Reset Hotel: Stargazing & S’mores in a Shipping Container

I first heard of Joshua Tree with the release of the band U2’s 1987 album of the same name. I was struck by the barren otherworldliness of the backdrop they were photographed against, which graced the cover. I knew it was a desert, but the tree-like yucca the band stood near, the namesake of the desert and the album, resembled no plant I’d ever encountered, and only added to the mystique of this landscape in southern California, where the Mojave Desert meets the Colorado River.

I read that Bono had titled their record after these trees, given their names, legend has it, by Mormon settlers as they imagined the resemblance to the Biblical prophet Joshua in those terrestrial yearning branches, seemingly raised in prayer. The Joshua Tree.

As someone raised in New York City, I felt drawn to this sparse open landscape and endless open night sky, despite an extremely awful nightmare camping experience – my tent surrounded by wild coyotes while having to pee – compounded by too many stories of folks wandering lost in the harsh desert, inadvertently stepping on rattlesnakes or whatnot. I knew a camping overnight Joshua Tree escapade was not happening for me.

Then I was invited to Reset Hotel, the first new hotel opening in the Twentynine Palms area in fifteen years, nestled up against the Pinto Mountains on 180 acres. Each of the 65 rooms resembles a shipping container, lending a fantasy, space-age-like lodging. Inside, I gasped at the huge glass window wall alongside a lush king-size bed. I flopped down, delighted to watch the setting sun and a night sky illuminated with more stars than I’d ever seen. (A remote control allows for raising or lowering the curtain.) For me, hotels were always a place to zone out and watch TV, but here, instead of a TV, there is a private patio with a firepit. I actually squealed with delight at the supplied kit to make your own s’mores, which I had not done since Girl Scout Camp. The room is bestowed with Fellow pour-over coffee stations and a small fridge to store snacks, plus a Solo Stove that’s perfect for making s’mores or grilling on your private patio.

Everything about Reset invites you to transition into this magical landscape, if it is new for you or even if not – you are gifted with a relaxed yet comfortable way to take it all in. There is a sweet, 1,600-sq.ft. saltwater pool and a delicious jacuzzi to lull in under billions of stars, and in the heat of the day, deep cabanas with linen towels, lush enough to rival any lux beach resort. And yes, there is a sauna and cold plunge by Sun Home Sauna, featuring a five-person sauna. Daytime is for exploring the Joshua Tree Park, just a five-minute drive, but in the evening, it is a treat to come back to Reset. There are multiple stargazing areas, the most arresting being The Moon Pad, designed by Reset’s co-founder Ben Uyeda: a glorious centerpiece engendered to view the brilliance of night-sky events. Telescopes of all ranges of intensity are available – nothing like a Celestron telescope to take in the Milky Way, I swore I could reach up and grab it.

After a full day romping through Joshua Tree Park, this city girl was in heaven with the massive shower on the opposite end of the modular room. The water pressure is extremely impressive, and I was thrilled with the yummy Flamingo Estate toiletries, cremes and soaps supplied.

Reset’s Split Rock café/bar is a great way to relax with a cocktail and meet fellow adventurers. And that’s what’s different about Reset, its laid-back air, with a staff easygoing and friendly, setting the tone for relaxed connection between everyone, which usually does not happen at a hotel. Most folks are here to take in the beauty, some whom we met were choosing a few days off from camping to sleep on a real bed amid all the comforts. But the feeling curated was of a sweet playfulness, one that fostered kindly camaraderie. Maybe it’s the incongruency of staying in what can only be described as shipping containers – even though they are thoughtfully and elegantly designed, down to the handmade fold-up desk – in the middle of the desert, as if to say, how can I take myself too seriously? We were warmly welcomed by the night staff, who good naturedly situated us, and in the morning the very cool cabana cook hooked us up with Japanese-style Egg Sandos, Power Waffles and Yogurt Parfaits, plus coffee and matcha, all served poolside. We loved the peace and joyfulness of Reset so much, we had to stay another night and have one more evening gazing out as the sun set and the preacher-like trees, arms raised as if they too were reaching for the infinite.