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Two Bunch Palms is a Shady LadyBy Anne Garber & John T.D. Keyes
Their "Mantra" They say: "We Are Not For Everybody… But for those unique individuals who we are for -- we are the epitome of what they seek in a modern-day refuge. Two Bunch Palms is just rustic enough to ensure that it remain forever unpretentious, but also just elegant enough to still feel stylish, graceful -- even exquisite in its own natural way. Two Bunch Palms reigns supreme as the consummate retro-bohemian spa haven for the new millennium -- where the stressed come to naturally decompress." One is encouraged to speak in hushed tones. Really.
Tête-à-tête? You'll discover that Two Bunch Palms is best suited for those who prefer not to have a schedule crammed with activity. You can take a tai chi class or play a game of tennis -- but the main focus here is rest and relaxation. You can meditate on green meadows surrounding two ponds of colourful koi, stroll along a creek, or soak in a warm, therapeutic pool fed by geothermal springs. You can take yourselves off to a secluded beach shelter called a "sun-bin" (and sunbathe in the nude, if you wish), and dip in the hot springs under the palms and stars late at night, at your option.
Decadence? The dry heat of the desert induces a certain lethargy. To avoid the sun, guests indulge in Two Bunch's spa treatments. One innovation is the Esoteric Massage, "designed to balance and harmonize the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies." Another specialty is Watsu, in which you float in a hot mineral pool while enjoying a hand and foot massage. Another option is a mud bath in the shaded Clay Cabana, filled with warm clay from the property's own wells (as mentioned above). Follow your mud treatment with sunbathing, a steam, and a soak in the mineral pool. A final massage with one of the experienced therapists may bring you closer to Nirvana than you ever thought possible.
Claim to Fame? Throughout the grounds are spacious villas and motel-like rooms. Many guests request No. 14, a two-bedroom suite that goes for a whopping $495 a night. The big draws here are the bullet hole in the mirror and a desktop inscribed with the initials A.C., for none other than Al Capone, who was rumoured to frequently hide out here. Each suite has a private patio, whirlpool, and kitchenette. And what else? There are nine "regular" rooms, 19 villas, six "spa suites," and six two-bedroom apartments. Breakfast is included. There's no "spa cuisine," but salads, grilled fish and chicken, and seasonal fresh fruit are available. Open barbecue pits are yours to use, and you can shop for some nice steaks or fresh prawns to toss-on-the-barby, in nearby Palm Springs. How Much? Room prices range from about $175 to $625 per room for a double, depending on the season. The official Two Bunch Palms site: http://www.twobunchpalms.com/ © worldwide 2002-2003, Anne Garber & John T.D. Keyes / evalu8.org Anne Garber is evalu8.org's Managing Director, Content Editor, Restaurant & Food Editor, and one of our highly qualified book and consumer product reviewers. John T.D. Keyes is a well-travelled journalist and editor whose assignments in print, on film and on the internet have taken him to the four corners of the Earth. Together the couple write food and travel features for magazines as diverse as Patron (a national food service periodical), Canadian Living, Porthole and NUVO (Canada's prestigious answer to the lavish Robb Report). They also contribute to several online websites and portals in addition to their work on evalu8.org. Two Bunch Palms (photos by Anne Garber) |
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Easy to Get To? Not exactly, but
that's the whole point. You'll need a car. Location is Desert Hot Springs,
California -- about 11 miles northeast of Palm Springs. 
Place in Time The gates of Two Bunch
Palms lead to another world. This desert hideaway earned its moniker in 1907
when a U.S. Camel Corps survey team discovered two groves of palm trees
towering over an oasis of natural hot springs. In the '20s, it was a
favourite hideout of Al Capone. And almost a century later, the spot is
popular among Hollywood executives, writers, and stars who savour its
stunning beauty -- and its privacy. Real roadrunners dart across the road,
and you'll see bunnies galore, especially in the late afternoon/early
evening. 
Relaxation, really? The water --
cooled a bit because it comes out at 148°F -- splashes over a rock waterfall
into a turquoise grotto framed by tropical shrubbery and a canopy of fan
palms and tamarisk trees. (Movie buffs might recognize the mud bath from a
famous scene in Robert Altman's film The Player.) Opt for aromatherapy,
deep-tissue massage, herbal wrap, mud wrap, reflexology, salt glow, shiatsu,
or Trager massage. Couples massages are offered, in linen-draped cabanas. A
total of 45 different relaxing therapies are now offered! 
I'm Hungry! All guests dine on a
healthy breakfast buffet in the Casino Restaurant, a former gaming room
whose walls are dedicated to movie memorabilia. You may also have lunch and
dinner here or order meals to go and dine privately. This is, after all, a
bastion of privacy. If you're longing to socialize, look elsewhere. But if
you crave solitude, this place was made for you. Be sure to reserve for
dinner!