Oasis in the Desert

Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa
For the modern gangster
Back in the day, when Al Capone sought refuge here, the eponymous two bunches of palms supposedly helped locate his private hideout. This secluded, adults-only villa with a picturesque grotto has no doubt seen its share of romance; a movie poster of Capone’s lover, actress Gladys Walton, hangs in the circa-1930s vintage-decorated master suite and her son, tell-all author John Walton, conducts tours every Saturday. The resort’s famous mud baths even made a cameo in The Player. In the desert, evaporation is so fast you actually get a little chill when you emerge-no, it’s not Capone’s spirit that’s making
you shiver.

Spa signature Watsu ($130 [U.S.] for 60 minutes), a hybrid water and shiatsu experience, is a floating massage in a round, womblike pool that’s kept at body temperature. The energy breathing treatments attract fans from far and wide.

Dress code A creamy chenille knit robe is perfect for daytime lounging.

Must-have treatment The Gangster Wrap (includes a massage, application of a noni plant extract and a hot-towel wrap, topped off with a coconut drizzle) takes place in the Capone Suite-complete with an authentic-looking bullet hole in the mirror.

Must-try dish The lobster and mango salad, sprinkled with spicy
chili sauce, is California cuisine at its best.
Rooms from $225 (U.S.). 67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs, 800-472-4334, twobunchpalms.com.

The Spring Resort & Spa
For the wellness quester
"It’s a beautiful day at the Spring!" This is the front desk’s standard greeting, but after just one day here you’ll likely be just as chipper. Six years ago, owner and Hollywood writer Maria Lease christened this simply chic boutique (only 11 rooms) establishment. Snow-capped mountains are within view, but the spa is all about mineral waters. Three pools, from a hot underground aquifer, are distinctly free of that nasty sulfur smell, with extra silica added for silky-feeling skin. The crystalline drinking water (voted best in the desert) is snowmelt from Mount San Gregorino that takes seven years to filter down from
3,500 metres.

Spa signature The Clay and Sandalwood Wrap ($145 [U.S.] for 90 minutes) remineralizes the skin by absorbing toxins.

Dress code Lightweight honeycomb-weave robes with matching slippers; the discreet might opt for simple Velcro-closure wraps in the Finnish sauna.

Cool Perk Select rooms have "cafe kitchens" that you can have stocked in advance with healthy foods, from salmon filets to Fuji apples.
Rooms from $179 (U.S.). 12699 Reposo Way, Desert Hot Springs, 760-251-6700, the-spring.com

Spa Resort Casino
For the high-rolling hedonist
Vegas-thirsty and lucky-feeling travelers have been trekking to this neck of the desert since the 1960s to satisfy all vices under one roof: gambling, the decadent Steakhouse Restaurant and a boogie-woogie chaser at the Cascade Lounge. Owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (who baptized the area "Se-khi," for boiling water), the property is built on top of a natural spring, allowing for round-the-clock outdoor soaks in legendary mineral waters.

Spa signature The Taking of the Waters experience, featuring a steamy sequence of rooms (dry and wet sauna, eucalyptus steam), then 10 heavenly minutes in a private mineral bath and, inevitably, a doze in the Tranquility Room (included with all spa treatments).

Dress code The spa’s oversized terrycloth coats wrap you up like a teddy-bear hug.

Must-have treatment Ron’s magical "freestyle" massage ($115 [U.S.] for 50 minutes) can include Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian technique using the forearms to gently bulldoze kinks.

Must-try dish The 32-ounce bone-in rib-eye steak, a two-handed barbaric pleasure ($44 [U.S.]).
Rooms from $89 (U.S.). 100 N Indian Dr., Palm Springs, 888-999-1995, sparesortcasino.com

Palm Springs Yacht Club, the Parker Palm Springs Hotel
For the rock ’n’ roll bankrolled
The artsy film and music crowd come here to mingle and play. Designed by deco-celeb Jonathan Adler, interiors are a carefully curated, quirky mash-up. The spa sports a navy and white nautical theme and a refreshingly candid philosophy. As one staff member said: "Go naked if you want; no need to suck it in here." (Men’s quarters, complete with a mega plasma-screen TV, sit on the other side of a modesty wall.)

Spa signature The Voodoo We Do, a Thai-inspired massage session ($180 [U.S.] for 60 minutes).

Must-have treatment Nuts and Bolts facial ($180 [U.S.] for 60 minutes), which gets into those dirty pores.

Must-try dish To satisfy late-night munchies, ask for the mini lamb chops at the bar.

Cool perk An iPod console in each room: playlists include Move Your Toes (funk) and Techno Babbling.
Rooms from $295 (U.S.). 4200 E Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-770-5000, theparkerpalmsprings.com; 760-321-4606, palmspringsyachtclub.com

Estrella Spa at the Viceroy Palm Springs Resort
For the glam-seeking L.A. refugee
Celebutantes in need of a Beverly Hills detox direct their drivers to this elegantly modern property by design icon Kelly Wearstler. Entering the relaxation lounge at the Estrella spa is like turning a page in one of her best-selling books: grey walls, cream shag carpet and diva accoutrements like sunburst mirrors, Victorian sculptures, canary yellow bamboo chairs and gold coffee tables. Oversized Dita sunglasses and Cia.Marítima bikinis are available at the counter (the latter in teeny "Brazilian fit"). Make generous use of the complimentary sunscreen in the change rooms.

Spa signature Estrella is one of the few spas to import tiger clams from the Philippines for its Hot Shells treatment ($140 [U.S.] for 60 minutes). Polished and heated with lava gel teabags, the curves and tips of the shells loosen tense muscles during a massage.

Dress code The black or white soft-as-suede peignoirs are terrycloth with a microfibre lining.

Must-try dish The mac and cheese gratin at Restaurant Citron (made with white cheddar, Parmesan and blue cheeses-plus bacon) is a deliciously indulgent dish.

Cool perk Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, sip on complimentary bubbly in the spa.
Rooms from $199 (U.S.). 415 S Belardo Rd., Palm Springs, 760-318-3000, viceroypalmsprings.com