The Story of the Getaway in Palm Springs
How a graphic designer turned a mid-century motel into a living work of art - The Getaway Boutique Vacation Rentals.
In this week’s story, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Eric Handel.
Eric grew up in Los Angeles, surrounded by mid-century aesthetics and a natural affinity for design. He studied theater and set design, beginning his career designing sets for film and television before transitioning into graphic and packaging design.
Design was always part of his world - but usually on paper, on screens, or behind the scenes.
Then one weekend in Desert Hot Springs, everything shifted.
He spotted a striking mid-century building, admired it from the curb, and drove on. Hours later, a friend looked it up - turns out, it was for sale.
He wasn’t looking to buy. He didn’t have a plan, just curiosity.
And an eye for beauty. A deep love for architecture.
So he made a low-ball offer not expecting to hear back.
To his surprise, it was accepted.
And just like that, Eric became the owner of a five-unit motel. Four one-bedrooms and a studio - each with a story waiting to be written.
That mid-century building became The Getaway.
He decided to experiment. One unit became a short-term rental. The rest he leased long-term.
It didn’t take long to realize something:
“With long-term tenants, if there’s a problem - it’s a long-term problem.
With short-term guests? It’s a short-term problem.”
Eric eventually converted all five units to vacation rentals. And over the past 14 years, he’s been operating the property remotely - no lobby, no front desk, just smart locks, thoughtful design, and a reliable local team.
A Living Time Capsule
The building itself dates back to 1960. Two graphic designers, Steve Samiof and Mick Haggerty, restored the apartment complex in the ‘90s with impeccable taste, operating it as a short-term rental (STR) annex of Hope Springs, the thermal water resort right across the street.
When Eric took it over, he preserved everything.
He replaced what needed fixing - the pool, the gates, the deck - but kept the aesthetic unchanged. Even the landscaping nods to the original layout.
“I think of myself as a preservationist.”
The Getaway feels like a portal back to a different era.
Mid-century furniture, Marimekko bedding, shelves lined with books, records, vintage dishes, and lamps - collected lovingly from flea markets and estate sales.
Everything in the space was chosen, not purchased. Designed, not decorated.
To Eric, it’s a permanent set.
“Instead of a set you look at from a stage or screen, here the audience steps into it. It's an immersive theater experience.”
Five Units. A Thousand Stories.
Eric never imagined himself as a hospitality host.
But it turns out, he’s really good at it.
Eric still responds to every guest personally - no virtual assistants, no automated messages. And it shows. Many guests return year after year. Some come to celebrate birthdays, engagements, and reunions under the wide-open Palm Springs sky. Others come simply to rest.
Operating in California—What It Really Takes
You’ve probably heard the horror stories about squatters and regulation in California.
Eric’s experience? It’s real but manageable.
✔️ He added a strong rental agreement that every guest signs.
✔️ He’s careful about who he hosts.
Today, Eric gets 50% of bookings from his own direct site. The rest come from Booking.com, Vrbo, and Expedia.
He uses a channel manager and builds trust by being… well, himself.
I asked Eric to share some of his most memorable moments from 14 years of hosting. Here are two that stood out:
There was the group led by a chef from Eataly in LA, who filled the air with the smell of garlic and rosemary, cooking elaborate meals and inviting Eric to join them. That evening, while sharing moments with guests near the pool, a rocket launched into the sky - casting light across the desert and making the experience feel like magic.
Then there was Desert X, the art biennale scattered across the sands. Eric rented a big SUV, gathered several friends, and turned the weekend into an impromptu retreat - filled with sculpture, conversation, and slow drives through surreal landscapes.
What ties these moments together isn’t just the place, it’s the connection.
Host and guest.
Strangers becoming storytellers.
Experiences shared, remembered, and savored.
And perhaps the most unexpected part?
“If you had asked me 14 years ago, I would’ve told you I’d be terrible at this. I’d never worked with the public. I didn’t think I cared.
But it turns out… I do.”
You can feel this care in every corner of The Getaway.
If you want to follow Eric or book a stay:
📸 Instagram: @dhsgetaway
🌐 Website: https://dhsgetaway.com/
🏨The Getaway Boutique Vacation Rentals – Desert Hot Springs, CA
