Where to Stay in Palm Springs: A Travel Guide by Vibe
Villa Royale, Palm Spring, CA. Photo: Opulist
Palm Springs is rare among travel destinations in its ability to offer something for everyone. While some cities lock you into a singular experience, this desert oasis shape-shifts depending on what you're looking for. Planning a serene escape where you can finally unplug? Palm Springs has you covered. Craving a vibrant social scene with design-forward hotels and buzzy restaurants? Also covered. Hoping to time travel back to old Hollywood glamour or indulge in luxury at every turn? You get the idea. The key is knowing which hotels and restaurants align with the kind of trip you're actually craving. We've organized some of our favorite Palm Springs picks by vibe so you can plan accordingly, whether you're seeking peace and seclusion, maximal luxury, lively social energy, or classic desert elegance.
Serene & Secluded
Casa Cody | Palm Springs
Photo: Opulist
Palm Springs' oldest operating hotel sits tucked against the San Jacinto Mountains on over an acre of secret garden grounds complete with citrus trees, bougainvillea, and two distinct pools. Founded in the 1920s by Harriet Cody (cousin to Buffalo Bill), the property reopened in 2021 after a restoration by Venice Beach's Electric Bowery that preserved its adobe hacienda architecture while adding modern minimalist touches. The various casita-style accommodations include studios and full cottages with kitchens, and the property's restaurant Harriet's serves breakfast and natural wine poolside all day.
Sparrows Lodge | Palm Springs
Photo: Opulist
Originally built in 1952 as Castle's Red Barn by MGM actor Don Castle, Sparrows Lodge is a 20-room retreat that feels like summer camp for adults, complete with exposed beam ceilings, russet red walls, concrete floors with inlaid pebbles, and Swiss Army blankets topping the beds. The property deliberately keeps TVs and phones out of the rooms to encourage guests to actually disconnect, and the communal barn serves as the lobby where you check in with a complimentary sangria. The onsite Barn Kitchen is Michelin Guide recommended, focusing on refined rustic American cuisine with ingredients from the Coachella Valley.
Korakia Pensione | Palm Springs
Photo: Opulist
Painter Gordon Coutts built this Moroccan hideaway in the 1920s to recreate his life in Tangier, and the property (now spanning 28 individually named villas across two historic sites) remains one of Palm Springs' most romantic options. The 1.5-acre resort feels like a secret garden with courtyards, fountains, pools, and bougainvillea-draped archways, blending Moorish and Mediterranean architecture with whitewashed walls and antique furnishings. Rooms include vintage vinyl record players, and technology is intentionally kept out of sight to honor the setting, though WiFi is available throughout.
Sensei Porcupine Creek | Rancho Mirage
Photo: Sensei Porcupine Creek
Set on 230 acres at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains in Rancho Mirage, Sensei Porcupine Creek is an adults-only wellness retreat co-founded by Larry Ellison that transforms a former private estate into an intimate wellness experience with only 22 accommodations. The property features a diagnostic center, yoga and fitness pavilions, an 18-hole private golf course once used by professional athletes, premier tennis courts, and exclusive Sensei by Nobu dining available only to resort guests. Evidence-based wellness programming focuses on the Sensei Way philosophy (Move, Nourish, Rest) backed by science and technology, while the lush grounds with desert marigolds, bougainvillea, and minimalist stone architecture create a serene environment that balances luxury with transformative wellness.
Where to Eat
Photo: The Barn Kitchen
The Barn Kitchen at Sparrows Lodge serves refined rustic American cuisine in a communal barn setting with Michelin Guide recognition, focusing on locally sourced Coachella Valley ingredients.
The Pink Cabana offers a playful poolside dining experience perfect for leisurely afternoons.
Luxe & Indulgent
The Parker Palm Springs | Palm Springs
Designer Jonathan Adler transformed this 13-acre estate into one of Palm Springs' most distinctive luxury resorts, featuring 144 rooms across what was originally California's first Holiday Inn (built in 1959). Adler's design maximizes "groovy modern architecture meets Hollywood glamour with a touch of hedonism," incorporating bold colors, diverse textures, a 7-foot bronze banana sculpture on the lawn, and no two spaces that look exactly alike. The property features three pools, European red clay tennis courts, Palm Springs Yacht Club spa, and multiple restaurants including the open-air Norma's and the dark-toned Mister Parker's channeling Old Hollywood style.
Photo: Opulist
Hermann Bungalows | Palm Springs
Part of the L'Horizon Resort property designed by Steve Hermann, these 24 modern bungalows spread across three acres feature walnut walls, Venetian terrazzo floors, Frette linens, Le Labo toiletries, marble baths, and a mix of bespoke and high-end vintage furniture. Each bungalow includes a private patio with outdoor shower, and the adults-only (21+) property offers access to both the Hermann Bungalow Bar and L'Horizon's facilities including two pools with unobstructed mountain views. The intimate scale and meticulous attention to detail throughout the property earned it recognition in Condé Nast's Top 25 Resorts in the World.
website | instagram
Photo: Hermann Bungalows
L'Horizon Resort & Spa
Built in 1952 by renowned architect William F. Cody as a family retreat for television producer Jack Wrather and his wife actress Bonita Granville, this mid-century modern icon once hosted Hollywood legends including Marilyn Monroe and several U.S. Presidents. The adults-only resort features 25 bungalows with exposed post and beam ceilings, slump stone walls, marble bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling glass connecting guests to the California landscape, with some rooms offering indoor copper-clad fireplaces and outdoor showers. The property includes a spa with white canvas cabanas and private outdoor showers, two pools, and the onsite restaurant SO·PA featuring a 26-foot live edge walnut communal table designed by Steve Hermann.
Image: L’Horizon
Where to Eat
Workshop Kitchen brings sophisticated New American cuisine with seasonal menus and an emphasis on technique and presentation.
Mr. Lyons is a classic steakhouse, offering luxe dining. SO·PA at L'Horizon offers dramatic alfresco dining with fire pits, fountains, and unobstructed desert mountain views.
Image: Opulist
Vibrant & Social
ARRIVE Palm Springs | Palm Springs
Image: Opulist
This 32-room Palisociety boutique hotel in the Uptown Design District blends rusted steel, wood, and concrete with bold colors and butterfly roofs that flood rooms with natural light, all designed by co-founder Chris Pardo to honor Palm Springs' modernist legacy. The property operates with modern hospitality touches including text-based concierge service, check-in at the bar with complimentary welcome cocktails, and 16 patio rooms featuring ModFire fireplaces. The pool anchors the social scene alongside the restaurant, communal fire pits, bocce court, ping-pong tables, and regular events including dive-in movies and pool parties that blur the line between hotel guests and locals.
Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Image: Opulist
This mid-century modern landmark has become synonymous with Palm Springs' social energy, featuring two deep pools, a stargazing deck, community fire pits, and weekend programming including DJ nights, karaoke sessions, tarot card readings, and vinyl listening parties. The property's bohemian, sun-drenched atmosphere welcomes both hotel guests and day-pass holders to its pool scene, which transforms from serene morning swims to lively evening gatherings with DJs spinning at the Amigo Room hideaway bar.
Drift Palm Springs
Image: Opulist
This boutique hotel creates an effortlessly social atmosphere where the relaxed desert aesthetic encourages spontaneous connections between guests. The property's design and communal spaces foster natural gathering spots that make meeting fellow travelers feel organic rather than forced. Drift balances Palm Springs' signature laid-back vibe with just enough energy to keep things interesting without overwhelming those seeking both community and calm.
website | instagram
Where to Eat
Image: Opulist
Bar Cecil requires advance reservations and delivers swanky dinner vibes with eclectic art, ideal lighting for lingering conversations, and creative cocktails that encourage staying for one more round.
Boozehounds is a lively cocktail bar and restaurant perfect for meeting new people over inventive drinks and shareable bites. Bar Issi offers a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere with shareable plates designed for group dining and a convivial energy that makes solo diners feel welcome.
Classic & Glamorous
Ingleside Estate
This historic Palm Springs estate embodies the elegant grandeur of the desert's golden era, offering accommodations that transport guests to the sophisticated world of mid-century California luxury. The property's timeless architecture and refined interiors showcase the kind of understated elegance that attracted Hollywood royalty and discerning travelers to Palm Springs throughout the 1940s and 50s. With meticulous attention to period-appropriate details and a commitment to preserving its glamorous heritage, Ingleside Estate offers a quieter, more intimate take on classic Palm Springs style.
Image: Opulist
The Colony Palms Hotel
Built in the 1930s, this historic property has been welcoming guests since Al Wertheimer opened it as a hideaway for Hollywood's elite, maintaining its reputation as a sophisticated gathering place with genuine old-world glamour. The hotel's Mediterranean-style architecture, poolside cabanas, and iconic Purple Palm restaurant create an atmosphere that channels the Rat Pack era without feeling like a museum. The intimate 57-room property blends its storied past (including rumored connections to the mob and countless celebrity trysts) with modern comforts, offering a glimpse into the glamorous, slightly scandalous side of Palm Springs' history.
Image: Opulist
Villa Royale
This European-inspired boutique hotel spreads across two acres with individually designed rooms and suites that channel Mediterranean villas, each decorated with antiques, fireplaces, and private patios surrounding lush courtyards with fountains. Originally built in the 1930s, the property offers an intimate alternative to Palm Springs' larger resorts with only 31 rooms, creating a romantic hideaway feel enhanced by winding pathways, flowering gardens, and secluded pools. The hotel's old-world aesthetic and commitment to privacy have made it a favorite for couples seeking a quieter, more romantic Palm Springs experience that prioritizes intimacy over social scenes.
Image: Opulist
Where to Eat
Melvyn's at the Ingleside Estate has been a Palm Springs institution since 1975, serving classic American cuisine in a setting dripping with old Hollywood glamour, complete with red leather booths, dim lighting, and nightly piano entertainment.
Del Rey at Villa Royale brings mid-century sophistication with floor-to-ceiling windows framing mountain views, elevated comfort food, and a design aesthetic that honors Palm Springs' golden age. The Colony Club at The Colony Palms Hotel offers poolside dining and cocktails in a setting that captures the property's 1930s glamour, perfect for lingering over lunch or sunset drinks in an atmosphere that feels both historic and timeless.
Image: Opulist
Palm Springs' genius lies in its ability to be exactly what you need it to be. Whether you're drawn to serene hideaways where you can finally hear yourself think, luxury properties where every detail has been considered, social hubs where the energy keeps you buzzing, or classic glamour that transports you to another era, the desert has a hotel and restaurant scene to match. The properties and dining spots featured here represent just a fraction of what Palm Springs offers, but they're a solid starting point for planning a trip that actually matches the vibe you're craving. All locations featured here are Opulist picks and can be found when searching for hotels and restaurants in Palm Springs on the search page.
All locations featured here are Opulist picks and can also be found when searching for “Hotels” or "Restaurants" in Palm Springs. Use the search page to help plan your next night out.
The Aesthetic Edit is your go-to source for design-forward restaurants, bars, hotels, and more. Keep following along to find more aesthetically appealing content just like this.
Head to Opulist’s search page to discover the most beautiful and aesthetic places to travel in Palm Springs and beyond.
