No, I am not rich enough, spontaneous enough or free enough to jet away to Morocco any time I please, but there is a place just two hours away that is pretty much the same. Whenever there are big changes in my life, whether it be moves, graduation or a new job, I like to go on a trip during the transition period. I find that the excitement of escaping to an unfamiliar place and the disorientation after returning really help me deal with any anxiety or uncertainty that inevitably comes with big life changes. Recently my boyfriend moved to here to LA with me (yay no more distance!). To celebrate it, I treated us to a dreamy getaway to Palm Springs, a place I had been a couple times before. I knew the weather was going to be scorching and relaxation is way more crucial in Palm Springs than sight-seeing, so I set on a mission to find the perfect hotel. AND I DID. Korakia Pensione was out of this world – serene, surreal, superb… all the S’s. It’s a Moroccan/Greek themed bed and breakfast that transports you to another place and time. I had high expectations for it but it still exceeded them.
After checking out so many photos of the hotel online, I was dying to see it in person and to see my boyfriend’s reaction. As soon as we stepped on the grounds, I knew he’d be impressed. I booked us the Santorini room, which features a sunken stone bath, a rain shower, a reading nook, and a record player with records like the soundtrack of the Sound of Music laid out beside it.
Normally I’d feel bad for staying in the hotel when traveling, but I didn’t have to this time as the weather was way too hot for any outdoor activities. Korakia was a destination on its own. We enjoyed their complementary breakfast each morning which included avocado toasts and strawberry crepes. They even delivered lunch to you either to the poolside or in your room. We spent Saturday afternoon reading by one of their two pools, just in time for Moroccan tea in the afternoon. At night, they played classical movies outside in the courtyard.
Every nook and cranny on the grounds was perfectly yet effortlessly put together, which made it impossible to capture every detail on camera. You will just have to go experience it yourself. Of course, I along with just about every other guest at the hotel took advantage of how photogenic it is. I put together a couple of outfits that I absolutely adore. I had just gotten a haircut and treated myself to some new beauty products as well, which made me feel so refreshed. Vacations are all about feeling good after all!
The centerpiece of my first outfit is this beautiful floral off shoulder blouse that my mom gifted me. I’ve had it for a while now but never found the opportunity to wear it. It feels vintage because it is – my mom owned it since years ago. I paired it with high waisted denim shorts that I got from ASOS and some lace up nude sandals from Steve Madden (Hyndii).
For my second outfit, I wore an Equipment sheer blouse with gold foil that I got courtesy of my friend Jessica. It’s one of the more daring pieces I own and I got it exactly because I wanted to start dressing more boldly. I wasn’t 100% sure I’d love it or pull it off when I saw it online, but I’m super glad I trusted my intuition and purchased it. I love it! I wore them with the same shorts, because they’re the only shorts I wear nowadays.
I already can’t wait til the next time I can go back to Korakia. It was an absolute dream.