The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn

Comentarios destacados

• Apollo P

  09 noviembre 2020
  Disappointing stay; lacks adequate customer service at this price point

  It was a disappointing visit to the Willows, but it wasnt a complete wash-out. Its been six weeks since my stay and Im struggling to find a fair balance between the good and not-so-good. It lacks service in a very specific area and attention to detail. To some extent, the place deserves it raves reviews, but my experience was less that what it should have been. The search continues for a quiet, service-oriented hotel in Palm Springs for that quintessential, relaxing, long weekend getaway. The Willows missed the mark. Upon arrival at the front gate, I spoke with Honey (who turns out to be the GM). I gave her my name and she confirmed my reservation. A minute or two later, another young lady (unnamed) and Ben (the innkeeper) came out to meet me at the gate. The gate opened and I pulled into the small, tight parking lot near the main building. When I exited my vehicle, I was asked my name (again) and told I would have to park in a different lot; that my unit was in a different building. Why someone didnt tell me that before I entered this small lot (as other people were waiting to enter) would have been helpful, but OK. I exit that lot, motor down the side road to another lot and Im greeted, again, by Ben. He asked for my name, again, and I tell him. At this point, Im getting the sense Im an inconvenient visitor. Or, Im not the type of person they want on their property. We head up to the room and the room itself is stifling hot. The A/C isnt on, but no problem thats an easy fix. Why the A/C wasnt turned on before I arrived is a mystery, but I let it go. Ben provides some details about the property and we do a walk-around and visit the main buildings. I return to my room, turn down the thermostat, and leave the property to run an errand. I return about an hour later and the room is still hot. I notice the A/C isnt on and thermostat has re-set itself to 85F. Long-story short: Ben paid several visits to my room trying to figure the A/C issue. I also had a few telephone conversations with the GM; and her options included a move to another room or a move to another hotel! (Really?) Sorry, but I did not come to the Willows to move to another hotel. The new room she offered was precisely one I didnt want. It was located in the main building off a common area too close to the lounge. When Ben and I went to look at the new room, there were the obligatory loud, obnoxious patrons in the lounge who thought it was fine to scream at each other. Worse, there was limited natural light in the new room. No thanks. I declined that room. I was also told by the GM that she had alerted the owner and that a technician was coming by the following morning to address the A/C issue. If a technician came by the room the following morning or anytime the following day, I wouldn't know. I was never told or informed if such a visit occurred. After the interaction on that first night, I never spoke to Ben or the GM (unless to order breakfast) about the A/C, again, or anything else. What I think happened? The A/C wasnt turned on until I arrived and what I didnt know (and Ben pointed out) is that when you set the A/C thermostat lower than 70F, it times out/turns off, so the room never cools. As I continued to adjust the thermostat, it continued to turn off. After my last discussion with Ben, I didnt touch the thermostat and the room finally cooled down around 10:30 PM. From approximately 4 PM to 10:30 PM, it was uncomfortably hot, then warm, and finally cool. Not a great way to start what was supposed to be a long, relaxing weekend. I was disappointed in the level of service upon arrival and during the A/C debacle. At $575/night, thats not acceptable. First impressions here left a lot to be desired. It taints the remainder of the stay; and there really is no recovery. The Tahquitz room: Overall, I loved the room. I spent a very long time on their website, reading online reviews, viewing photographs, etc. trying to choose the right room. Since I had never been to the property and I was looking for a quiet getaway, I wanted to choose correctly. The room was in a separate, small building and the only room on the upper level. (I think there was room on the lower level, but I cant be certain of that fact. I heard a television and voices on the second night, and it sounded like it came from below my room.) The room was fine great natural light; plenty of space. The furniture was old, tired, and beat up and I wouldnt call antique, but it served its purpose. It had a large bathroom with a tub and separate shower; and the toilet was somewhat out of view worked for me. The bed was OK; the mattress was a bit soft for me (and my back), but Ive had worse. I wasnt surprised by the furniture in the sitting area. It looked as unitarian as it did in the online photos, but more troublesome was the lack of flat surfaces. There is no desk, so youre left with a coffee table, another small end table, and a chest. I had some computing to do so I made it work. The room also lacks sufficient electrical outlets; and outlets at a convenient location. But, its an older property so you make do. The door to the room is a glass French door. I would suggest they add some type of covering/blind/drape because if youre moving from the bedroom to the bathroom in your birthday suit, youll be seen by anyone at the door. That said, the room and the steps leading to the room are fairly isolated so you should be fine (except if youre in the room when housekeeping stops by to refresh the room). Excellent/great service by the women who delivered breakfast on the first morning and the third mornings - friendly, smiled, polite. These are the individuals you gladly support at a hotel (and certainly during the pandemic) since they rely on tips. Glad to support them along with the women who serviced the room; and housekeeping serviced the room without a problem. They replaced the towels (which is often an issue). One saving grace? They actually had a kettle available so I was able to make myself unlimited tea - a major plus for me. Food: I had breakfast 2 of the mornings and youre limited to whatever the chef decides to prepare. Was that in response to the pandemic or was/is that customary at this hotel? I didnt bother to ask. Post my interactions with Ben and the GM, I wasnt anxious to ask any questions. In my memory, the food was OK. It provided sustenance, but I dont remember much beyond that. The room did include a menu where you could have food delivered from a local vendor, but with downtown Palm Springs a few steps away (and off-site delivered food is never prepared very well), why bother? The property: Im not a pool person so I cant comment about the pool or any of the other amenities (if they were available). There is a nice walking trail behind the hotel and up the mountain side. Great views toward Palm Springs. Even though it was hot, I found a bench with some shade. Not a great stay, but then, is their initial welcome service always so bad? Or was it a consequence of their first weekend open since they had closed for the summer? (How hard is it to turn on the A/C BEFORE the guests arrive??) Or, is it a consequence of the pandemic? Im finding that service during the pandemic is not very good at ANY hotel. Im fine with services being limited, but thats not an excuse for poor service, which is what this was. The prices, in this current environment, do not justify such poor customer service. To the Willows: No need to follow-up with one of those statements about how much I lauded the service by the room service attendants/housekeeping and how youre disappointed you didnt fully meet my expectations even though just about all of your reviews are positive. You didnt bother to follow-up while I was on-property so need to follow-up with anything, now. Its over. Lets move on.

  

• landonnash1218

  19 diciembre 2020
  Exquisite getaway in Palm Springs

  The Willows is absolutely magical!! Hands down the best place weve stayed in Palm Springs. I had been planning on proposing to my girlfriend over our birthday weekend and the staff at the Willows could not have been more helpful and accommodating for our proposal. Harmony, Ben, Lorraine, and the entire staff at the Willows is second to none. Their professionalism, attention to detail and sincerity is unparalleled. The grounds are absolutely magical and every room has its own something special. You are missing out by not experiencing this incredible establishment if you stay elsewhere in Palm Springs. Not only the best place in Palm Springs, but one of the best places weve stayed in the world. Dont miss out!!

  

• Chloe N

  20 diciembre 2020
  Best. Weekend. Of my life.

  I just experienced the best weekend of my life. My boyfriend, (spoiler alert!!!) now fiancé, and I share the same birthday and have an affinity for Palm Springs. He whisked me away to the Willows for what I thought was a birthday weekend. Little did I know he had worked with Harmony and her team to plan to ultimate, dream engagement. Impeccably clean, Covid friendly accommodations, insane attention to detail, and unparalleled customer derive. 5 star experience across the board. Willows will forever hold the most special place on my heart and I am so grateful for their hospitality.

  

• thehappytravelors

  26 diciembre 2020
  Perfect Getaway

  My husband and I stayed here in October when the weather was stay in the 100s. We stayed in the Tahquitz #16 room. This room is totally private and separate from the rest of the property. We had sweeping views of the mountains with windows on 3 sides. The room is beautiful decorated. The bed is huge and quite comfortable. The TV is a smart TV so you can watch your apps with your own log in. The room has a comfy couch and chair. Plenty of closet space and a refrigerator. The bathroom has a separate tub and shower with excellent temperature and water pressure. Due to COVID restrictions you can have your nightly wine and appetizer plate delivered to your room. This is not to be missed as everything is fresh and delicious & each evening there were different selections. After the first day Ben knew the type of wine we preferred. Ben was wonderful he helped with our luggage and showed us all around property when we arrived. The pool is beautiful and well maintained. Pool floats were provided. The grounds are well maintained we only wished that we could have explored more but with temperatures above 100 degree it was just too hot. Breakfast can be delivered to your room or you can go to the dining area and eat outside or inside. We chose to dine outside by the waterfall every day because the weather was gorgeous. Each morning you get a 3 course breakfast that is made fresh and each day was better than the day before. The coffee is excellent and you can get coffee to go if you like. We would let to thank Gordon and everyone else that helped out with breakfast. We really enjoyed our stay at The Willows and cant wait to go back. The Willows is perfect for rest, relaxing, very quiet, excellent food & service and most of all no children.

  

• rolandas231

  23 febrero 2021
  One of a kind!

  My jaw dropped and I was able to catch it. Unbelievable property, service and real furniture not something from a hotel warehouse. We had the library and I so hope they dont renovate it!!! Its perfection and history in one! You can research the history. Our evening wine and food plate was beyond elegant. Thank you to Jillian and Harmony and at breakfast our tall and handsome innkeeper....breakfast was a full breakfast. Juices and coffee (coffee was real coffee). All served on China and white tablecloths seated with the waterfall backdrop. Their muffins and bacon really stood out! You could not get this from any chain hotel! Love is in the details and speaking of details the amenities in bathroom were Molton Brown