We are a senior couple looking to spend a few days in the winter in the Palm Springs area. Looking for a safe, modestly priced area, perhaps boutique hotel or B & B, preferably near restaurants with outdoor dining (COVID). Want to see the area, including one day to Joshua Tree. A bit overwhelming with all the different locales. Will have a car. No need for a pool, nor nightlife. Thanks!!

Not sure if the pricing will suit you, but a few years ago we stayed for a couple of nights at the Andalusian Court in Palm Springs, and it was nothing short of marvelous. Andalusian Court Hotel | Hotels in Palm Springs, California (theandalusiancourt.com)

Outdoor dining is certainly possible, but don't forget that nights in the winter can get quite chilly in the desert, so bring jackets.

It would help a lot if you gave us a budget - 'moderately priced' covers a wide range. Keeping in mind that winter is high season in PS.

Thanks, Understood... How about approximately $300/night as the top.... but flexible.

Thanks

Very nice but over your budget, The Willows.
https://thewillowspalmsprings.com

In that same area are various choices of small, MCM motels. The Orbit, Old Ranch Inn, Coyote Inn, Casa Cody, Andalusian. These are handy to walking a few block to shops and restaurants.

We stayed a little up the street at Palm Springs Rendezvous. Very nice, but not as convenient as the above.
https://www.palmspringsrendezvous.com/

https://visitpalmsprings.com/stay/
I grabbed a copy of this at the airport in Seattle and have found it very handy in getting to know a bit more about Palm Springs.

Anyone have comments about Caliente Tropics Resort Hotel? https://calientetropics.com/

Not there, but a gay male friend who regularly visits reminded me that some hotels are "clothing optional" - enough so that the guide I linked above has "CO" as one of the designators for the various hotels along with pool, bar, restaurant, etc.

Thanks.... With only two full days and 2 half days(arrival day and departure day) and planning one of these days tor Joshua Tree, is there another locale in the area that we might be best to stay. Assume we will want to see a few popular sites, as of this time mostly outdoors due to Covid, drive around and/or walk around interesting towns, etc. etc. (list to be developed), are we better staying is another town? Palm Desert frequently mentioned but any others?

Thanks.

If I were going to Palm Springs for the first time, I would want to stay right in or very near their downtown area to be able to walk to things to see and do.

I have something to say about the Caliente Tropic. It is a cheaply built old motel which has been refreshed a little bit. That end of town used to be Spring break central (eg the Motel 6 is next door). I probably would not recommend it unless you really can't afford anything else, although there are worse places to stay.

There is a hotel in Palm Springs that I'd recommend but you may need to call them if booking beyond mid December

https://www.desert-hills.com/

Since you have a car, also look at the Palm Desert resort/time share places such as Desert Willow and Shadow Ridge. I used to like to stay in one of the "lockoff" units at Shadow Ridge.

The pedestrian area of Palm Desert is also a place to wander. Pacifica at the Gardens shopping center there has an outdoor patio.

Caliente Tropics is not in "downtown Palm Springs" by the way.

Thanks for the info... one more question: Downtown Palm Springs or Uptown Palm Springs for short visit for seniors?? .... no real need for nightlife after dinner but wish to see a few of the wonderful sites.

Uptown is a little sketchier. What "wonderful sights are you referring to ? What are your interests? Shopping?
The outdoor sights that might be have been interesting are the Tram (outside of town), the Indian Canyons (south of PS), the Moorten Botanic Garden (closed I believe), Sunnylands (not in Palm Springs, tickets required, buy in advance); the Living Desert (in Palm Desert). Farther out, the Coachella Valley Preserve and Joshua Tree.

I never found Downtown all that fantastic, and it tends to be crowded. I would go to the Art Museum, and sometimes friends would want to dine downtown. Another friend liked the Air Museum. The only restaurant that I would recommend is Spencer's which has an outdoor patio and is neither downtown nor uptown. They have a good brunch and evening is also pleasant.

There used to be a small inns tour that was good but I can't imagine that it happens any more due to pandemic.

Casa Cody is nice but I wouldn't call it MCM. It is also going to be over budget as are most if not all of those small hotels in December. Best Western Plus is fairly popular with the budget crowd, and again in Palm Desert I would recommend Marriott's Shadow Ridge ( prefer Villages to Enclave).

Do pay attention to the extra charges "resort fee" "parking" etc...

Caliente Tropics is not in "downtown Palm Springs" by the way.

Yes, I have a map.