A beam of light guided us to
Hotel Wren
—specifically, the sculptural yet ethereal pendants created by an artist from Sydney that adorn the guest rooms (a topic Margot covered)
here
Silent, natural-toned, and calm, the recently refurbished 1940s motor inn located in the high desert, “surrounded by flourishing ocotillo and palo verde trees,” is adorned with thoughtfully crafted artistic elements. Check them out here:
Photography courtesy of Hotel Wren, unless otherwise stated.
Located just 10 minutes away from the north entrance of Joshua Tree, Hotel Wren originally started as a traditional roadside motor inn. It has been revamped for contemporary desert retreats by an Los Angeles-based designer or firm.
Manola Studio
, helmed by Jessica Pell. “Wren is both a love letter to the desert and a quiet expression of the studio’s values,” according to the studio, “shaped by story and intention, inspired by nature and nuance. Intuitive, grounded, and attuned to place, Wren invites guests into a gentle dialogue between self and space.”
Above: This dining room, along with the living space directly overhead, is part of The Wren House, a distinct mid-century dwelling situated “on the northwestern edge of the Hotel Wren property, offering views over the open desert and the Pinto Mountains,” which can be rented out.
Above: A nostalgic blend at Wren House.
Above: The color scheme captures the essence of the high desert, featuring terra cotta flooring and subdued green tones.
Above: A spacious and bright guest room within the refurbished motor lodge. It features whitewashed sloping ceilings, a tasselled globe light fixture, and sheer curtains.
patchwork curtains
by
Lookout and Wonderland
, and a charmingly small
Casita Lamp
By Twenty One Pilots. It does not include a television.
Above: A custom-made lamp by Lana Launay adorns this guest bedroom. As Margot noted, “Lana Launay created her own lampshades when she couldn’t find the ones she wanted.”
our feature
“It was quite natural for her. The artist based in Sydney comes with experience in jewelry-making, textile design, and visual arts, and she utilized an array of these talents, including improvisation, to craft her initial works.” Photograph from
Brilliant Lights: Lana Launay Transforms Organic Materials Into Sculptural Lamps
.
Above: Flowers of the desert, illuminated by desert light.
Overhead, the rooms feature kitchenettes along with individual patios.
Above: A queen-sized room features integrated bedside tables. It allows pets, with the exception of special “family weekends.” Note that Hotel Wren is typically an adults-only establishment.
Above: A curved bathtub—and a peek into
delft
-esque tiles—in the King Deluxe Room.
Above; Hotel Wren features a saltwater swimming pool, a communal library located in the lobby, along with a “carefully selected” bodega and retail store named ShopWren.
Windsong
That is typically open from 8 a.m. to around 8 p.m.
To learn more and make a reservation, visit
Hotel Wren
(P.S.: The hotel is presently providing a 15 percent discount on accommodations.)
And for additional getaways into the desert, how about considering:
- In Play at the California Desert: Four Designers Construct Their Own Self-Sufficient Retreat in Joshua Tree
- Desert Dream: A Designer-Crafted, Self-Sufficient Cabin in Joshua Tree
- A Californian Creative Duo’s Desert-Modern Lodge in Santa Fe
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