Romance, luxury, and privacy await you at The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn.
Holding a unique and storied place in Palm Springs’ history, the Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn has stood proudly as one of the area’s most important and beloved landmarks for upwards of a century. The City of Palm Springs has designated it a coveted “Class 1” historic site, and today, it is recognized as one of the ten oldest historic sites in the city.
World travelers of wealth and exquisite taste, William and Nella Mead wanted an exceptional desert retreat and engaged one of Southern California’s foremost architects, William J. Dodd. Dodd crafted a stately Mediterranean villa, which fit in beautifully with the stark desert hillside into which it was built. Completed in 1925, the Willows was everything the exacting Meads had envisioned: a spectacular home in a stunning setting with views stretching out across the entire Coachella Valley.
Nella Mead decided to sell, turning the keys over to another man of great prominence, legendary New York attorney Samuel Untermyer. One of the great “superstar” lawyers of his day, the Virginia-born Untermyer had been the first lawyer ever to attain a $1,000,000 fee, a figure he no doubt well deserved.
Untermyer was a delightful host at his beloved Willows, taking great joy in opening up his beautiful home to a wide circle of friends. That included New York City’s legendary mayor, Jimmy Walker, and U.S. Senator and son-in-law of President Woodrow Wilson, William Gibbs McAdoo. The Willows’ most legendary guest was neither a politician nor a movie star – he was simply a genius. Dr. Albert Einstein is one of the most iconic and important figures in history. He was a good friend of Samuel Untermyer.
Other distinguished guests included Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Shirley Temple, and Marion Davies. In the mid-1950s, Marion Davies purchased The Willows. While many know Davies as a movie star and longtime mistress of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, few realize she was also a brilliant businesswoman.
The eight individually designed and furnished guest rooms feature antique furniture, sumptuous linens, and luxurious baths. Some rooms offer fireplaces, private patios, or balconies. Enjoy mountain or garden vistas throughout the hotel and grounds. Striking architecture, frescoed ceilings, and the mountain waterfall spilling into a pool adjoining the dining room combine to create a comfortable and luxurious retreat from Palm Canyon Drive.
The Marion Davies Room features an elaborately carved king-size bed, an imposing fireplace, and a balcony with a view of the San Jacinto Mountains. The room was inspired by Marion Davies, an American actress of the 1930s who lived at the Willows in later life. Lounge in the sitting area or the spacious bathroom, where you’ll find a two-person claw foot tub, pedestal sink, silver chandelier, chaise lounge, separate marble-floored shower, pillowed stone floor, and a view of the desert gardens. The Marion Davies room is perfect for romantic honeymoons, anniversaries, or any occasion requiring luxury.
Einstein Room: Albert Einstein often slept here while visiting Palm Springs as a guest at The Willows of owner Samuel Untermyer in the 1930s. The Cal Tech Archive and the Palm Springs Historical Society preserve several pictures of Einstein at The Willows. Today, the guest room features Art Deco mahogany furniture with a king-size bed presiding over two French doors open to a private garden patio with a gorgeous view of the San Jacinto mountains. The bathroom features a claw foot slipper tub resting atop a travertine stone floor and a separate tumbled stone shower.
Enjoy an elegant 3-course gourmet breakfast in the luxury dining room, which features a 50-foot waterfall. In the evening, meet other guests at the lounge’s wine and hors d’oeuvres reception.
The property includes a beautiful swimming pool and Jacuzzi, lush terraced gardens, and hidden little rest spots. Other complimentary amenities include wi-fi, parking, and evening turn-down service. The Willows never charge a resort fee.
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