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Where to Stay in Palm Springs

By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Hotels in Palm Springs

• 5-star: Thompson • Kimpton Rowan
• 4-star: ARRIVE
• 3-star: Zoso • Saguaro
• Best resort: Ritz-Carlton
• For couples: Fleur Noire
• For families: Omni Rancho Las Palmas

Best hotel in downtown Palm Springs.

The Kimpton Rowan is a personal favorite in downtown Palm Springs and steps to bars, restaurant, and shopping. I love the rooftop pool and bar.

Best Areas to Stay in Palm Springs

The Desert, as Southern Californians refer to the Coachella Valley, includes towns along Highway 111 from Palm Springs to Indio. The valley also includes towns such as Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indian Wells, and Desert Hot Springs. Palm Springs is the most famous of the desert cities which are all surrounded by golf courses, tennis clubs, and palm trees, and are hard to beat as winter getaways.

Located about 110 miles from Los Angeles and 135 miles from San Diego. Palm Springs has an International airport (PSP) located a few miles from downtown, with direct flights from many American and Canadian destinations. Another option if you are flying is Ontario Airport (ONT), located about 70 miles west of Palm Springs, which has a wider range of flight options and very often, cheaper flights.

Palm Springs is best known for its numerous luxury boutique hotels and spas, landscaped golf courses, top-notch restaurants, stylish “Desert Modern” architecture, and its legendary dry, desert climate with seemingly endless sunny skies.

Hikes in Palm Springs Area.

My favorite outdoor activity in the Palm Springs area is taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Mt. San Jacinto State Park – and then doing the surrounding hikes. But the entire Palm Springs area is filled with great outdoor activities and attractions.

Set between the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and Joshua Tree National Park, Greater Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley actually encompasses nine cities – Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella – each offering its own cache of experiences and accommodation options. The valley extends for 45 miles from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea, connected by Hwy-111 (known for much of its length as Palm Canyon Drive or Palm Desert Drive), and the faster I-10, which runs parallel about four miles to the north.

Palm Springs began to develop in the early 20th century as a health resort for fashionable tourists attracted to the dry climate and hot springs in the area. Today well-heeled visitors still come for “The Season”, the comfortably warm period between January and April when all the major golf and tennis tournaments are held. In recent decades Palm Springs has also become a major LGBT hotspot with its own major Pride festival in November and Dinah Shore Weekend, the world’s largest lesbian event, held every April.

Palm Springs is primarily the domain of expensive boutique hotels and luxury resorts, but accommodation can be surprisingly affordable in the summer (May to September) – if you can stand the heat. Alternatively, there are low-priced motel chains strung out along I-10 and Hwy-111, but these are often poor quality. The best hotels are not focused in one neighborhood, and it’s easy to find great accommodations ranging from budget to luxury throughout the Desert.

The Best Places to Stay in Palm Springs Area

New hotel in downtown Palm Springs.

The brand new Thompson in downtown Palm Springs and directly across from Tac/Quila one of my favorite restaurants in the area.

Palm Springs hotel with patio.

Our suite at the ARRIVE Palm Springs.

Palm Springs hotel with balcony.

Our suite at the Zoso.

Palm Springs hotel with family suite.

Our suite at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club.

Hotel with pool in Palm Springs.

The view from our suite at The Saguaro in South Palm Springs. A fun and affordable place to stay.

Best Areas in Palm Springs & Coachella Valley for…

  • Best Neighborhood to Stay for First Timers: Downtown Palm Springs
    Staying in the heart of Palm Springs makes the most sense for first-time visitors to the Coachella Valley: it’s the biggest, liveliest city in the region, with a wide range of accommodation, the best restaurants, and jumping nightlife. It’s also within walking distance or a short drive to some of the valley’s biggest attractions: Palm Springs Art Museum, the hikes and palm-filled gorges of the Indian Canyons, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Air Museum, and the biggest concentration of the famed “Desert Modern” architecture. Downtown is definitely the best area to stay if you’re visiting Palm Springs without a car.
  • Most Romantic Neighborhood: Uptown Palm Springs
    With its clear desert skies, cocktail bars, spa pools, boutique hotels, and old Hollywood glamour, the Coachella Valley, in general, is a fabulous place for a romantic getaway, but some neighborhoods stand out. Our favorite is Uptown, home to some of the region’s most luxurious boutique hotels – discreet, adults-only hideaways like ARRIVE Palm Springs and Fleur Noire are perfect for couples. The main drag, North Palm Canyon Drive, is lined by hip indie shops that are great for browsing, and a host of inventive restaurants and cocktail bars.
  • Best Neighborhoods for Nightlife: Downtown Palm Springs and Palm Desert
    Downtown Palm Springs has the best nightlife in the region, much of it revolving around pool parties and al fresco cocktails, as much as live music and nightclubs. Some of our favorite spots include the pool bar at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club (as well as the hotel’s Amigo Room) and the rooftop pool High Bar at the Kimpton Rowan Hotel. Copa Nightclub is a dependable spot for dance parties, while the Tonga Hut boasts a classic tiki bar. Downtown also has a vibrant LGBT scene anchored by institutions such as Hunters Palm Springs. The community of Palm Desert comes a close second to Palm Springs, with a string of nightspots within stumbling distance on El Paseo and Palm Desert Drive. We like the late-night Desert Fox Bar and cozy Little Bar, which also serves superb food. The Hotel Paseo is the best hotel in the area.
  • Best Neighborhoods for Food and Restaurants: Downtown Palm Springs and Indio
    Downtown Palm Springs is hard to beat again when it comes to eating (though adjacent Uptown features a more innovative line-up of restaurants), with more variety than anywhere else in the Coachella Valley. Along with stalwarts of the scene such as Johannes and Tropicale, there are hip restaurants such as Juniper Table, Rooster and the Pig, and Tac/Quila, Copley’s on the former Cary Grant estate, and old Sinatra hangouts such as Johnny Costa’s Ristorante and Melvyn’s. At the other end of the Coachella Valley, the city of Indio offers a completely different experience, and much cheaper menus: authentic Mexican food is knocked out at Tu Madres Cantina & Grill, and at no-frills taco joints such as El Tranvia in nearby Coachella, while authentic Chinese food can be found at spots such as CIE Sichuan Cuisine.
  • Best Neighborhoods for Shopping: Uptown Palm Springs & Palm Desert
    Uptown Palm Springs is celebrated for its locally owned and operated businesses, selling everything from mid-century furniture and high fashion to unique cocktail glasses and specialist books. North Palm Canyon Drive is the main drag: we love the vintage fashion at Iconic Atomic, quirky gifts, books, and home décor at Just Fabulous, The Shag Store, dedicated to 1950s pop art-inspired artist Shag (aka Josh Agle), and Trina Turk’s flagship fashion store. Over in Palm Desert, the strip known as El Paseo is another walkable shopping district, with everything from antiques at Maison Felice to jewelry at Leeds & Son.
  • Safest Areas of Palm Springs & Coachella Valley
    The upscale communities of Indian Canyons, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Cathedral City are especially safe. Downtown and Uptown Palm Springs are generally safe, but as with any busy tourist destination, keep an extra eye on your valuables when exploring, and take care at night.
  • Unsafe Areas in Palm Springs & Coachella Valley
    Regarding safety, there are some spotty areas of North Palm Springs, sections of Cathedral City, and Desert Hot Springs.

The 8 Best Places to Stay in Palm Springs & Coachella Valley for Tourists

1. Downtown Palm Springs

Hotel with outdoor pool in downtown Palm Springs.

The rooftop pool and bar at the Kimpton Rowan.

Downtown Palm Springs, anchored by Palm Canyon Drive, is the best place to begin any tour of the region. Its packed with boutique hotels, trendy restaurants (Tac/Quila and Bill’s Pizza are my favorites), poolside bars, and Desert Modern architecture (whose butterfly rooflines, earthy colors, and minimalist bungalows took off here in the 1940s and 1950s). Attractions include the world-class collection at the Palm Springs Art Museum, historic buildings at Village Green Heritage Center, and the new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum , dedicated to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, who own much of Palm Springs. Two miles to the east of downtown is the Palm Springs International Airport and the World War II exhibits at the nearby Palm Springs Air Museum. A mile south of downtown is a strip of budget and midrange hotels (like the iconic but aging Ace Hotel & Swim Club) and restaurants (Mr. Lyons Steakhouse is excellent) along East Palm Canyon Drive. Another three miles south of East Palm Canyon Drive are the tranquil palm-smothered trails of Indian Canyons.

2. Uptown Palm Springs

Best hotel for couples in Palm Springs.

The Fleur Noire in the Uptown neighborhood.

Palm Springs’ Uptown Design District – anchored by North Palm Canyon Drive, roughly between Vista Chino and Alejo Road – lies just north of Downtown, a revitalized neighborhood best known for its indie stores, from vintage fashion to modern art. After sunset, the district becomes one of the region’s premier dining strips, led by spots like Eight4Nine, Workshop, and Sandfish Sushi. In the 1920s this area was known as Las Palmas Business District, but from the 1970s many businesses closed, leaving empty buildings and boarded up storefronts. Regeneration began in the late 1990s, with local, independent designers leading the way – Trina Turk opened her fashion boutique here in 2002. Today you can still see classic landmarks such as the Liberace House and Richard Neutra-designed Kaufmann House (both private homes). One of the region’s biggest attractions, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, is a 10-minute drive from here.

3. Rancho Mirage

Luxury resort with pool in Palm Springs Area.

Five-star luxury at the Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage.

About 10 miles southeast of Downtown Palm Springs, upscale Rancho Mirage is known as “Playground of the Presidents” thanks to its links with former US leaders (Gerald Ford was a resident, and his wife established the Betty Ford Center here in 1982). It’s best known for its exclusive golf clubs (13 at last count) and luxurious hotels (the Omni has its own 100-foot waterslide), but there are several other attractions worth checking out. Kids will enjoy the hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, as well as the star-gazing programs at the Observatory, part of the Rancho Mirage Library. Historic 1960s estate Sunnylands is usually open for tours, while shoppers can explore The River, a mall arranged around an artificial oasis with fountains and waterfalls.

4. Palm Desert

Hotel near shopping in Palm Desert.

The Hotel Paseo is steps from Palm Desert’s shopping district.

Two miles east of Rancho Mirage (and about 12 miles from downtown Palm Springs), Palm Desert is another affluent area packed with even golf courses (it’s been dubbed the “World’s Golf Capital”) and posh resorts. Since the 1980s it’s also developed as a major commercial and shopping hub thanks to the boutiques on El Paseo, the eminently walkable “Rodeo Drive of the Desert”, as well as open-air shopping at the Gardens at El Paseo and the region’s only indoor mall, the Shops at Palm Desert. Palm Desert also boasts an array of tourist attractions that almost match Palm Springs: the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden, the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and the McCallum Theatre.

5. Indian Wells

Two miles east of Palm Desert, Indian Wells is the richest city in the Coachella Valley, obvious from the abundance of immaculate mansions, pristine lawns, and gated communities (and zero chain restaurants). It’s also known for its luxury resorts and golf courses (including the celebrated Indian Wells Golf Resort and Players Course), but also for its high profile events and festivals, notably the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in March. It also hosts the prestigious Desert Town Hall Lecture Series each spring and the Indian Wells Arts Festival in April. Families can check out the genteel Village at Indian Wells mall and Shots in the Night, a glow-in-the-dark golf experience hosted by Indian Wells Golf Resort.

6. La Quinta

The neighboring city to the east of Indian Wells is La Quinta, which developed around the exclusive La Quinta Resort in the 1930s. The hotel is still in business and well worth checking out, even if it’s just for a drink at Morgan’s in the Desert. There’s not much else to the city, though as always golf courses dominate (20 at last count), including lauded PGA West and The Quarry at La Quinta. Feted golf star Arnold Palmer was a local and owned a restaurant here. The restaurant can be found in Old Town, a colonial Spanish-themed open-air mall, also home to a weekly farmers’ market (Sundays) and celebrated La Quinta Brewing Co.

7. Desert Hot Springs

Located on the north side of I-10, 12 miles north of Downtown Palm Springs, the laid-back city of Desert Hot Springs is best known for its hot and cold mineral springs, much of the water piped directly into local hotels and resorts. Enjoying the high-quality mineral pools and spas in the city’s boutique hotels is the best reason to visit since there’s otherwise not much to do in terms of sights or eating and drinking. The main attraction is the whimsical Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, designed like a Hopi pueblo and former home of the “father of Desert Hot Springs”, Cabot Yerxa.

8. Indio

A few miles east of La Quinta lies relatively low-key Indio, which in stark contrast to its neighbors has a distinct agricultural focus (though it still boasts 13 golf courses), especially when it comes to fresh date farms and citrus outlets. The Shields Date Garden Store & Café remains one of its biggest attractions, along with the super-sweet date shakes and other date-related snacks served on site. The Coachella Valley History Museum claims to include the world’s only date palm museum. Foodies also come to Indio for its authentic Mexican food, especially tamales – the Indio International Tamale Festival is held here every December. Indio is best known for hosting the annual Coachella Festival every April and the Stagecoach Festival one week later at the same venue, the Empire Polo Club. (Book hotels for Coachella months in advance.)

Airbnbs in Palm Spring

Airbnb Homes in downtown Palm Springs

An Airbnb house we rented in Palm Springs.

I’m not very familiar with Airbnb rentals in the Palm Springs area. For most visitors, I think a hotel is the better choice. But I can vouch for this house (pictured above), walking distance from downtown Palm Springs.

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