History

In the dry expanse of Desert Hot Springs, Two Bunch Palms has quietly evolved, standing as both relic and refuge. Surveyed in 1909 by the US Army Camel Corps, the area was named “Two Bunches of Palms” after the distinctive clusters of trees that marked the landscape. But long before wellness became an industry, this land was sacred to the Cahuilla people, who revered its mineral-rich waters for their healing properties. Flowing from a 600-year-old aquifer, the hot springs emerge naturally at over 100 degrees, fully replenishing themselves every 24 hours—a steady renewal that mirrors the desert itself.

The mystique deepened in the 1920s and 30s, with whispers that Al Capone had used the property as a hideout during Prohibition. Whether true or not, the legend only cemented its reputation as a haven for those seeking discretion. By the 1950s, it had become a retreat for Hollywood’s elite, who traded the chaos of Los Angeles for the restorative quiet of the desert. At Two Bunch, stars could shed their personas and let the desert work its magic.

By the mid-20th century, Desert Hot Springs had established itself as a hub for wellness seekers, promising therapeutic mineral baths and dry desert air to Angelenos eager to escape city life. Two Bunch Palms quickly became a cornerstone of this scene, offering something other places couldn’t: seclusion. Guests came not to see or be seen but to disappear, retreating into the grotto’s steaming waters or the shade of its iconic palms. The resort became synonymous with anonymity, a place where the world’s demands stopped at the edge of the property.

Like Desert Hot Springs itself, Two Bunch Palms has faced its share of challenges. As newer, trendier destinations emerged in neighboring Palm Springs, the area’s prominence waned, and many of its storied resorts faded into memory. Two Bunch, however, endured—not by chasing trends, but by staying rooted in what has always made it special: the healing waters, the desert’s quiet charm, and the enduring promise of retreat.

While it has grown and modernized, Two Bunch Palms has done so with care, honoring its history while subtly evolving to meet the needs of a new era. Thoughtful updates have enhanced its offerings, but the essence remains unchanged. It’s still a place where time slows, where the desert’s stillness feels restorative, and where guests can reconnect with something elemental. Two Bunch Palms endures not by changing what it is, but by deepening what it has always been.