While you wouldn’t expect a desert town to be one of California’s top destinations, Palm Springs has been a popular vacation spot for decades. Thanks to its wide array of entertainment, attractions, and unique natural wonders, a visit to Palm Springs is always a jam-packed adventure.
Palm Springs is only one of the nine cities that Greater Palm Springs encompasses. So if you’re wondering where to stay in Palm Springs, you’ve got plenty of choices. However, Palm Springs accommodation availability varies depending on the time of year.
If you’re heading here in April, the month of the world-famous Coachella Festival, you won’t find a place to stay unless you book in advance. Of course, the region also puts on many other popular festivals and events throughout the year. Hence, it’s always best to book your stay ahead of time.
This guide will break down the best areas to stay in Palm Springs and the top accommodations options in the city.
Best Areas to Stay in Palm Springs
Each of the neighborhoods in Palm Springs offers a different vibe and the best place to stay will depend on your traveling style and purpose, and Palm Springs itinerary. Here are the top 5 areas in Palm Springs and Coachella Valley.
- Downtown Palm Springs: Best for first-time visitors
- Uptown Palm Springs: Best for luxury & style
- Palm Desert: Best for families
- Indio: Best for budget-conscious travelers
- East Palm Canyon Drive: Best for younger travelers
Best Places to Stay in Palm Springs
The above areas are close to many of Palm Springs top activities and attractions. Read on for a detailed overview of each neighborhood and hand-picked hotels and motels.
Downtown Palm Springs
Best area to stay in for first-time visitors
Downtown Palm Springs is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist areas. You’ll have everything you need at your doorstep by basing yourself here, including plenty of restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops. You’ll also be close to many great attractions, such as Palm Springs Art Museum, Tahquitz Canyon, and the Aerial Tramway. The only downside is that this is the busiest part of the city.
And if you’re in town for Coachella, Downtown Palm Springs is an ideal place to stay as there is a regular shuttle service from here to the festival site.
Top Picks for Downtown Palm Springs
If you’re looking for hip hotels in Palm Springs, look no further than Kimpton Rowan resort. This trendy hotel has incredible mountain views that you can enjoy from your suite or from the outdoor pool and sun terrace. There is also an excellent restaurant with patio dining and a lounge bar.
The lavish rooms at Kimpton Rowan have modern bathrooms with rain showers, plush bathrobes, and luxury toiletries. Many suites have bathtubs, too. You can choose between mountain or city views, and for the former, you can upgrade to a room with a balcony for an even more remarkable stay.
Holiday House sits right by the mountain range on the edge of Downtown Palm Springs, giving incredible vistas. There’s a lovely outdoor pool and hot tub, restaurant and bar with outdoor dining areas, and landscaped gardens.
The interior is incredibly colorful, with various blue hues to create a cooling ambiance amidst the dry heat. All rooms have comfy beds with stylish bedding and ensuite bathrooms with complimentary toiletries and plush bathrobes. The Superior King Room also has a balcony and lounge area with a sofa and desk.
The 4-star adults-only Advance Hotel has fab facilities, such as an outdoor pool, barbecue, hot tub, and complimentary bike rentals. All rooms have pool views, large comfy beds, lounge areas, and small patios. You can also upgrade to a room with a private terrace or a family suite with a fully-equipped kitchen and barbeque.
Uptown Palm Springs
Best area to stay in for luxury and style
The second most central location is Uptown Palm Springs, located just above Downtown. Like Downtown, you’ll be a stone’s throw from plenty of amenities, entertainment, and attractions if you stay here.
However, Uptown has an upmarket yet artsy vibe with upscale restaurants, cocktail bars, lavish spas, and some of the best boutique luxury hotels in Palm Springs. In addition, you’ll find more locally owned businesses rather than big chains here.
Top Picks for Uptown Palm Springs
Fleur Noire is one of the top Palm Springs boutique hotels with floral murals covering the exterior walls and a gorgeous courtyard with an outdoor pool and sun terrace.
The rooms feature beautiful floral artwork and stylish decorations with large wooden beds and sleek ensuite bathrooms. You can also upgrade to the one-bedroom suite with a small kitchenette and separate lounge.
The Palm Springs Hotel is a stylish and modern resort with a large outdoor pool, hot tub, and various outdoor lounge areas with fire pits. The hotel features art and furnishings tailor-made by renowned design house ModShop.
All the guest rooms boast unique, artistic decor, too. You’ll find a large comfy bed, fridge, coffee machine, and huge marble walk-in shower in the room.
Skylark is a low-cost yet hip hotel with an outdoor pool, hot tub, and breakfast buffet. In addition, they offer complimentary parking and free wifi throughout the property.
The light and airy motel-style rooms have either one king-size or two queen-sized beds. They also feature air conditioning and desks, and many have tea/coffee makers.
Palm Desert
Best area to stay in for families
If you prefer not to stay in the city center, check out Palm Desert, which has a more laid-back, family vibe. As it sits at the foothills of Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountain ranges, the location is just as scenic as Palm Springs.
You’ll find an abundance of restaurants, galleries, and shops on El Paseo to please the whole family. Palm Desert is also close to The Living Desert Zoo and surrounded by golf clubs and hiking trails.
Top Picks for Palm Desert
The 4-star Hotel Paseo is conveniently located surrounded by all the best shops and eateries in town. The outdoor area features a pool, hot tub, sun loungers, and cabanas. The hotel also provides evening entertainment, free private parking, and an in-house snack bar.
The stylish suites feature comfy beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, large flatscreen TVs, desks, and mountain views. Many also have private balconies or terraces, and you can also upgrade to the One-Bedroom Executive King Suite.
Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas
Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas is one of the top accommodation choices for families in Palm Desert. Although it’s located 3 km from the city center, you won’t get bored at this 400-acre resort. Here you can enjoy the use of 3 golf courses, 7 outdoor pool areas, a fitness center, a hot tub, and 3 dining options, including a pool bar. There is also a small children’s playground, and babysitting services are available.
The villas have fully equipped kitchens, a spacious living and dining area, and a private terrace or balcony. One-bedroom villas sleep up to four people, and two bedrooms sleep up to eight.
Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert
Hampton Inn in the north of Palm Desert has an outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, and even a running track. There’s also a convenience store, and the hotel serves a delicious breakfast buffet. The rooms have sitting areas, microwaves, coffee machines, and desks. Family rooms with two queen beds are also available.
Indio
Best area to stay in for budget-conscious travelers
Indio City is located east of Palm Desert and 23 miles from Palm Springs. You’ll find many low-cost hotels here, so it’s a great place for budget-conscious travelers to base themselves. Like Palm Desert, there are tons of golf courses and hiking trails close by and plenty of dining choices. The only downside is you might have to drive a little longer to reach some of the region’s main attractions.
Top Picks for Indio
WorldMark is located about 3 km north of the Indio city center in a pristine natural setting. Behind it are an expansive golf club, a lake, and a breathtaking mountain backdrop. Here, you can enjoy spa services, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and a games room.
The condos here have fully equipped kitchens, so it is a fab choice for those who want to cook for themselves rather than eat out. There’s also a dining table, a large seating area, and a private balcony with a barbeque.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites in Indio is close to the city center and has an outdoor pool, fitness center, and bar. There is also a restaurant that serves a fantastic buffet breakfast. The rooms have excellent amenities, such as a 55″ flatscreen Smart TV with Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and ESPN. You’ll also find a microwave, mini-fridge, and work desk.
The centrally located Days Inn has an outdoor pool and hot tub. In addition, it offers guests a complimentary grab-and-go style breakfast each morning. All rooms have seating areas, desks, bathtubs, and showers. Family rooms with two queen-size beds are also available with a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker.
East Palm Canyon Drive
Best area to stay in for younger travelers
East Palm Canyon Drive, just south of Downtown, is probably the hippest area and ideal for younger travelers; either groups of friends or couples without children. You’ll find the most hip hotels in Palm Springs in this area, many of which put on memorable pool parties. However, you don’t have to be a hotel guest to join the pool parties, so you can choose a more low-key hotel if you want to get some sleep.
Top Picks for East Palm Canyon Drive
L’Horizon Resort is undoubtedly one of the top places to be seen in Palm Springs. This lavish 5-star adults-only (21+) resort boasts a spa center, hot tub, outdoor pool with bar, and a restaurant with intimate alfresco dining. It’s one of the best places to stay in Palm Springs for couples as it has a truly romantic setting and private bungalows, giving you all the peace and quiet you desire.
There are various bungalows you can choose from, but the Junior Suite is one of the best. It has a totally private outdoor rain shower, expansive outdoor patio, and indoor lounge. Or, if you really want to splash out, you can upgrade to the Fireplace Suite.
The adults-only Sparrows Lodge feels like an oasis with its beautiful palm-lined outdoor patio with fire pits. There is also an outdoor pool, hot tub, and water features in the gardens.
The rooms boast modern, sleek designs with high ceilings, air conditioning, and ceiling fans. All suites also have private patios, bathtubs, and luxury toiletries.
Caliente Tropics hotel is one of the more happening hotels on East Palm Canyon Drive. It has an expansive outdoor pool with tiki-styled cabanas. There’s also a larger lawn area, hot tub, and pool-side bar. The rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, large leather beds, and ensuite bathrooms.