ACE Hotel - Palm Springs

After "The Phantom of the Opera" showing at The Pantages, we drove for a couple hours east to Palm Springs.

And after finally getting through East Los Angeles, the drive was actually fairly picturesque.

We got to ACE Hotel and Swim Club around 6:30, right as the sun was setting. Em described the atmosphere at the property as "granola chic" -- something a rich hippie would really like.

The lobby windows were covered with hanging nautical ropes -- something really visually entrancing -- free beach cruiser bikes were available to ride downtown, there was a photoboth in the lobby, and all the staff there were really nice and accommodating.

We booked a room that featured a big -- size of our living room -- patio with a fire pit and L-shaped seating.

Inside, the room had concrete floors, a low-framed bed, and slat walls. Also included was a vinyl player with a few records available for playing -- as long as you didn't screw them up -- and if you did, you bought it.  

In fact, nearly everything in the room was available for purchase -- bath robes, walking stick, artwork, $300 duvet cover...

That night, we did exactly what he had hoped to do. Nothing. We hung out outside, enjoyed dinner, read our books and relaxed.

The next morning, we walked across the street to a coffee shop appropriately called "Koffi" -- Em had a very frosted cinnamon roll with an iced chai latte; I opted for a ham and egg sandwich with a mocha latte. Good food all around.

And for the first time, we saw the property in daylight -- so we took the opportunity to explore a bit.  

Each building featured a communal outdoor fireplace, there were two pools, a communal building -- where a wedding took place the night before, and just some fun decor throughout.

Later that day, we walked around downtown, did some shopping, then spent some time back at the pool. Reading...relaxing... all good.

That night, we turned on the fireplace, hung out on the patio and ordered some food. We shared a brisquet burger, a steak salad with a fantastic dressing, and some corn chips and some great homemade salsa.  

...And we're both absolutely not ashamed to say we ordered the same three dishes two nights in a row. When it's that good, there's no point in trying anything else, is there?

We came home Tuesday afternoon -- but not before visiting the photo both. ...cause everybody needs a Hollywood-style photo.