Always a fun place for a few days to get away from LA in the winter. Palm Springs was hit hard after the last recession, but has come back 10 times better. It’s fun and really hard to get super serious in Palm Springs. But in the summer, lordy… you will just melt right into the desert.
central Palm Springs
Size: 144 rooms and suites
Style: Eclectic / Sophisticated
Designer/Architect: Jonathan Adler
This hotel has racked up an impressive number of names in its seventy-year history. Once Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch estate, it was, for a time, the Merv Griffin Resort, then the Givenchy Hotel and Spa — and now, after a substantial rethink by lifestyle designer Jonathan Adler, it’s back; this time as The Parker Palm Springs.
And its new style is difficult to pin down as well — it’s been described as “hippie chic,” but its promiscuous blend of periods and references is an Adler trademark, and alternately recalls the Mod Sixties, the feel-good Seventies, and the classic Rat Pack vibe that Palm Springs is known for. This town, after all, used to be where the stars fled to from Hollywood — and the Parker is a conscious attempt to recapture the glamor of those bygone days. Palm Springs skewed older, blander, and more conservative over the decades, but those trends are reversing, and today the stars — and the rest of us — are coming back.
Looking around the Parker, it’s easy to see the appeal; every detail calls out for attention, from the bubblegum pink of the bellhops’ uniforms to the occasional animal-print rug, and the inclusion of such refreshingly old-school games as croquet and pétanque, alongside the red clay tennis courts and the five-star diner, Norma’s. And underneath it all, the Parker is quite possibly just as luxurious as it was in the Givenchy days, though miles less pretentious — and, conversely, miles cooler than it was during the Merv Griffin years.
Downtown Palm Springs
Size: 57 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary Classic / Lively
Original Year Opened: 1936
Designer/Architect: Tim Campbell
Opened in the 1930s, The Colony Palms has a colorful history involving mobsters, athletes, politicians, and Hollywood stars. This Spanish colonial gem, updated by celebrated designer Steve Hermann, blends Hollywood glamour with an art-deco aesthetic. Located in the heart of Palm Springs, it provides a lush escape just steps from the city’s design district, complete with boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife.
With fire pits and intimate alcoves dotted throughout the property, the exclusive and elevated setting features 57 exquisitely designed rooms and suites, unrivaled poolside dining, and a wellness spa with all the latest offerings. This upscale adults-only boutique hotel and its inviting palm tree-lined pool are set against the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains. The perfect place to savor the ultimate Palm Springs experience, The Colony Palms is a laid-back yet upbeat retreat that brings a dash of Hollywood glamour to the desert.
Rancho Mirage
Size: 22 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary / Sophisticated
Biohack like a billionaire at Sensei Porcupine Creek. Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison’s private Palm Springs retreat has been transformed into a soothing oasis for science-based wellness. Each individually designed program features private wellbeing consultations, spa treatments, and tailored golf or tennis instructions. Choose from 22 warm, light-filled accommodations including Estate House rooms, one-bedroom casitas with outdoor Jacuzzis, and standalone villas for families and groups. Sensei by Nobu serves nutritionally balanced black cod miso and other Japanese classics.
Greater Palm Springs
Size: 785 rooms and suites
Style: Classic / Casual
Previously: Waldorf Astoria
The original desert hideaway, La Quinta Resort & Club has been a haven to Hollywood stars since 1926. Set on 45 vibrant acres in Greater Palm Springs, the resort features hacienda-style casitas, suites, and villas around 41 pools. Together with PGA WEST, the resort offers five unique golf courses designed by legends Nicklaus, Dye, and Norman. Try out the Spa La Quinta, 21 tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, seven restaurants, and seasonal, live outdoor music. The resort’s classic style is in line with the property’s history and serene desert surroundings.
Downtown Palm Springs
Mere moments from the excitement of downtown Palms Springs yet worlds away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, maybe found one of the desert’s most unique hidden treasures – the Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn. Originally a millionaire’s private luxury hideaway, the Willows is a dream of peace and serenity brought to life by skilled craftsmen who nearly a century ago magically transformed a rugged and barren hillside in Palm Springs into a veritable oasis of rare beauty and ineffable charms.
385 W Tahquitz Canyon Way
Love coming here for dinner. The patio is a wonderful dining area and you feel so “Old School”. And the food is almost as good as the ambiance.
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622 N Palm Canyon Drive
Brunch was invented in Palm Springs, and this is where Palm Springs goes for Brunch.
622 N Palm Canyon Drive
New American dining in a non-Post Modern setting.
53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
And for the classic old style of American Diner food, get on out to Pioneertwon
800 N Palm Canyon Drive
Part of Workshop Kitchen. Crafty Cocktails and small bites.
1101 N Palm Canyon Drive
Yes, it is a Tiki bar and the Spike Tyson will get you hammered.
1701 S Palm Canyon Dr
A great pleace to see some of the magic of the desert all in one place. Admission is only $5.00 for adults.
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101 N Museum Drive
For such a small city, the Art Museum is quite good, actually surprisingly good. It seems there were a good many patrons who donated some very interesting works of art. Worth an afternoon visit, and then head to Le Vallauris for an early dinner.
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All over the region
The fall festival celebrating Greater Palm Springs’ art, architecture, culture, and all things modernism is coming up October 16-19, 2025.
► VIRTUOSO: Palm Springs Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Palm Springs Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Palm Springs.
► VISIT PALM SPRINGS
The official visitor information for Palm Springs.
Where to stay in Santa Barbara
to stay or dine in Palm Springs ?
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page updated: September 2025
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Palm Springs Tourism Board
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being originally published.
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