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"You're home now," George warmly said as he greeted us and checked us in. I thought to myself that these were the best words a person could ever want to hear as a romantic Palm Springs weekend getaway is just beginning. After a hard day at work, and driving through the rainy desert evening listening to the local 80s radio station, I told myself that the skies over Palm Springs cleared for a reason. The skies allowed the hypnotic blinking lights on the massive windmills along the freeway to perpetually flash their alien Morse code saying one simple word loud and clear: R-E-L-A-X.

	The 7 villa Andalusian Inn is nestled in the heart of Palm Springs.

Nestled within walking distance from the main drag in idyllic Palm Springs and very near the San Jacinto Mountains is an upscale Spanish mission that is easy to get used to. The Andalusian Court feels like a soft chenille sweater or a pair of blue jeans that fits just right. This newly renovated luxury suite villa resort has only seven units, but, they are exquisite. Each very well decorated 700 square foot fully furnished villa has everything you could need to unwind and find yourself again. Whether it's the eclectic interior design where each piece of furniture or artwork was hand chosen by the owner of the resort, or the curvilinear fireplace in the bedroom, you know that this place is serious about aesthetics and function. The rounded arches of the rooflines draped in mission-style ceramic tile roofing further enhance the Spanish tiles that are gracefully set in the stuccoed walls between the interspersed highly decorative and colorful plates. This gorgeous Spanish revival inn draws you in and transports you back in time to another part of the globe.


	The secluded gardens at the Andalusian Inn offer R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N.

Winding bougainvillea covered stamped pathways lead to secluded garden areas where a bench is placed for your contemplation and enjoyment of the surroundings. A beautiful in-ground pool and spa is the centerpiece of the courtyard where a huge gecko-adorned outdoor grill and BBQ area are set up for guests to happily use and enjoy day or night. You can soak up the desert sun lounging on a recliner or float dreamily in the pool gazing at the San Jacinto Mountains or just admiring the gracious two-story bell tower with its mission architecture.

Don't worry, there's plenty of parking up front just off the street, and the entire villa compound gives a very comforting feeling of serenity and peacefulness. How about afternoon tea and hors d'oeuvres after a hard day playing tennis or golfing? Want more of a work out? Try their on site exercise facility with, among other things, a treadmill and exercise bike and steam room. Lastly, the toasty evening fires in the numerous fire pits scattered throughout the gardens on the resort's grounds take the desert chill out of the air. They also give a primal feeling that is balanced by the daytime water elements. All in all, the overwhelming vibe at the Andalusian Court is a soothing calm that again reinforced our weekend motto: R-E-L-A-X.

Our villa had a sturdy solid rough finished wood door to greet you as you entered the gate into our private bougainvillea and ivy-covered courtyard. I kept expecting to see small lizards scurrying to and fro and climbing the white stucco covered patio walls. Oh well, no luck in spotting any lizards bigger than the one on the pool BBQ.



	Our villa had a large bedroom, exquisite marble tiled bathroom, well supplied kitchen with a real sized refrigerator, dining area, a comfy living room, a gorgeous curved fireplace in the bedroom, and private patios.


Soak in private, outdoor whirlpool tubs.

All villas feature telephones, data port entry, CD players, televisions and VCR's. Our villa offered dramatic mountain views, while others featured courtyard views, and all have outdoor whirlpool tubs to soak away the evening after a huge Mexican dinner and margaritas at a nearby restaurant.

The furnishings and décor have been tastefully selected and are complimentary to the 1920's Spanish Revival and Arts and Crafts Period. The period furniture featured a great deal of natural woods and gave it a rustic texture accentuated with metal hinges and straps. The curvy wood framed leather couch in the living room was adorned with hand painted flowers and Spanish-themed accent pillows.

The flooring throughout our villa was rough-cut, polished stone that was gentle on the feet and provided a natural ambiance befitting the era of the resort. To define a room within a room, large area rugs were the perfect choice. Bull-nosed corners and arched doorways on the stuccoed interior walls softened the feel of each room. High vaulted ceilings throughout our villa allowed the desert breeze to flow throughout and keep our villa comfortable.

Dark wooden shutters ensured privacy within our villa's living room as we escaped from reality for a weekend. The bedroom kept the fireplace and the high bed as the two key focal points. Indian pottery and nature scene paintings kept the artistic element in tune with the theme. Three high mounted windows in the bedroom allowed the morning natural light into the room and still kept a sense of privac

After enjoying the evening stars overhead while soaking in our own outdoor hot tub, it was time to call it a night. In all of our travels, we undoubtedly have to say that we've never slept on a more comfortable mattress than here at the Andalusian Court. The softly textured chenille bed cover invited a person to curl up in it, roll into a human burrito, and drift off to dreamland as the cicadas sing their nightly lullaby.

Complimentary breakfast is served poolside, on the patio, or in your private villa.

In the morning, after either showering in the marble shower or soaking in the marble tub in the crisp, clean marble bathroom, of course, it's time for your complimentary breakfast. The Andalusian Court staff will ask you where you would like to be served: in your villa, in your private patio, or by the pool.

On Saturday morning, we dined in our room on cinnamon French toast, sliced bananas, fresh kiwi and grapefruit, yogurt, with fresh orange juice and coffee to savor the meal over. It was served at precisely the time we asked our buddy George to arrange it for.

On Sunday, we were treated to a delicious frittata, crispy bacon, sliced avocado, fresh toast and muffins, and orange juice and coffee . We dined by the pool under the cabana and watched the morning sun shine on the nearby mountains. They seemed so close that we could just reach out a hand and touch them. Nearby, hummingbirds squeaked and raced from flower to flower as I was just couldn't summon the strength to read the complimentary daily newspaper. Hmmmmm, too relaxed to read a newspaper. Not a bad way to be.

The staff at the Andalusian Court is top-notch. Friendly, attentive, caring service is par for the course. They actually care for the guests and do everything in their power to ensure that your stay is a peaceful one. I've heard that they're building another spectacular property in Palm Springs. I can't wait to see this second architectural and interior design gem of a resort shining in the bright desert sun. The Andalusian Court is truly a unique romantic get away. So, have you checked out their web page, at http://www.andalusiancourt.com, to learn even more? What are you waiting for? You deserve to relax, and the Andalusian Court is exactly what the doctor has ordered.

— By Donald & Kimberly Tatera, Southern California Correspondents. Read The Jetsetters Magazine feature on Eco Jeep Safaris in the Coachella Valley.