With its bright sunshine, towering palm trees and gorgeous backdrop of rocky ranges—located a hundred miles east of Los Angeles in the Coachella Valley—it’s easy to see why stars began to flock to Palm Springs in the 1900’s. Television producer and oil tycoon Jack Wrather was among the boldface names who commissioned grand residences in the area. Wrather, who’d risen to fame with shows like Lassie and The Lone Ranger, tapped architect William F. Cody in 1952 to create a family retreat where he and his wife, actress Bonita Granville, could host their coterie of Hollywood friends. Cody created a low-slung main residence and 20 smaller bungalows spread over four manicured acres with a central pool deck framed by the San Jacinto Mountains. The complex, which showcased the architect’s singular style—his preference for pared-down rectangular shapes, glass walls, thin extended roofs, and asymmetrical outdoor spaces—would be visited by Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Ronald Reagan and countless other luminaries.
Just like the famous visitors of yesteryear, every guest receives the royal treatment.
More than 60 years later, faced with the task of renovating the iconic property, which had been converted into L’Horizon Resort and Spa, interior designer Steve Hermann asked himself: “What would Cody have designed if he made this property today?" The answer came in the form of barely altered bones and fully renovated interiors, which were decorated with a mix of contemporary and vintage furnishings, things like industrial-style brass pendants, patterned hide rugs, retro leather sofas by Percival Lafer, tufted Mullhauser chairs, and black-and-white fabrics with trellis motifs. Each bungalow feels more like a home than a hotel, thanks to exposed wooden beams on the ceiling, handpicked artworks, private patios with seating, and in some cases, fireplaces and full kitchens. Hermann’s update includes a new open-to-the-elements restaurant called SO.PA, where Mediterranean-inflected dishes are served on a 26-foot walnut communal table as well as a series of private booths partially covered by a canopy of trees. Hanging glass lanterns, bubbling fountains, and an elongated fire pit add to the serene atmosphere of this adults-only property. L’Horizon may have unveiled a head-to-toe makeover, yet it still stands as one of finest examples of Modernist architecture on the West Coast. And just like the famous visitors of yesteryear, every guest receives the royal treatment, complete with personalized name plaques on the door, monogrammed stationery, and daily in-room treats.
To learn more about L'Horizon Resort And Spa, please contact the concierge upon making a reservation.
