Arriving in Palm Springs in 1916, Harriet Cody started a movement of pioneering women who created a community, Harriet herself——an accomplished horsewoman in both the English and Western traditions——opening a livery stable before building a home with her architect husband Harold Bryant Cody. By the 1920s, Casa Cody had become a hotel, and Cody, cousin of William ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody was welcoming illustrious guests that included one Charlie Chaplin.
Today, Casa Cody is Palm Springs’ oldest operating hotel and, under the management of Casetta Group (operators of San Diego’s Pearl Hotel), has undergone extensive restoration and revitalisation to bring it up to modern Palm Spring standards; the property now a time-honoured haven in the California desert that combines classic elegance with contemporary touches whilst nodding to and respecting its Spanish Colonial Revival heritage, adobe hacienda architecture and enduring spirit.
Set within one and a half acres of tranquil grounds against the rising backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains, winding paths surrounded by wild bougainvillea, native plantings, and fruit trees lead to 30 rooms and suites, some with kitchenettes or full kitchens, private patios and fireplaces. With interiors by Electric Bowery, rooms feature richly coloured zellige tile and deep blue millwork as well as custom designed upholstered elements and cabinetry, the design firm——guided by the old-world charm and opulence of Palm Springs, along with the vibrant colours of coastal Spain——adding flair to a classic hotel that strikes a balance of sophistication with a sense of playfulness.
Eco-friendly amenities such as Parachute bedding and bath linens, certified organic bath products by MoonCloth Designs, and custom-designed Finery bathrobes add an all-important sustainability touch, alongside Ocean Bottle reusable water bottles and Roen x Casetta 001 candles, created with an exclusive blend of coconut wax. A micro-library of cookbooks curated by Los Angeles’s cookbook and culinary shop, Now Serving, adds a dash of function and style to the open shelving of the kitchens and kitchenettes.
Whether hanging out at one of the property’s two swimming pools, in the edible garden, on the wide-open lawns, or in the sanctuary of your own room or suite, Casa Cody is a place of rich history, decadent style and an irresistible charm.
Casa Cody Palm Springs Photography, Josh Cho Photography.
