Michele StuevenMaleza, at the center of the new Drift Palm Springs hotel in downtown Palm Springs, is a casual indoor/outdoor upscale Baja restaurant that features a sleek design anchored by firepits and a breezy bar with an extensive agave bar program and menu of seasonable shareable plates.
In partnership with San Jose del Cabo-based Roots and Roads, the new hotel was built from the bottom up and is slightly set back from the noisier and bustling main drag, with panoramic views of the mountains. Other Drift boutique hotels are in Cabo and Santa Barbara, with a future Nashville location in the works.
Out of 39 units, 30 are suites with full kitchens that include stoves, ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators and eating areas. There are three- and four-bedroom suites that can accommodate six and eight respectively, with a private bath in the master suite and shared bathroom on the other side of the large living space, and a balcony that overlooks the cactus garden and enormous pool.
Magaritas and purple sweet potatoes by the pool (Michele Stueven)
The rustic family style all-day menu includes breakfast selections like chilaquiles and an oatmeal/quinoa bowl and adobo shrimp, mushroom, pork belly and charred steak tacos for lunch or dinner. Not-to-miss dinner standouts include grilled corn esquites on top of a juicy and generous portion of smoked bone marrow, jalapeno, and queso fresco served alongside grilled sourdough. Other highlights include a purple sweet potato with adobo shrimp and trumpet mushroom in a pool of poblano crema and the slow roasted pork shank with Coloradito mole alongside herb and snap pea salad.
There also is a separate pool menu for smaller bites and signature cocktails – just for lounging – like the Guava Mama (spicy tequila, lime, guava,) a Permanent Vacation (gin, pineapple, lemon, passion fruit and ponche de guayaba) and the Burnt Summer with navy strength vodka, lime, pineapple, watermelon liqueur, charred pineapple and serrano cordial.
Four bedroom suite (Courtesy Drift Palm Springs)
Courtesy Drift Palm Springs
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