30 classic desert oases - hotels and inns in Arizona and Southern California - Directory

Sunset, Feb, 1997 by Matthew Jaffe

Where: 415 S. Belardo Rd.,

Palm Springs.

Rates: Regular rooms from $150, bungalows from $250; two-night minimum on weekends.

FYI: Ask about AAA or AARP discounts, offered Sundays through Wednesdays, depending on room availability, even in high season.

Contact: (800) 237-3687.

LA CASA DEL ZORRO

What Furnace Creek Inn is to Death Valley, La Casa del Zorro is to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Where: 3845 Yaqui Pass Rd., Borrego Springs.

Rates: From $95 midweek, $115 on weekends.

FYI: To find out when the peak of the wildflower season in the park will be, call (619) 767-4684. Contact: (800) 824-1884.

LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB

Built in 1926, La Quinta is still the most legendary hideaway in the Coachella Valley.

Where: 49-499 Eisenhower Dr., La Quinta.

Rates: From $250 midweek for a casita in the garden area. Rooms with fireplaces start at $300.

FYI: A golf package for two runs $590 a night and includes a deluxe room, breakfast, use of a golf cart, and 18 holes for both players on their choice of three tournament courses.

Contact: (800) 598-3828.

PALMS AT INDIAN HEAD

This 10-room gem in Borrego Springs now boasts its own restaurant and bar. Where: 2220 Hoberg Rd., Borrego Springs.

Rates: From $90.

FYI: Like Casa del Zorro, a good choice for hikers bound for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Contact: (800) 519-2624.

29 PALMS INN

Why the palms? The San Andreas Fault runs beneath the cabins and adobe bungalows, allowing water to reach the surface and feed the palms.

Where: 73950 Inn Ave., Twentynine Palms.

Rates: From $65 midweek, $95 weekends and holidays.

FYI: This is a great place to stay if you are planning to visit Joshua Tree National Park.

Contact: (619) 367-3505.

TWO BUNCH PALMS

This oasis has enough mystique and attitude to satisfy its very Hollywood-oriented clientele.

Where: 67-425 Two Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs.

Rates: Villas by the mineral-water hot pools run $135 to $255.

FYI: A midweek spa package for two costs $978 and includes two nights, all meals, and a one-hour spa treatment.

Contact: (800) 472-4334.

THE WILLOWS

Once the desert home of Marion Davies, it's now an elegantly restored eight-room inn near the Palm Springs Desert Museum.

Where: 412 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.

Rates: From $250. Albert Einstein's garden room runs $450.

FYI: This is one of the nicest spots we can think of for a romantic retreat. Contact: (619) 320-0771.

Phoenix area

THE BOULDERS

The service is much more than fine at this pricey enclave, but the nighttime sound of coyotes howling in the desert is the real draw.

Where: 34631 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Carefree.

Rates: From $525.

FYI: A women-only golf package, including three nights, two 90-minute lessons and a four-hole playing lesson, a one-hour spa treatment, and breakfast and dinner daily, starts at $2,161 for one golfer, $2,486 for two.

Contact: (800) 553-1717.

BUTTES RESORT

Very New Age, with hot tubs tucked away in the surrounding desert hills.

Where: 2000 Westcourt Way, Tempe.

Rates: From $265.

FYI: At $340, the romance package includes one night in a king-size bed, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, roses, breakfast in bed, and late checkout.