Score Stylish Self-Care at the New Avalon Hotel in Palm Springs

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Our love for nearby getaway Palm Springs is well documented (see here or here for examples), so we never need an excuse to head to the city for sun soaking, cocktails by the pool, and prime shopping. But when we heard that one of our favorite hotels, the Viceroy, was getting re-vamped to become the new Avalon (415 S Belardo Road), we were game to explore some welcome changes.

The Avalon Palm Springs as well as its Beverly Hills location have assumed new management from recently founded Proper Hospitality. Changes included renewing their spa, Estrella, now partnered with the American Medicinal Arts and highlighting holistic methods and organic product ranges (we tried the massage-based Grown Alchemist facial which left us positively day-drunk with relaxation and so glowy we went makeup-free for days!), a wellness program offering yoga classes, guided hikes, and more, the addition of healthful Latin eatery Chi Chi, a new lounge area, and some cosmetic updates.

As an address, the space has been taking care of the elite since 1949 when Hollywood royalty like Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe headed there for weekend romps. As the Viceroy, the hotel's interiors were expertly designed by award-winning Kelly Wearstler (the Avalon will continue to work with the firm) and won fans for its glamorous decor. Expect only better things for the new Avalon, where at the opening last weekend we already spotted cool LA visitors like our friends from How You Glow, soothed our skin with poolside kits from the spa (omg hydrating body popsicles!), sampled light and flavorful Latin fare, enjoyed a well-edited pop-up inside the spa from Highland Park's own Dotter, and snuggled up with breakfast-in-bed the way we think Marilyn might have done.