If You Want A Midcentury, Mediterranean-Inspired Escape, Try Holiday House
"The style is definitely midcentury modern but with a South of France kind of influence," says Abdi Manavi, manager of Holiday House in Palm Springs, California. The hotel was designed by Mark D. Sikes, who counts celebs like Reese Witherspoon as clients.
Indeed, with just 28 rooms, the ability to carve out a strong lifestyle element was a breeze once key decisions on color were made. All-white buildings with blue accents — from a deep cornflower blue to a perky turquoise — contribute to a Mediterranean beach vibe at what used to be Chase Hotel, dating back to 1951. Last year the owners of Sparrows Lodge, also in Palm Springs, scooped up this property.
Renovating from top to bottom took about a year, sourcing from West Elm (furniture), Quadrille (wallpaper) and Serena & Lily. Fencing in the pool and adding tall ficus plants created a privacy curtain.
While midcentury-modern furnishings were intentionally selected, a detour into eclecticism keeps it fresh. "We're not hitting you over the head with midcentury modern," says Manavi.
1. Exterior
A simple white and blue exterior — including a warm blue for the lobby door — help the desert backdrop pop.
2. Library
Holiday House
Art hung on the library's walls carries no theme; instead, it's a mix of pieces, set into white mats and frames, with blues, oranges, and other hues that recal the tropics.
3. Cabana
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A lack of televisions and phones in the rooms is intentional, inspiring guests to mingle by the fire pit or beneath the cabana, where orb lighting fixtures hover overhead and create a soft glow at night. A 1970s soundtrack adds another timeless layer.
4. Room
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Contrasting patterns — all tied together in the blue family — make each of the rooms cozy while also inspiring, given the brightness of white linens, photo mats, and side tables.
5. Room
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Natural woven materials (wicker and bamboo, in lighter shades) appear in the light fixture, wall mirror, and bar cart.
6. Bath
Holiday House
An all-white bath lends itself to a spa-like environment, including a soaking tub, see-through wall, vintage floor tile, and paint on the walls.