The Spring Resort & Spa

The small lobby is casual and cute, decorated with earth tones, wicker, and stone -- but it doubles as a small gift shop, making it unnecessarily cluttered. Though the property is compact, there are several quiet nooks outdoors where guests can gather and mingle around a fire pit. A tranquil atmosphere pervades, from the breezy garden grounds to the courtyard and various pools, to the spa facilities. Paths wind through the grounds punctuated by small fountains, hammocks, and semi-private hideaways for couples to lounge with views of the mountains. Indoors, there's a cozy fireplace with seating -- a nice spot for relaxing.

Famous for its restorative waters, Desert Hot Springs is a town in the Coachella Valley between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. The town itself is fairly residential but can be a peaceful escape for travelers. There's not much within walking distance of the hotel, but it's about 20 minutes to Palm Springs' shopping, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Though the resort is set in the foothills of Joshua Tree National Park, the nearest park entrance is still a good 45-minute drive, and Coachella is about 35 minutes away. The airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel, and Los Angeles is two hours away.

Most of the 12 rooms are small with a focus on clean, minimalist functionality -- shades of brown punctuated with white bedding and pretty, tiled touches make up the decor. Nine of the rooms are arranged poolside with French doors that open onto shaded patios. The patios are part of a larger veranda that runs around the inner courtyard, though, so they aren't private. Some rooms have kitchens with breakfast tables looking out onto the pool. Boutique toiletries -- complete with quirky "soap rocks" -- are supplied in the tiled bathrooms, each outfitted with a shower/tub combo with a rain showerhead. The rooms have iPod docks, but no TVs. Three larger suites are available, including a 1,100-square-foot, two-bedroom villa set off the property on its own.

All three pools are supplied by water from the natural hot springs (170 degrees at the source), and then cooled and maintained at different temperatures. The pool inside the greenhouse is just above body temperature, while a small outdoor soaking pool is kept at 104 degrees. The pool in the courtyard is the largest, with temperature adjusted for weather conditions. The spa, which accommodates locals and other non-guest clients, offers a full range of services including massage, facials, and various detox body treatments. It's clean and modern with multiple treatment rooms, showers, and a large Finnish sauna. There is no fitness center.

Without a restaurant on-site, guests must rely on the Living Room lounge for a free continental breakfast, and head into town for other meals. There's a fireplace and some cozy seating where one can relax, play a board game, or take advantage of the fresh fruit and water.