The zip of your suitcase, the excitement of planning for some much-needed solo travel. It’s happening, you’re traveling again, and let’s face it it’s long overdue. It’s been a while since things have felt “normal” but as the country starts to open back up, we’re slowly starting to venture out. So if you’ve been missing luxury solo travel, plan your stay at Los Arboles in Palm Springs. Here’s what you need to know along with the story that makes this hotel so special.
Los Arboles Hotel
Smack dab in the hub of downtown Palm Springs lies a Spanish sanctuary. Los Arboles, a Palm Springs Preferrerd Small Hotel, may be in the center of the alluring desert city but the property and its story are the real stars here.
Visiting Los Arboles, I was excited to find luxury amenities like room service, Spanish-style design, and poolside cocktails but what I got was so much more. Luxury solo travel in Palm Springs is one thing but I learned that beyond this boutique hotel, lies heart, history, and family.
Step Into Another Realm
Stepping through the arched threshold, I felt a definite shift into a realm of happiness. Here, any stress I’d been feeling with work and just 2020 in general, immediately melted away. You would never guess this adorable 21-room hotel is in the middle of bustling downtown Palm Springs. There is peacefulness and tranquility as if it was in a remote location. With numerous amenities, Los Arboles elevates luxury for the solo traveler. Owned by the Castañeda Family since 2002, I felt the warmth and pride of ownership the minute I arrived.
Casita Life
With my stress levels at an absolute minimum, I blissfully entered my casita of relaxation to find a lovely foyer with a dining room table and two comfy chairs. Down the long hallway was the bathroom complete with an oversized tub and the bedroom with a plush king bed. The suite also had a tv with every channel you could want. Yeah, this will work! Mexican Talavera tile and large solid wood doors with wrought iron throughout are just some of the luxurious finishes that surround every inch of the room for stunning visual appeal. To add to the already delightful suite, you can shut the blinds and curtains and suddenly be in a pitch-black heavenly dark oasis, perfect for the often unforgiving heat of the desert. When you’re seeking luxury and comfort, Los Arboles combines the two perfectly.
Directly outside of my suite was the pool and jacuzzi area. The refreshing clear blue water sits in the center of it all, lovingly calling to come and float the day away. Along with the ability to order drinks poolside or get room service, any stay would be officially complete.
Authentic Mexican Food for the Soul
Love pours through every crevice of the hotel and overflows into El Mirasol, the family restaurant. Having one of their locations right in the hotel is a fantastic perk. The smell of the restaurant fills the air around you inviting you to fill yourself with fresh and authentic Mexican food.
Trying different dishes and signature cocktails is the right way to do dinner at El Mirasol. Their sangria pairs perfectly with the Chile Relleno and chorizo tacos. The cheese of the Chile Relleno and the crunch of the chorizo tacos takes you right to foodie heaven. Their carnitas and molé also pair well with their skinny margarita.
While dinner is top-notch, their breakfast is pretty unbeatable. One morning I ordered their perfectly marbled and tender carne asada and cheesy enchilada breakfast. That eye-rolling pleasure you get from really delicious food is a common reaction so just go with it! You really can’t go wrong with anything you order but make sure you try the Doña Diabla Sauce. That along with their other homemade salsas will have you doing a happy dance in your seat. Even something as simple as their chicken salad is delightful. All of their food is authentic, fresh, and wholesome.
In addition to amazing cuisine, dining outside brings the experience full circle. You’ll feel like you’re the VIP guest of the evening with how attentive the staff is. As I dined, I observed the care the staff showed for every patron. It was truly something special. It’s evident that everyone is there because they want to be which makes for a 5-star experience.
Rich History
With great staff and fantastic accommodations as well as being walking distance to the best of Palm Springs, what else could make this property so special? Their story. It’s what takes Los Arboles to the level of legendary hotels.
I got to chat with Karina Castañeda, Manager and daughter of Felipe and Lisbet Castañeda, owners of Los Arboles. Over a meal and cocktails, I learned more about how Los Arboles came to be. Our conversation about her father Felipe’s entrepreneurial spirit had me all ears. Me coming from an immigrant Mexican family myself, I was truly inspired.
Entrepreneurship
Felipe Castañeda learned entrepreneurship from his own father. The eldest living in Guadalajara Mexico, he eventually came to Los Angeles. Spending his whole life in restaurants and working his way up, he began to think bigger. Doing his research, he looked into areas that lacked Mexican restaurants and set his sights on Palm Springs.
Felipe opened his first restaurant wearing every hat. From cooking and serving, learning as he went. Then he started expanding little by little, bringing in the family. They successfully run two locations of El Mirasol and since purchasing Los Arboles in 2002 and taking more than a decade to renovate, have turned it into the luxury solo traveler’s dream you see today.
He was just a kid from Guadalajara… didn’t go to school, no business experience, just trial, and error. He earned respect from the community because of his work ethic.
This entrepreneurial spirit has been instilled in Karina. After getting her degree in hospitality, she joined her family running the hotel and restaurant.
A Family Affair
Karina’s title is Manager at Los Arboles and even though she’s modest about it, she’s really Wonder Woman. She does it all and she’s there every day, all of the family is. On any given day you can find any one of them in the kitchen or serving customers. You can also find Karina’s father Felipe sitting at his favorite table with a cup of coffee greeting customers as they enter.
How does working with them day in and day out make you feel? Honestly, just like a whole sense of gratitude…. I just feel immense gratitude for my family everyone around me, the staff, just to see people come together and just do it, you know?
And come together they have. Since the pandemic, the family, including staff, have stepped up to keep the 5-star experience going for visitors. The closeness of the staff is apparent and awe-inspiring but not surprising as chatting with Karina made me feel like I was family too. That’s the real reason Los Arboles is a truly remarkable place to stay because though it’s a hotel, you’ll feel like you’re home.
Planning Your Stay at Los Arboles
Covid Safety
While feeling at home and quickly forgetting the outside world, the staff are still looking out for you. Covid safety is very much a priority here. Since Covid, I realize, traveling itself is a luxury so I look for locations that take safety protocols seriously. Los Arboles does a great job of that. Staff wears masks inside and outdoors making everyone feel safe while staying on the property or visiting the restaurant.
You can check to see how the hotel and restaurant update their capacity and mask guidelines according to the state and city. Please visit their Covid Safety page to stay up to date on their safety protocols.
https://losarboleshotel.com/covid-19protocols
When to Go to Los Arboles
Aside from the ever-changing pandemic guidelines, now is a perfect time to book your stay at Los Arboles. Social distancing is still a factor at many hotels which gives you the peace every solo traveler craves. The staff ensures a quality stay and safety every time.
Palm Springs offers many luxury boutique hotels but none quite like this. Getting back out to travel, I was concerned about what it would be like in the middle of a pandemic. I discovered luxury, safety, and comfort here. More importantly, there’s heart and warmth that are unmatched. Experiencing luxury solo travel at Los Arboles was a joy-filled experience much like that feeling you get after a visit with family. Because if 2020 taught us anything, family is the most important.
So pack that bag and book your stay at Los Arboles because luxury solo travel, my friends, is calling.
**Note: As a travel writer, I was hosted by Los Arboles and Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels . All opinions are my own.**
