Motel Monday: California’s Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells

According to Jim Seelen from the Society for Commercial Architecture’s Jim Seelen Motel Images Collection, the most popular motel name in his collection is “Western” with “Sands” following in a close second. (Exactly how close, however, we’re not really sure because, as Jim says on his website, his list is “not real scientific, but it’s the only show in town.”)

Nonetheless, though the Sands may follow a close second on Mr. Seelen’s list, the Sands Hotel and Spa comes first on our list of places to stay in Indian Wells, California.

The Sands Hotel …

The motel was originally built as The Sands at Indian Hills during the town’s hospitality and golf resort boom of the 1950s. Nearly 50 years later, however, the hotel had become a timeshare resort that featured “cozy studio and one-bedroom timeshare units.” Amenities  at the time included a saltwater swimming pool, a hot tub, a putting green, a club room, covered parking, and an adjacent restaurant called “The Nest.” Nonetheless, the motel had become dated by then and seemed doomed to meet the fate that most motels built during the heyday of family road trips tend to meet.

Around 2015, however, PRG Hospitality Group, a Los Angeles-based boutique hotel group, saw the potential in the Sands and purchased the property. After substantial exterior and interior renovations, featuring a complete redesign by renowned interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the hotel opened as the Sands Hotel and Spa in 2018.

Mixed with this Moroccan mod is also a Rat Pack nod to the luxurious and decadent Palm Springs lifestyle of yesterday and today. Each of its 46 rooms features lattice-work cabinets that serve as full-size mini-bars, chairs in pink or yellow zebra stripes, comfortably plush beds and either a patio (1^St Floor) or a balcony (2^nd Floor). (It’s probably best to stick with the ground floor patio, however, what with all of that swooning you’ll be doing while taking a tour of your lush accommodations. Plus, you can get poolside faster.)

… and Spa

Just when you think that the Moroccan-theme couldn’t get any more opulent, you step into the Sand’s signature spa and feel like Aladdin has whisked you away on his magic carpet to a whole new world. Here you’ll find a trio of treatment rooms and a full menu of Moroccan-inspired services that use ingredients from Morocco that are naturally sourced. Whether it’s a visit to detoxify, hydrate, or replenish the skin and body, the spa promotes exuberance, health, and finding your true inner beauty.

The Pink Cabana

The Pink Cabana (located adjacent to the hotel and spa) is a new and contemporary take on the beautiful mid-century modern design of the ‘50s and ‘60s Palm Springs tennis and racquet clubs. And keeping with the whole mid-century-modern-meets-Marrakech theme, the menu offers Moroccan and Mediterranean inspired dishes created by the award-winning Chef Ethan Brown.

In the end, if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to live luxuriously in the days of the Rat Pack or jet off to exotic lands like the Beat Generation’s Burroughs, yet still want to be pampered with all of the modern amenities of times we live in, then the Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells, CA is just the spot for you.

(By the way, the Sands Hotel and Spa is an adults-only boutique hotel, so plan on leaving the kids with the in-laws while you and your significant other enjoy this luxurious romantic getaway.)

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Speaking of romantic getaways, Stuckey’s is not only making road trips fun again, they’re also making them romantic again. Before you get on the road to romance for Valentine’s Day, why not surprise the one you love with a Stuckey’s Valentine’s Day Gift Box? This year, you can choose from three different boxes that are sure to please any Valentine:

“Sweet Southern Goodness” Valentine Box

Includes: Stuckey’s Maple Pecans (1), 2 oz. Pecan Log Roll (2), 1.7 oz. Pecan Divinity (1), 1.5 oz. Pecan Pralines (1), 6 oz. Peanut Brittle (1) and 1 Candy Shoppe Coffee Mug.

“Nutty 4 U!” Valentine Box

Includes: Stuckey’s Maple Pecans (1), Stuckey’s Sea Salt Pecans (1), Stuckey’s Kettle Glazed Pecans and Super Soft Plush Squirrel (1). 

“I’m Stuckey on You!” Valentine Box

Includes: Stuckey’s Sea Salt Pecans (1), 2 oz. Pecan Log Roll (1), 1.5 oz. Pecan Praline (2), 1.7 oz. Pecan Divinity (2), 7 oz. Birthday Cake Popcorn (1), Candy Shoppe Coffee Mug (1), Candy Shoppe Socks (1 Pair), Super Soft Plush Squirrel (1).  

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, be sure to place your order at stuckeys.com today to ensure that it arrives in time for you to show your Valentine just how much you care!

Stuckey’s  We’re Making Road Trips Fun (and Romantic) Again