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Meet the 1940s retro motel that just made Twentynine Palms cool.
Ten minutes from Joshua Tree’s north entrance, Hotel Wren is a vintage motel turned desert-daydream.
Designed by Jessica Pell of Manola Studio, this 1940s gem just got a desert-chic overhaul, complete with sun-washed plaster, sage tiles, hand-carved wood, and terracotta floors that match the rust-red horizon.
With just 12 rooms, it’s intimate by design. There are no TVs — just Parachute linens, Wonder Valley skincare, Canyon Coffee and deep soaking tubs that spill into the open desert. Half the rooms feature private patios that face the sunset; the others have secluded outdoor showers for an even more tucked-away feel.
The lobby leans into hearth-core energy, with vaulted ceilings, a carved fireplace by Nik Gelormino and a desert-hued mural by Kim Swift.
A curated bodega (hi, Windsong) stocks local wine, ceramics and vintage pieces you didn’t know you needed. It also doubles as a mini general store with trail snacks, apothecary finds and Joshua Tree-ready essentials.
The bottom line? Hotel Wren is part of the quiet renaissance reshaping Twentynine Palms into the cooler, less chaotic sister of Joshua Tree. With sustainability built in and a portion of profits going to land conservation, it’s style with purpose. Slow down and stay a while. Book now and thank us later.
Book here, rates from $275.
Here’s how to get the dreamy desert look at home:
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