This mid-century modern paradise in the desert is comprised of two distinct environments, the Orbit In (9 rooms) completed in 2001 and the Hideaway (9 rooms) opened in 2002. Both of these properties are classic mid-century courtyard style, built by Herb Burns, the first designer/builder to introduce Palm Springs to the "ultra modern motor court inn", which featured large studio style rooms with sitting areas and kitchenettes, surrounding the pool. They are both nestled at the base of the dramatic San Jacinto Mountains (two blocks apart), in the Historic Tennis Club District. The neighborhood is home to an array of small historic inns, and was the first Hollywood hangout here beginning in the 30's. Regular neighborhood guests included Joseph Kennedy and Gloria Swanson (her former home is across the street), Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin and Doris Day.

Originally known as the "Town and Desert", the Orbit In's Hideaway was Burn's first Inn, completed in November of '47 and photographed by the renowned architectural photographer Julius Shulman for Architectural Record. Its design includes a gracious lawn area surrounding a large pool, spacious rooms all with spectacular mountain views, patios, wet bars/kitchenettes, and has all of the original tile bathrooms. Christy Eugenis, the Orbit In's designer, was able to acquire many of these and other Julius Shulman photos (of nearby Herb Burns properties), which are displayed at both buildings. Burns later built what is now known as the Orbit In in 1957. Originally called "The Village Manor" it has the same classic design, with spacious studios (this time he did some with separate kitchens) built around an intimate pool courtyard setting with dramatic mountain views.

In 1999, Christy and her husband Stan Amy (from Portland, Oregon) were looking for an investment property in the sun, in particular a mid-century courtyard property, which they planned initially to rent, keeping a couple units for themselves and guests, which they would decorate in mid-century furnishings, and eventually create a 50's style vacation compound for friends and family.

A friend suggested Palm Springs, where they said many a 1950's courtyard apartments existed. During their first visit, they discovered the Tennis Club neighborhood, and saw a hand painted For Sale sign on the "Village Manor Bed and Breakfast" and realized (at that time) there were no mid-century modern hotels in the entire area - yet the architecture is all over town and much of it world famous. The Village Manor had every original interior and exterior feature still in tact, and the systems had been well maintained.

Impressed with the ease of getting to Palm Springs from the Pacific Northwest, the small no-hassle space age airport, the stunning mountain views, the plethora of mid-century architecture and lack of logistics to reach vacation mode, the couple's vision started evolving to create the ultimate palm springs modern vacation environment, and bring it back as a small and intimate hotel.

They spent 9 months on concept and planning, and 9 months on the renovation of the Village Manor with local architect Lance O'Donnell. A steel shade structure with perforated steel panels was designed in keeping with the architecture of the roofline, so that it looks as though it's always been there. Misters surround the roofline and shade cover, to keep sunbathers comfortable despite the heat of the concrete courtyard. Christy wanted a boomerang-shaped poolside bar, which was designed by O'Donnell, and Seattle artist Kevin Spitzer created it with concrete terrazzo. Behind the units there was a concrete slab surrounded by a chain link fence. This area was transformed into private patios with polished concrete block planters, privacy walls and steel gates. Christy re-designed the landscaping and interiors, and selected all the colors, materials, furnishings and accessories, so that each room would have it's own design as well as a name. She contacted Julius Shulman and made an appointment to meet with him to acquire some of his original photos of Albert Frey and Frey II (his second home which sits on the hill just above the hotel) to display in the Albert Frey Lounge. He told her that he had known Herb Burns, and had photographed one of his hotels for a 1948 issue of "Architectural Record". They dug the photos out of his archives, and there was the "Town and Desert", with all the same original features of the Village Manor, as well as some of the furnishings she had already ordered! This first Orbit In environment, opened in March of 2001, with special guest Julius Shulman on hand, to sign his new book "Modernism Rediscovered"!

The second property was purchased in January 2001, and opened as Orbit In's Hideaway environment in April, 2002. With Julius Shulman's photos and the help of architect Lance O'Donnell, the property was restored in a way that retained it's expansive grounds and pool area that have always given it a private and secluded feel. All new concrete was done in a recta-linear design, and the unique pool's steps run the length of the pool, giving it a "beach-like" feel, with the addition of an adjacent lava rock fire pit. Two polished concrete block walls and a custom designed steel gate were added at the entry.

The Hideaway's rooms are very similar to the Orbit In, each with it's own unique selection of designer and classic mid-century furnishings, fully equipped wet bars, original tile bathrooms (here they are blue or green), and poolside patios. Sea grass was chosen for the floors at both hotels, to give the rooms an indoor/outdoor feel. Christy had the help of several local collectors to round up a collection of original Aimes Aire pool furniture to restore and furnish the patios and pool deck. In addition to the 9 guestrooms, the Hideaway has a massage room and the "Town and Desert" Guest Lounge, which features the original flagstone wall fireplace, a game table, and some identical furnishings to those shown in the original 1947 Shulman photos of the hotel that are displayed in the lounge, along with the article from Architectural Record. Adjacent to the lounge is the restored original kitchen.