Fodor's Expert Review The Bungalows

Amid serene desert on a far corner of the 152-acre Joshua Tree Retreat Center, this adults-only property has three painstakingly restored mid-century-modern buildings containing suites that offer the architectural panache of Palm Springs (patterned masonry, breeze blocks, angular lines, slanted roofs, giant windows) and mod-cons like keyless entry, Parachute linens, and water filtered by reverse osmosis. Each unit has its own kitchen, patio, books, games, and binoculars, but outdoor communal spaces with bistro light–lit long tables, propane grills, and fire pits give groups places to gather. We recommend starting your day by making French-press coffee to take with you on a walk through the vast grounds, which contain ponds, pools, art installations, a café, a bookstore, energy vortices, and the world's largest assemblage of Frank Lloyd Wright's son's organic architecture. For an extra fee, you can also join official retreat workshops.