eucalyptus steam, said to help restore proper breathing. Special health programs
at The Spring Resort and Spa include an intensive five to seven day Cleansing Fast,
said to detoxify the body and ease a litany of common complaints.
With just seven guestrooms, the intimate El Morocco Inn & Spa (elmoroccoinn.
com) is another great example of the area’s abundant small inns. Completely
private, this plush and romantic oasis will instantly transport your senses to an
exotic daydream of Marrakesh. The emphasis here is more on luxury than holistic,
a perfect choice for those whose idea of detoxifying includes poolside wine and
cheese. The onsite spa offers a bevy of Moroccan-inspired treatments for total
relaxation, while the hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet (and televi-
sions) for those who aren’t ready to totally disconnect.
WHeRe to dIne:
While Desert Hot Springs is definitely not a culinary epicenter, there is a smat-
tering of global-inspired good eats to be found. Reservations are recommended
at Capri (capri-italianrestaurant.com), where you’ll find moderately priced steaks,
seafood, pastas and classic Americanized Italian fare. Authentic Mom and Pop-
style Korean food is found at Palm Korea (13440 Palm Drive). South of the Border
(11719 Palm Drive) is an intimate, family-run operation, serving up the Mexican
food you’ve come to expect and later regret, like slow-cooked carnitas and deep
fried Chimichangas. Cheap and tasty Thai food can be had at Thai Palms (12106
Palm Drive), with authentic Thai ambience, ripped from the setting of a Thai Trailer
Park. Keep in mind that better dining is only a short drive away in Palm Springs.
But after a day of pampering spa treatments and long, hot soaks in mineral tubs,
you may be calling for delivery.
WHAt to do:
The ‘calling card’ excursion in Desert Hot Springs is a visit to the nearby Joshua
Tree National Park (nps.gov/Jotr). Only a half-hour drive from town, Elite Land
Tours will get you there (and back) in style in an all-terrain Hummer with prices
starting at $119 per person.
For those who like to brave the wilderness sans guide, begin your Joshua Tree
tour at a visitor center where park staff will be happy to help you plan your visit.
With limited time you may want to confine your sightseeing to the main park
roads and maybe one of the 12 self-guiding nature trails. On clear days the vista
WHeRe to stAy: from Keys View extends beyond the Salton Sea to Mexico and is well worth the
The Spring Resort and Spa (the-spring.com) is a holistic hotel and day spa, additional 20-minute drive. From October through May, call ahead to reserve a
built around three pools, fed by some of the hottest springs in the region, at 170 spot on the popular Keys Ranch Walking Tour. With numerous trails for all-day
degrees. The mineral-rich water is cooled to 90 degrees for the main pool, and backcountry hikes and an extensive network of dirt roads for mountain biking,
kept around 104 for the other two hot soaking pools. But this water isn’t just for there’s ample space for birding, rock climbing, admiring wildflower blooms and
soaking away aches and possibly healing ailments from the outside, it’s also some whatever else it is you like to do in nature.
of the best drinking water in the world. Desert Hot Springs water is so delicious,
it’s been voted numerous times as “The Best Tasting in the World” by the Interna-
tional Water Tasting Competition.
Visitors to The Spring Resort and Spa sometimes come for the day from other
Desert Hot springs,
hotels in nearby Palm Springs, while many choose to stay in one of the 11 nicely
appointed guest rooms, which feature optional kitchenettes. Just don’t expect
to watch any television while staying at the resort. Resort guests come here to
really get away from such distractions. Rather, they enjoy 24-hour access to the
spa’s co-ed Finnish sauna, indoor and outdoor showers and the three pools, while
soaking in some of the desert sun.
The day spa was constructed to complement the resort’s mineral water, with a
spa menu that highlights detoxification and cleansing. On the menu, you’ll find a
Lymphatic Massage (60 mins. $100) and an Antioxidant Salt Scrub (60 mins. $120);
both pair well with a long soak in the mineral waters, allowing the natural healing
and soothing minerals to be more easily absorbed into the body. Also on the
menu is a Sinus Facial (30 mins. $55), a cleansing treatment with soothing aloe and
january 2010 | RAGE monthly 45
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