Seated a stone’s throw from the base of the San Jacinto mountains is a time capsule of an inn which still resides in the Palm Springs of the past.
Originally built in 1922 as a retreat for the Birge Family, proprietors of the Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company, the Ingleside Inn blends effortlessly into the Palm Springs landscape. Blink as you drive by, and you may very easily miss the relatively inconspicuous entrance to this couple-acre oasis, replete with century old guest cottages, a stunningly verdant landscape, and a swimming pool straight out of a 1950s Hollywood set. Since its inception in 1939 as a (then private) inn, Ingleside has played host to personalities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Salvador Dalí. In the 1970s, none other than Frank Sinatra enjoyed the legendary Steak Diane at Melvyn’s, the property’s storied restaurant and lounge, now itself a Palm Springs mainstay celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Unlike at Melvyn’s where an evening of entertainment passes in a flash, time outside seems to slow and linger in a quiet suspension. Cool evenings drift into slow mornings, best enjoyed with a cup of coffee and a game of backgammon. Afternoons by the pool are almost mandatory, with the sun and pool conspiring to lull you into a daze eventually broken up by the faint hum of the town close by. While time passes effortlessly, the Ingleside remains one of the last true vestiges of a bygone era. Pictures may capture its beauty, but the true calm of this retreat can only be felt in person – and we highly recommend it.
