Our Story
HISTORY:
Originally built as Castle’s Red Barn in 1952 by MGM actor Don Castle and his wife Zetta, it was one of the original resort getaways for Hollywood elite. Legend has it that iconic actress Elizabeth Montgomery had her first marriage at the Red Barn. The property also has had incarnations as Catalina Palms, El Rancho Lodge and now Sparrows Lodge. The Lodge was fully restored in 2013 and many of the original buildings are still in use with modern updates retaining the charm of the original Red Barn.
THE LODGE:
Sparrows Lodge is a completely restored 1950s retreat. You will be welcomed roadside with a simple hand-painted sign with two Sparrows. The Lodge has a modern rustic vibe that carries through to our rooms, communal barn, outdoor fire pit and vegetable garden, accented by a collection of fine art including works by Ruscha, Kelly, Katz & Baldessari. The 20 rooms feature exposed beam ceilings, russet red walls, concrete floors with inlaid pebbles and butterfly chairs. Swiss army blankets top plush mattresses, and instead of closets you’ll find a metal footlocker along with hooks and hangers. Our bathrooms feature rain showers, and many include horse troughs as bathtubs. Most rooms have private patios. All rooms have AC/Heat and ceiling fans. With no televisions or phones in the rooms, there is an environment of ease and simplicity.
The Barn Kitchen
The Barn Kitchen serves a simple to-go style breakfast included in your room rate consisting of banana bread, yogurt, granola, fruit and toast and La Vittoria Coffee. The kitchen is open daily from 11am – 8pm for hotel guests only, serving an all day menu of delicious sandwiches, salads and small bites. Chef Carlos Arciniega’s menu highlights the bounty of fresh ingredients local to our region.
The bar remains open until 11pm everyday, serving a selection of microbrews, wine, champagne, specialty drinks and sodas. In the evening, gather around the fire-pit for star gazing & smores.
Chef Carlos Arciniega, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY has an extensive background working in some of the finest restaurants in the nation as well as renowned locations across Europe and in Mexico City. Specifically Carlos has worked at the Nomad in both LA & NYC, David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar in NYC and most recently as the Chef de Cuisine at Sibling Rival at the Hoxton Hotel in DTLA. In 2021 Chef Carlos is putting a renewed emphasis on seasonality by sourcing unique & high-quality products from the best of the best of purveyors across the Valley. Carlos will be implementing these tenets by expanding the dining experience at both Hotels. After reopening in the summer of 2020 both Sparrows & Holiday House extended the daily food and beverage hours through 8pm with a casual All Day Menu. Carlos will build off the already stellar culinary reputation of each property set by Chef Woo to round out the menu and offer a more complete dinner experience at each location highlighting his flair for rustic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Chef Carlos also looks forward to bringing back to Sparrows Lodge a special dinner series once Palm Springs is fully re-opened, with plans to make them eclectic & interactive.
CHICKEN SALAD SANDO 15
Roasted Chicken. Avocado. Tomato. Spicy Mustard. Rustic Sourdough.
MEDITERRANEAN SALAD 14
Tomato. Cucumber. Olive. Feta. Red Onion. Red Wine Vinaigrette.
+Chicken 5
+Salmon 7
MEATS + CHEESES.
Half. 18 Full. 30
HAM + MUSTARD MELT. 14
Almond Butter. Smoked Ham. Herbs. Gruyere. Sprouted Bread.
BARN BURGER 15
Harris Ranch Beef. Barn Sauce. Tomato. Onion. Townie Bun.
*Impossible Available +2
BARN KITCHEN HUMMUS 12
Cucumber. Red Onion. Flatbread. Vegetables.
AVOCADO TOAST 13
Bushman Bread. Yuzu Kosho. Baby Greens.
COOKIES! 6
Contact & Details
Sparrows Lodge is located in South Palm Springs, walking distance to Koffi and the simple and delicious Appertito Italian deli and lots of other great dinning and drinking spots in town. Explore the area on one of our bikes. Outdoor activities await at Joshua Tree National Park, the Living Desert, the Aerial Tram or, closer-in, golf at Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons. For local shopping, check out unique design and clothing shops on North Palm Canyon Drive or visit Hedge and the many great shops on Perez Design row in Cathedral City. Lots of interesting estate sale and “vintage finds” shops are in the area. Ask us for our favorites in town or nearby. Pioneer Town is a fun day trip as is horse riding at the nearby Smoke Tree stables.
