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Established in 1952, L' Horizon Resort and Spa in Palm Springs soon became an iconic landmark mid-century modern boutique resort. Designed by William F. Cody for businessman and producer Jack Wrather and his wife, actress Bonita Granville Wrather, L' Horizon attracted Hollywood's elite and other prominent figures, including U.S. Presidents Nixon and Reagan, along with celebrities like Marilyn Monroe. The resort reopened in 2015 after extensive renovations by new owner and designer Steve Hermann. With the breathtaking San Jacinto Mountains as a dramatic backdrop, the three-acre L' Horizon offers seven bungalows and 25 uniquely designed rooms that offer guests a view of Hollywood's Golden Age.


The New L' Horizon in the 1950s

Sky, mountain, chair, people, umbrella, grass, pool

The Original Design for L' Horizon by William F. Cody

design, art, architecture, tree, building, mountain, desert, sketch

The Mid-Century Modern L' Horizon in Palm Springs

Palm tree, building, firepit, building, design, architecture

The San Jacinto Mountains Serve as a Backdrop for L' Horizon

Sky, tree, mountain, door, building, grass, desert, design, architecture

The Mid-Century Modern Style is Evident in the Bungalows

design, mid-century modern, table, chair, marble, couch, flowers, design, style, wood

The Pool and Common Area at L' Horizon

Water, pool, tree, mountain, umbrella, chair, palm tree, desert

L’ Horizon Resort and Spa in Palm Springs was designed by well-known architect William F. Cody in 1952 at the request of Jack Wrather, a businessman and producer, and his wife, actress Bonita Granville Wrather. By the early 1950s, Palm Springs had earned a reputation as a resort town and a sort of escape for Hollywood stars. The Wrathers envisioned a large resort complex where they could host family and friends. Upon its opening, L’ Horizon hosted such prominent stars as Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable and even Presidents Nixon and Reagan. Shortly after opening the doors of L’ Horizon, Jack Wrather joined a business venture with Walt Disney and funded the building of the Disneyland Hotel.

At L’ Horizon, the pool serves as the central point of the resort and the individual bungalow units are somewhat isolated, which is like how other postwar resorts were designed. In total, there are 25 units placed within seven bungalows. The individual units consist of studios and suites and some three-bedroom and two-bathroom houses. All units were designed by Cody with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and large bathrooms that lead to private gardens. As other mid-century modern architects did with their designs, Cody made the eaves to be wide and the roofs flat with a low slant. Throughout, Cody was strong in the use of lines and angles, another mid-century modern trait.

Cody was a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture, and while studying, he served as a draftsman for architect Cliff May, who is given credit for creating the California ranch house. From May, Cody learned the importance of having a strong relationship between the interior and exterior spaces and simply making the space comfortable for living. After moving to Palm Springs in the late 1940s, Cody adopted his own style of desert modern architecture with the use of thin and clean lines and spearheaded projects on churches, clubhouses, and homes for prominent residents in the area.

For several years, L’ Horizon suffered neglect and lost the clientele that had made it so exclusive. In the 2000s, Los Angeles-based designer Steve Hermann purchased L’ Horizon and aimed to make it one of the most exclusive resorts in Palm Springs. After a $10 million, two-year renovation, L’ Horizon Resort and Spa reopened in the summer of 2015. None of the 25 rooms are designed the same, and they are all unique and artisanal. The pine ceilings are custom-milled, glass walls are complemented by motorized curtains, and the lye-treated wood flooring contributes to the mid-century feeling.

L' Horizon is secluded behind hedges and cannot be seen from the street. The 25 guest rooms are filled with custom furniture with features from hand-sewn rugs to Douglas fir wood ceilings. The resort is designed to offer guests with the feeling of a private mid-century modern estate that William F. Cody created at the height of the style’s appeal. 

Kendrick, Megan. L' Horizon Hotel and Spa, SAH Archipedia. 2012. Accessed August 21st, 2023. https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/CA-01-065-0114.

Graninger, Karen. L' Horizon Resort and Spa Marking Several 1sts in Palm Springs, Palm Springs Life. September 22nd, 2015. Accessed August 22nd, 2023. https://www.palmspringslife.com/lhorizon-resort-and-spa-marking-several-1sts-in-palm-springs/.

Steve Hermann Reinvents an Iconic Palm Springs Hotel, Architectural Digest. May 31st, 2015. Accessed August 24th, 2023. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/l-horizon-resort-palm-springs?redirectURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.architecturaldigest.com%2Fstory%2Fl-horizon-resort-palm-springs.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

SAH Archipedia

SAH Archipedia

Tripadvisor

Visit Greater Palm Springs

Hermann Bungalows

Steve Hermann Investments