A desert retreat focused on holistic wellness, right in the heart of Palm Springs
Nestled on a quiet side street a block from Palm Springs’ bustling Uptown Design District, Terra Palm Springsis close to all the action, but feels like a true sanctuary. The intimate, adults-only, 13-room retreat, which opened in January following a full renovation, weaves holistic wellness into every facet, from Ayurvedic spa treatments to nourishing cocktails to regenerative bedside sleep aids.
A towering wooden gate opens to the property, which packs plenty of offerings in its small footprint. Rooms flank a central courtyard, where a nice-sized pool, hot tub, and cold plunge tub are surrounded by swaying palm trees and lush birds of paradise—all set against the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains. Guests can relax poolside on comfy chaise lounges, while curtained cabanas offer extra privacy. Two wellness rooms are complimentary to guests: the detoxifying Himalayan salt sauna and the sensory rain room, a plant-filled space where showers are accompanied by a soothing soundtrack of birdsong and thunderstorms.
The small reception area doubles as the bar, with an extensive menu of raw juices and wellness-focused cocktails that include low-ABV beverages, mocktails, and signature concoctions like the Terra Pina Colada, made with vegan cream of coconut and a splash of marine collagen to promote joint health. Drinks can be enjoyed poolside or at tables where a misting system keeps things cool on hot desert days and twinkling lights add ambiance in the evening. There’s no restaurant, but the grab-and-go fridge is stocked with a variety of locally made sandwiches and healthy snacks. Mornings, a complimentary breakfast spread featuring hard-boiled eggs, avocados, fruit, healthy breads, yogurt, and fresh juices is served in the bar area.
Rooms are serene, stylish spaces crafted with organic materials like wood, stone, and rattan, and decorated in soothing neutral tones. Spa-like bathrooms feature rainfall showers or soaking tubs and Le Labo toiletries. Thoughtfully curated mini-bars are stocked with a selection of healthy snacks, kombucha, and sparkling probiotic beverages, plus wellness amenities like sheet masks, face serums, and shower steamers. To promote better sleep, bedside Loftie clocks offer guided meditation, nature sounds, and a two-phase alarm, and Vuori yoga mats and blocks are provided for in-room workouts. Suites are larger and feature private outdoor space with soaking tubs, firepits, or cold plunge pools.
Ayurvedic-inspired treatments are offered in a dedicated spa room and include balancing massages and lymphatic detoxes using therapeutic oils and medicinal herbs, botanical body scrubs, Reiki, and marma point therapy—alone or in combination.
Bikes are available free of charge to explore the surrounding area, including The Movie Colony, which is chock-full of historic homes, and Wellness Park, a 5-acre space with an outdoor gym, walking trail, and meditation garden. Tennis rackets are also complimentary, with public courts at Ruth Hardy Park a half-mile away. And the hotel is a short stroll from all the designer boutiques, vintage antique stores, and trendy restaurants and bars of the Uptown Design District.
Holistic wellness and desert chic come together at Terra Palm Springs, a retreat that also puts guests within easy reach of everything Palm Springs has to offer.
Photo credit: Pablo Enriquez
