La Serena Villas

Posted in Projects on 12 September, 2017

Redeveloped, under the direction of owners, Lars and Kelly Viklund, La Serena Villas is a true luxury hotel. The couple has significant experience with the area as well as developments, after purchasing the property just next door, the Del Marcos Hotel, 14 years ago and restoring it back to its original state…

La Serena Villas, Palm Springs, CA has announced the official opening of their 18 room property. Originally built in 1933, this historic hotel sits on over an acre of beautifully landscaped grounds in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, walking distance to the famous Palm Canyon Drive, where you will find the best restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

Redeveloped, under the direction of owners, Lars and Kelly Viklund, La Serena Villas is a true luxury hotel. The couple has significant experience with the area as well as developments, after purchasing the property just next door, the Del Marcos Hotel, 14 years ago and restoring it back to its original state. Throughout these endeavours, Viklund’s appreciation for Palm Springs continues to grow. “I have a wonderful admiration and appreciation for all of the great architects who lived and worked here and love the fact that I have been able to preserve 2 iconic properties”. The Viklund’s brought on award winning architect, May Sung, of Subu Design Architecture, to bring together all of the modern amenities of a 5 star hotel.   With the intention of renovating, it was quickly determined that the structure could not be saved, turning the project into a new build. Being A Class 1 Historic Property, the hotel was built exactly as it was in 1933 but with modern amenities, such as larger bathrooms, closets and outdoor lounge spaces. La Serena Villas honours the original Spanish architecture as well as it’s 1933 name. The hotel showcases beautiful modern design and attention to detail throughout.

As Manhattan Beach natives, Viklund and his wife, Kelly have been fortunate to travel the world, experiencing and studying some of the finest resorts. While drawing on elements of what they loved from the best hotels, resorts and spas around the globe, they collaborated with Avenue Interior Design. Kelly and Lars spent a year handpicking each piece of furniture, as well as all materials and finishes which they carefully chose for both the interior and exterior of the property. The stunning San Jacinto Mountains serves as the backdrop for this spectacular boutique hotel. The secluded villas each have a private patio, complete with a cast iron claw foot tub, fire-pit, and built in benches.!

“Being a boutique hotel, we get the opportunity to get to know each guest, creating a unique and magical experience for them as well as hopefully creating a special kind of loyalty to the property”, states Viklund. “We want our guests to think of the hotel as their second home and our staff as their family.”

Nestled within the hotel, guests can enjoy Whispers Spa, offering a full service of spa treatments from facials to massages to wet treatments and custom wraps. With skincare by Epicurian, guests are exposed to the finest of skincare, while maintaining the utmost in serene rejuvenation.

The plush property will also feature a complete Food and Beverage program, set to open April 1st, 2017. The restaurant, which the Viklunds have affectionately named Azucar, will have a full bar, lounge and restaurant. It will serve tapas inspired food and will feature indoor and poolside seating. Azucar will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner to hotel guests. The intimate restaurant will open it’s doors to the public for dinner service 3 nights per week. Azucar will also include a breathtaking upstairs deck called “Sugar High” where guests and locals alike can enjoy lounging, sipping cocktails, and nibbling on small bites both in the sun and under the stars in the evening. Sugar High will also be the perfect event space for conferences, parties and weddings.

The property has which has 18 guest rooms, a spa, a restaurant, bar, and roof-top lounge are all designed to create your ultimate Palm Springs getaway.