Desert Hideaway with Mineral Spring Pools and Organic Spa

More than a century ago, settler Cabot Yerxa was digging a well when he unearthed natural hot springs bubbling beneath the Californian desert. Today, Aqua Soleil Hotel taps into that same mineral-rich water, incorporating it into the hotel's rejuvenating jacuzzis and organic spa treatments. As the hotel's name suggests, water plays a pivotal role in the design and experience at Aqua Soleil, from the lagoons dotting the surrounding area to the hot-spring-fed pool and spa tubs in the palm-shaded courtyard.

In the guest rooms, wooden headboards and hanging lamps frame queen beds. Potted flowers and landscape artwork echo the hotel's natural motif. The queen rooms face a tropical courtyard garden that tempts guests to lounge on deck chairs under palm trees.

In the on-site Soleil Spa, aestheticians relieve tension during detoxifying body treatments and anti-aging facials that use natural ingredients such as oils and chocolate. During the included jade-bed treatment, a mattress filled with infrared balls massages along the spine and legs with a soothing heat. At the on-site restaurant, Chef Franco Spinelli combines Italian and Mexican culinary arts Tuesday–Saturday for dinner and Saturday–Sunday for brunch , and an outdoor lounge with a concrete fire pit makes for an ideal spot to sip cocktails under the stars.

Desert Hot Springs, California: Dusty Small Town in the San Bernardino Foothills

Off the beaten path in the San Bernardino Mountain foothills, Desert Hot Springs draws travelers with the natural mineral waters that flow into Aqua Soleil and local spas, burbling at up to 148 degrees. The calming desert landscapes provide the backdrop for a relaxing getaway. The Cabot's Pueblo Museum, a Hopi-influenced pueblo hand-built by town founder Cabot Yerxa in 1913, displays how the settler crafted his home from material found throughout the desert. World-class golf courses and shopping centers are found about 10 miles south in Palm Springs, featuring retro '50s- and '60s-influenced architecture.