Orbit In – Palm Springs’ Mid Century Marvelous Motel!

In the dark cold nights of January in the Northeast, one can only take so much slipping on ice and sprawling on snowbanks. It is at times like this where Mod Betty is so glad she has a bucket list dream to reminisce fondly about - her stay at the Orbit In in Palm Springs.

So even if her bod is literally knee-deep in the cold white stuff, her brain is somewhere warmer - yet cooler, and oh-so Mid Century Modern!

This delightful little spot had been on our destinations list for a while, and our bigger more splurgey decision to finally attend  the Palm Springs Modernism week gave us the perfect "once in a lifetime/do it right" excuse to book a few nights here.

We are so glad we got a room- there are only 9-! We learned first hand that once you stay here you'll want to return, and during PSM rooms can be booked up to a year in advance.

Built in 1957 by designer/builder Herb Burns as an "ultra modern motor court inn" it originally was named "The Village Manor" this seems incongrouos now, because behind that low slung unassuming concrete slab exterior lies an oasis of relaxed and friendly modernism. We have some swell folks to thank for that (and the free continental breakfast ;-))

Currently owned by Kevin Miller and his wife Jinny Park, they bought it from its creators, Stan Amy and Christy Eugenis, who in 1999 spied a handmade For Sale sign on the then "Village Manor Bed and Breakfast" and saw the opportunity to turn the place into a getaway for those in love with the mid-century asethetic. We are all lucky these couples followed their dreams here, as we all benefit!

Speaking of friendly, we were greeted like old pals by assistant manager Bill Manion, who gave us our keys, showed us our room and went to great lengths to make us feel at home.

We really felt like we had the insider skinny per his suggestions. I mean who expects to find delicious fish tacos in the middle of the desert? or a free "Orbitini" happy hour poolside at the boomerang shaped bar?

Our room was outfitted with charming mid-century artifacts combined with current modern designed furniture. I was tickled pink with our pink bathroom!

But in reality, we were in Palm Springs so we didn't spend a lot of time in our room - we were out at the pool!

No matter what time of day it was - from the rising sunshine reflecting warmly on the mountainside, or the deep blue afternoon cloudless sky, the Orbit In was gorgeous at every turn. And it wasn't just looks - there were amenities-a-plenty including free wi-fi, bikes to ride, in-room record players, and luxury robes. (I'm writing this as my toes start to defrost from my icy dog walk and all I can think is "I want to go to there. NOW")

The motel is also located within a few blocks of downtown, so you're just literal steps away from all of the fun of Palm Canyon drive. And on the flipside, when you want to just escape and relax? A few blocks walk, and you're in your own desert oasis.

Now isn't that something to take your mind off of the snow? I feel warmer already!