The Mod Resort by Hal Peat

On a quiet residential street in Palm Desert, California, behind a long, low white wall, and through a set of double doors lies a gleaming aquamarine pool bordered by high palms and low lying, white canvas shaded buildings. A small but luxuriant new hideaway, The Mod Resort is just minutes from the arts, entertainment and shopping district of this town nestled close to the dramatic mountains south of the busy interstate traversing the inland Mojave Desert. Aside from the swimming pool, and the occasional shade of chocolate, beige or black, every surface at The Mod Resort gleams in either white, chrome or a clear lucite. Welcome back to the early Seventies - deftly updated and redone with all the original sense of fun, wit and style of that decade, accompanied by the more recent amenities in discriminating accommodation.

While this boutique resort is physically tiny by today’s standards, with a total of just 14 rooms, it is nonetheless big on concept and comfort. The owner has also had a career in the fashion industry, and it shows strongly in her unerring attention to detail in color, texture, and form. It all begins in the small yet roomy reception and lobby building, where you are promptly enveloped into the period mood and style, from the white leather reception desk to the chrome and glass tables and of course, white walls which are whimsically punctuated by round and square decorative mirrors. And what would the Seventies be, without the presence of a chrome-and-glass étagère (original, of course), and those occasional hanging strands of glass and silver balls and circles. At the same time, there are accents to relieve what might otherwise become a too monotone effect: rich deep brown wood plank flooring and pale green sofas take care of that, along with some nice brickwork in the fireplace area. Glass sliding doors in both sections of the lobby reception provide an open access feeling and actual immediate access to anyone headed out and across to the pool, jacuzzi or barbecue on a warm clear evening. A stay at The Mod Resort comes with plenty of atmosphere, personable assistance from the owner and staff whenever you need it, and very likely getting to know other intriguing guests from around the globe who appreciate the residential ambience of a small property that also delivers quality individualized service. Other highlights to look out for: the owner’s heady cocktail tribute to her favorite decade, appropriately dubbed the “Mod-tini”.

The rooms
Mod Resort rooms come in several configurations, but again all reflect the fun spirit of a decade still vivid in the heart of its owner. There are standard rooms, studio suites, deluxe studio suites with varying bed sizes, and one bedroom suites also with varying bed sizes and patio access. The beds with their feather mattress pads, down feather pillows and 500 thread count sheets by Montagu & Capulet will certainly have you off into some of the most restful sleep you could hope to find at any establishment in this resort community. Most rooms have kitchenettes, which makes it possible to be perfectly at home for long stretches without having to run out for lunch, dinner or snacks. If you do decide to order in from nearby eateries, the owner is also a wealth of suggestions on local cuisine options and how to order out. The bathrooms may be the major concession to more contemporary design: huge, beautiful glassed-in shower baths with big showerheads, a fine selection of botanicals with which to pamper yourself, and luxurious deep Kohler sinks of rounded glass. But it is the small touches that keep reminding you what the theme is around here: things like those Mod Resort coasters, and even a bottle of “Mod Water” on hand at your bedside. Hip shag rugs turn up on the floors of some of the larger suites and again, there is plenty of strategic use of mirrors and those hanging accents of glittery beads and balls in every size room. We really came away with the thought that if either Andy Warhol, the Mamas and Papas or one of the Mod Squad themselves blew in through your suite’s front door, he or she would be cool with your crib at this truly inspired little desert jewel.