257 S. Patencio Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-864-6411
There is one word that I think best describes Korakia – escape. Although just a short walk from busy Palm Canyon Drive, with its excellent chef-owned restaurants and unique desert flair, Korakia is an old-world pensione that blends Tangiers and the Mediterranean.
The resort is actually two historic villas located directly across the street from each other. Built in 1924, The Moroccan villa was the former hideaway of Scottish painter Gordon Coutts. Here Coutts re-created his earlier life in Tangier by employing a wide variety of architectural features that promoted a Moroccan decor. It is rumored that Winston Churchill painted in the villa's Artist Studio. J. Carol Naish, an early silent-screen star owned the 1930's Mediterranean villa. The Naish property blends the charm of southern Europe with North African accents throughout its structure.
You will find no TVs in the rooms as well as no room telephones, although the resort is WIFI enabled and there is at least a small fridge in every room. There are really no “standard” rooms at Korakia to describe, but luckily, the resort’s website provides a full description and pictures of each of the 28 rooms, suites or bungalows. Some have studio kitchenettes and others have full kitchens as well as sitting area. I found it fun just to look at the wide variety of accommodations.
Although there are 2 well maintained pools, there are no Jacuzzi hot tubs. What I think is special about Korakia are the unique and relaxing amenities that make this place an unusual getaway from day to day reality. Enjoy a complimentary full-cooked breakfast in the Moroccan courtyard, seek healing with yoga or meditation on the weekends, pamper yourself with wonderful spa offerings offered daily, curl up with a vintage book from the library lounge, borrow a complimentary bicycle to explore Palm Springs – even join a game of bocce ball and relax with the daily Moroccan tea service.
Evenings are magical with 2 fire pits flickering and over 100 candles and lanterns spread out over the entire the property. There are even classic and foreign films shown on an outside wall each evening.
Midweek, Korakia is popular with older guests exploring southern California. Weekends, however, the resort draws mostly from the LA area, including a younger crowd involved primarily with the arts, entertainment and creative industries. Weekend reservations are best made well in advance. Overall I am told that most guests are from California and that half are under 40.
As you can tell from this review, this resort is an eclectic adult resort for those seeking rest, relaxation and, as I said before, escape. As such, children under 13 years of age and pets are not allowed.
Korakia is not your standard Palm Springs boutique resort, and I think will appeal to those seeking something quite unique and different for a Palm Springs get away. Come to Palm Springs and be transported to the Mediterranean.
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