Out of This World

Entertainment Today / Los Angeles January 28, 2004

Out of This World…

Checking Out the Orbit In in Palm Springs by Brad Schreiber The architect Albert Frey has almost as much impact on the landscape of Palm Springs as the San Jacinto Mountains that surround the visitor on every side. His sleek, low-lying, “mid-century modern” design cannot be done justice by simpler catchphrases, such as “atomic” or the utterly depleted and relativistic “retro.” My stay at the Orbit In, tucked into the foothills, was steeped in the period decor and, it may be said, lifestyle. Certainly, staying in the Albert Frey Lounge, the photos of him and his work on the walls, a large photographic coffee table book of his work on the table, along with a huge text on mid-century modernist Richard Neutra, these were daily reminders of his artistry. But Frey’s influence literally hangs over the Orbit In. The outdoor shower on the private patio, sheltered by cinder block and bougainvillea, provided an unimpeded view of the mountainside, where Frey’s magnificent former residence looks out over the desert valley floor. There are two properties belonging to the Orbit In, a few doors apart on Arenas in Palm Springs. The Hideaway is aptly named, for it is quieter and more private than its gregarious neighbor, the Oasis, where this writer soaked up the ’50s ambience with great relish. In addition to the aforementioned Albert Frey Lounge, the other eight suites all refer back to the glamour of the time, with such names as Atomic Paradise, Leopard Lounge, Rat Pack Suite, Cha Cha Room and Bossanovaville.

In fact, the music of the era is an essential component of one’s stay at the Orbit In. For upon entering the premises, and passing by the glass-enclosed office that alternately houses general manager Jay Ramstead or his pleasant, dedicated staff, one is struck by the music. Outdoor speakers gently ply you with bossanova, lounge and other exotica, as you make your way past the Boomerang Bar, festooned with lava lamps and continental breakfast in the morning and what is locally referred to as “Orbitinis” for the hour between 5:30 and 6:30 each evening. The buzz, if you will, is the concoctions are an amalgam of fruit juices and sake and while it is only provided at the Oasis, those at the Hideaway are encouraged to sidle up the street and bend an elbow with your fellow travelers. For those who want to explore the outdoors at a leisurely pace, rather than the shopping along Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drives, there are Schwin Cruiser bicycles to be borrowed for the joy of pedaling through the palm-lined side streets. Of course, no one mandates you have to do anything. Catching rays around the pool, salt water, or taking a dip in the jacuzzi may be all the outdoor activity you desire. The whirling, bubbling water of the latter is especially welcome after a long, arduous day of having fun. It is considerately fenced off for privacy and also sports a fire pit, where one can fixate on the glass rocks as the flames flicker through them. In the best tradition of a desert resort, the Orbit In Day Spa provides a staggering array of relaxing and therapeutic services, including aromatherapy and healing bee propolis facials and reflexology, so one can exfoliate, rejuvenate and vegetate. Available daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the day spa provides the choice of male or female massage therapists, in the privacy of one’s room or over at the Hideaway’s “Spa Sanctum.” Services can even be put on one’s bill, including gratuity and booked up to seven days before one’s arrival. Clearly, the Orbit In’s taste in design is matched by its striving to provide amenities to its guests, down to the smallest, and often overlooked, details. The rooms all have two fluffy terrycloth robes, iron, refrigerators and honor bars, stocked with drinks and snacks. In keeping with an attitude of luxurious accommodation, there are personal care products provided for the guests, including, very conveniently, sunscreen towelettes which, instead of chemicals, consist of vitamin E, rosemary and wheat germ. (This writer, while not generally obsessed with such things, found the juniper shampoo a personal favorite.) This mid-century modern retreat from new century mania also recognizes that sometimes, the best relaxation comes from doing little or nothing, but in pleasant surroundings. A locked closet outside can be accessed by guests, with a delightful conglomeration of board games, books and videos. Oh, yes, each TV has a built-in VCR and the “boom boxes” provided for your listening pleasure even get you started with some exotica CDs, including Orbit In’s own compilation of swinging sounds. Virtually nothing has been skipped. The rooms have access for either dial-up or high-speed broadband connectivity for netheads who simply cannot go anywhere without a laptop. Admittedly, some trips are part business and part pleasure, as was this writer’s, suffering through the 15th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, which, this year, boasted 52 of the 56 Oscar-eligible foreign films, as well as a smattering of American indies and Hollywood fare. And for those who do need to transact business, the phone systems at the Orbit In give one confidence. Callers can directly access rooms without going through a switchboard, at any hour, and guests can utilize a variety of telephony functions, including putting callers on hold, just like in the real world. But undoubtedly, the relaxation fostered by an interstellar excursion to the Orbit In will allow the traveler to forget entirely, for a while, the concept of a hold button.