Fourteen-Dollar Doughnuts (and other decadent things) at the Parker Meridien, Palm Springs

Four years ago, hotelier Jack Parker enlisted design darling Jonathan Adler to transform the former Merv Griffin Givenchy Resort & Spa into the Parker Palm Springs. In 2008, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide took it over and added it to their high-end Meridien collection. Today, it’s one of the world’s swankiest spa destinations.

I visited the Parker in April and enjoyed every second of my stay. The resort features four pools (including two indoor gender-segregated saltwater pools), tennis courts, a golf course, two restaurants and a full service spa with 22 private treatment rooms and a salon. Adler’s design is eclectic: The foyer features a suit of armor standing over a Warren Platner modern chair on a zebra skin rug. Elsewhere, Gio Ponti furnishings look perfectly natural next to thrift store treasures. One-hundred-thirty-one over-sized guest rooms are divided among five buildings set on 13 acres of lushly landscaped gardens. Hibiscus, honeysuckle, roses and verbena lure butterflies and hummingbirds from dawn till dusk.

The best part about the Parker is that you never have to leave. Breakfast at Norma’s is outstanding. Try the crème brulee oatmeal – it’s to die for. Or, if you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket, order the $1000 lobster frittata, which sports ten ounces of sevruga. By lunchtime, you will have reached your daily peak of laziness, lounging by the pool. Not to worry, you can order lunch from the Lemonade Stand and one of the Parker’s friendly staffers (you can’t miss ‘em in their hot pink blazers) will deliver it to your chaise lounge. You can also head back to Norma’s for lunch (flip flops and a swimsuit cover-up are fine), in which case you should order the $14 sugar-dusted doughnut holes. For dinner, stick around and head to Mister Parker’s, which serves French cuisine amid American thrift-store paintings and furniture that looks like it came from your rich (and crazy) Aunt Gertrude’s house.

Best time to visit Palm Springs: October through April
Rates: From $139 per night

Reservations: www.theparkerpalmsprings.com