Echoes MagazineSpotlight Section – January, 2002
A Modern Oasis
Photographer David Glomb Check into the Cha Cha room at the recently opened Orbit In in Palm Springs and return to the days when aperitifs poolside and lounge music were the way to relax. Located in the historic Tennis Club District of Palm Springs, the recently restored Orbit In is an oasis of modern design in the desert. The In’s ten guest rooms are appointed with original mid-century furniture and décor by Eames, Saarinen, Bertoia, Nelson, Noguchi, and Schultz, with themes such as the Martini Room and the Rat Pack Suite to the Atomic Paradise and the Cha Cha Room. The cardul planning and restorations of each room reflects the design concepts that modern architects and designers brought to the desert.The classic 1950s kitchenettes and pink tile bathrooms are original – a trademark of the hotel’s designer Herb W. Burns. Burns designed several of the neighborhood’s classic mid-century inns and private homes. Rooms feature Melmac tableware and vintage cookbook art, along with the amenities of the 21st century such as data ports, air conditioning, CD players, televisions and VCRs.
When you need some quiet time, you can grab a cold drink from your fridge and a magazine from your room and retreat to your cecluded patio, or soak up the sun on a sleek Richard Schultz lounge chair while sipping an “Arnold Palmer” – a refreshing house blend of lemonade and ice tea. The view to the hills beyond includes Albert Frey’s landmark home.
“The hotel represents a complete turn around in the recognition of mid-century architecture by the public,” said Tony Merchell, a Palm Springs authority of mid-century modern architecture.
