Heal, play, soak in 'magic waters' of Desrt Palm Springs Palm, Heal, magic, Desrt, Springs

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Heal, play, soak in 'magic waters' of Desrt Palm Springs

Balneologists, the people who study mineral waters, will tell you that a good hot soak increases blood circulation, stimulates metabolism and helps balance many of the body's natural systems.

If you want to find out what they are talking about, head to one of the spas in Desert Hot Springs, where the 'magic waters' from a deep thermal aquifer serve up a cocktail for the body and soul.

Nestled in the foothills of Joshua Tree National Park, Desert Hot Springs has for decades been a scenic paradise for the famous and the infamous who seek a soak to rejuvenate.

Today this tiny Southern California desert town of silky water is home to a range of sensational spas offering everything from salt scrubs to Ayruveda to poolside power polishes.

Large and small, quaint and isolated, Desert Hot Springs has over 20 resorts of varying styles: Mid-century Modern, Moroccan, Tuscany, Japanese, Hacienda, B&B, casual, classic, clothing optional and more.

The granddaddy of all of them is Two Bunch Palms, with its gorgeous grotto which at one time was the refuge of the notorious Al Capone. Apparently he left his getaway car behind in a tunnel here.

The trappings of fame are evident at the secluded Two Bunch Palms as guests speak in hushed tones of Hollywood A-listers in the hot water pools.

Nearby is the lavish Italyinspired 16-room boutique hotel called Tuscan Springs run by a bubbly mother and daughter duo. The water at the La Bella Spa of Tuscan Springs is pumped from a 350 ft deep aqua well that is volcanically heated to 115 degrees.

The El Morocco Inn & Spa transports you to a French-North African setting, where nightly poolside happy hours comprise the delicious "Morocco-tini" and silent movies.

This inn features bed-and-breakfast guestrooms with playful designs that reflect the personality of its owner, Bruce Abney.

"Cartographic considerations aside, you're pretty much in Morocco," raved the Forbes Traveler.

For those intent on play before spa, the Palm Springs desert area abounds with mega-resorts such as the Agua Caliente, which houses a casino and a spectacular theatre.

Here you can exfoliate, enrich and hydrate in a 10,500 square foot spa inspired by the healing qualities of the iridescent sun-stone.

It's not only the healing virtues of the desert water that attracts people to the spas of Palm Springs.

The area boasts some of the best natural drinking water in the world. The water here has been passed through layers of sand and rock formations as it moves through underground contamination-free storage areas called aquifers.

Before you take a swig, the water goes through a natural filtration process that spans decades.

No wonder they describe the water in this desert playground as "nature at its natural best."

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If You Go

WestJet flies to Palm Springs from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and soon, Toronto. All service is non-stop.

From Vancouver, West Jet will have daily non-stop service effective Oct. 31. It is currently four times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). From Calgary, West Jet will fly nine times per week (twice on Mondays and Fridays) as of Oct 31. It is currently daily. From Edmonton, West Jet will fly daily as of Oct. 31. The new West Jet Toronto flights to Palm Springs begins February 2, 2011. There will be two flights per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Car culture abounds in Palm Springs. Most of the major car rental agencies have outlets in the area. Some of the best bargains are available through Enterprise RentACar which has eight main locations and satellites offices inside hotels.


Large and small, quaint and isolated, Desert Hot Springs has over 20 resorts of varying styles: Mid-century Modern, Moroccan, Tuscany, Japanese, Hacienda, B&B, casual, classic, clothing optional and more