Palm Springs is famous for its glittery past as a Hollywood haven but many people don’t realize that it’s possible to bring a suitcase, hang up your toothbrush and spend a few nights in some of the storied pied a terres.
Here are some homes of the rich and famous that you can call your own—albeit on a rental basis.
One of the most well-known is Elvis Presley’s Honeymoon Hideaway. Located in Old Las Palmas, the home boasts a jutting prow of living-room windows and lily-pad steps ascending to the front door. Built by the father-son Alexanders—builders of the city’s iconic mid-century homes—the home was first occupied by son Robert Alexander until he, his family and father perished in a 1965 airplane crash.
Not long after, Elvis signed a one-year lease for $21,000, carrying his new bride, Priscilla, over the threshold on May 1, 1967. He puportedly sang The Hawaiian Wedding Song as he did so; daughter Lisa Marie was born exactly nine months later. This was also the venue in which he shot out his TV upon seeing Robert Goulet on the screen.
The 5,200 square-foot home has been faithfully restored to its ’60s glory, complete with customized 64-foot curved sofa on which the newlyweds were photographed. Photos of the compelling couple in the home dot the interior.
He and Priscilla soon moved to a home around the corner since he felt this one lacked privacy.
Cost to rent: $1500 to $1800 a night. www.ElvisHoneymoon.com
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s 1930s hacienda was across the street from the swinging El Mirador Hotel —now Desert Regional Medical Center—and was the first private Palm Springs’ residence to have its very own pool.
Lucy and Desi frequently visited their desert home in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. The four-bedroom home includes a guest casita.
Cost to rent: $2,080 per week in the summer; $3500 during high season
Ol' Blue Eyes' Twin Palms Estate is located in the heart of the Old Movie Colony. The 4,500 square-foot home is a spectacular example of mid-century contemporary architecture that has been oft used in commercials, from Coca-Cola to Mercedes Benz.
Designed in 1947 by legendary architect Stewart Williams for Frank and his first wife, Nancy, the property was named for the pair of towering palm trees above the piano-shaped pool.
Sinatra hosted lavishly—the A-list included Joan Crawford, Bob Hope, George and Gracie, Lana Turner, even the reclusive Greta Garbo. After his first marriage collapsed, he later spent tumultuous years in the home with second wife, Ava Gardner, before finally selling it in 1953 for $85,000.
Cost to rent: $2600 a night (3-night minimum) with concierge service Link
Perched below Bob Hope’s own iconic John Lautner-designed mushroom home in south Palm Springs sits Howard Hughes' mini estate. The 2,100 square-foot home is multi-layered and offers 220-degree views of the valley below. Other notable owners of the home include Green Acres' Eva Gabor and producer Paul Keyes.
Features preserved from the fascinating aviator and inventor’s time include the kitchen, step-on light switches and a hotplate Hughes installed in one of the bathrooms.
Cost to rent: $450 per night (3-night minimum)
Hughes designed this next home for his friend Howard Hawks, the writer/director/producer of films spanning 60 years, from His Girl Friday to Scarface.
Located close to Elvis’s honeymoon house, Hawks named his 5,600 square-foot hacienda Casa de Plata (House of Silver). The home is hidden behind high walls in Old Las Palmas and retains many of the original features, including Mexican hacienda-style fireplaces in each of the five bedrooms.
Cost to rent: $1,200 per night (4-night minimum)
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