Skip the Camp. How to do Coachella Right
Author:Abigail Stone
A couple days stranded under the hot hot heat of the desert sun may sound like torture to some, but for hipsters and hip-hoppers alike, it’ll be pure heaven this weekend at the annual Coachella music festival in Indio.
Of course, there are two ways to approach your 3 days at Coachella, and the success of your weekend can be made or broken depending on which you choose. Option A, grab a tent and crash at the end of the night in a giant dusty field filled with your new bffs. This is a perfectly acceptable choice for young, first-timers fresh from their college dorms. For us older folks with contacts, chiropractors, and a fear of pink eye, this experience can start to wear on you after the first night, leaving you high-tailing it to the closest shower before Phoenix takes the stage on Sunday.
For you, I recommend option B: Haul ass to Palm Springs and get to a comfy bed at the end of each night.
These three oases in the desert are just the ticket to have you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for all three days… not to mention work the following Monday. They’re no doubt completely booked for this weekend, but keep them in mind for next year, or any other little escape in the meantime.
The Parker Palm Springs (pictured above and a top) gets the town’s retro-preppy look just right, thanks to designer Jonathan Adler’s knack at colorful kitsch. But the volume gets turned down in the hotel’s 131 rooms, for a cool and comfortable space to retreat to at the end of the day.
It’s pure old-school Hollywood glam at the Viceroy, (above) as envisioned by celebrity designer Kelly Wearstler. The black, white and yellow palette used through the entire resort feels crisp and clean–exactly what you’ll need after a day of dancing in the desert sun. One problem: you might find it hard not to spend your days relaxing poolside instead.
If you’re craving more of a rock ‘n roll vibe (this is, after all, a giant concert you’ll be attending), the boho-luxe Ace Hotel & Swim Club (above) from LA-based Commune Design is where to rest your head. Knock back a few brews by your suite’s own private outdoor fireplace, or take it out to the pool area where the people watching is sure to be almost as entertaining as some of the sets you saw that day.
Images: The Parker; Viceroy Palm Springs; Ace Hotel via Commune Design
