I stayed in Room 8, where the late Gram Parson died. The hotel is very quaint and has numerous artifacts and memorability on Parson's short musical career. Marsu, the Inn Keeper, was wonderful, making us feel comfortable and providing complimentary Chai tea and coffee in the dining room. Music being played in the common areas and pool area at night. Not your Marriot or Holiday Inn type. More like B&B. Extremely satisfying to me, my wife, family and friends.

Has all the basic travelers comforts – is clean and comfy, lobby with the living room feel, local activity leaflets and postings, coffee & exotic tea, friendly staff, close to hiking parks and good dining. Built in 1949 (I asked), it seems an outgrowth of the landscape and has expansive views, wild west, country vibes and nature feel. Wood beamed ceilings and terra cotta tile floors, front porch café table and chairs, shaded by pretty green shady vinery with doves nesting above and a bunny rabbit hopping through the border of sprinklered shrubbery; various other variety of birds and lil lizards scampering thru the cactus and indigenous flora expanse on the “zen raked” desert sand divide between the front porches and the pool; and a “man-made” shrine to a fallen cowboy(!?) and good conversations. Also has back gravel porch which was pretty hot, but good for drying clothes quickly and having a smoke. Big pool and lounge area, also good for sunset colors against mountains and starry nights. One morning, I quietly ventured out at 5 am, to take in sunrise and stroll. Coming around the corner walkway in back of the lobby, there’s a mini koi pond fountain bubbling, and to my (and his) great surprise was a young bobcat sipping out of it! He ran away much faster than I was able to! Memorable experience.

I have just returned from the Joshua Tree Inn after my second stay here with my wife. I really hesitate to heap any praise on this place because invariably it will be misunderstood by those who will already have very high expectations. Again for those who haven't gotten it already, this is not a Marriot or a Hampton Inn or even a Motel 6. It is a very quirky, deliberately orchestrated attempt to hold on to a certain time period and attitude that has virtually disappeared from this country.
Also, if you have no interest in Gram Parsons or don't know who he is your experience here will won't be as interesting as it might be. In fact, I only became interested in staying here and visiting Joshua Tree after reading a biography of Gram (Twenty Thousand Highways) Parsons and listening to his music. I had resisted learning anything about him, thinking that just because somebody was able to do themselves in at an early age, doesn't indicate anything worthwhile. This particular biography is probably too long but at over five hundred pages it indicated to me that you couldn't possibly write that much about somebody ordinary, there had to be something extraordinary about this person and I was right.
Sitting by the pool, on a deserted weekday, with the summer sun going down, after swimming in the water which is somehow kept as cold as any pool I've ever been in, there is nothing like kicking back and ripping through a couple of hours of Gram, Byrds, Donovan, Poco, and the like as the stars come up in the desert sky. You'll be able to forgive the rickety pool furniture, postage stamp pool towels, uncooperative locks and throwback infrastructure. Somebody once said "For those who understand, no explanation is necessary, for those who don't, none is possible." That sums up this place completely.
To the proprietor, who I assume does occasionally check in here, I would gently advise some introspection about what has become of the memorial slab in front of Room 8. On my first visit, several years ago, it was readily legible. Today it has been covered completely by liquor and beer bottles. Gram Parson's father committed suicide, most likely under the influence, his mother died of alcoholism on the day he graduated from high school and his alcoholic step father died a year after he did, from cirrhosis. Yes, substance abuse is part of the great American rock and roll tragic hero legend but I think this place above of all should understand that covering a heartfelt tribute with a pile of disconnected rubbish is not very complimentary. This incredibly talented human being who managed to destroy himself way before his time (and the Inn) deserve better.

Relaxed and calm, that's how it felt when we arrived here after driving hours through the baking desert. The hosts were so friendly and welcoming, and even if you're not particularly a Gram Parsons fan, you can't help but be drawn in to the history of the place and the cool, alternative feel of its character. The rooms we had was simple and practical. It even had its own little patio (which in the event we didn't use, preferring the expanse of the night sky by the pool as the wind rushed the palms). There is an environmental awareness here and an appreciation of nature: who wouldn't, with rabbits coming right into the garden and doves nesting in the trees in the courtyard. Drink the lovely maté tea in the morning, feed the fish, swim in the pool, admire the stars at night and chill out in the desert.