palm springs, part one

palm springs is a desert oasis. to recharge, our home away from home was the ace hotel and swim club.  it's a different kind of hotel.  it no longer resembles the howard johnson motel of the sixties.  it has been transformed into a laid back hipster kind of place where a quirky and bohemian vibe dominates.

it attracts an eclectic crowd... grandparents, families with small children, gay (it was pride weekend) and straight couples, and lots of dogs.  it was the perfect place to sit back with a mojito (they were so good) and people watch.  we also had spectacular mountain views to while away our time.

however, the saltwater pool was pretty awesome - it was kept at a comfortable 87 degrees and it was the only place i could spend time with kai (he lived in that pool every afternoon).  the weekend found a larger crowd of hipsters and families lounging by the pool, a dj spinning tunes, and hotdogs grilling on the bbq. 

there was always something fun going on at the ace:  a diy tie-dye t-shirt craft one afternoon, a drum circle gathering one night, brushing up on ping pong skills anytime, and communal fire pits.  however, the best was the photo booth, it is truly a magical device that gets you silly and laughing... kai and i loved it!

the food was simple fare but delicious... i will have those crispy tacos any time please.  and that adorable elephant head on the wall of the king's highway diner, i wanted it as much as i wanted to bring home the photo booth.

the rooms were unconventional with no fuss, vintage decorating... canvas tented walls, artwork clipped casually to wooden slatted walls, concrete floors, caftans instead of robes, the do not disturb sign simply says 'not now', and the best of all was the bed.  it was the most comfortable cushy bed; definitely the best i have ever slept in!

i savoured the laid back environment and the staff were double chill.  the only uncool thing about the ace was that they were way too laid back with the 'no smoking by the pool' rules... people were near, on the edge, in the pool smoking those cigarettes - such a shame because it is the sole reason i would not return to the ace.

p.s. i love you ace but get a handle on all that smoking, pretty please.  i want to come back.



 

 

 

 

 



 

  

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 







i loved watching this older woman.  she was in the pool for as long as kai was just swaying to the music with a huge smile on her face the whole time.





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 



we were often at the pool until the sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 





it was awesome to end the day in the most comfy bed ever!