Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (c/o) wearing size 2 / Sunnies: Wildfox (similar, love these) / Clutch: Lilly Pulitzer (love this one) / Pumps: Charles David (similar, similar, love these) / Boyfriend Mini Hoops: Mejuri (c/o) / Cuff: Louis Vuitton
I discovered one of the most Instagrammable spots in Palm Springs I’m excited to share with you in hopes the next time you visit the area you can stay here. The Monkey Tree Hotel was kind to invite us to stay, courtesy of Palm Spring Preferred Small Hotels which is a collection of independent inns, villas and resorts. They are hip, modern, and you can find one that fits your specific needs – check out more hotels here.
We picked my birthday weekend because of weather and well, can you think of a better time? I can’t wait to show you around the resort and share some cool finds as well as share some of the latest collection of fall from one of my favorite, near and dear to my heart brands, Lilly Pulitzer – because when I think resort, palm trees, and Palm Springs, it’s always Lilly attire.
I felt very First Lady-like in this Portia shift dress. I am size 2 in Lilly’s shift dresses. This was right by one of the spa areas. Every corner of The Monkey Tree Hotel was a vision. I could have shot there all week and found a unique perspective.
The staff of The Monkey Tree was so kind too, very helpful with check-in, and also gave recommendations and maps where to eat, drive around and visit – like Elvis’ Honeymoon House and a few cool neighborhoods to check out. The hotel is a boutique hotel with 16 rooms and you can enjoy the view of the San Jacinto Mountains on the large one-acre property.
I definitely could have just stayed here all day though. The hotel was built in 1960 by renowned modernist architect Albert Frey. The hotel reopened in 2016 after a restoration by its current owners Kathleen and Gary.
I love when people are so passionate about restoring properties and the inside of the rooms are just as charming you have to check out the site to get a peek! They are large, have a small kitchen and they are mirrored windows (you can’t see inside during the day). When people are passionate about what they do, it shows, customers can sense it, and that makes the experience so wonderful.
A few key features of The Monkey Tree Hotel includes not only being located in the Palm Springs Desert Oasis, but also: a mid-century modern architecture, a spot for a romantic getaway or a girls solo travel (it’s a safe environment and I saw several women there solo), a fitness and healthy travel spot with smoothies, laundry washing of workout clothes, good relaxation at the pool (quieter, not a party place), food tailored to guests dietary needs, like vegan, gluten free, allergies, paleo diet, and let’s not forget the unlimited soda fridge because that I’m so sold on, ha!
Don’t worry, I knew the people in that room weren’t in the room or else this shot would’ve been totally creepy LOL.
The cement circles are original I was told! I kinda want to add them to our backyard, tee hee. And the yellow details, I am crazy about yellow so I love that they were such fun pops of color. At night the fire pit is lit, so guess can enjoy a beautiful night outside.
Also, that mountain right there, there’s an aerial tramway to the top! We went up there my birthday night and had dinner at the restaurant. It was so fun, very steep and the steepest tram in North America. It made me giggle as I realized Benjamin and I also went on a tram when in Albuquerque and ate at restaurant up there too when we were dating (the restaurant is no longer there, just a ski resort). Guess we love trams!
The embroidered details on the bottom of the Portia shift dress is so darling. Lilly Pulitzer quality is always there, on every, single, thing. All their shifts have an extra 1-3/4 inches of hem if you want to let it out for a longer length as well as built-in lingerie snaps so bra straps don’t peek out. And this collar, oh it kills me.
And Benjamin definitely was getting creative at the hotel, every corner was picturesque – even the inside of the hotel room, you have to check it out here as I couldn’t shoot in our room because when I stay I tend to make the place look like a clothing bomb went off with my outfit changes!
You know how Beyonce says she turned into Sasha Fierce when she’s on stage, like an alter ego? I have one whenever I put on Lilly Pulitzer clothes, I’m not kidding. Just call me Lilly Elizabeth. I am poppy, smiley, happy and this sunshine in Palm Springs really did it for me.
I also want to mention that there’s a fridge filled with sodas and it’s for guests, anytime, all day, all night. There’s also a happy hour at 4 pm and there’s free breakfast in the mornings homemade goodies from the kitchen.
We have a SMEG hot water dispenser and SMEG is so cute and vintage that I kind died seeing the yellow fridge.
Sunnies: here / Mandarin Collar top: Lilly Pulitzer (c/o) wearing size 2 / Jacquard Shorts: Lilly Pulitzer (c/o) wearing size 2 / Gold sandals: Ralph by Ralph Lauren (similar, obsessed with these) / Purse: birthday gift from Jennifer / Earrings: Kendra Scott (c/o) on sale now
When I saw this gold Mandarin Collar Kerry Top, I died. Then I saw the matching Ivana Pintuck 5″ pintuck shorts and had to have this set. Then I had to find the soda can that fit my ensemble.
I may have had the cream soda then the root beer. My taste in sodas is similar to that of a 10 year old.
Earrings: Kendra Scott (c/o)
I remember reading a book called The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact (great marketing book) and there was a phone line that went to the popsicle hot line at a hotel pool. The experience was so fun for guests and I thought this vintage fridge filled with fun sodas for guests to indulge as they hang out by the pool or stay there, what a fantastic experience! Bravo Monkey Tree Hotel, it’s something I won’t ever forget.
So it’s my third soda. I mean, can you blame me? 
Sweater (also comes in black): Lilly Pulitzer (c/o) wearing size small / Shorts: Lilly Pulitzer wearing size small (similar) / Sunnies: Amazon (another version here, designer) / Earrings: Ralph by Ralph Lauren
I found this instant tanning lotion when I was in Tucson, a girl at the University Bookstore recommended it. I often have to put it on my legs to even out my tan from my face and arms. I wear pants all the time so my legs are never quite as tan and I bought this instant tanning lotion (it’s color, so no actual tanner chemical in it which makes me itch and break out in hives). I like that I can put it on right away and wash it off. This pool is a heater saltwater and there is also a Scandinavian Spa, a newly built sauna and a hot tub and cold purge (it’s behind the white wall. I should’ve taken a photo of the are where you can also paint a rock with your name on it or a design to leave your mark! We should have done that but we were a bit too preoccupied, as you can tell.
The weather was absolutely perfect, similar to Phoenix weather (we are pretty much same climates throughout the year). I had gotten a bit worried about it since a few days earlier it was so cloudy and cold in Phoenix. So thankful that the weather cleared up and it was gorgeous during our stay. Also, there was a huge hiccup with Benjamin arriving. He was covering an OR case in Portland and it ran late, then he missed his connecting flight to Palm Springs so he rented a car from Phoenix and drove and got in at 3 am.
I was so worried about him but I was glad he was wired on caffeine and made it while I woke up on my birthday to a bunch of sweet text messages and calls. I always keep my birthday beforehand on the down low. You may know it’s my birthday month but I don’t mention my birthday until after, it’s kind of just how I am lately, the peeps who know, know and it’s so much more special to me that way! ♥
So you probably know by now if you head to Palm Springs, stay at The Monkey Tree Hotel, pack a suitcase full of Lilly Pulitzer, fun sunnies, visit the Aerial Tramway, and visit the Moorten Botanical Gardens and Cactarium (see the post here). That’s what we fit into two days and checked out the windmills, more on that to come soon.
I know there’s more to visit and I’ve been to Palm Springs a few times but it’s been a long time since I came back, almost 10 years! It’s been such a pleasure spending time in PS and I cannot wait to return and see my alter ego Lilly Elizabeth return. haha!
A huge thanks to Preferred Palm Springs Small Hotels and The Monkey Tree Hotel for their hospitality as well as the respective locations for giving us tickets for my birthday weekend. You all made it so special for me and a birthday I won’t forget. For more information about Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, go to www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com.
I hope you make some time to getaway and visit Palm Springs! Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments.
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