T+L’s Assessment of Lodge Wren in Twentynine Palms, California

California’s Twentynine Palms has lengthy been often called a army city and the less-busy entryway to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. Nevertheless, this excessive desert group is within the midst of a rebrand, that includes a burgeoning artwork scene, eclectic eating places and outlets, and now, its first boutique resort.

Only a few minutes’ drive from the city’s essential enterprise district and the park’s rugged panorama, Lodge Wren appears like a personal retreat, immersed in nature. An oasis of calm for chill seekers, the previous Forties motel has been reimagined as an intimate 12-room design vacation spot by L.A.-based Manola Studio founder Jessica Pell.

“The sound of silence is such a rarity within the metropolis. It was about letting that and the sounds of nature come ahead,” Pell informed Journey + Leisure. She spent three years reworking the hearth engine–crimson Americana-style motor lodge right into a desert-modern escape, incorporating Santa Barbara-style plaster partitions, textured wooden and rattan accents, and a desert-inspired shade scheme of sand, sage, adobe pink, and ochre.

The resort’s unofficial slogan is “no time to hurry,” and from the second my husband and I walked into the foyer lounge—with its crackling fire and {custom} round home windows framing the mountains of Joshua Tree—we began to shake off the drive and let go of the week’s stresses. Quickly, with Madre tequila and hibiscus soda cocktails in our fingers, we have been embracing the laid-back desert vibe. We placed on our swimsuits and settled onto loungers outdoors, tuning into the meditative rustling of the palms overhead.

Within the morning, we loved our complimentary breakfast—native Canyon Espresso, 29 Loaves bagels, and steamed eggs—whereas listening to birdsongs, and watching the resort’s namesake wren guarding its nest.

Beneath, my full assessment of Lodge Wren in Twentynine Palms, California.

The Rooms

Lodge Wren has 4 King Normal rooms, two Queen Double rooms, and 6 King Deluxe rooms. The midcentury Wren Home, a two-bedroom two-bathroom retreat with artisanal finishes, is an excellent selection for teams of associates and may also be booked for particular occasions and artist residencies.

Furnishings are barely totally different in every room, with good-looking cherry wooden beds and custom-made vanities, Noguchi-style pendant lights, classic accent items, and Pell’s personal collected artworks, corresponding to a Richard Neutra drawing of Joshua Forest.

The suite-style areas have a residential really feel, enclosed patios with fuel fireplaces, and built-in kitchenettes stocked with cooking requirements.

L.A. ceramicist Michelle Blade hand-painted the charming tiles within the loos and bathtubs, whereas Parachute linens, plush robes, and Surprise Valley bathtub merchandise improve the luxe expertise.

Some non-public patios open on to the skin and have cozy built-in banquettes to catch the sundown and firepits when the climate turns chilly.

Meals and Drink

Whereas there isn’t a bar or restaurant, a complimentary day by day breakfast is served within the foyer lounge. Connoisseur pantry requirements are on the market on the on-site retailer Windsong, together with frozen dumplings and pizzas, pancake combine, eggs and butter, pasta and sauce, native cheeses, and charcuterie. The mini-bar and in-room snack choices are a deal with, providing merchandise from many native and unbiased manufacturers.

Actions and Experiences

The resort can organize guided hikes with an area clothing store. We went on an easygoing however immensely photogenic park hike to Arch Rock and Coronary heart Rock, which was advisable by the resort’s basic supervisor, Jared.

There is no such thing as a on-site fitness center, however rooms are stocked with yoga mats and meditation blankets. Company are inclined to gravitate towards the saltwater swimming pool and sizzling tub. The plush out of doors backyard options native California crops and loads of seating across the communal hearth pit and effervescent water options, providing alternatives for quiet reflection or socializing.

Spa

Lodge Wren has no spa, however company can e book in-room massages. Windsong additionally shares wellness books, important oils, and different magnificence merchandise by manufacturers like Ten Thousand Waves and Mojave Desert Pores and skin Protect.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There’s one ADA-compliant queen double visitor room and one ADA-compliant parking area. The resort has electrical automotive chargers and donates a proportion of proceeds to the Mojave Desert Land Belief and different native organizations.

Location

Twentynine Palms has a number of spots value visiting, together with a strong Saturday farmers’ market, the Previous Schoolhouse Museum chronicling the realm’s homesteading historical past, and a cluster of cool shops.

One night, we ventured out for a enjoyable dinner on the native gastropub Grnd Sqrl, the place we sampled native beers and loved the funky murals on the buildings round city. Additionally, 29 Palms Beer Co. has a stable smashburger, and Campbell Hill Bakery has individuals lining up for its pastries and pizzas. La Copine is a constantly dazzling daytime restaurant that’s definitely worth the wait to get in.

One other transformed motel, Kitchen within the Desert, is the place for Caribbean-influenced meals, a horny scene, an indoor-outdoor get together, and a Desert Normal retailer promoting books, regionally made Mojave Mercantile tie-dyed canvas hats, and cheeky items.

Additional afield, artist Noah Purifoy’s out of doors set up of “junk artwork,” as he referred to as it, is an unimaginable expertise. Pioneertown’s outdated Hollywood historical past is enchanting, the place Pappy and Harriets saloon has hosted among the greatest musical acts on the planet, together with Paul McCartney, the Arctic Monkeys, and Andre 3000.

Find out how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Lodge Wren doesn’t take part in any loyalty program. Nightly charges at Lodge Wren begin at $330 an evening.

Each T+L resort assessment is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every resort chosen aligns with our core values.