5 Best Hotels in Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts, California

At what is definitely not your grandad's luxury hotel, a cacophony of color, retro accessories, Moroccan textiles, and flamboyant art masterfully assembled by designer Jonathan Adler is paired with lush, mazelike grounds; attentive service; and amenities that include three saltwater pools, cozy firepits, free EV charging, clay tennis courts, pétanque, morning barista services, and a huge spa that looks like a Wes Anderson film set. The hip but rarefied air attracts a well-heeled and worldly clientele, who seem to enjoy not only the smell of the citrus trees and the jangly beats of a clubby soundtrack but also the wee bit of pretension. All accommodations—whether they be poolside kings, villas with multiple bathrooms and wooden swings, or quarters in the former Gene Autry residence—have private outdoor space that, in some cases, features a hammock secluded behind tall shrubs. This is a splurge for most people, but you can score deals on midweek or summer stays.

High on a hill overlooking the Coachella Valley, this posh resort spoils guests with exemplary service and comforts that include two pools, one of the desert's finest full-service spas, complimentary fitness classes, and two restaurants. Adding visual drama and more places to relax are several water and fire features, including a rocky cascade in the spa's outdoor lounge and 38 rooms with personal firepits on their patios. Rooms were made even more soothing and sumptuous with a complete remaster in 2023, so it will take some convincing to get out of bed. Just try not to miss the stargazing experiences or guided hikes.

Set in two adjacent, opulent, Mediterranean-style mansions built in the 1920s to host the rich and famous friends (Clark Gable, Shirley Temple, Albert Einstein) of millionaire William Mead, this sumptuous hillside B&B has gleaming hardwood floors, stone fireplaces, frescoed ceilings, hand-painted tiles, iron balconies, and a 50-foot waterfall that splashes down outside the dining room window providing breakfast entertainment. Stroll the private garden, planted with native flora and affording one of the best views in the area. Guest rooms are decorated with antiques—some even have clawfoot tubs—to evoke Hollywood's golden era.

With three pools and a spa spread over 4 acres of gardens, the upscale Avalon Hotel Palm Springs calls back to 1960s swanky, with private bungalows, lush gardens, and an emphasis on style. Guest rooms for two and villas for three or more, some with fireplaces and private patios, are spread out over four tree-shaded acres. Secluded nooks and black-and-white-striped cabanas make for excellent lounging. You can dine indoors or poolside on healthful Latin fare at the stylish restaurant, Chi Chi. The on-site Estrella Spa is one of the most luxurious and unique wellness centers in Palm Springs.

A hip place to stay since the 1930s, when gangster Al Wertheimer built it to front his casino, bar, and brothel, this Spanish colonial–style property later became the Howard Hotel (hosting a young Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and Liberace) and has now been been returned it to its art deco roots and further gussied up for the social-media age to once again attract tastemakers, pretty young things, and other adults with the desire (and budget) to live the good life. It's one of those places that seems to reverberate with the echos of the old Hollywood elite who once ruled the town. The center of the Colony-verse is the pool courtyard, with its darling striped cabanas and umbrellas, which is where you'll find the bar and the excellent contemporary-American restaurant. Rooms and bungalows radiate out from the courtyard along paths that wind through leafy grounds. All accommodations are striking, with bold wallpaper and velvety furniture, yet comfortable, with Frette linens, custom beds, and Le Labo bath products. Allow time to visit the spa or to just lounge around, whether inside or out.