I wanted to get away for a few days between Christmas and New Years Eve. But it’s also one of the most expensive periods. So what to do? Airbnb is the solution. And we decided to go for a couple of days to Palm Springs.
It was my very first time using Airbnb and so I had to research a little bit and open an account with the web-page. That was easy, a photo, some describing words about me and my partner and all done.
We chose a nice looking place out of Palm Springs at La Quinta which seemed to be pretty near and also in calm surroundings.
After booking we got a fast answer, I got a text message and shortly after we communicated our approximate arrival time.
The description on Airbnb is already accurate but in the text message there were some additional information how to arrive. It was easy to find and soon we were in front of our host for two days.
Our host June is amazing. She welcomed us warmly with a hug, just like old friends. She showed us our lovely double room with a king seize bed and the bathroom (nearly en suite as it is ours for the time but attached the room). Everything well prepared, bedlinen, towels, even shower soap and shampoo.
We could use the kitchen any time, even cooking if we wanted. Coffee or tea always available, we found some things for breakfast and water was in the fridge. There is free wireless internet, we had free parking in front of the house which is in a condominium and therefore quiet and secure. We had the possibility for a gym nearby, could use the washing machine and the dryer.
The room had of course a heating system/air conditioning and a TV.
She gave us a key so we could go and come when ever we wanted. Her little dog is calm and not disturbing at all. The little patio is great to sit in the morning and having the coffee outside.
Personal experience:
The room is very comfortable as is the bed with a bunch of pillows. There is a big closet and the room has two windows which give a lot of daylight. The flat-screen TV we didn’t switch on. A little desk with paper and pens gave me the possibility to write some postcards.
The bathroom is right besides the room. June didn’t feel well and she was often in bed. Her room is on the opposite side of the apartment and has a bathroom en suite. For this reason we rarely saw her. We had complete freedom to move and feel home.
We had our coffee in the morning sitting outside and planing our day. Check-in was after noon and check-out before.
My first experience with Airbnb was the best one can have. I will do again the Airbnb and will hope I will always have such a nice host like June. She is new on Airbnb but highly recommended for her perfection. She gave us a lot of great ideas where to go, what to see, where to eat.
I recommend:
La Quinta is not far away from many great places. Nearby we found a Mongolian style restaurant. I liked it a lot as one can choose from a variety of meats, vegetables and fruits at a buffet, put all in a bowl and then they cook it for you. They serve your food at the table. It is a set price and you can return multiple times.
Nearby there is Shields Date Garden. Very touristic but interesting if you want to know about date cultivation in California. The old movie was rather fun to watch.
In the summer Coachella is a magic place as one of the biggest music festivals in California takes place here.
More appealing to me was the Coachella Valley Preserve Visitor Center. It was closed itself but the oasis with natural springs and palm trees is a great place for hiking. I loved it.
Palm Springs is not far away and easily reachable by car.
If you like hot springs there are some north of Palm Springs.
South there is Salton City and the Salton Sea. The town has nothing special but a short stop at the shores of the lake at the blue hour is great. Don’t think too much about the smell.. you don’t live there!
I recommend the Indian Canyons. Great for hiking and really impressing desert photography.
La Quinta, Palm Springs, California/USA:
For further information:
Airbnb
