The dreamy properties that tell the story of Palm Springs are the same ones you’ll want to hole up in for days.
Palm Springs has been through a multitude of incarnations over the last century—from Old Hollywood hangout, to spring break headquarters, to struggling tourist town, to one of California’s most beloved and unique resort cities. That last one is a title it proudly holds today, after reinventing itself as a glamorous desert getaway. To get here, it rode the wave of mid-century modernism’s rebirth to become internationally renowned for its architecture, art and design, one-of-a-kind vintage shops, endless outdoor activities, and the hot spots A-listers descend upon during the juggernaut that is the Coachella music festival.
The best Palm Springs hotels are as wide-ranging as the area’s visitors; whether you’re seeking a tranquil boutique hotel, sprawling resort, or retro design motel with a shiny facelift, it’s as easy to find the perfect place to stay as it is to spend all day sitting by a sparkling pool, in dreamy desert weather with nothing but mountain views for miles. Here’s where to find them.
Villa Royale, Palm Springs
READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2019
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a rest-and-recharge respite, this tucked-away boutique hotel with tranquil courtyard pools and trickling fountains set amongst Old Californian-style buildings is a no-brainer. Guests are hipsters, babymooners, and bachelorettes splayed out on the cushioned lounge chairs or under the massive communal cabana on any given sunny day. Juxtaposed against 1940s Old California architecture and vintage paned windows, rooms are firmly planted in a midcentury aesthetic with vintage-style credenzas, mahogany wood paneling, and pops of turquoise and avocado green with a dash of free-spirited art pulling from a commissioned collection of custom oil paintings of famous faces like Debbie Harry and Charles Bronson. Impala suites are extra comfortable with living rooms, bars, kitchenettes, and separate bedrooms with king beds. All bathrooms feature glass-enclosed tiled showers. Onsite restaurant Del Rey draws both locals and visitors to its sexy fireplace-flanked lounge and 12-seat bar slinging inventive cocktails that guests can pair with a tapas-heavy menu.
