In the heart of Desert Hot Springs, California, a unique homage to the Beat Generation thrives. The Desert Hot Springs Beat Hotel, once a mid-century modern motel, has been transformed into a sanctuary for the arts, celebrating the legacy of William S. Burroughs and his fellow literary pioneers. This living museum, devoid of modern distractions like telephones and televisions, offers a tranquil retreat for writers and artists to recharge and create, surrounded by original Burroughs artworks and memorabilia.
The original Beat Hotel, located at 9 rue Git-le-Coeur on the Left Bank in Paris, was a hub of artistic innovation in the late 1950s. It was here that literary legends William S. Burroughs, Gregory Corso, and Allen Ginsberg found a creative sanctuary. For a decade, until its demolition in 1967, the hotel served as a live-in retreat and study center for these influential figures of the counter-cultural Beat Generation.
Coincidentally, in the same year that the Parisian Beat Hotel was christened, construction began on a hotel that would later follow in its footsteps. The Monte Carlo Resort Motel, now known as the Desert Hot Springs Beat Hotel, lay dormant for over forty years before Steve Lowe, its owner, restorer, and curator, breathed new life into it. Inspired by the El Muniria Hotel in Tangiers, Morocco—where Burroughs penned "The Naked Lunch"—and Brion Gysin's book "The Last Hotel," Lowe envisioned a space that would honor Burroughs' artistic spirit.
The Desert Hot Springs Beat Hotel is more than just a place to stay; it's an immersive experience. With no telephones or televisions, the eight-room hotel encourages guests to disconnect and delve into creativity. The hotel features a mineral-fed swimming pool and spa, providing a serene environment for reflection and rejuvenation. It stands as a testament to Burroughs' belief that artists fabricate dreams to sustain those without their own.
William S. Burroughs, the stone-faced grandson of the inventor of the Burroughs Ten Key Machine, led a life of nonconformity and personal freedom. A Harvard graduate with a penchant for literature and anthropology, Burroughs was known for his unconventional lifestyle choices, including his love for firearms and his explorations into the drug underworld. His extensive travels and tendency to use motels as creative bases resulted in a prolific output of over three dozen books and numerous poems, cementing his status as a revolutionary literary figure.
Visitors to the Beat Hotel are greeted by the subtle "Hotel" sign and welcomed by Steve Lowe himself. A tour of the hotel reveals a treasure trove of Burroughs' artwork, pictures, manuscripts, and memorabilia. Guests can unwind with a complimentary glass of wine from the library, explore the eclectic lounge, and enjoy the outdoor pool area, all while soaking in the desert ambiance and the full moon's glow.
The Desert Hot Springs Beat Hotel stands as a unique cultural landmark, offering a rare opportunity to connect with the past while inspiring the future of artistic expression.
