Condé Nast Traveler
by LIZBETH SCORDO
The dreamiest properties you’ll find in this California desert oasis.
If you haven’t visited California’s hottest desert town in awhile, now is the time. In Palm Springs, the spring weather is perfect, the food scene is better than ever, and there’s a variety of nonstop events throughout the Coachella Valley all season long—from the BNP Paribas Open (affectionately known as the 5th Grand Slam) to the big White Party bash to music festivals and the plethora of parties that come with them.
If you’re more interested in simply exploring the historic city while enjoying some R&R under the desert sun, you can spend your days hiking its many mountain trails, shopping its impressive array of vintage retailers, hitting up a variety of cool cocktail spots and restaurants (both new and retro), and gawking at the magnificent midcentury architecture. As for where to stay, the best Palm Springs hotels are as wide-ranging as the area’s visitors. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil boutique hotel, a sprawling resort, or a retro-design motel with a shiny facelift, it’s almost too easy to find the perfect property to enjoy the dreamy desert weather and mountain views. Here are some of our favorite hotels in Palm Springs for your next trip.
Villa Royale, Palm Springs
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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. The entire property underwent a $1 million refresh in 2023, which included updating rooms; redecorating the lobby; and adding new landscaping, an oversized hot tub, and a firepit to the grounds. Tapas-heavy restaurant, Del Rey, and its sexy fireplace-flanked lounge also got a makeover. It now features a dimly lit covered patio painted in sapphire blue and a new menu with the city’s best (and, at the moment, only) selection of tinned fish as well as a monthly moonlight paella night.
