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Weekend Getaway: Ace in Palm Springs

Another assignment from my travel writing class  —

Grab a few friends, pack your swimsuit and head out to Palm Springs this weekend. The Ace Hotel is the place. The sprawling, 200-room renovated Howard Johnson’s has an eccentric hipster/mid-century/cowboy vibe. Two large pools, a cozy bar and arguably one of the best restaurants in Palm Springs play host to an eclectic crowd of the young, the cool, the cool with kids and gay 30-somethings. It is a laid back, glamorous place to play and relax. Score a room on the first floor with a record player and a private patio with a fireplace (+/- $250 a night). Details abound: free magazines, a photo booth, mid-century furniture, poolside DJ’s, free Schwin bikes to borrow, spa treatments in poolside yurts, a great gym, macrame art, a dog park.

You probably won’t want to leave the Ace all weekend. But, if you can be tempted away from your chaise for a few hours, excellent vintage shopping is five minutes away. For accessories and jewelry head first to Dazzles, a retro emporium that fills an old motel downtown. The owner is wonderful and will guide you through a huge maze of Bakelite and rhinestone jewelry. This place is filled to the ceiling with purses, barware, lamps, glass, patio furniture, owls, clocks, etc. From here, walk several blocks in either direction on North Palm Canyon Drive for more vintage furnishing and fashion. Retrospect and Digs Palm Springs are particularly good for unique mid-century furniture.

Tip: You might want to make this weekend get-away an annual event.

Ace Hotel
701 E. Palm Canyon Dr
760.325.9900
http://www.acehotel.com/palmsprings

Dazzles
1035 N Palm Canyon Dr
760.327.1446

Retrospect
666 N Palm Canyon Dr
760.413.1766

Digs Palm Springs
515 N Palm Canyon Dr
760.325.6601