Orchid tree hotel in Palm Springs catches Fire

It was reported yesterday that the Orchid Tree Hotel caught fire. The hotel has been abandoned for 14 months.

It is very sad as this was once a very popular hotel. It was run like a bed and breakfast and was very charming. Unfortunately not everyone knows how to run a hotel or a resort. And the new owners did not. Now it sits empty.

For instance, most people don't klnow that the MOST popular hotel in Palm Springs in the summer is a clothing optional resort called The Terra Cotta Inn. It is a 17 room inn and they bring in just over 1% of the cities bed tax every summer. They are normally about an 85% occupancy in the summer, where the town of Palm Springs averages around a 30-35% occupancy rate. Year round they have the 2nd highest occupancy rate of all hotels in Palm Springs.

"Empty Palm Springs Motel Catches Fire

July 19, 2007 02:48 PM PDT


Investigators are looking into what caused an abandoned structure fire early Thursday morning in Palm Springs.

It happened just before 3 AM at the Orchid Tree Inn on Belardo and Baristo.

Officials say the building has been abandoned for about 14 months.

Fire officials say this is the second suspicious fire to erupt on the property within a year."

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