Holiday House — Palm Springs, USA

Herbert W Burns seemed to have a penchant for Palm Springs’ West Arenas Road – the site of the designer’s 1957 hotel (now the Orbit In); the 1947 Town and Desert Apartments (now The Hideaway); and the 1951 Holiday House. And who could blame him? At the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains in the historic tennis club area, it’s prime Palm Springs real estate.
But while his other Arenas properties have benefited from TLC, 200 West Arenas – renamed the Chase Hotel – had fallen on hard design times, with the original mid century bones of the 26-room hotel hidden by dark, dull interiors and a tired exterior. But thanks to new owners Jeff Brock and Richard Crisman (of nearby Sparrows Lodge) who hired designer Mark D Sikes to do a refresh, the storied hotel has regained not only its old name, but its original post war spirit of optimism.
In its current incarnation, (and its first ever renovation) Burns’ low-key modernism, much less severe than the likes of Frey or Lautner and known for its ‘liveability’, is enlivened by Gio Ponti-inspired fresh pops of multi-hued blues and white.
The monochromatic exterior has benefited from a mix of original brick - left as accents and livened up with large HH logos - contrasting with white painted stucco and multi-hued blue overhangs. Interiors offer playful mixes of blue and white tiles, walnut veneers, graphic wallpapers and rattan furniture.
The lobby makeover features layers of patterned fabrics, including Josef Frank’s ‘exotic butterfly’, as well as travertine floors, mahogany and brass accents. Art works by David Hockney and Alex Katz elevate the vibe throughout, while David Sultan’s ‘Poppy Sculpture’ brightens up the poolside.
With vibrant shades of cornflower and cobalt enriching Burns’ original vision, Sikes’ ‘mid-century blues’ theme is delightfully uplifting.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
200 W Arenas Rd
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Jaç Hi-Fi Café brings Japanese listening-bar culture to Barcelona
Isern Serra Studio unveils a sound-sculpted interior that brings Japanese listening traditions into Catalonia’s contemporary design landscape
-
Modernist and contemporary Brazilian furniture face off in this LA exhibition
‘Lightness & Tension’ (5-19 September 2025) features the work of Joaquim Tenreiro and Lucas Simões, as curator and dealer Ulysses de Santi explores the trajectory Brazilian furniture design
-
A refreshed Victorian home in London is soft, elegant and primed for hosting
Sobremesa house by architects Studio McW shows off its renovation and extension, designed for entertaining
-
Javier's, a new cathedral-inspired restaurant in downtown LA, offers a divine take on Mexican cuisine
At the restaurant's newest location, discovery lies around every corner – and on every plate
-
Why everyone in LA is talking about Café Tondo
Helmed by chef Valeria Velásquez and designed by Aunt Studio, this new spot delivers Latin American buzz all day long
-
Size doesn’t matter at Now Now, a micro-hotel for solo travellers in New York
Can you pack style into 32 square feet? We find out
-
At this LA dining hotspot, go Spanish or Japanese as you please
A dual-concept dining destination designed by the Rockwell Group brings Mediterranean warmth and Japanese precision to Century City
-
The Benjamin’s chic new upstairs bar is Hollywood’s hottest hideaway
At Bar Benjamin, speakeasy mystique meets elevated snacks, cocktails and views
-
More is more at Bar Issi, a maximalist new dining destination in Palm Springs
Fettle studio fuses eco-conscious materials with bold design gestures in this playful space inside the new Thompson Hotel
-
Do luxury hotels need a farmer-in-residence?
From Ibiza to Indonesia, hospitality brands are cultivating a new travel experience, where wellness begins in the soil and ends at the table
-
A local’s guide to Atlanta
Drawn by the city’s diversity and queer community, life coach and writer Cator Sparks returned to Atlanta after 25 years away. He shares his favourite haunts