24 Gorgeous Hip Hotels in Palm Springs

Last updated on July 25, 2023

Palm Springs has become a hotbed of hip hotels, perfect for the ultimate hipster getaway, filled with pool parties, cocktails and the laid-back ease of desert life. Retro-chic and mid-century style is the Palm Springs classic look, and you’ll also find plenty of fun, playful touches.

From glamorous luxury retreats to party-filled hotels, this is a rundown of the most hip Palm Springs hotels. They cover the Greater Palm Springs area, which comprises nine different cities, including Palm Desert and Indian Wells, and all are within 30 minutes of Palm Springs city centre.

This is our pick of the best hotels in Palm Springs. And we also have guides to the best Palm Springs VRBO homes with a pool, and the best Palm Springs Airbnbs.

We went to Palm Springs as part of our epic California road trip.

The most hip hotels in Palm Springs: Palm Springs’ best boutique hotels

Kimpton Rowan

The Kimpton Rowan has quickly become one of the most popular Palm Springs hotels. The seven-storey hotel has a rooftop pool and restaurant (4 Saints), offering the best views from downtown Palm Springs. As with all Kimpton Hotels, the design complements the local area and has a distinct hipster edge. The stylish lobby is an attractive place to hang out, and the downstairs patio restuarant, Juniper Table is also worth a visit.

It’s also right in downtown, in walking distance from great shops and restaurants and one of the best areas to stay in Palm Springs.

Best photo spots: view from the rooftop pool; the lobby; angel wing mural outside hotel.

Rooms start at $293. Find the best deals now.

The Saguaro

The Saguaro is the Palm Springs hotel you’re most likely to have come across on Instagram. The colourful Insta-worthy hotel is backed by the desert mountains and makes for a particularly photogenic spot, especially down by the pool. The colours continue inside with comfortable, rainbow-hued rooms, all with a balcony or terrace.

The pool is known as one of the most fun spots in Palm Springs and the hotel is worth visiting even if you’re not staying there. Taco Tuesdays at the on-site restaurant El Jefe are a popular event. And don’t miss the ‘A Day in the Life at Saguaro’ art installation by Sarah Scheideman, featuring a fun array of Barbie doll dioramas. Definitely one of the best hotels in Palm Springs for the full Palm Springs experience.

Best photo spots: the pool; Day in the Life at Saguaro art installation; the rainbow-coloured building facade.

Rooms start at $129. Find the best deals now.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club

The Ace Hotel brand has become synonymous with hipster style and the Palm Springs branch is perhaps the most hipster hotel of all, describing itself as a place for “freethinkers, wanderers, mystics and artists, like you”.

The swim club’s infamous pool parties are a staple for any party-driven trip to Palm Springs, and if you get your timing right, don’t miss the monthly full moon party, complete with drum circle and dancing. There are 179 rooms, an organic spa, vintage photobooth and roadside diner. And there are events on most nights. One of the most fun and best places to stay in Palm Springs.

Best photo spots: giant lightbox; Ace Hotel sign; Laura Berger ‘Lifting the Sun’ mural; the pool.

Rooms start at $150. Find the best deals now.

The Parker

The Parker is the original hip boutique hotel in Palm Springs and still retains its hot credentials. Set on a 13-acre estate, the sprawling resort still manages to feel intimate and the lush grounds are connected by a series of pretty pathways. Designed by John Adler and once-owned by actor Gene Autry, the retro-modern hotel attracts celebrities and is also a popular base for Coachella festival-goers.

Highlights include the artfully decorated upscale rooms; the hotel’s three pools; brunch at Norma’s; and wine and small plates at Counter Reformation. The on-site Palm Springs Yacht Club is a stand-out attraction, featuring spa treatments and an indoor pool.

Best photo spots: room interiors; mini bar; lemonade stand; indoor pool.

Rooms start at $380. Find the best deals now.

Hotel Paseo

The stylish Hotel Paseo is one of the newest kids on the block and the first of the hip hotels to come to Palm Desert. It’s part of the Autograph Collection and is just steps away from the glamorous shops, galleries and restaurants of El Paseo, also known as The Rodeo Drive of the Desert. Enjoy morning yoga, followed by lawn games in the afternoon and some relaxation at the in-house spa. One of the best hotels in Palm Desert.

Best photo spots: sunset from the balcony; airstream on the lawn; art in the lobby.

Rooms start at $118. Find the best deals now.

Arrive

One of the most hip hotels in downtown Palm Springs, Arrive is a laid-back, social hotel with monthly movie screenings, fire pits, cabanas and outdoor games. It’s popular with Instagrammers especially the on-site ice cream parlour, Ice Cream and Shoppe, which is a kitsch dream of Palm Springs style. There’s also Wexler’s Deli, a poolside eatery, and the neighbouring Draughtsman gastropub. A firm favourite in the top 10 hotels in Palm Springs.

Best photo spots: palm-fringed pool; Ice Cream and Shoppe.

Rooms start at $158. Find the best deals now.

The Lautner Compound

For the ultimate in exclusive luxury, head to the Lautner Compound, a popular event space, which also houses four luxury vacation suites, complete with kitchenettes and patios. The whole place is designed by visionary architect John Lautner, and is a gorgeous example of desert design.

The Lautner Compound is made up of three elements: the four vacation units; the 10,000 sq.ft open-air event space called the Park; and the Ranch House, a California bungalow that’s also used for events/private hire.

Best photo spots: cacti gardens outside the rooms; guest suite interiors; Ranch House bar

Rooms start at $200. Find the best deals here.

Sparrows Lodge

This restored 1950s rustic retreat feels like a secret and has a colourful history as a hideout for Hollywood stars. Sparrows Lodge was originally built by actor Don Castle in 1952 and has a laid-back rustic vibe, including a vegetable garden, social barn, outdoor fire pit, and cosy dark-hued rooms. It’s strictly adults only. There’s a casual on-site restaurant, The Barn Kitchen Bar and Restaurant.

Best photo spots: fire pit; barn; horse trough bathtubs; room interiors.

Rooms start at $259 . Find the best deals here.

Sands Hotel and Spa

Situated in the Coachella Valley city of Indian Wells, the retro-chic Sands Hotel and Spa is an Instagram dream of geometric tiles, patterned wallpaper and pink pastel upholsetry. Designed by renowned British designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the charming hotel combines Moraoccan influence with the classic mid-century style that epitomises Palm Springs.

It’s one of the most stylish hotels in Greater Palm Springs, not least of all the Pink Cabana Restaurant and Bar, which is a homage to the 1950s and 60s tennis clubs of Palm Springs. The hotel is adults only.

Best photo spots: Pink Cabana Restaurant and Bar; the spa; bathrooms; room interiors.

Rooms start at $170. Find the best deals here.

L’Horizon Resort and Spa

Originally designed as a private family retreat for TV producer Jack Wrather, and used as hideaway by Marilyn Monroe, L’Horizon Resort and Spa is a luxurious resort made up of 24 stylish bungalows. It was restored by Steve Hermann, a designer of high-end LA homes, and the bungalows are made to feel like an elite private residence.

Room 10 is where Marilyn Monroe used to stay. Highlights include the infinity pool, guests-only cocktail bar and SOPA restaurant. It’s one of the most glamorous places to stay in Palm Springs.

Best photo spots: bungalow patios; the lobby; private massage cabana.

Rooms start at $405. Find the best deals here.

Hotel California Palm Springs

Another classic option in Palm Springs is the Hotel California. It can’t really be called hip, but is a charming place to stay in Palm Springs and a firm favourite among visitors.

Trixie Motel

Trixie Motel is one of the newest boutique hotels in Palm Springs. You may recognize it from the series on Discovery+ that followed drag queen Trixie Mattel’s journey of investing her savings into the hotel to renovate it.

Today, you can stay in one of the 7 themed rooms at this “pink paradise”, each with custom furniture and decor. The property also features a guests-only pool, gift shop, and lounge.

Best photo spots: Each themed room, the lounge, the pool.

Rooms start at $400. Find the best deals here.

The Weekend

The Weekend is a small luxury boutique hotel in Palms Springs, located in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood. The property offers 10 poolside suites and is adults-only, with the exception of families with children over 16.

The mid-century modern design is clean and sleek and, unlike other Palm Springs boutique hotels, the vibe is known for being quiet and relaxing – not an all-day party.

Best photo spots: The pool

Rooms start at $198. Find the best deals here.

Holiday House

Holiday House is a great option if you’re looking for a boutique hotel in downtown Palm Springs. The 28-room hotel was originally designed by architect Herbert W. Burns in 1951 but was recently redesigned by Mark D. Sikes and the team behind Sparrows Lodge, another of our top Palm Springs boutique hotel picks.

Today, Holiday House features midcentury design with a “communal atmosphere and whimsical edge”. This includes features like no TVs in the rooms, oversized showers, free bikes for guests, and homemade bread at breakfast.

Best photo spots: The pool, the lobby, and colorful accent walls in rooms.

Rooms start at $199. Find the best deals here.

Fleur Noire

Another recent addition to the Palm Springs boutique hotel scene, Fleur Noire is an adults-only property with 21 casitas, bungalows, and suites.

The chic hotel features floral murals throughout, painted by LA-based artist Louise Jones (Ouizi), a rosé bar, and lots of communal outdoor spaces. Not to mention a giant chessboard and cornhole, a firepit, and a stunning pool.

Fleur Noire is truly one of those properties that you just don’t want to leave once you arrive!

Best photo spots: Any of the murals, the rosé bar, and pretty much any outdoor spot.

Rooms start at $194. Find the best deals here.

Drift

Recently opened in spring 2023, Drift Palm Springs is a stylish boutique hotel that openly welcomes families. In fact, Drift may be one of the best Palm Springs hotels for families, as the rooms are both stylish and spacious, with many multi-room suites available. Some even have kitchens, for those who prefer to prepare a few meals onsite!

Drift is located right on Indian Canyon Drive and though it’s next to a Best Western and centrally located to pretty much everything, it feels like its own private oasis. The focal point of the modern property is definitely the swimming pool with its yellow umbrellas flanking both sides.

Best photo ops: The pool and loungers

Rooms start at $242. Find the best rates here.

More Boutique Hotels in Palm Springs

There’s no shortage of hip boutique hotels in Palm Springs and while we believe the ones mentioned above are the best of the best, there are several others that deserve an honorable mention as well.

• Villa Royale. This hip Palm Springs hotel has been a hit since it opened in 1947.
• Korakia Pensione. Inspired by a Mediterranean pensione, Korakia has been called “one of the sexiest hotels in America” by The New York Times.
• Ingleside Estate. Ingleside Estate offers up a luxury adults-only retreat at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains.
• La Serena Villas. Part of the Kirkwood Collection, La Serena Villas is another adults-only option in downtown Palm Springs.
• Alcazar. Guests at Alcazar can choose between mountain view and pool view – and some rooms even come with a patio and fireplace!
• Azure Sky. Azure Sky is an adults-only Palm Springs hotel with a gorgeous pool, garden, and terrace.
• Mahala. Mahala deems itself a “magical desert destination” and it is just that, with modern and stylish finishes and a lovely outdoor pool.
• Yara Hotel. Yara may have just 10 rooms but this adults-only Palm Springs boutique hotel is a true getaway, set at the foot of the San Jacinto.

Hip Hotels in Palm Springs FAQs

More California travel tips

We went to Palm Springs as part of a one-month California road trip. Read the post to find out about everything else we did on that journey, including how much it all cost and where we stayed.

For car rentals, we recommend booking with Discover Cars as we tend to find they have the cheapest deals for mainstream retailers.

If you decide to book any Airbnb apartments, use this link as it’ll give you £25 off your first trip.

We found great last-minute deals on Booking.com, getting a discount of up to 60%.

Don’t forget your travel insurance! We recommend True Traveller who offer reliable, comprehensive cover, including medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. You can buyTrue Traveller insurance even when you’ve left home, which is unusual for travel insurance companies.

If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check out our travel planning pages  for all our best travel tips, including how to save money with the best cards; what to bring; and all our favourite tools and tricks.

We also have full, detailed itineraries for many other destinations, including 5 days in Iceland; 10 days in Japan; a road trip from Florence to the Amalfi Coast; a South Africa honeymoon guide; and the ultimate road trip in New Zealand. See all our travel itineraries. And if you do this trip, you might also like to add on a trip to Portland like we did. We flew up from San Francisco and I’ve written a full guide on what to do in Portland, plus a guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in Portland.

Disclosure: We stayed at Hotel Paseo as guests of the hotel and Visit Greater Palm Springs. All opinions are our own. Read more about how we work with brands here.

Going to Joshua Tree too?

If you’re heading to Joshua Tree as part of your Palm Springs trip, we also have a guide to the most stylish Joshua Tree Airbnb cabins.

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Photos: The photos on this post are courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs or the hotels themselves, aside from a few from Hotel Paseo, The Ace, Saguaro and Kimpton Rowan, which I took myself.