Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce | New Owners Rejuvenate Famed Two Bunch Palms

Jill Maya's wish list no longer includes Egyptian linens, pillow-top mattresses, hardwood floors, lush plants and a new mud bath.

Those wishes and more have been granted by the new owner of Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa in Desert Hot Springs, said Maya, director of sales and marketing at the city's most exclusive and well-known spa resort.

It will soon add a healing arts program and a grass labyrinth, she said. "Everything I asked for. I'm on a cloud. I'm glad I waited 10 years for this."

Real estate development company King Ventures acquired Two Bunch Palm son May 1 from Texas-based Sinclair Resorts & Hotels Management, which bought it in 1996.

"It's going to be amazing what they're going to do here," said Maya,who declined to provide the purchase price. "They're first concentrating on getting the resort back to five-star."

Celebrities have already been calling her about the change in ownership, she said, noting the spa resort has a following of more than13,000 preferred guests and repeat clients. "Word of mouth has spread."

With the addition of Two Bunch Palms to its Health and Wellness Division, King Ventures of San Luis Obispo now owns 14 resort, spa and hotel properties in California.

John King, the company's president and chief executive officer, is "a visionary," Maya said. "His ideas are phenomenal."

King could not be reached for comment at his San Luis Obispo office on Tuesday.

In a statement, King said, "The goal of our Health and Wellness Division is to help establish California's hot springs as credible and respected properties that can serve the growing interest worldwide in the health potential of a natural mineral spring."

Maya emphasized that the 56-acre Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa, which has 45 guest room suites and villas, will remain intact as a "very private oasis" with a "low-key atmosphere."

But she said King Ventures has plans to add high-end residential unit sin "little villages" on the 206 acres surrounding the spa resort, located at 67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail.

The company might add another spa facility, Maya said. "We can't talk about it yet."

The city has approved the rezoning for the property, she added.

Teresa Thompson, assistant to the city manager of Desert Hot Springs,said preliminary approval was granted for the company's plans.

"It's got some hoops to go through yet," she said.

Spas and resorts are the "primary industry here in Desert Hot Springs,if you can even call it an industry," said Lane Sarasohn, president of the Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and general manager of Miracle Springs Resort & Spa.

Historically, they have generated $800,000 per year in Transient Occupancy Tax revenues, Sarasohn said, adding there are about 40 spas and resorts in the city. "Many are small hotels - six to 12 rooms, boutique hotels."

Many of them have been restored by their current owners, he said."There is quite a revival here among our little spas and resorts and even among our larger ones."

King has a "great reputation" in the industry, Sarasohn said, noting the company brings a "major infusion of new money and new management" to Two Bunch Palms.

"They have major plans, and it's great for our town because they are the flagship for Desert Hot Springs," Sarasohn said.

Two Bunch Palms' full-service spa amenities include massages, body treatments and water therapies.

The staff is staying, Maya said, adding the spa resort employs 125people, including 50 massage therapists. "We are going to bring in atop-notch chef, though."

New owners rejuvenate famed Two Bunch Palms