Manola Studio turns former motel into desert oasis near Joshua Tree

LA-based Manola Studio has renovated a 1940s motel to create a boutique hotel close to the north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

The 12-room, adults-only Hotel Wren sits on the outskirts of Twentynine Palms, a small town in California's High Desert that acts as a gateway into the park.

Hotel lobby featuring vintage, custom and locally sourced furniture — The lobby at Hotel Wren is designed like a living room and features vintage, custom and locally sourced furniture

Manola Studio transformed the historic roadside lodge into a contemporary boutique property, while retaining the layout and highlighting the architectural character.

"Hotel Wren is my love letter to the desert, a place that still recenters me every time I return," said Manola Studio founder Jessica Pell.

A mural by artist Kim Swift recreates desert flora on a lobby's cream walls — A mural by artist Kim Swift recreates the local flora on the lobby's cream walls

"Joshua Tree has a way of making you feel both small and completely at home — its ancient rock formations shaped by time, the endless horizon, the sky burning gold before deepening into a field of stars."

"It quiets the noise and makes you listen," she continued. "I wanted Wren to reflect that stillness, a space where architecture and landscape exist in quiet conversation, where every material and every detail is chosen with care and intention."

Guest suite with a warm neutral palette and lofted ceiling — The airy guest suites have a warm neutral palette and lofted ceilings

The hotel is organised around a central courtyard, where loungers flank a swimming pool and hot tub, and dining tables and chairs are surrounded by desert flora.

At the rear, a shaded lounge area with comfy sofas is tucked away to offer a respite from the heat.

Kitchenette with wood cabinets and a brass backsplash — Each suite has a kitchenette for guests to prepare their own food and drinks

A colour and material palette lifted from the surrounding landscape combines hand-trowelled plaster with custom terracotta floors, carved woodwork and hand-painted tiles.

"The interiors mirror the desert's shifting hues — cream, sand, sage, adobe pink, rust, and deep ochre — colours that evolve with the changing light," said Manola Studio.

A shaded lounge area with a cushioned sofa — A shaded lounge area at the rear of the property offers respite from the desert sun

The lobby and lounge space is anchored by a brick fireplace and custom wooden built-ins featuring hand-carved motifs by artist Nik Gelormino.

Cream-coloured walls are decorated with a mural by artist Kim Swift that recreates the local plant life, while the furniture is a curated mix of vintage, custom and locally sourced pieces.

Exterior of a building with a terracotta-tiled roof surrounded by desert plants — Manola Studio aimed to retain the architectural character of the 1940s roadside lodge

"The hotel was designed to feel like stepping into a home — where every element has been chosen with care, and hospitality is rooted in connection," Manola Studio said.

Guest rooms are spacious and airy, with lofted ceilings, warm neutral decor and no televisions – to preserve the peace and quiet of the desert.

The rooms along the western side of the property have patios that open directly onto the desert to encourage exploration.

Those on the other side enjoy enclosed, more secluded patios with outdoor showers, built-in banquettes and gas fireplaces.

A covered outdoor dining area with large wooden tables — A former porte cochere was converted into an outdoor dining area

While there's no restaurant, a pantry-style store named Windsong sells food and drinks to be prepared in the guest room kitchenettes, as well as merchandise and gifts.

In front, a former porte cochere was converted into a covered outdoor dining area for meeting and sharing meals with fellow guests.

A patio with open gates onto the desert at sunset — Guest rooms on the western side of the property have patios that open directly onto the desert

Twentynine Palms has seen a recent revival as visitors numbers to Joshua Tree National Park continue to grow, with other openings in the town including Reset Hotel built from shipping container-style modules.

Other accommodation options in the area include the AutoCamp Airstream glamping site and the rentable Folly cabins wrapped in weathering steel.

The photography is by Ethan Jones.

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