A Weekend at the Parker

The entrance to The Parker

This weekend I was off to Palm Springs, California for the wedding of my friends Sasha and Chad.  The newly minted Mr. and Mrs. Gutstein were having their nuptial ceremony at The Parker, a swanky resort that was previously Merv Griffin’s Givenchy Resort and Spa, and before that was Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch.  I’m rather fond of the place, and it’s a lovely setting for a wedding.  I’m just thoroughly amused by any venue where my presence actually butches the place up!

The lobby at The Parker

Jonathan Adler has done a great job of adding his signature whimsy with animal-shaped ceramic lamps, and needlepoint throw-pillows, but some things are just as I remember them from when it was Merv’s place (although I wonder where they’ve taken that enormous portrait of Eva Gabor that used to hang in the lobby).  For instance, in my room, on the wall next to my bed were photos of Sonny Bono and Carol Channing (both circa early ‘70s).  Now, while I thought this was simultaneously hysterically campy and kind of genius, the two serious-looking queens who passed me in the Lobby, with their his-and-his black Birkins (to go with their matching Restylane-d scowls) might not have been so amused.  (For all of you married gals, if you’re under 45, and your husband knows the subjects of these images, you might have a teensy problem on your hands…)

The expansive grounds at The Parker

There are numerous little nooks and crannies in which one can hangout, including fire-pits, croquet lawns, and a few pools.  The service is friendly, although not altogether with-it, so a few requests require making more than once.  One thing I found unique was that the bathroom amenities were all from different brands.  To wit, a shower/bath gel from Moulton Brown, bar soap from L’Occitane, shampoo and conditioner from Penhaligon’s, and body lotion from Bulgari.   While I appreciate the deliberate quirkiness of this (i.e. “We’re a boutique hotel, and this is how we roll!”), I have to admit that I prefer to have my toiletries maintain complimentary olfactory properties.

A Patio Estate Room at The Parker

Room service was prompt and the food was particularly good (some of the all-time best chocolate chip cookies, ever), but while they purport to have 24-hour room service, after 2am, it’s just cold items.  Not the end of the world, but still…  The bed was quite comfy.  The room itself was very spacious, but (and this threw me) the television was so far away as to make it virtually unwatchable.  Add to that the fact that they were 24” tube sets, and see what I’m saying (although you wouldn’t if you were on the bed at the Parker and trying to watch it on TV).  I’m not saying that every hotel should have LCDs or Plasma-screens, but for what the Parker charges, you should be able to see what’s happening on your TV.  Fortunately, I brought a book…  FYI – the wedding was gorge; but more on that in a bit!