Thompson Palm Springs Is Filled With Art & Soul

Thompson Palm Springs Photo by Jill Weinlein

After years of construction, the Thompson Palm Springs is finally open to the public and taking reservations for low-rise tower guest rooms and suites. What makes this hotel extra special is its epicenter in the creative Uptown Design District.

Amid a destination rich in art and culture, the bright white exterior displays a colorful collection of curated artwork inside. The hotel’s partner HALL Group commissioned long-time partner Virginia Shore of Shore Art Advisory to select the diverse, contemporary and eclectic works displayed.

Shore sourced from local and international artists with varied backgrounds and perspectives. These works are showcased through a variety of mediums from murals and sculptures to paintings and mixed-media pieces, making Thompson Palm Springs a creative destination for guests staying at the hotel, and for all who walk along Palm Canyon Drive and venture inside.

HALL Winery. Photo Jill Weinlein

Set to open soon on the ground floor of the hotel is HALL Napa Valley Tasting Room. Kathryn and Craig Hall dreamed of a place to showcase their fine wines alongside expressive art and masterful architecture. They opened their first tasting room in St. Helena, then another in Rutherford in Napa Valley, and now a third tasting room inside the Thompson Palm Springs.

Located next to the hotel’s check-in counter, guests can taste HALL wines during their stay. It will be open to the public too.

Untitled by William Cordova. Photo Jill Weinlein

Daniel Schmidt-Sohr, the hotel’s marketing manager, shared that ‘Art is very important to Thompson Hotels and its partner, Dallas-based HALL Group.’ In the towering lobby next to the entrance is a large piece by artist Wiliam Cordova. ‘Look closely,’ said Schmidt-Sohr, ‘this collage made with paint chips on cardboard.’

Thompson is an affiliate of Hyatt, and the Hyatt brand is all about cultural engagement with activations. Every Hyatt incorporates artwork in their hotels to enhance the guest experience. Art provides a unique atmosphere that reflects the local destination, adding a sense of sophistication and personality to each property, while aligning with the brand’s image.

Guests can walk up to the reception desk and ask for a self-guided art booklet to learn about each art piece adorning the walls. ‘We will soon offer champagne art walking tours from the lobby up to the second floor lounge to enlighten guests about this collection,’ said Schmidt-Sohr. 

Looking at Cordova’s large mosaic, the booklet said, ‘This artist is famous for taking found and reclaimed objects and giving them a new meaning and perception.’ Stepping closer I noticed feathers, shoe laces, acrylic oil and hundreds of colorful paint chip squares that the artist meticulously arranged to create a dynamic ebb and flow of movement.

A Rose from the Concrete by Forrest Kirk. Photo by Jill Weinlein

Los Angeles based artist Forrest Kirk has his large acrylic canvas ‘A Rose from the Concrete’ displayed behind the reception area of the hotel’s lobby. 

In the art guidebook, it states this artist studied in Los Angeles and is also classically trained at an atelier in Paris, France. ‘His interest is mixing the ancient with the contemporary while exploring power structures. This female of color renders a pose and monumental scale that is historically reserved for white male subjects.’

This piece was chosen for this woman’s assertive posture that looks into the distance. She is a powerful statement piece for the lobby of the hotel and embodies ‘culture maker’ brand value.

Continuum Basket: Creation by Gerald Clarke

Walking towards what looks like a Native American weave basket, one soon realizes artist Gerald Clarke, a member of the Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians, uses found soda cans and crushes them for an innovative approach to traditional techniques. Traditionally, tribal basket makers would gather grasses to make their intricate basket weave design. Clarke gathering litter he found from the modern world is a comment on the issues facing modern day tribal members – pollution and destruction of their land.

This artist has a solo exhibition at the Palm Springs Museum of Art in 2020. He is currently showing at Desert X.

The Land Is Speaking…Are You Listening by Jeffrey Gibson. Photo by Jill Weinlein

Near the valet stand and circular drive, the hotel has a mosaic of attention-grabbing rainbow of colorful glass tiles on the wall. Titled ‘The Land Is Speaking…Are You Listening’ by Native American artist Jeffrey Gibson. His work is featured in permanent collections in the Smithsonian, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the National Gallery of Canada.

The shimmering glass tiles express his deep appreciation for the earth and the kinship shared with nature. He combines elements of traditional Native American Art with contemporary artistic references. His use of modernist geometric abstraction and pattern expresses themes related to Native American representation and identity.

Event Space at Thompson Palm Springs. Photo by Jill Weinlein

This area in the hotel is also an entranceway into the event space with a 6,000 square foot ballroom and outdoor space for breakout meetings and receptions. The separate entrance makes it more exclusive for galas and is away from leisure travelers staying at the hotel. There is more than 20,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space for weddings and other celebrations. 

One of two swimming pools. Photo by Jill Weinlein

The new Thompson Palm Springs open-flowing design by SMS Architecture and B2 Design Co., has two sections. The bright white walls and modern design remind one of Greece, yet there is such an enchanting desert vibe.

There are 168 bungalow-inspired guestrooms, including 18 suites that range in size from 380 square feet king and double queen rooms, up to the sprawling architecturally chic midcentry design 1,750 square foot Thompson Suite. Each have a private balcony and breathtaking views of Uptown, shimmering swimming pools, swaying palm trees and majestic mountains.

The Main Building is open now for guests getaways, and the Upper Stories is a 21+ adult-only low-rise with its own sparkling pool. This area is scheduled to open before the end of 2024. Guests staying at Upper Stories will receive heightened amenities in this separate collection of 42 guestrooms with five suites.

Lola Rose Grand Mezze. Photo Jill Weinlein

Guests and the public can now dine at Lola Rose Grand Mezze, a Levantine-inspired dining destination created by Executive Chef Quentin Garcia. This all-day dining venue offers dishes inspired from the chef’s travels through Greece to Egypt. Menu items include an array of flavorful spreads, salads, grains, charred meats and fresh Pacific fish.  

Lola Rose Grand Mezze. Photo by Jill Weinlein

Freshly baked breads from the restaurant’s in-house tandoor oven and spices sourced directly from Istanbul enhance guest’s dining experiences.

A second restaurant, Bar Issi, from Los Angeles-based Boujis Group, is set to open on the ground floor in early 2025.

Rivian Hotel Vehicle. Photo by Jill Weinlein

Thompson Palm Springs is located three miles from Palm Springs International Airport. Guests can request the hotel’s Rivian electric vehicle deliver them to the airport, based on availability.

The hotel also offers cruiser bicycles for guests to take out for a spin around the historic Movie Colony area, Old Las Palmas neighborhood, and the Palm Springs Art Museum.

The temperature in Greater Palm Springs is idyllic this time of the year through May. Now is the time to get away from it all and chill at Thompson Palm Springs.