KORAKIA PENISIONE
Palm Springs, CA
Opening Scene
We left Topanga Canyon on a Friday morning, the car filled with weekend anticipation and a few too many bags for just two nights away. The road stretched out before us, all desert sky and scrub, punctuated by pit stops and coffee refills. By midday we had made a detour at the Parker Palm Springs for lunch, a little indulgence to start the trip, before continuing on toward the destination we had been dreaming about: Korakia Pensione.
Arrival felt like transporting to another world. The grand stone archway, the whitewashed walls, the Moroccan-meets-Mediterranean architecture all conspired to make the desert disappear. We were greeted with a complimentary cocktail in a vintage glass, cool and citrusy, the perfect welcome. Key in hand, we followed the winding paths, pausing every few steps to admire the courtyards, fountains, and hidden daybeds. Each corner of the property felt like a little vignette, an invitation to linger.
The Journey
Our room was across from the lobby, a sunny hideaway that felt more like a private villa than a hotel room. Spacious, with arched windows and antique details, it looked as though it had been plucked from the pages of Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. Old books lined the shelves, worn spines in warm colors. On the antique end table and accompanying wicker sofa, we set down our luggage and Ariat Straw Hat, quickly settling in to our home for the weekend.
The brass coin key stole my heart immediately. Hand-hammered with the name of our room, The Saly. It felt more like being handed the keys to a story than a stay. We settled in with our welcome cocktails, letting the stillness of the room sink in before heading straight for the pool, one of two on the property.
As the sun dipped lower, fireplaces across the grounds flickered to life, scattering warm light and smoke into the evening air. Fire is woven into Korakia’s design in the most thoughtful way with fire pits, lanterns, and open hearths. It is a reminder of the natural elements layered alongside stone, water, and sky.
That night, as the sky shifted from blue to pink to orange, we returned to the pool courtyard for an outdoor screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Guests lounged on striped chairs, sipping hot chocolate, eating popcorn, and gazing at the glowing screen under the desert sky. It was the sort of surreal magic you do not plan for but never forget. Afterward, we wandered the property in the dark, discovering corners newly transformed by lanterns and firelight. Wandering barefoot in near silence, we felt both hidden and free.
The next day was a slow dream of its own. We rotated between daybeds, shaded lounges, and sunny corners. We thumbed through old books from Korakia’s library, swam lazily in the saltwater pool, and sipped Moroccan mint tea in the courtyard. Breakfast, complimentary and served under the citrus trees, was simple and perfect. Greek yogurt, local dates, fresh fruit, and strong coffee. Everything we needed was within the walls of the property. For once, there was no urge to leave.
Highlights & Discoveries
The Saly — our room, a dreamy balance of antique details and Hemingway-era romance.
The brass key — hand-hammered, small but unforgettable.
The saltwater pools — quiet sanctuaries, never too crowded.
Outdoor movie nights — Breakfast at Tiffany’s under the stars with hot cocoa and popcorn.
Complimentary breakfast — simple, fresh, and always in the prettiest setting.
The library — shelves of old books to skim between swims.
If you do leave the grounds, a lunch stop at Parker Palm Springs or coffee at Ernest Coffee downtown adds a nice contrast to Korakia’s serene bubble. But truthfully, staying put is the whole point.
Closing Reflection
By Sunday morning, it was time to fold our clothes back into our Carl Friedrich luggage, return the brass key, and face the road back to Topanga. A few days at Korakia was all it took to reset. Mornings with honey-drizzled dates, afternoons by the pool, evenings with firelight and film. The property feels sealed off from the outside world in the best way, a desert dream that lingers long after you leave.
Shop the Journal
Essentials to bring along:
Ariat Straw Hat for sun protection that felt right at home.
Carl Friedrich Vintage-inspired Luggage to capture the nostalgia of the hotel.
Favorite Daughter Linen Shirt perfect for mornings in the courtyard.
Cover-up because you will live at the pool.
Journal and Blackwing Pencil to record all the details you do not want to forget.
About the Traveler
Rachel Brand has been part of Ramble’s story since the early days. A multidisciplinary artist and founder of Object Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona, her creativity moves between painting, design, and hospitality with ease. We’ve shared adventures near and far, from Korakia to Mattei’s Tavern, and even had the pleasure of collaborating on the Object Hotel logo.
