Desert heat and glamour await in Palm Springs. Decadent to the core, extremely popular with celebrities, packed with mid-century modernist architecture, and offering lots of luxurious hideouts, this California destination has steadily enjoyed the status of iconic for at least a century. The San Jacinto Mountains provide countless outdoor enjoyment opportunities, and the eclectic gastronomy scene won’t leave you hungry.
Of course, when you’re here, it pays to stay in a luxurious hotel, the most natural way of savoring the desert delights of Palm Springs. Once known as Hollywood’s playground (celebrities like Elvis and Sinatra loved Palm Springs) with many lavish resorts, it is still a chic destination and the perfect weekend getaway from LA. Here are the best luxury hotels in Palm Springs for a fantastic desert stay.
L'Horizon Resort & Spa
L’Horizon Resort & Spa is that quintessential Palm Springs luxury hotel that combines rich history with contemporary design perfection. Originally built in 1952 by the architecture pioneer of modern meets desert William F. Cody, the resort recently underwent an ambitious renovation by Steve Hermann. The results are gorgeous. You will stay in the heart of the desert, surrounded by palm trees and the rocky San Jacinto Mountains. This adults-only hideaway features 25 private bungalows, all of which come with elegant furniture, patios, and modern amenities. If you’re looking for something ultra-exclusive, there’s The Residence, a two-bedroom home with a private pool and a fireplace. Apart from that, the outdoor swimming pool is Palm Springs royalty, and you’ve also got the spa to treat yourself. An on-site restaurant and a pool bar will give you that gastronomic fix in a stunning setting.
La Maison Hotel
One of the best luxury boutique resorts in Palm Springs, La Maison Hotel is a Mediterranean-inspired charmer. The lush courtyard with the pool is a feast for the eyes. This will be your tranquil desert oasis, perfect for completely unwinding. The large rooms have custom-made wooden furniture, vintage objects, and terracotta floors. The WiFi is free and available throughout the property, and the hotel doesn’t have resort fees. Guests describe La Maison as a “hidden gem” with an “enchanting garden sanctuary” ideal for a quiet retreat. The cleanliness, positive communication from the staff, and excellent breakfast were also among the most-loved features of the resort.
Kimpton Rowan Hotel
Kimpton Rowan Hotel is breaking the Palm Springs resort canon. The swimming pool here is on the rooftop rather than in the courtyard, the buildings are contemporary, and the vibe is more West Los Angeles. It’s quite large, has an impeccable sense of style, and masterfully utilizes the Downtown location to give the best luxury experience in Palm Springs. With 153 slick rooms and suites, a series of on-site restaurants and bars, a scenic pool area with 360-degree vistas, an equipped fitness center, and attention to every detail for a deluxe stay, Kimpton Rowan is among California’s finest retreats. And you’re also steps away from all the Downtown attractions and things to do like the Palm Springs Art Museum, Convention Center, Walk of the Stars, and Agua Caliente Casino.
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
Jaw-dropping is a good word to describe The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage’s location. The setting here is simply out of this world. You are gliding above the Coachella Valley with the vast expanse of the desert right in front. Now imagine waking up to such a vista. This Ritz-Carlton is among the best and most popular luxury hotels in Greater Palm Springs and one of the most kid-friendly family resorts in Palm Springs. And it surely knows how to utilize its location. The two outdoor swimming pools are some of California’s most scenic. You’ve got excellent on-site restaurants and an almost endless collection of event possibilities (a whopping 30,000 square feet of space is no joke). An indulgent spa and a well-equipped fitness center with yoga classes will ensure the highest quality of relaxation.
ARRIVE Palm Springs
Popular with Coachella goers, choose ARRIVE Palm Springs for the ultimate Palm Springs stay. Every inch of this boutique hotel was designed to embrace Southern California and its colors. The heated swimming pool is the centerpiece of the resort, where you will spend most of your time sipping cocktails, taking plunges, or enjoying the outdoors. Fire pits nearby provide a heartwarming setting for conversation. The rooms are elegant and colorful, featuring tasteful wallpaper and contemporary amenities like free WiFi, Apple TV, and premium bath accessories. It is a dog-friendly hotel, so feel free to bring your four-legged companions on your Palm Springs trip with you.
Dive Palm Springs
Get yourself some Côte d’Azur allure in the heart of Palm Springs. Dive Palm Springs is that place, a fashionable boutique lodging in Palm Springs that offers great vibes and beautiful looks. Incorporating designs from the 1960s and showing great affinity to the French Riviera aesthetics, it’s an amazing place to base yourself in Palm Springs in style. Each of their rooms has a special character and sports distinct decor. This hotel cares about the visuals and delivers a fascinating stay experience. Of course, like any self-respecting Palm Springs boutique hotel, you will have a picturesque pool and a garden for lazy days of lounging. Order a martini from the on-site Bar Lulu and get into the Saint-Tropez mood, surrounded by the Colorado Desert.
The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows
Back in the 30s, a place called Colonial House was built to cater to the rising resort fame of Palm Springs. Led by a mobster and Las Vegas Casino owner, this place quickly became one of the top frivolous spots in the city, attracting celebrities and socialites alike. Post-war change of ownership brought even more glamour to the venue, and it started to find its way to the postcards promoting the city. Today that’s all history, though. The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows has undergone a luxurious renaissance under the leadership of designer Steve Hermann. Now it’s among the most exclusive luxury resorts in Palm Springs. The landscaping here is fantastic, the pool area beautiful, and the variety of sumptuous rooms, suites, and bungalows is impressive. Coming to Colony Palms, you are guaranteed a high-end California stay. At its core, the property is still an enticing private Palm Springs resort, albeit fully catering to 21st-century demands this time.
Sparrows Lodge
Feel the atmosphere of Hollywood in the 50s. Sparrows Lodge is a carefully restored luxury Palm Springs hotel that takes pride in its resort heritage and infuses modern touches to create an exquisite stay experience. Founded by the Hollywood actor for other Hollywood dwellers, it still retains the cinematic allure in the photogenic outdoor pool area, illuminated rooms, and thoughtful interior details. Featuring a lot of wood in the design, the hotel has a solid rustic-chic feeling to it. This approach, combined with the gorgeous nature of Palm Springs, works and gives you a sensation of a genuine retreat. Be sure to taste Coachella Valley specials at the on-site Barn Kitchen and relax during treatments at the massage tent.
Little Paradise Hotel
Calling itself Little Paradise Hotel may be a high bar to set when it comes to Palm Springs hotels, yet it’s among the best-reviewed properties in the city. It’s that classic old Hollywood kind of Palm Springs resort. The rooms are located around the picturesque courtyard, there’s a swimming pool in the middle and palm trees towering around. The mountains are always there, too, creating a stunning backdrop. Such welcoming additions like the fully equipped kitchens in the rooms, 4K Smart TVs with Netflix, the cozy outdoor fire pit, and a convenient location also prove to be a hit with guests.
Fleur Noire Hôtel
It’s all about the concept at the Fleur Noire Hôtel. This is an accommodation created by artists for people who appreciate being surrounded by beauty, natural and manmade. There’s vintage furniture, amazing private casitas, bungalows, and suites (all sporting murals by Santa Monica native Louise Jones), a seducing air of French chic, and an inspirational outdoor area. That’s the captivating allure of Fleur Noire. Also, not many Palm Springs hotels can boast about having such a stylish venue on-site as La Boisson, a speakeasy champagne rosé bar that would be an ideal filming location for a Wes Anderson flick.
The Hideaway
History and modernity graciously intertwine at retro The Hideaway. An iconic representative of renovated desert modern architecture, it was designed in 1947 by celebrated local architect Herbert W. Burns. Today it’s a beautiful boutique resort with breathtaking San Jacinto Mountain vistas, ten well-furnished rooms, and the outdoor pool – a must-have Palm Springs fixture. While in the city, you should experience one of Palm Spring’s most popular nearby attractions – the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It proudly wears the badge of being the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world and gives you a chance to enjoy the mighty expanse of this mountain range.
