Sagewater Spa was built in the 1940s and maintains the simplicity of that era, though it has been pleasantly modernized. A squat, white-walled building with blue doors and plenty of windows, the hotel celebrates light and gets a lot of it in the desert. A glass desk and upright black chairs at reception bring the room into the 21st century with a simple, contemporary feel. Overall, the furnishings of the property give the impression of Ikea-done-right, with simple and functional (if slightly boxy) furniture that manages to make the space feel hospitable and funky. 

The Sagewater's seven rooms all open onto an internal courtyard that holds a pool, plenty of patio seating, and a small marble-countered grilling station. It's a comfortable place to relax, although its centrality probably makes the space seem more community-oriented than the hotel really is. Most guests come here to get away and, at least by the claims of the owner, include writers and other creative types looking for a quiet place to complete a project. The hotel asks that guests refrain from playing music or even using cell phones on the patio.

The Sagewater is located in the aptly named Desert Hot Springs, with lovely mountain views abounding. About two hours outside of Los Angeles, the hotel sells simple, quite leisure, and there's little in the way of entertainment in the immediate area. Palm Springs is about a 20-minute drive south; there you can find an array of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Palm Springs International Airport and its air museum are in the same general direction and require a slightly shorter drive. 

Guest units at the Sagewater are moderately sized, simple, and bright, with large windows facing the courtyard on one side and views of the mountains and/or desert on the other. The plainness of the rooms is obvious, but they achieve a certain charm nonetheless, with blonde-wood headboards and drawers tucked under bed frames for space. Somehow wheeled TV carts manage to look more cute than tacky here. Each room comes with a kitchenette that includes a stove, oven, coffeemaker, and either a mini-fridge or full-sized fridge. Bathrooms come with small shower/tub combos and are stocked with Aveda toiletries. 

The hotel has a revitalizing mineral pool and hot tub in its courtyard and offers in-room massages and facials. There's also a marble-countered barbecue on the large patio. While there's little to do in the immediate area, most guests come to the Sagewater to escape the hustle and bustle, and the in-room kitchenettes allow guests to prepare meals on-site. Free Wi-Fi and parking are available as well.