Hotel at a Glance: Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Water Spa

More than a century ago, natural hot springs were discovered in the California desert. Today, those hot springs supply the rejuvenating hot tubs at Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Water Spa. H2O is the focal point of most of the experiences here: the hotel has 1 main pool and 2 hot tubs situated in the property’s palm-shaded courtyard.

• Guest rooms have convenient amenities including flat-screen TVs, mini fridges, and free WiFi. Soleil suites include a private jetted pool.
• Get pampered: at The Spa at Soleil, with a signature organic facial or a Aqua Soleil signature massage.
• Make a splash in one of the pools, filled with natural hot mineral water.
• Grab a bite at The Shop Cafe, the onsite restaurant that offers delicious breakfast and lunch options and is open 6 days a week. Closed on Tuesdays.

Desert Hot Springs, California: Spa-Centric Oasis Minutes from Palm Springs

In 1913, settler Cabot Yerxa was digging a well in the San Bernardino foothills when he unearthed natural hot springs bubbling beneath the Californian desert. This area later became known as Desert Hot Springs, a town that’s thrived over the years as a spa-centric getaway thanks to Yerxa’s find. The mineral waters, which hover around 148 degrees and are said to have healing powers, now flow directly into several local spas. Desert Hot Springs’ location, just 12 miles north of Palm Springs and two hours east of Los Angeles, also makes it an easy destination to reach for those looking for a relaxing escape from the big city.

You can see more of Yerxa’s legacy at Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, which sits within a Hopi-influenced pueblo home he built using materials found throughout the desert. The four-story museum stays open year-round and offers guided tours of the property and historic artifacts detailing Yerxa’s life and travels.

After dark, take advantage of the area’s light-pollution ordinances by driving 40 miles east to Joshua Tree National Park to stargaze and spy the glowing eyes of resident coyotes during a night hike. The roughly 800,000-acre park stretches across parts of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts and plays host to some of the country’s most varied wildlife. The five fan-palm oases that are scattered throughout the park are the best spots to see native animals, such as snakes, bighorn sheep, and black-tailed jackrabbits.

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