room,”
perfect for lounging, reading or dining. The villas also have
fireplaces and full kitchens and are ideal for small groups.
Estrella’s location a block from downtown Palm Springs is a huge
plus.
“You drive here from L.A. and park your car on a Friday and
forget about it until you leave on Sunday,” said Cenicola.
“Everything you need cafes, shopping, entertainment is within
walking distance. That’s hard to find elsewhere in the [Coachella]
Valley.”
The Estrella’s clientele is mostly of hip couples from Los
Angeles (110 miles away) who are looking for a relaxing getaway.
While Cenicola described the hotel as family friendly, it
definitely seemed better suited to couples who can leave the kids
at grandma’s house.
Not surprisingly, Estrella has frequent celebrity guests. While
Cenicola insisted on remaining mum about celebs who have stayed
there, Kate Hudson did a recent photo shoot at the hotel for
InStyle magazine.
Regardless of who they are, guests will find themselves well
pampered at Estrella’s recently renovated spa. It has an
experienced staff, and a menu featuring a wide selection of
facials, body treatments and aromatherapy. There are a variety of
massage rooms, as well as a lovely outdoor massage area under a
draped canopy, next to the bougainvillea.
Clients can try a Sacred Stone Massage, which uses heated rocks
from the San Jacinto Mountains. Other treatments use Dr. Hauschka
and Yon-Ka Paris products, which are exclusive to Estrella in the
valley. There is also a 24-hour fitness center equipped with cardio
machines and free weights.
After a massage and a day by the pool, many guests opt to wander
over to Citron, Estrella’s elegant California-French restaurant.
Menu highlights here include the braised rabbit pastilla and the
terrifically decadent Valrhona chocolate souffle.
The Kor Hotel Group also owns several other boutique hotels in
Southern California, including the Viceroy in Santa Monica and the
Avalon Hotel and Maison 140, both in Beverly Hills.
The group recently purchased the La Serena Hotel, next door to
the Estrella, which it plans to renovate and add to the Estrella.
The move will add 17 units, including a few three-bedroom villas;
more than an acre of grounds and two pools. The acquisition also
will enable the hotel to add a ballroom and more meeting space.
For now, however, Estrella is focusing on what it does best.
“The bigger resorts tend to have a corporate and impersonal feel.
Here, we actually care about who you are,” Cenicola said. “We can
afford to spend more energy and creativity on the guests.”
And look good while doing it too.
Hotel Checklist
Estrella
415 South Belardo Road
Palm Springs, Calif. 92262
800-237-3687, 760-320-4117
fax, 760-323-3303
www.estrella.com
Hits: In easy walking distance of Palm Springs’ main drag, but
still manages to feel secluded. Despite the hotel’s hip factor, the
staff is friendly, down-to-earth and welcoming.
Misses: In the intense summer heat, it may take the air
conditioner a while to cool down the rooms. Villa parking is on the
street, which some clients may find inconvenient.
Be Aware: If clients are arriving at night, be sure to warn them
that the grounds can be dark. There are no desks in the rooms,
which will make it hard for business travelers. There is no golf
course on the property, but the hotel can arrange tee times at
several area courses.
Plugging In: Rooms and villas have a second phone line for
dial-up Internet access, but I had some difficulty getting it to
work properly. There are an adequate number of conveniently located
electrical outlets.
Clientele: Ninety percent of Estrella’s guests are leisure
travelers but there are plans for new meeting space and amenities
for small-business groups.
Commission: 8-10 percent
Rates: In season (January through June), rooms start at $159
weekdays and $199 weekends.
