Two Bunch Palms is a historic hot spring retreat in Desert Hot Springs, just north of Palm Springs. Unlike its more glamorous neighbor, Desert Hot Springs is defined by its geothermal springs—a natural resource that has shaped the town’s identity. The retreat itself dates back to the 1950s, when travelers would pause between two groves of palms to rest in the shade and soak in the springs.

The new expansion sought to honor this legacy while deepening the retreat’s connection to its arid landscape. At its heart is a distinguished arrival building, designed to embody the brand of rejuvenation while revealing the elemental qualities of the desert. Retaining walls embrace the site, holding back the raw desert terrain, while a spring channel begins the visitor’s restorative journey.

The design responds to the visceral experience of place—the dry warmth, the hot sand underfoot, and the instinct to nest and burrow. Visitors are welcomed by a curved retaining wall carved into the earth, an architectural gesture that invites decompression. The wall splits in two moments: once to create space for waiting and storage, and again to guide guests along a path of springs toward the lobby and reception.