Fleur Noire
"Why book? One of Palm Springs’ newest properties (opened in 2021) is a hidden oasis on the north end of town with original custom floral murals throughout, lots of cute communal spaces, and a rosé bar that’s been getting plenty of buzz. Set the scene The intimate property centers around single-story, Spanish-style stucco buildings that house 21 rooms and suites under their tiled roofs. All are boldly covered in colorfully hand-painted murals of large-scale flowers created by LA-based artist Louise Jones, aka Ouizi, that complement designer Ellie Cashman’s 3D-esque floral wallpapers inside. The hotel grounds boast a mix of native desert plantings interwoven with contemporary landscape design and a row of shady, green-barked palo verde trees. Take your pick of outdoor common spaces with a mix of seating areas, Adirondack chairs encircling firepits, a giant chess board, cornhole set, and of course, plenty of cushy lounge chairs around the property’s central pool. The backstory Seattle native Corey St. John and business partner Chris Pardo, a designer with a resume that includes the nearby ARRIVE Hotel and Sandfish restaurant, purchased the vacant property—which had previously served as both a hotel and, more recently, an apartment complex—in 2019. When the pandemic hit, St. John and his wife moved onsite to oversee the renovations, and opened the property to the public in late 2021. The rooms Rooms have been completely renovated, blending Palm Springs vibes and High Desert décor with an eclectic mix of bespoke furnishings, sage-colored wainscoting and cabinetry, caned headboards, sisal rugs, macrame accents, and those aforementioned papered accent walls. All rooms come with retro mini fridges, and most (other than the studios) include kitchenettes with counters, sinks, and dining tables. Opt for one of six one-bedroom suites for vaulted ceilings and separate living areas. Food and drink Guests can order dinner from standout sushi restaurant Sandfish, which sits behind the hotel, to enjoy in either their room or anywhere else on the property. In the morning, there’s a continental breakfast of pastries, juice, and coffee in the “clubhouse,” where you’ll also find snacks and non-alcoholic drinks you’re welcome to grab throughout the day. One of the hotel’s signature offerings is its pretty-in-pink (and uber-Instagrammable) La Boisson speakeasy rosé bar, tucked behind pink French doors around the side of the property. Open to guests only at the moment, you simply ring the bell and a staff member will appear, ready to pour you a glass of the pink stuff. (Bubbly, red and white, and canned cocktails are available too.) The neighborhood/area The once scruffy portion of North Palm Springs has been revitalized in recent years with a fresh crop of boutique hotels, trendy eateries, and high-end shops popping up, mainly centered around the nearby Uptown Design District. The service There if you need them, there are staffers stationed in the lobby during business hours and you can use your phone to text requests from extra towels for your room to drinks at the pool that a server will deliver to your seat. The clubhouse offers lots of complimentary goodies to borrow, from sunscreen to paperback books to games. Accessibility One standard ADA room is available. Anything left to mention? The owners have plans to bring a permanent food truck on site to sell crepes and mimosas in the mornings starting in 2023." - Lizbeth Scordo
