It’s a moonless winter night in the Mojave Desert, and stars dazzle across the inky black sky in a kaleidoscope of constellations. From the patio of my room at Reset Hotel—a newly opened boutique property located just outside of Joshua Tree National Park—I have a perfect view of the breathtaking night sky, especially as I’m sprawled across the outdoor daybed, strategically placed for this very purpose.
As I lay there, surrounded by stars, I have that familiar feeling I experience every time I visit Joshua Tree: the feeling that I’ve been transported to another world, somewhere else in our galaxy. I had a similar sensation when I arrived at the Reset Hotel earlier today. One moment I was cruising down Twentynine Palms Highway, and the next I was pulling up to an expanse of minimalist shipping containers, situated one after the next, like some kind of futuristic motel or chic space station.
Despite the otherworldly feel, there’s something about the thoughtful layout that immediately evokes a sense of calm. When paired with the refreshing quiet of the desert, the setting is truly a respite from daily stressors. Every design choice feels intentional, as the hotel is integrated into the desert rather than built on top of it. It’s less of an interruption, and more of a continuation. The landscaping throughout the property is fitting for the locale, with select cacti and succulents punctuating pathways. Color choices mimic those of the terrain, all soft greens, light grays, and muted taupes.
Clearly, there’s a respect and celebration of the unique desert setting Reset calls home. All 65 rooms are designed to draw in nature with massive, view-framing windows and bring guests outside (every room is equipped with a private patio, outdoor seating, and a Solo Stove firepit; some patios also feature large soaking tubs). The serene pool and hot tub area is no different, decorated with native plants and nestled into the landscape; the walls encasing the pool deck are a nearly identical hue to the surrounding mountains.
What’s more, while the property is situated on 180 acres of land in the city of Twentynine Palms (less than a 10-minute drive from the north entrance of Joshua Tree National Park), the owners plan to leave 170 acres completely undeveloped. That means hotel guests can enjoy uninterrupted desert views from their rooms, or even take a mini-hike through the desert around the hotel. Exploration is rewarded with a number of little treasures to uncover throughout the property. There’s the “moon deck,” a flying saucer-like structure located a few hundred yards into the desert, ergonomically designed for stargazing, along with a conversation firepit that’s built into the earth, ideal for cozy evening chats with friends.
During the final evening of my two-night stay, I draw a warm bath in my outdoor tub, and enjoy a relaxing soak while watching the clouds sweep brushstrokes of sunset across the sky. Once the sun sets, the 3I/ATLAS Experience at Reset begins. It’s a night of vibey DJ sets, themed cocktails, Celestron deep-sky telescope viewing, a laser-guided star tour, and a discussion on the highly anticipated 3I/ATLAS comet led by former NASA/JBL scientist Gary Blackwood, PhD. (This is the kind of event the hotel hopes to replicate in the future, along with other special programming.)
Tomorrow, eager guests will rise at 4:30 A.M. for warm croissants and coffee and the chance to see the elusive comet as it reaches its closest, brightest point to Earth. We’ll all gaze at a Celestron telescope image of the awe-inspiring interstellar object traveling 40 miles per second, and watch as orange and pink light takes the place of the stars at sunrise. From there, I may stay awake for morning yoga, head into the park for a hike, refresh with a sauna and cold plunge, lounge by the idyllic pool, or even get a few hours of sleep in my cozy room. Whichever adventure I choose, I know it will come with a sense of peace and a stunning view.
Adventure Intel
One of the big pulls of Reset Hotel is its proximity to the north entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, which is generally less crowded than its southern counterpart. In the park, there is a wide range of hikes to suit any interest or ability—from a casual stroll around a cholla cactus garden to a more challenging 3-mile, 1,050-feet-elevation-gain hike to the peak of Ryan Mountain with panoramic views. And, of course, the park also offers world-class rock climbing and bouldering.
However, it’s worth noting you can get a lovely taste of the Mojave simply by walking right outside the hotel and onto the 170 acres of undeveloped desert land on the property. This is also the perfect spot for stargazing—guests get access to Reset’s in-house Celestron Origin telescope.
Other on-site activities include weekend poolside yoga and swimming in the hotel’s 1,600-square-foot saltwater pool.
After a long day of climbing or exploring, you can soothe your tired muscles in Reset’s cold plunge or five-person sauna—both of which feature unobstructed views of the picturesque desert landscape. Or, in select rooms, you can take a nice bath in your outdoor soaking tub.
Rooms and Amenities
Fashioned from shipping containers, the rooms may not look so cozy from the outside, but the interior strikes the balance of chic and inviting. Each room is rich with little luxuries: thoughtful custom wood built-ins (including gorgeous display shelves and a fold-down work table); a modern bathroom equipped with trendy Jolie showerheads and Flamingo Estate amenities; and a kitchenette with a Fellow pour-over coffee station.
I stayed in one of their mountain-view king suites and, to me, the hero of that room is the cozy bed that’s tucked into one side, with a glorious floor-to-ceiling window that literally frames a breathtaking view of the desert.
Reset offers three tiers of rooms, distinguished by their outdoor layouts (all patios feature a firepit, but only some have the outdoor tub), bed size (queen or king), and view (mountain view versus interior-facing).
Eat and Drink
The hotel does have an on-site cafe and bar, Split Rock, located right next to the pool, which offers a full cocktail menu and a small selection of food. The options are tasty but pretty bare-bones—and not necessarily the kind of fare you’d expect at a retreat-like hotel. Think elevated camping food rather than luxury dining (simple breakfast options and sandwiches). While it’s not currently in operation, the hotel also plans to open a 24-hour self-serve grab-and-go market with snacks and drinks.
For a more robust meal, I’d recommend checking out some of the great local spots in nearby Twentynine Palms. My personal favorites are Grnd Sqrl (a brewery with excellent food) and Kitchen in the Desert (phenomenal Caribbean-inspired fare). And for excellent coffee and cocktails, head down the highway to Mas o Menos.
When to Go
Due to more temperate weather, spring and fall are the most popular times to visit the high desert—during those months, you can expect temperatures to range from 70 to 90 degrees, making it ideal for hiking, stargazing, and exploring Joshua Tree National Park.
During winter, temperatures hover around 50 to 60 degrees during the day, and drop as low as 30 at night, but the upside is generally fewer tourists and less crowds in the park. As for the summer, the daytime temperatures can get pretty brutal—well over 100 degrees—but you can cool off by the pool and reserve any hiking excursions for early morning or dusk. What’s more, the summer nights are lovely, and this is the best time to see the Milky Way in Joshua Tree.
How to Get There
If possible, fly into Palm Springs Airport, which has nonstop flights from hubs all over the country, including Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Portland, Phoenix, and New York. From there, Reset Hotel Joshua Tree is just over an hour away by car. While taxis and private shuttles are available, I’d say renting a car is essential for this trip—not only will it make the journey to and from the airport more seamless, but it will also allow you to explore the National Park and surrounding gems.
Rates start at $236/night; book here.
The post The Reset Is the First New Hotel in Joshua Tree in 15 Years. Here’s Our First Look. appeared first on Outside Online.
