Orbit In, Palm Springs

Orbit In, Palm Springs
Center of The Mid-Century Modern Universe

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When Kevin Miller and Jinny Park first stayed at the Orbit In, the first of various mid-century modern properties in Palm Springs, they saw a shooting star flame across the desert’s night sky. They made wishes, individually, and did not tell each other what their wishes were.

When they finally purchased the Orbit In, and its companion down the street, The Hideaway, it was then they learned that their wishes had been the same: to own a property like the Orbit In and have a second home in the Springs.

Since their wishes came true, they have also opened the Williams Roadhouse, a 3-three bedroom, 3 1/2-bath 1963 vintage home, decorated in Danish modern style, in nearby Indian Wells. The Roadhouse is located near the first country club in the Coachella Valley.

Miller and Park have taken care to improve all the properties. In the case of the Orbit In, the office is now expanded and accommodates vacationers with an even wider, complimentary variety of drink and food for breakfast. The exceedingly plush towels and Egyptian cotton linens and bathrobes are also a very sensual and welcomed addition to the location. There are spa services one can call upon, including massage, skin care and even yoga.

These boutique hotels have long emphasized creature comforts, including pools that are salt-water and the marvelous tradition at the Orbit In of serving “orbitinis,” martinis that are Japanese sake-based and go down quite nicely in the late afternoons, when both Orbit In and Hideaway guests congregate around the Boomerang Bar for libations and chat.

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It was pleasing to note that while there have been property improvements, the little flourishes that make the Orbit In special are still in effect: bikes to borrow for cruising in the foothills of the San Jacintos, the board games stacked neatly away for amusement, the DVDs to be played on the flat screens in the rooms. And after a grueling day of lying around, golfing, shopping on nearby Palm Canyon or Indian Canyon Boulevards, it is nice to know that one has a hot tub to sink into. Closed off from the bar and pool area, the Jacuzzi is all the more enjoyable at night with a firepit controlled by a timer and a terrific mid-century modern style sculpture to ponder amidst the bubbles.

Certain units come with kitchenettes and private patios give one even more of a feeling of privacy. Even the phone system is better than the large hotel chains. Guests have private lines, with voice mail and specific extensions where they can be reached…assuming they want to be reached. There are DSL connections, combination LP-CD players with some samples lying around the room, urging you to instantly relax and retreat. Binders provide so much information on not only amenities but local haunts, that one never is stuck for ideas for recreation. And the www.OrbitIn.com website is attractively laid out and bursting with more information and history on the area and on these special properties that spurred the mid-century modern resurgence in the Coachella Valley’s breathtaking desert oasis.

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The Orbit In, 562 W. Arenas, Palm Springs. 877-996-7248. www.OrbitIn.com


BRAD SCHREIBER has worked as a writer in all media, as a film/TV executive, producer, director, teacher, literary consultant and actor. He was nominated for the Kingman Films Award for his screenplay THE COUCH and has won awards from the Edward Albee Foundation, the California Writers Club, National Press Foundation, National Audio Theatre Festivals and others. He created the truTV series NORTH MISSION ROAD, based upon his book on the L.A. Coroner's Office, DEATH IN PARADISE. Schreiber's sixth book is the early years biography BECOMING JIMI HENDRIX (Da Capo/Perseus). It was selected for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and he is developing it as an independent film and stage musical. His personal Web site is www.BradSchreiber.com.

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