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A taste of Tokyo in the California desert

The outside of Sakura

The outside of Sakura

George Cebra brought his love of Japan to Palm Springs.

Sakura, the Japanese-style bed and breakfast, offers a unique experience. At Sakura — which means “cherry blossom” in Japanese —  guests can wear kimonos and slippers, and sliding shoji doors lead to the garden and swimming pool. Shiatsu acupressure massage is available.

George is a jazz musician, and has performed in clubs around the United States and world. He spent five years playing in Tokyo, and “planned on living there forever,” he said. “There’s no crime, you can leave your purse or wallet on a train with $1,000 in it and no one would touch it. The food is incredible. You can eat off the sidewalk, everything is immaculate.”

Things changed when he met his wife, whose dream was to live in California. George thought they would only live in the state for a few years, but they stayed, and 20 years ago, as their daughter prepared to go to college, George and his wife opened the bed and breakfast.

“My wife taught me how to make Japanese food,” George said. “People seem to like what I do.”

George’s wife has since passed away, and George runs Sakura on his own. It has just two rooms, and he spends much of his day maintaining the property and getting to know his guests, including many who are first-generation Americans with parents born and raised in Japan. He also sees a lot of people from western Europe and those who “enjoy the Japanese culture.”

“I enjoy hanging out with people during breakfast, we can sit down and talk,” George said. “About 50 percent of guests are from other countries, so it’s nice talking with them about where they are from.”

When George isn’t at Sakura, he is teaching music — everything from violin to the cello to the trumpet — and playing at clubs and with a local orchestra. While George would love to have the chance to go back to Japan and play in the clubs, “If I won $1 million tomorrow, I wouldn’t change anything,” he said.

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Perfect rejuvenation at the best small hotel spas in Palm Springs this fall

Palm Springs boutique hotels offer spa-mazing pampering services, from facials to massages to body treatments

Tranquil and calming, Whispers at La Serena Villas is a retreat where outside worries melt away. Guests must silence their phones and speak in a whisper, ensuring everyone has a stress-free experience. The spa has several signature services, including a facial, customized for every client to restore complexion vitality. Other standouts include the Whispers of Warmth Stone Massage, a deeply-relaxing heat therapy, and the Treat Your Feet add-on, a 30-minute reflexology treatment that also exfoliates. A couple’s room is available upon request. Whispers at La Serena Villas, 339 S. Belardo Road, Palm Springs. 844-932-8044

Wellness-minded travelers looking for relaxation and rejuvenation will find it at The Monkey Tree Hotel, home to the only Scandinavian spa in Palm Springs. A Scandinavian spa offers a hydrotherapy experience like none other — visitors alternate between hot and cold to alleviate stress, soothe tired muscles, and eliminate toxins. The Monkey Tree Hotel’s facility allows guests to spend their day cycling through a newly-built dry sauna and hot and cold plunge pools at no additional cost. For those looking for some extra pampering, the hotel can arrange in-room massages with 24-hours notice. The Monkey Tree Hotel, 2388 E. Racquet Club Road, Palm Springs. 760-322-6059

Get balanced at L’Horizon’s The Spa, an indoor-outdoor experience. Before a treatment, guests are invited to relax inside The Spa’s white canvas cabanas, and afterwards, they can rinse off using private outdoor showers. There are four treatment rooms and a juice bar, with services including massages, facials, body treatments, and aromatherapy. The Enhancements and Enrichments add-ons are just as exciting — who doesn’t want to follow up their massage with a Wild Lime Scalp Treatment that stimulates circulation and relieves tension. Or include a facial with Eye Contour, which reduces puffiness, under eye discoloration, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. L’Horizon’s The Spa, 1050 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-323-1858

Yoga enthusiasts and newbies can spend their Sunday mornings at the Moroccan-styleKorakia Pensione participating in complimentary yoga sessions. These classes begin at 8:30 a.m. and provide guests the opportunity to start their day off centered, calm, and illuminated. Each class is tailored towards students’ abilities. Private sessions are also available for a fee and can be arranged at the front desk. Weather permitting, meditation sessions are offered on property. Massages using all natural skin products can be booked for the Korakia’s indoor/outdoor spa lodge or in room. Their most-loved treatments include the Hot Bamboo Massage, Eucalyptus Rock Massage, and Aloe Lavender Body Wrap. Korakia Pensione, 257 S. Patencio Road, Palm Springs. 760-864-6411

The spa at the Andreas Hotel offers a delightful escape for guests, local residents, and visitors staying at neighboring hotels. Massages include the classic Swedish, Warm Stone, and Lymphatic, and the spa is known for several signature facials — the Ageless Facial, Age Later Face Lift, Oxygen Facial, Clear Cell, or Gent’s Facial. Book a solo treatment or one of the spa’s packages for couples — the Paradise for Two includes champagne, fresh fruit, Image facials, and therapeutic massages, while the Romance Andreas Style features mineral soaks, therapeutic massages, and clay body masques. Body treatments, nail, and waxing services are also available. The Spa at Andreas, 130 Andreas Road East, Palm Springs. 760-325-0900

The pristine Men’s Spa at La Dolce Vita Resort and Spa is a standout in the desert. All of the therapists are male, and have been certified by the state of California. They have designed their massages, facials, and body treatments specifically for men, with specialties including the Sweet Life Massage, a full-body massage using a combination of Swedish, deep tissue, and pressure point techniques, and the Romeo and Romeo Couples Massage. Visitors are also welcome to either come early or stick around after their treatments to use the property’s two swimming pools, whirlpools, and steam room. La Dolce Vita Resort and Spa, 1491 S. Via Soledad, Palm Springs. 760-325-2686

Relaxation is the name of the game at East Canyon Hotel and Spa. The resort primarily caters to gay clientele and is not clothing optional, and has a fully-licensed spa, with trained therapists offering soothing facials, massages, and body treatments. Under new ownership, the spa is being refreshed and upgraded. East Canyon Resort and Spa, 288 E. Camino Monte Vista, Palm Springs. 760-320-1928

There’s no better way to unwind than by staying at Palm Springs small hotel with spa services. Discover more by visiting https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/ or Facebook to explore a unique collection of over seventy independently owned small hotels – several of which offer unforgettably relaxing spa services that can be invigorating or relaxing, a quiet retreat or an energizing pick-me-up.

#PSPSH #visitpalmsprings

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Amin Casa is your home away from home

Amin Casa exterior

Amin Casa embodies the quiet sophistication of Palm Springs, with a twist of old Hollywood glamour.

Once the residence of actress Gloria Swanson, Amin Casa made its debut in the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood in November 2016, following several months of major renovations both inside and out. “Amin” means “ours” in Tagalog, while “casa” is Spanish for “home,” and owners Ramon Bautista and Nelson Cooley want it to feel like “your home away from home.”

“On property, guests will find the relaxing, club-like ambiance and genuine, heartfelt hospitality they have come to treasure,” Ramon said.

The compound dates back to the 1920s, and when fully occupied, the property only accommodates 14 guests, adults only. The bungalows come with living rooms, kitchens complete with microwaves, coffeemakers, blenders, and dishes, eco-friendly toiletries, and bathrobes and slippers, plus the Swanson residence with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fireplace, and the property’s largest kitchen. There are stunning gardens, fountains, a swimming pool, cabanas, and an outdoor dining area with a grilling station.

Above all else, Ramon and Nelson, who have experience at some of the finest hotels in the world, strive to give the patrons of Amin Casa one thing: “Intuitive, gracious service provided by a staff passionate about pleasing our guests.”

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Enchanting Palm Springs

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The Andalusian Court: A magical experience

The Andalusian Court is peaceful and romantic.

The Andalusian Court is peaceful and romantic.

There are many words guests use to describe The Andalusian Court — romantic, private, serene, stunning — but one is used over and over again: Magical.

“The grounds are lush and full of water features and fountains and at night it is lit up like a magical fantasyland,” manager Elaine Manion said. “We had one guest tell us he’s not a sentimental guy, but the property at night almost brought him to tears.”

The Andalusian Court was originally built in 1921, and retains its Spanish revival charm. There are seven private villas, each one with a bedroom, fully-equipped kitchen, luxurious bathroom, dining and living room, and fireplace, and some have private outdoor jacuzzis. The gardens are gorgeous, the courtyard pool and fire pits are inviting, and the guest barbecue is a fun touch. There’s also a Hollywood history — Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz often stayed at The Andalusian Court in Villa 4.

“Everything is unique about this property,” Elaine said. “Every villa is fully contained; it is literally turnkey, so you don’t need anything else. The customer service is impeccable, it’s number one, and the grounds are peaceful. The property is quiet because everyone is on the same page; there’s no loud music at the pool, no screaming. It is adults only, so it does have a very peaceful and serene environment.”

The owners have retained the hotel’s original architecture while adding plush new beds and linens, water heaters, and WiFi to each villa. As a bonus, when guests check-in, they are greeted with a goody bag of snacks and bottled water, and they always know that the staff at The Andalusian Court is ready and excited to help them make the most out of their stay.

“We hear wonderful reviews from our guests, and they recommend us to others,” Elaine said. “That word of mouth has led to us having lots of repeat guests.”

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Coyote Inn’s Chris and Barb Miller: From guests to owners

For years, the Coyote Inn was where Chris and Barb Miller would go when they needed an escape. Now, it’s home.

The Millers have owned the Coyote Inn since 2008. They fell in love with it as guests, when they would leave their donut business in Utah for a few days of relaxation in Palm Springs. It was “a grind,” Chris says, and when the opportunity to purchase the Coyote Inn came up, they jumped. “The previous owners were looking for a different lifestyle, and we were looking for something different,” Chris says.

Chris and Barb live on the property, and work seven days a week. They do everything and anything that needs to be done, and always have their “game faces on,” Chris says. They love forging relationships with guests, greeting new faces and welcoming back regulars.

“We meet a lot of interesting people,” Chris says. “When people find us, they’re hooked.”

Guests come from all over the world, and enjoy the peace and tranquility that comes along with a property that is adults only. They also love the saltwater pool and hot tub, which is good for the skin. Snowbirds flock to the Coyote Inn during the spring, and book for the next year before their visit is even over.

“People come here to relax,” Chris says. “Our location is ideal; you can walk downtown, but you’re far enough away where you can’t hear it. Some guests don’t even rent a car.”

There’s something about walking through the gate and entering the Coyote Inn’s courtyard that instantly puts guests at ease.

“Once people hit the fountain, they forget about everything,” Chris says. “It’s a great place to unwind.”

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