California’s Twentynine Palms has long been known as a military town and the less-busy entryway to Joshua Tree National Park. However, this high desert community is in the midst of a rebrand, featuring a burgeoning art scene, eclectic restaurants and shops, and now, its first boutique hotel.

Just a few minutes’ drive from the town’s main business district and the park’s rugged landscape, Hotel Wren feels like a private retreat, immersed in nature. An oasis of calm for chill seekers, the former 1940s motel has been reimagined as an intimate 12-room design destination by L.A.-based Manola Studio founder Jessica Pell.

“The sound of silence is such a rarity in the city. It was about letting that and the sounds of nature come forward,” Pell told Travel + Leisure. She spent three years transforming the fire engine–red Americana-style motor lodge into a desert-modern escape, incorporating Santa Barbara-style plaster walls, textured wood and rattan accents, and a desert-inspired color scheme of sand, sage, adobe pink, and ochre.

The hotel’s unofficial slogan is “no time to rush,” and from the moment my husband and I walked into the lobby living room—with its crackling fireplace and custom circular windows framing the mountains of Joshua Tree—we started to shake off the drive and let go of the week’s stresses. Soon, with Madre tequila and hibiscus soda cocktails in our hands, we were embracing the laid-back desert vibe. We put on our swimsuits and settled onto loungers outside, tuning into the meditative rustling of the palms overhead.

In the morning, we enjoyed our complimentary breakfast—local Canyon Coffee, 29 Loaves bagels, and steamed eggs—while listening to birdsongs, and watching the hotel’s namesake wren guarding its nest.

Below, my full review of Hotel Wren in Twentynine Palms, California.

The Rooms

Hotel Wren has four King Standard rooms, two Queen Double rooms, and six King Deluxe rooms. The midcentury Wren House, a two-bedroom two-bathroom retreat with artisanal finishes, is a wonderful choice for groups of friends and can also be booked for special events and artist residencies.

Furnishings are slightly different in each room, with handsome cherry wood beds and custom-made vanities, Noguchi-style pendant lights, vintage accent pieces, and Pell’s own collected artworks, such as a Richard Neutra drawing of Joshua Forest.

The suite-style spaces have a residential feel, enclosed patios with gas fireplaces, and integrated kitchenettes stocked with cooking necessities.

L.A. ceramicist Michelle Blade hand-painted the charming tiles in the bathrooms and bathtubs, while Parachute linens, plush robes, and Wonder Valley bath products enhance the luxe experience.

Some private patios open directly to the outside and have cozy built-in banquettes to catch the sunset and firepits when the weather turns chilly.

Food and Drink

While there is no bar or restaurant, a complimentary daily breakfast is served in the lobby living room. Gourmet pantry necessities are for sale at the on-site store Windsong, including frozen dumplings and pizzas, pancake mix, eggs and butter, pasta and sauce, local cheeses, and charcuterie. The mini-bar and in-room snack offerings are a treat, offering products from many local and independent brands.

Activities and Experiences

The hotel can arrange guided hikes with a local outfitter. We went on an easygoing but immensely photogenic park hike to Arch Rock and Heart Rock, which was recommended by the hotel’s general manager, Jared.

There is no on-site gym, but rooms are stocked with yoga mats and meditation blankets. Guests tend to gravitate toward the saltwater swimming pool and hot tub. The lush outdoor garden features native California plants and plenty of seating around the communal fire pit and bubbling water features, offering opportunities for quiet reflection or socializing.

Spa

Hotel Wren has no spa, but guests can book in-room massages. Windsong also stocks wellness books, essential oils, and other beauty products by brands like Ten Thousand Waves and Mojave Desert Skin Shield.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There is one ADA-compliant queen double guest room and one ADA-compliant parking space. The hotel has electric car chargers and donates a percentage of proceeds to the Mojave Desert Land Trust and other local organizations.

Location

Twentynine Palms has several spots worth visiting, including a robust Saturday farmers’ market, the Old Schoolhouse Museum chronicling the area’s homesteading history, and a cluster of cool stores.

One evening, we ventured out for a fun dinner at the local gastropub Grnd Sqrl, where we sampled local beers and enjoyed the funky murals on the buildings around town. Also, 29 Palms Beer Co. has a solid smashburger, and Campbell Hill Bakery has people lining up for its pastries and pizzas. La Copine is a consistently dazzling daytime restaurant that’s worth the wait to get in.

Another converted motel, Kitchen in the Desert, is the place for Caribbean-influenced food, a sexy scene, an indoor-outdoor party, and a Desert General store selling books, locally made Mojave Mercantile tie-dyed canvas hats, and cheeky gifts.

Further afield, artist Noah Purifoy’s outdoor installation of “junk art,” as he called it, is an incredible experience. Pioneertown’s old Hollywood history is enchanting, where Pappy and Harriets saloon has hosted some of the best musical acts on the planet, including Paul McCartney, the Arctic Monkeys, and Andre 3000.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Hotel Wren does not participate in any loyalty program. Nightly rates at Hotel Wren start at $330 a night.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.