Here’s What It’s Like To Vacation Like The Rich In A Palm Springs Mansion
It’s always been the cool kids’ playground. In the 60s, Frank Sinatra and his ilk flocked there. Now, smart phone-toting influencers come in droves for one of the biggest music festivals in the world. I’m talking about Palm Springs. I’d never been, but I quickly felt like I was home when I finally touched down. The invitation for a wanderlustful three days visit came from Vrbo, the Expedia-owned vacation rental marketplace that has quickly become the authority on elevated travel. The company just announced its 2023 Vacation Homes of the Year, which are described as the “most exceptional vacation homes across the U.S..” They were selected mainly based on user ratings.
“This year’s Vacation Homes of the Year range from an urban oasis and a cozy ranch home under $400 a night, to a beachfront estate that can sleep the whole family and more,” John Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands (which owns Vrbo), said in a press release. “Every single Vacation Home of the Year has a beautiful view, and combined, boast seven private pools and fire pits, eight hot tubs, and even five putting greens.”
Among the ranked homes, I stayed in the sprawling and luscious Oasis Estate, which quite literally boasts the same experience as a 5-star spa retreat. The 7,000 square foot breezy ranch style estate greets guests with sky high ceilings, sun-flooded living spaces and clean lines. As gorgeous as the home’s interior may be, the star of the show is the backyard, which includes an expansive pool and hot tub, a 45-foot putting green, and even a sunset-viewing pavilion and spa. What’s more, if you’re looking for an authentic mountain-to-sky outdoor experience the home is also equipped with a fully outfitted vintage trailer for a glamping tryst.
It’s located about two hours from Los Angeles, and half hour from the famed Joshua Tree National Park (which totally lives up to the hype by the way). While the home can definitely handle a party, there’s an inherent sense of serenity that washes over as soon as you walk through its gargantuan doors. In fact, I was treated to a resplendent private yoga, meditation and sound bath session from local businesses Soul Dive Yoga.
The 9-BR home is perfect for families, or even a girls’ trip—which I can personally attest to since I participated in a dance party with the VRBO/Expedia team. If you’re planning a vacation with your friends, the Vrbo app for iOS or Android, offers a useful tool called Trip Boards, which allows users to save potential residences and share with the group chat to vote on and comment. for planning the vacation. You can book the incredible home for $3,095/night which averages out to about $1,000 per person for a 3-day stay. And let me say, it’s worth every penny.