Palm Springs, CA trip advice
 

Greetings Fodorites!

It's been a while but we're planning a new get-away for Thanksgiving 2016. I have never been to Palm Springs and it's been on the bucket list a long while. I think we are looking for a boutique property with a really nice pool close to the "old downtown" area - hope that's the right term anyway. But then again, I am a bit confused as far as the other areas i.e., Palm Desert, Indian Wells, etc.... Maybe we really want to stay in a resort in one of those areas? We are four adults; two wanting an art museum, to ride the aerial tram and do some basic hiking in the canyons, plus some spa time and two younger adults mostly wanting to have a great pool and relaxation. We plan on staying four nights and will have a rental car. We will reserve 2 separate rooms with a max of $300.00 per night per room. I appreciate any advice on 1) which area to stay in and why is it best? and 2) which hotel/resort would you recommend as best? Thank you!

We did not stay here, but if I had the $$$ I would want to stay at the Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn. The rich and famous stayed here, back in the day.

http://thewillowspalmsprings.com

We did a walk on our own in this area of mid-century motels. Some we liked and would perhaps like to try are:
The Andalusian Court
Coyote Inn
Old Ranch Inn

These are all just a few blocks from the downtown restaurants and shops.

Loved the tram up Mt. Jacinto, hiking Andreas Canyon, and checking out a date farm in Thermal.

I am perhaps not the best advisor because I have only been to Palm Springs once. That being said, after much research, I too, would choose the historic Willows named by MichelleY. We stayed at the Andalusian Inn and it was fabulous! Very quiet, the pool is open 24/7 so you can make the most of it and the rooms are really more like small apartments. Kitchen, sitting area, very nice and just right for the length of time you're going to be there! The rates were very reasonable and the staff was kind and helpful.

Rooms at the Willows start at $375/night and that doesn't include the holiday surcharge.

I would add the Desert Riviera to MichelleY's list. Rates start at well under your budget, and nothing beats it imo for mid-century atmosphere. Rooms are uber clean and extras abound at the property, e.g. free use of bicycles (which can be indispensable for young people, to explore the area) etc.

The Palmer House is lovely as well.

There are lots of options, even just in the downtown area. We opted for the Triada and will be staying in one of their casitas with a full kitchen. I noticed that the Hyatt Regency is an all-suite hotel and may be another option for you.

Will you have a car? How important is the "old downtown" part? The boutique part? Is it the size or decor that makes you want "boutique?". The great pool part? Because those three tend to be incompatible.

EG, the Desert Riviera is in at the south end of Palm Springs, not really the old downtown. Many of the hotels down there have big pools but cheap construction (although now recently tarted up with mod style). So the walls can be thin, read reviews carefully.

Also when you say "great pool" that sometimes means "big party pool" and many of the boutique hotels around the old downtown have rather small pools. Actually sort of back-yard pool size, with the rooms facing on them. As a result there are restrictions against pool noise. Which may be good or bad, depending. Coyote Inn would be one of those.

So you really have to define those things.

If you have a car then it doesn't matter where you stay, even as far away as La Quinta/Indian Wells would work.

For a 'boutique' old school inn near the downtown I like this one, but it may not work for your group:

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

You might also look into some of the Marriott timeshare properties, I like Shadow Ridge which does have a pretty nice, large pool.

> EG, the Desert Riviera

> read reviews carefully.

Nonsense skipped but that last bit is good advice imo. I absolutely encourage you to read the reviews.

this should give an idea re how the pools are laid out in the renovated motels such as Desert Riveria and Desert Hills

http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-...-Palm-Springs/

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the delayed response, haven't had a chance to get back here until now! I appreciate the great advice. Wish we could stay at The Willows, but it's above what we want to spend. Looks amazing though! Andalusian Court looks really nice.
mlgb, you say if you have a car it doesn't really matter where we stay - so one area doesn't really have any big differences over another?? Thanks for the links also.
Things have changed a bit since my first post. Son and GF told us they want to stay at a property with a large or multiple pools and lots of amenities, i.e. bar, restaurant etc.... Not what my choice would be but we want them to be happy and we will be off doing activities a lot more while they do pool time. We will have a car. Shadow Ridge is a possibility. Any others you would recommend?
michelleY, we definitely want to do the tram and some hiking, will check out the date farm, sounds cool.
Thanks again everyone, really appreciate all your input!

I thought that might be what they want. Because it's a time share Shadow Ridge may have fewer amenities than they prefer in terms of poolside bars, etc.

There are the big resorts in Indian Wells, such as the Hyatt or the Renaissance. I like the Hyatt, especially their spa. Be aware though that they are one of those nickle and dime situations where they charge extra for everything. I haven't stayed at the Indian Wells Renaissance so am not sure if there is a second pool. I don't like the arrangement of rooms around their pool very much.

Further south, La Quinta Resort which is now Waldorf Astoria, has multiple pools.

At the south end of Palm Springs some of the renovated spring break hotels have "larger" single pools but you may not like them. Maybe the Ace, or if you want a hotel chain the Palm Springs Renaissance has a larger pool than the others.

Most of the Palm Desert resorts tend to be family oriented except possibly the JW Marriott. One that is a bit of a hidden gem with a great pool is Shadow Mountain. http://www.shadowmountainresort.com/

However the units themselves can be pretty ugly since they are individually owned, and not sure if it will have enough "action" for the younger set but you are walking distance to El Paseo for shopping, bars, restaurants. If nothing else pans out it may be worth looking at.

mlgb, Thanks so much for all the great information! Will check all these out and have them decide where they want to stay. Really appreciate it! :0) Happy Travels to all!