The beautiful city of Palm Springs is a perfect destination to have fun, especially for couples. This place’s rich culture, vibrant nightlife, and welcoming community give travelers an unforgettable experience. There are several hotels in this lovely California town. An exclusive adult destination, the best hotels in Palm Springs allow for a relaxing vacation.
Palm Springs can be the perfect getaway for couples. Besides enjoying the sun, there are plenty of benefits to having that much-needed alone time with your other half. In fact, a new study reveals 42 percent of couples rekindled their spark by taking a vacation. So, if you want to combat falling out of love, taking a trip might be the best way to turn on the romance.
And if you love traveling, a new study finds the best way to put a smile on millions of faces is to get out and travel. Researchers say there is a noticeable increase in happiness and well-being among frequent travelers compared to those who don’t take any kind of long-distance vacation.
All that said, after reviewing 10 expert websites, StudyFinds has chosen the five best hotels in Palm Springs. Also, our list contains family-friendly hotels too. Of course, you may entirely disagree with our picks — and that’s fine! Let us know which one is your favorite hotel or the one that is on your bucket list in the comments below.
The List: Best hotels in Palm Springs, According to the Experts
1. Sparrows Lodge
The Telegraph describes how its deep-rooted history adds charm to the place: “Originally built in 1952 as Castle’s Red Barn by actor Don Castle and his wife Zetta, the property was fully restored in 2013 and has retained many of its original features, such as exposed wooden beams and pitched ceilings, along with a few modern updates. The red barn now serves as the hotel’s restaurant, bar, lobby and lounge, with original artworks on the walls and fresh flowers on the tables. This peaceful, adults-only hideaway in the heart of Palm Springs provides some welcome respite from the Coachella crowds. The repurposed barn, romantically rustic and charmingly decorated, is one of the most stylish places to stay in the area, featuring wooden-clad rooms and a fragrant kitchen garden.”
“Take a hint from the word-of-mouth publicity, the quiet poolside crowd in retro swimwear, and the understated logo — a minimalist illustration of two little birds perched on a branch. Sparrows Lodge is not aiming for the mainstream,” raves Tablet Hotels. “This woodsy hideaway is the kind of place where people play horseshoes, swing wooden tennis rackets and read books by their private campfires… It’s like a dreamy hipster version of the summer camp of your childhood — complete with artisan cocktails and deep, luxurious bathtubs fashioned out of old horse troughs.”
“Come to Sparrows Lodge and you can have a true digital detox. There are no phones or TVs in any of the rooms, which means you can truly switch off from the rest of the world. Once you get tired of being inside, come to the poolside where there is a hot tub and plush lounge chairs for ultra relaxation,” says Time Out in their review.
2. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
10 Best ranks this hotel second on their list. “Breathtaking views, gorgeous landscapes and unparalleled service define the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert. Most rooms offer spectacular views of the onsite lakes, pools and the neighboring San Jacinto Mountains. Indulge in a few trinkets while shopping at the onsite boutiques, or follow the music as it beckons you to the pool.”
Forbes adds that this one of the town’s family-friendly spots packed with fun. “A massive resort with 884 rooms, five huge pools, tennis courts and approximately 1,000 activities for kids, all around two golf courses…It’s the antithesis of the tiny Palm Springs boutique, and families will love kids’ programming like nature walks, craft classes, ice cream socials and even a tour of the property’s own flamingo island. (Yes, there are real pink Chilean flamingos that live in and around their own island on the lake that surrounds the property’s two golf courses.) There’s even a new entertainment zone for tweens and teens that are too cool for flamingos, with a 12,000 square foot arcade, air hockey and plenty more activities to keep the family’s least easily-satisfied members happy when they’re not at the pool.”
“This hotel has it all from secluded lakes, high-energy nightclubs, gondola rides, and restaurants. Book a Sanctuary Spa Suites, and don’t forget to get a bottle of champagne, delectable chocolates, and an indoor hot tub. Before leaving, play golf while admiring the stunning vistas of lakes and sandy mountains,” adds Travellers Worldwide.
3. La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
PlanetWare notes this resort is pet-friendly and 40 inutes east of Palm Springs. “It’s like its own small, luxurious self-contained village with nine golf courses, five restaurants, and 53 separate whirlpool spas. The resort caters to romantic getaways, family vacations (they have excellent kid’s programs), and golf getaways. The hotel is adjacent to the PGA West golf complex. La Quinta Resort first opened as a Hollywood desert retreat in 1926, and some of that history is retained in the individual accommodations, which include some original Spanish Revival-style suites, villas, and casitas, and also in a fascinating display of historic photographs in the lobby area.”
“You may recognize this historic gem from the reality show The Bachelorette (Clare Crawley’s season) that was filmed during the height of lockdown. The massive property spans 45 acres and has a whopping 41 swimming pools,” mentions Time Out. “It has a mix of guestrooms and villas that look out toward the Santa Rosa Mountains and are lined with palm trees and colorful blooms. As the longest-running resort in the Palm Springs area, La Quinta underwent a massive restoration project in 2014. Twenty6 is a great option for breakfast, particularly if you enjoy eggs benedict or huevos rancheros.”
Want to know more about their amenities? According to La Jolla Mom, “Their casitas and suites come with secluded patios or yards, while the villas have access to their very own private pools. Many of their rooms also have separate living spaces, kitchens, and fireplaces, allowing you make yourself at home in an instant. Free WiFi and parking is included in your stay in addition to complimentary breakfast for two for Virtuoso guests.”
4. Arrive Palm Springs
PlanetWare says this is one of the best boutique hotels in Palm Springs. “The first new hotel to be constructed in the city in 30 years, ARRIVE arrived in 2016. The 52-room luxury boutique hotel is the first of a series of ARRIVE hotels opening around the country. Although it’s newly built, the hotel pays tribute to the city’s mid-century vibe in style and design. Luxury amenities abound here (the owners used to work for the Four Seasons), so you get AppleTV and DirecTV in every room, free filtered water and high-speed Wi-Fi, and luxury bathrobes and linens. When you get hungry, there’s Wexler’s @ ARRIVE, a branch of the famous LA Jewish deli, now serving corned beef sandwiches poolside. They also have a coffee shop and an ice-cream parlor in the retail locations next to the hotel.”
This Life Of Travel dives into the details that make your stay so special: “The rooms are arranged around the pool with open-air lounge areas, fire pits, and huge flowing cabanas. Ultra-natural tones of rusted steel and cherry wood accentuate the surrounding desert, with butterfly roofs angled to mirror the undulating contours of the rolling mountains. Contemporary splashes of color dot the interior, with patterned walls and slick angular furniture. It feels less like a resort and more like a trendy boutique.”
“The hotel is meant for mingling (and a prime pick for a solo traveler), with marble ping pong tables, fire pits encircled by low-slung seating where guests gather after sundown, DJ nights, drive-in movies, and drag bingo. Rooms definitely reflect the locale, with clerestory windows, cactus-flower and palm-print wallpaper, rose-pink velvet platform beds, leather seating, and brightly colored mini fridges, along with marble bathrooms. Appreciated extras come in the form of Malin + Goetz bath products, work desks, and automatic shades,” mentions Conde Nast Traveler.
5. Colony Palms Hotel
Planetware holds this spot highly on its list of luxury stays. “You have your choice of 57 stylish rooms, suites, and bungalows, each with its own unique style. The overall feel here, in both architecture and interior design, is Spanish and Moroccan. The hotel’s restaurant, the Colony Club, serves re-imagined California cooking, with a seasonal menu using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The poolside lounge, which also serves food, is a great place to escape the desert heat. The hotel’s spa offers massages, facials, and body treatments. There’s a large, central saltwater pool, which is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, and cabanas are available for rent surrounding the pool.”
“With its beginnings as a gambling house, saloon, and speakeasy, the Colony Palms Hotel takes guests back to a simpler time. Favored by Hollywood greats of yesteryear, including Frank Sinatra, this boutique hole sprawls across three acres of gardens in the center of downtown Palm Springs,” writes La Jolla Mom. “Gas-burning fireplaces and clawfoot tubs up the ante even more, treating you to the height of comfort throughout your stay. They provide WiFi, rental bikes, morning coffee or tea, and valet parking with their resort fee.”
“This luxuriously private adults-only hotel is in the heart of Palm Springs but has a more laid-back, exclusive vibe than its neighbors. (Think The Beverly Hills Hotel meets the desert.) Firepits and private nooks are sprinkled throughout the property, centered on a verdant, palm-tree-lined pool shimmering below the San Jacinto Mountains. Bold statement wallpapering, sky-high ceilings, and plenty of greenery are the through lines across the room categories, with suites offering private verandas with garden seating,” notes Conde Nast Traveler.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Travel Credit Cards
- Best Hotels in San Diego
- Best Hotels in Phoenix, Arizona
- Best Hotels in the Caribbean
Sources:
- Conde Nast Traveler
- Time Out
- Forbes
- Planetware
- Travellers Worldwide
- 10 Best
- La Jolla Mom
- The Telegraph
- Tablet Hotels
- This Life Of Travel
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.