Two Bunch Palms
House on the Hill Suite $675. per night

s style enough? Lately it seems that those who seek style also seek serenity. Why all the action on the spa front? Peace of mind has become a precious commodity, and those who market it successfully turn a pretty profit. What better place to do this than a haven where that willful child called the ‘Inner Me’ is given center stage?

Two Bunch Palms is a hideaway retreat for people seeking privacy and relaxation. Located in the high desert of Southern California, the resort is situated around natural free-flowing hot mineral springs surrounded by vegetation. Two Bunch Palms is just rustic enough to ensure that it remains forever unpretentious, but also just elegant enough to still feel stylish, graceful even exquisite in its own natural way.

Since the time of the Native American Cahuilla, who knew how great it felt to soak in the Coachella Valley's natural hot springs, this desert has drawn stressed-out masses seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and the pure sigh-inducing pleasure only a health spa can deliver. Two Bunch Palms Springs, annually voted one of the worlds "Top Ten" by Travel & Leisure magazine is a posh yet intimate spiritual sanctuary in Desert Hot Springs. It has been drawing weary city dwellers since Chicago mobster Al Capone hid out here in the 1930s. Two Bunch Palms later became a playground for the movie community, but today it's a friendly and informal refuge offering renowned spa services, quiet bungalows nestled on lush grounds, and trademark lagoons of steaming mineral water. The Property
Nestled on a gently sloping hill resembling a scene from a South Pacific movie, Two Bunch Palms' romantic mineral pool grotto is surrounded by lush vegetation, giant palms, ancient tamarisk trees, and a terraced flagstone patio furnished with scrolled iron tables and chairs. In the grotto, guests have the choice of 99-degree and 104-degree pools, available 24 hours a day. Adjacent to the grotto and spa building is an exercise pool, with and expansive grass sundeck, and the Clay Cabana, which houses the famous mud baths and body wrap salon. In addition, private nude sunbathing bins are placed in secluded groves throughout the oasis.

On the lower level of the 256-acre resort, two regulation tennis courts have been installed for those who enjoy a little exertion in their relaxation. Nearby are two small lakes, fed by a constantly flowing mineral water stream, home to turtles, fish, and water fowl.
There are miles of walking and jogging trails, expansive panoramic vistas, beautiful lush naturally landscaped gardens, saunas, abundant preserved desert wilderness areas, incredible sunsets, meditation benches, and nude sunbathing bins placed in secluded groves.

The Suite
Dotted across the resort are 45 guestrooms, suites and villas, most with private patios, many with private outdoor whirlpool spas. Ours was the House on the Hill. With a click of a button the gate doors open and welcomed us onto a private driveway leading up to our house. We pulled up to our dwelling and parked in the circular driveway. After opening the private front door gate we walked into our beautifully decorated 2 bedroom house with private outdoor hot-tub. The grounds were lush and overlooked the desert. I wanted to move in immediately, lock myself in and never to return to the real world. The House on the Hill has two bedrooms; one king and one queen size room, two bathrooms, a full kitchenette and large living room. The place is simple and beautiful. The color palette in creams and walnut colors are accented in blue hews. Books line the bookcases left behind from previous residents. Guests can pass time lolling on the couch gazing at the fire, or lounge on a deck chair outside and read one of the many books scattered throughout the house. I felt as if I was part of the legacy of those who enjoyed this beautiful sanctuary and too left my book behind. The bedrooms had plenty of closet space that puzzled me a bit since a bathrobe; compliments of the house and bathing suit were the only staples in my wardrobe that weekend. In fact if you wondering what to pack, keep it simple; shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits were all that clad guests at Two Bunch. Now isn’t not worrying about what you should wear and pack all the luxury in the world?

The Spa
Spa services comprise over 35 different options. Massages include Swedish, shiatsu, reflexology, and deep-muscle offerings. Specialty treatments include Ayurvedic, aromatherapy, Trager, lymphatic, cranio-sacral, jin shin do, scalp massage, and Thai massage. For skin and body care, salt glow and herbal steam, sea algae body wrap, Egyptian clay body, and Roman Celtic brush are offered, as well as clay cabana mudbath, mudbath body wrap, and herbal body wrap.

General well-being specialties include Esoteric, color therapy, Native American, reiki, polarity, and tai chi. Beauty amenities include facials such as Epicuren, mineral water cleansing, and rehydrating paraffin (also available for hands and feet). Water therapy is a highlight; offerings include Watsu, Wassertanzen, aqua reflexology, and aqua soma. Couples may indulge together in spa services such as Pagoda Swedish massage, Roman tub rejuvenators, Watsu a Deux, Mud 'n' Steam, and Mud 'n' Sun.

Latest craze: Color therapy ($125), guided meditation and massage meant to release stress and balance your chakras (energy lines)-- you're massaged in a stained-glass-windowed gazebo while different-colored lights beam down on corresponding body parts.
Top treatment: Aqua Soma ($90), which incorporates sensual Watsu (water shiatsu) and underwater music in a body-temperature pool. You return to solid ground feeling like close kin of dolphins. Take home: Two Bunch Palms Mineral Water Green Clay ($28), a fantastic exfoliation mask.

The Spa desk staff is pleasantly friendly and well trained to assist guests with selecting from the 45 remarkable treatments all designed to immerse your body, mind, and spirit in the extraordinary experience that you will come to know and love.The Restaurant
The Casino Dining room located in the spas main lobby is the perfect place to indulge your pallet over superb California cuisine. The resort's Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Chief, Carl Hoover, offers cuisine that is as delightful and delicious as it is satisfying. Chef Hoovers menu changes with the seasons and utilizes only fresh and natural ingredients, such as free-range chicken, New Zealand lamb, and organic hormone-free beef, and Ahi tuna flown in from Hawaii that arrives to his kitchen only 6 hours after it's caught. His substantial wine list also has the addition of new estate wines being bottled under a Two Bunch Palms label. If you are too relaxed to face your public, chef Hoover will send dinner to your private suite.

Finally…
Service at Two Bunch is famously and excellently discreet; and legions of return guests will attest that the outstanding spa treatments and therapeutic waters are what make the luxury of Two Bunch Palms irresistible.