A hip getaway to Parker Palm Springs: mid-century modern design hotel review! Rainbow fashion & best restaurants.
Winter, what’s that? At the start of 2020, I made an escape to sunny Palm Springs. What a relief to have a break from the dark and stormy weather.
I was keen to kick back and indulge, so I stayed at the Parker Palm Springs. I’m sure you recognize the luxury hotel’s iconic entrance….
… it’s one of the most Instagram-ed spots in Palm Springs, a destination known for its mid-century modern architecture and Cali-cool vibe.
Even though I’ve spent tons of time in LA over the years, I had somehow never gone to Palm Springs until now.
Photographer Joey Wong and I adore modern design, so we were thrilled to shoot photos in this hip hotel. In 2004, the famed Jonathan Adler revitalized the Parker Palm Springs. Read on to see his chic interiors, which include spooky The Shining carpets!
From Vancouver and other major cities, you can take a fast and inexpensive direct flight to Palm Springs — making it an easy getaway. Alternately, you can fly to LA, and then drive just over 3 hours to get here.
Joey and I had a rental car in Palm Springs, which we recommend. The streets are wide and easy to navigate — and there are a lot of older drivers on the road, so everyone goes slowly!
Don’t do drugs, kids… or you might end up like this…
I’m wearing a black hooded wrap-around top and Equaliser rainbow skirt from Cyberdog. This cyber – rave – Goth label is one of my favorites, and everything I own from them is of beautiful quality. (I visited their futuristic shop in Camden, London; pics here.)
My silver purse is an Alexander McQueen skull mini bag.
Jonathan Adler’s decor pays tribute to the mid-century vibe of Palm Springs. The Parker Hotel’s lounge is a 1970s dream pad. I was tickled to see a wall of macrame owls; my mom made one of these in the late 70s!
My Cyberdog skirt’s colorful equalizer scale also fit in with the retro feel. I paired it with bow-tied red sandals from Lola Ramona, a designer inspired by vintage and pin-up.
Feels good to get some vitamin D, poolside at the Parker. I also got some vitamin C, thanks to the fresh lemons on every table next to the lounge chairs.
The Parker Hotel has three pools, including a saline, chlorine-free one for adults. Guests can take a dip, and then cool off in the charming blue and white cabanas.
Only guests of the hotel are allowed into the private grounds, which resemble a Secret Garden. I got happily lost wandering around the maze-like paths, lined with waving pampas grass and fan palms.
The Parker’s gardens are a treat for the senses: I loved the vivid colors and fragrances of the flowering hedges, and citrus fruit trees. The weather was perfect in January — sunny but not overly hot, and not a trace of mosquitoes.
Blending in with nature, purple hair and all. My barrettes are Sylvain Le Hen, and my silver croc skull crossbody purse is Alexander McQueen.
See more of his Gothic bags below:
I felt like Alice in Wonderland, as I explored the labyrinthine gardens of the Parker. I came across a giant chessboard, and a grassy lawn for petanque and croquet. (I don’t know how to play, but I can wield a mallet and yell “Off with their heads!”)
Be sure to pop into PSYC spa, which stands for Palm Springs Yacht Club, and has a blue nautical design. There’s a peaceful indoor pool, and studios for free yoga classes.
We passed our time taking photos — but if you’re a sporty type, you can have fun on the tennis courts, or rent bright yellow bicycles.
Behold, a banana! I laughed when I saw this 7-foot bronze sculpture, which weighs 900 pounds and rises up from a grassy plain.
Kudos to my brilliant stylist Chad Evans of Kore Salon in Vancouver, for keeping my violet hair so vibrant and healthy. Check out his site for positivity and inspiration.
Jonathan Adler’s interiors play with kitsch and psychedelia. I snapped this gigantic macrame owl (it barely fit in the frame) and neon doorway to Mister Parker’s restaurant.
This Goth girl was obsessed with the orange and red hexagon carpet — maybe you recognize it from The Shining horror movie! “Darling? Light, of my life. I’m not gonna hurt ya.”
“Photog” Joey Wong and I found inspiration in every corner of the Parker Palm Springs.
Found my knight in shining armor, next to a vintage Warren Platner chair (mid-century furniture master) that was reupholstered in an Adler fabric.
What can I say… the quirky retro interior design of the Parker Hotel is a hoot!
The russet tones of the swinging 70s are alive at the Parker.
And then, there’s the iconic 23-foot front entrance. Tall tangerine double doors, framed by a white lattice cement “brise soleil.” Love how the palm fronds cast a shadow.
You can’t find a better spot for futuristic portraits. Wearing two metallic barrettes by Sylvain Le Hen, and a silver Collier de Chien bracelet by Hermes.
Palm Springs is known for its mid-century desert architecture. I recommend driving around, or taking a tour to see the houses. I want to come back one February for Modernism Week, when you can go inside some of the most famous Case Study homes.
Time for brunch at Norma’s, the Parker’s open-air terrace restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Even the plates and garnishes match the hotel’s orange color scheme.
There’s an extensive sweet and savory menu to choose from. Norma’s serves many creative varieties of eggs Benedict, from artichoke to glazed short ribs with sweet potato cake (above). I drank two servings of the oat milk latte with house-made vanilla.
You can also get indulgent at Norma’s, with specialities such as a lobster macaroni and cheese (the presentation looks like a Jaws shark attack). If you’re a high roller, you can get the Zillion Dollar frittata with caviar and lobster… which will set you back $2000!
At night, I said welcome to the dollhouse. This little bar at the Parker is designed like an Art Deco jewel box, and is a sweet spot for people-watching. (A lot of stylish people pass through the turquoise velvet doors).
VIP guests get a glass of cordial each night. It’s tempting to stay at the Parker 24/7, as there’s so much to enjoy… but Joey and I did venture out for other fine dining experiences.
(More from the Parker Palm Springs at the end of this post, so keep reading!)
Palm Springs’ hippest restaurants are located in the Uptown Design District, which is also a hip area for strolling and popping into art galleries.
We had a fabulous dinner at Eight4Nine, a lively restaurant decked out in white interiors with Louis IV chairs and hot pink accents. This is an excellent spot to gather with a group of friends before a night out.
Eight4Nine’s menu focuses on modern American cuisine, with bright flavors and presentation. The fresh and well-sourced seafood stood out in the appetizers (Ahi tuna poke and Dungeness crab corn chowder). The scallops and duck with red wine reduction were luxurious yet down to earth, and brought together a variety of culinary influences.
Eight4Nine is known for serving one of the best Sunday brunches in Palm Springs. Every year, they host a Pride Brunch that lets you sip champagne while you watch the parade, with 25% of proceeds benefiting Greater Palm Springs Pride.
On our second evening, we feasted at Evzin — a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influenced eatery. The friendly staff greeted us warmly, and were wonderful at giving recommendations.
Be sure to start with a spread of dips and pita, including smoky eggplant with garlic, tzatziki Greek yogurt with cucumber, and cilantro jalapeno hummus. Also to die for: halloumi with honey and dates, and Albanian burek (herb, feta and corn meal pie). I paired the shared plates with a rosemary cocktail lit on fire.
For mains, expect a mix of juicy flavors and generous portions. Joey had the tasty Adobo fried chicken, and I bit into a zaatar-roasted chicken with red chard, almond basmati rice, and tahini sauce.
The most outstanding dish at Evzin? The homemade Greek yogurt cheesecake, which is slightly tart and paired with berries. Trust us, this dessert is a must-have — we were stuffed, yet ate it all up!
On Day 3, we dove into local specialities at the cheery and sophisticated Trio Restaurant, housed in what was a mid-century bank. I was a big fan of the ahi tuna tower, and Coachella Valley dates stuffed with blue cheese. Trio’s wine list is also outstanding, with selections from nearby Napa Valley, Oakville, Sonoma County, and Alexander Valley.
After a long day of shooting, we were delighted to indulge in a creative menu that combines Midwest comfort with sleek California dining. The space ribs with chipolte rub and sweet potato fries were some of the best we’ve tried. The delicate Australian sole and Yankee pot roast (with slow roasted carrots) were also winners.
Can’t beat sipping on a Cali rose, while taking in the pink sunset.
Back to the Parker Palm Springs, where I gave a “hail” to the outdoor fire pit. A perfect luxury campfire for sitting around with a drink.
Joey and I always joke that the highlight of every trip is getting back to our room and lying in bed. The Parker’s rooms were a study in comfort: the carpet is unbelievably lush, and how cute are the Adler bed frames? The custom-made needlepoint pillows and mid-century wall hangings added to the flair.
The staff left us snacks every evening. Still dreaming of this truffle ricotta with sorrel and figs, on Parmesan chips.
We’ll miss getting a fix of fresh fruit from the spa: the blood oranges and pink-red pears were our favorites. You can also visit the Parker’s lemonade stand to nosh on snacks, and drink spiked lemonade.
The ghosts of old-time Hollywood celebs are alive at the Parker. The hotel has a decadent history: it was once owned by “singing cowboy” Gene Autry, and talk show host Merv Griffin (creator of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune).
Today, The Parker Palm Springs remains a favorite amongst stylish travelers and celebrities. We ran into a few fashion photoshoots taking place around the grounds.
As someone who loves modern design and boutique experiences, my stay at the Parker was total enlightenment.
I’m keen to come back for another desert escape soon. If you’re planning a Palm Springs trip, go all out — and book a stay at the Parker Palm Springs. You won’t regret it.
Much more to come from Palm Springs, including our adventures at the windmills and Joshua Tree! I think you can tell we had a blast here: thanks to the Parker team for welcoming us.
For previews of my photoshoots, take a glance at @lacarmina Instagram (and stay tuned for New York Fashion Week coverage, coming up next).
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Mummies, sarcophagus & coffins at Cairo’s Egyptian museum! Pyramids of Giza laser light show, Nile dinner cruise.
Call me Queen of the Damned. If you dare rouse me from my sarcophagus, I’ll unleash the curse of the mummy!
I think you can tell I had fun with Yukiro in Egypt, on our journey with Travel Talk Tours. Alas, this is the final story from the land of Cleopatra… but it’s an epic one, featuring royal mummies, sphinxes, and other undead delights in Cairo.
(Wearing pants by Charli Cohen, and lace bodysuit by UK Lingerie.)
Our 12-day Travel Talk tour included two days in Cairo. I was most excited to visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities — I’ve dreamed of being here since I learned about it as a child.
But first, I wanted to share something meaningful I published in Fodor’s Travel. On January 7, my close friend Elizabeth Wurtzel (who you may know as the author of Prozac Nation) died from breast cancer (BRCA mutation and metastasis).
I wrote a tribute to Lizzie here, highlighting what I learned about her during our trip to Brazil. I hope you enjoy it, and that it captures a sense of her one-of-a-kind personality — “forever wild and brilliant and impossible.”
On that note – I’m delighted to announce I’ll be at New York Fashion week… but this time, for a more meaningful reason.
One of my best friends, Molly, is a breast cancer thriver. She and her mom are walking the catwalk to share their story and make a difference.
NY friends, please join us on Feb 9th. We’d love to be with you at this fashion show.
Watch Molly and her mom walk the stage wearing AnaOno (designer of post-surgery bras for those affected by breast cancer), in partnership with Cancerland. 100% of funds will go to nonprofit METAvivor Research and Support Inc. for metastatic / stage IV breast cancer research.
More info & tickets here; I hope to see you February 9th!
And now, Egypt — the ancient land of powerful women rulers.
Cairo’s Egyptian Museum was built in 1901, and parts of it shows its age (crumbling walls, tilted captions). In the outdoor sculpture courtyard, a Sphinx welcomes visitors.
However, the city is currently building a new Grand Egyptian Museum, slated to open in 2020. I caught a glimpse of it by the Giza pyramids: designed by Heneghan Peng, it’s a modern structure of glass triangles.
Until then, you can go to the original Egyptian Museum to see tens of thousands of ancient artifacts. The museum houses around 120,000 items, with most of it in storage.
(Note: you need to get a photo pass in order to take images inside, like we did).
In books and blogs, you typically see the most famous Egyptian works (such as the Rosetta Stone and bust of Nefertiti). But I’m here to show you the most bizarre relics we encountered at the Egyptian Museum!
Is it just me, or does this standing male sculpture make you think of Beavis and Butthead? “I am the Great Cornholio, I need TP for my bunghole!”
Not all mummies look like the elegant King Tut. In the later era of Egyptian civilization, the sarcophagi had Greco-Roman-style portraits painted over the facial area.
(And it appears they understood the importance of elevating one’s feet, even after death!)
I think you can guess why the sarcophagus room was our favorite area of the museum. From above, the shape resembles a vampire coffin. (I suppose that’s why the undead emerge from both?)
Looks like a mummy has escaped from one of the coffins…
These are traditional styled Egyptian sarcophagi, with the nemes headscarf. Propped up in a row, the dark stone death chambers are as Gothic as it gets!
Speaking of morbid anatomy — we were delighted to see Egyptian canopic jars. During the mummification process, the viscera are removed from the corpse, and preserved in these carved jars for the afterlife.
Canopic jars are topped with four deity heads. Your lungs are protected by Hapi the baboon, while your stomach goes to jackal-headed Duamutef. Imsety the human gets the liver, and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef holds the intestines.
If you’re fascinated by ancient Egyptian death rituals, you’ve got to see the Mummy Room at the museum. Entry requires a separate ticket, and it’s well worth it for the special exhibits related to mummification… and the glass cases of dead pharoahs!
You aren’t allowed to take photos in the Egyptian Museum’s Mummy room, so you’ll have to imagine the small, shriveled brown bodies of Egypt’s most famous pharoahs.
We ooh-ed over the preserved corpses of Seti I, Ramses II, and various pharoahs named Amenhotep and Thutmosis. Each was wrapped up in bandages, with arms crossed over the chest. The mummification technique was so pristine that we could still see their teeth and nails, and strands of hair!
The museum labels couldn’t possibly explain all the weirdness we saw. What’s the deal with the two heads coming out of a stone covered in hieroglyphics, much like an Alien movie scene?
I did a double-take when I saw the potato head faces in the middle, staring at me from the side of a stone mausoleum. Why are they turned to towards the viewer, like something out of a horror movie?
Plus, they’re flanked by horned and snake-headed deities… and led by a woman giving a “hail!”
It’s obvious why the ancient Egyptians are associated with the occult and undead. (How heavy metal is this pose?)
Aleister Crowley, deemed “the wickedest man in the world,” spent time in Egypt investigating the dark arts. In 1904, he was Cairo with his wife, and she had a dream where a voice was saying “They are waiting for you.”
Crowley’s wife described an ancient artifact in her dream. They went to this very Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and she discovered that it existed. The relic showed an image of Horus on a slab, which became known as the Stele of Revealing.
And then, Crowley looked at the number of the exhibit… and it was 666, the sign of the Beast!
(Unfortunately, the displays are no longer numbered, so we couldn’t find it… but here is a rather Gothic double-ankh.)
Fascinating how the Egyptians worshiped gods with animal heads and human bodies. Here’s the fierce lioness Sekhmet, and falcon-headed Horus in a shrine (or is it a birdcage?)
We were mesmerized by the wing of the museum dedicated to Akenhaten. The ruler is always portrayed in this strange way, with wide hips, a slender face, and womanly body.
This has given rise to theories that Akenhaten was intersex, or a woman cross-dressing as a man! However, he had several children… perhaps he chose to be carved like this for political or spiritual reasons lost to the sands of time.
Of course, Yukiro and I are fans of sphinxes — the mythical creature with the head of a human, and the body of a lion. You’ll recall that we saw the Great Sphinx of Giza with Travel Talk Tours.
The Egyptian Museum had plenty of Sphinx statues on display. This one had big paws and ears, and appeared to be winking at me.
“Sphinx” was the name given to this deity later on. Nobody knows what the Egyptians actually called this feline… perhaps that’s the true riddle of the Sphinx.
Could this be the first example of “kawaii” art? These smiling lions were certainly carved to look as cute as possible.
The ancient Egyptians considered cats to be sacred, and worshipped Bastet (the cat-god) and fierce lion goddess Sekhmet.
I could have spent all day at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The art techniques were remarkable for the time — and who knows what masterpieces are still buried under the sand.
When we think of Egyptian art, we usually picture the stiff, stylized “walk like an Egyptian” carvings. However, artists also made incredibly detailed, painted 3D sculptures. Aren’t the anatomy and facial detail astonishing?
So. Many. Sphinxes! It’s easy to spend hours wandering around, but leave some time for the excellent gift shop as well. I picked up a gold ankh as a memento, which I hang on my backpack.
Travel Talk Tours took us to see other cultural sites in Cairo, to round out our experience of the city.
We toured the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which is located in the Citadel of Cairo.
Built in the mid 1800s, the mosque has a magnificent cupola lit with intricate lanterns. The soaring Ottoman-style interior reminded me of when I saw the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Outside, there’s a fabulous city view! Cairo is a massive capital, and has a population of 19.5 million.
Cairo is one of the oldest human habitations in the world. Do you see the points of the Pyramids of Giza in the distance?
Wearing pants by Charli Cohen, and a long sleeved bodysuit by UK Lingerie.
We also got to see the Hanging Church, one of the oldest in Egypt. The leaders of the Coptic Orthodox Church have a rather “vampire-slayer” look.
The Coptic Christian church is dedicated to Virgin Mary. She appears to have bats with human heads flying around her head…
As Elaine said on Seinfeld, when she realized she was going to hell… “and the heat, my god the heat!”
Expect to run into traffic jams when you’re in Cairo — it’s just part of the experience, and gives you a chance to take in scenes like this market.
Love the juxtaposition of fan-shaped palm trees and an alien tower.
Our group stopped at Khan el-Khalili souk, which is the main market in Cairo. You’ll find lots of shops and cafes here. (This man is balancing a tray of pita bread on his head!)
Most of the goods at this market are made in China trinkets… if you’re interested in souvenirs, be sure to barter hard.
For more authentic items, look for boutiques that sell goods made by Egyptian artisans. (We stopped by a shopping mall, and saw these funny ancient meets modern murals.)
Cleopatra’s hairstyle – straight black hair with bangs – never goes out of style. Pair it with kohl eyeliner and a mini-dress, and you’ve got a timeless outfit.
Travel Talk Tours offered a variety of optional excursions during the trip (Yukiro and I opted to do most of them). On our first evening in Cairo, we took a dinner cruise on the Nile River.
At night, the Nile lights up with rainbow colors from passing boats. (Imagine how this scene must have looked, in 2000 BCE!)
We helped ourselves to food, and watched an Egyptian culture show. The performance featured a sultry belly dancer, and a whirling dervish who spun in dizzying circles.
On another evening, we opted to watch the Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza. The show illuminates the Pyramids and Sphinx in neon lights, while you hear tales of ancient Egypt.
The Sound and Light show hasn’t been updated since the 1960s, and the effects are rather kitschy — which we actually loved.
The male narrator speaks in a dramatic “Ten Commandments” voice. Imagine him announcing: “Behold… (dramatic drum roll)… the Pyramid of Cheops!” (The triangle turns purple).
The retro kitsch made the experience unintentionally funny at times — but again, that’s why we were into it.
“Gaze… (lion roar)… upon the glory of the Great Sphinx!” (Can you imagine a synthwave party at the Pyramids?)
A final pyramid pose for you, as we say goodbye to Cairo for now.
Hearts to Travel Talk Tours for showing us the many sides of Egypt, over the course of 12 days. I recommend looking into their guided group tours, which cater to young travelers (18 to 30-somethings) and let you dive into destinations worldwide. Without them, we wouldn’t have seen so much of Egypt — and had this much fun!
That’s all from us Queens of the Nile… but I have good news. I’ll be traveling again with Travel Talk this spring! Keep your eyes peeled to find out where I’ll be heading this time (hint, I’ll be in eight countries with them)!
PS thanks for your kindness about my reminisces on author Elizabeth Wurtzel, on the front page of Fodor’s Travel.
“Perhaps the last lesson Lizzie taught me is that travel creates some of the most important moments we have with loved ones. Travel can also bring us peace, when we’re acutely aware they will not always be with us.” (Read my full piece on Fodors.)
PPS If you’re in New York City, I hope to see you at the fashion show benefiting breast cancer – info here.
LA CARMINA
