Top 10 Resorts in Palm Springs
Top 10 Resorts in Palm Springs
*Published June 23, 2026 · Updated June 23, 2026*
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Palm Springs is the desert's resort capital, where midcentury-modern design, mountain-backed pools, and a serious spa culture draw travelers from Los Angeles and beyond all year. The best resorts here pair distinctive architecture, standout pool scenes, and real spa and dining programs, set against the dramatic San Jacinto Mountains.
Our Best Overall pick is the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, the only true five-star downtown high-rise with a rooftop infinity pool and mountain views. Our Best Value pick is the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, a hip, fun retreat with a lively pool scene at friendly rates. Below are 10 real, currently-operating resorts ranked for 2026-2027.
1. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Five-star downtown high-rise | Price: $$$ ($350-$650/night peak) | Location: Downtown Palm Springs | Best for: Travelers wanting a rooftop pool and a central, modern stay
The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs is one of the few true five-star hotels in downtown Palm Springs and the city's only modern high-rise of its kind. Its standout feature is the rooftop infinity pool and bar with sweeping San Jacinto Mountain views, paired with sleek rooms, a no-pet-fee policy, and Kimpton's warm service culture that guests consistently praise.
Right in the city center, it puts the downtown restaurants, galleries, and the weekly VillageFest within walking distance. For a polished, amenity-rich base, the Rowan is the strongest all-around choice.
Pros:
- Rooftop infinity pool with mountain views.
- Central downtown location, fully walkable.
- Warm Kimpton service and no pet fees.
- Modern, sleek rooms in a rare high-rise.
Cons:
- High-rise scale feels less intimate than the bungalow hotels.
- Rooftop pool draws crowds on weekends.
Verdict: The best modern, amenity-rich downtown base in Palm Springs — our clear Best Overall.
2. Ace Hotel & Swim Club 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Hip lifestyle hotel | Price: $$ ($180-$380/night peak) | Location: South Palm Springs | Best for: Younger travelers wanting a lively pool scene at a fair rate
The Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a hip, fun retreat known for its lively Swim Club pool scene, two restaurants, a spa, and a relaxed, creative vibe. Built from a converted midcentury motor lodge, it delivers personality, social energy, and good value at rates below the city's luxury properties.
Pros:
- Lively Swim Club pool and bar scene.
- Two restaurants plus a spa on site.
- Creative, design-driven atmosphere.
- Value pricing for the experience.
Cons:
- Social, party-leaning energy isn't for everyone.
- Rooms are casual rather than luxurious.
Verdict: The best value-and-vibe pick for travelers who want a fun pool scene without luxury pricing.
3. The Parker Palm Springs
Type: Design luxury resort | Price: $$$$ ($450-$900/night peak) | Location: South Palm Springs | Best for: Design lovers wanting a bold, amenity-packed retreat
The Parker Palm Springs is a Jonathan Adler–designed icon, famous for its bold color palette of reds, turquoise, tangerine, and striped blues across a lush, hedged 13-acre property. Five dining spots — including Norma's, Mister Parker's, and Counter Reformation — plus two pools, a spa, and tennis make it a full-immersion design resort.
Pros:
- Iconic Jonathan Adler design and color.
- Five dining venues, including Norma's.
- Lush hedged grounds and two pools.
- Spa and tennis on a 13-acre property.
Cons:
- Among the priciest stays in the city.
- Bold design won't suit minimalist tastes.
Verdict: The best design-immersion luxury resort for travelers who want a bold, all-in retreat.
4. La Quinta Resort & Club
Type: Historic full-service resort | Price: $$$ ($300-$650/night peak) | Location: La Quinta (Greater Palm Springs) | Best for: Families and golfers wanting big resort amenities and history
Dating to 1926, La Quinta Resort & Club is one of the largest and most historic resorts in the Greater Palm Springs area. Its 45-acre hacienda-style property offers casitas, access to over 40 pools, 21 tennis courts, pickleball, championship golf, and a full spa — a complete resort for travelers who want everything on site.
Pros:
- Over 40 pools and 21 tennis courts.
- Championship golf and full spa.
- Historic 1926 hacienda character.
- Spacious casitas for families.
Cons:
- Located in La Quinta, a drive from downtown Palm Springs.
- Sprawling scale means walking between amenities.
Verdict: The best big-amenity, historic resort for families and golfers in the Greater Palm Springs valley.
5. L'Horizon Resort & Spa
Type: Adults-only bungalow resort | Price: $$$$ ($450-$850/night peak) | Location: South Palm Springs | Best for: Couples wanting a quiet midcentury hideaway
Designed by midcentury architect William F. Cody, L'Horizon Resort & Spa is an understated, adults-only hideaway of individual bungalows, some with private patios. Part of the Hermann Luxury Resorts collection, it offers a serene pool, a spa, and mountain views in a refined, low-key setting prized by couples.
Pros:
- William F. Cody midcentury architecture.
- Adults-only, quiet and private.
- Individual bungalows, some with patios.
- Serene pool and spa with mountain views.
Cons:
- Adults-only excludes families.
- Small property with limited availability.
Verdict: The best quiet, design-pedigree hideaway for couples seeking calm and privacy.
6. Colony Palms Hotel
Type: Boutique resort | Price: $$$ ($300-$600/night peak) | Location: Old Las Palmas, Palm Springs | Best for: Travelers wanting Spanish-Moroccan charm and a courtyard pool
The Colony Palms Hotel, also part of the Hermann Luxury Resorts collection, is a boutique retreat with Spanish-Moroccan styling, a lush central courtyard pool, the Del Rey restaurant, and a spa. Set in the leafy Old Las Palmas neighborhood, it offers an intimate, romantic vibe with a storied 1930s history.
Pros:
- Spanish-Moroccan design and courtyard pool.
- Del Rey restaurant and spa on site.
- Quiet Old Las Palmas neighborhood.
- Intimate, storied 1930s character.
Cons:
- Boutique scale means fewer amenities than big resorts.
- Premium rates for a small property.
Verdict: The best charm-forward boutique for travelers who want a romantic courtyard-pool retreat.
7. Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs
Type: Design boutique resort | Price: $$$ ($300-$600/night peak) | Location: Downtown Palm Springs | Best for: Travelers wanting downtown bungalows and multiple pools
The Avalon Hotel & Bungalows, a Member of Design Hotels, sits at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains in downtown Palm Springs. It features 72 Spanish-style lodgings, including studios and 13 private villas, three pools, spa services, and poolside dining — a stylish, central choice with a relaxed luxury feel.
Pros:
- Three pools and downtown location.
- Spanish-style bungalows and private villas.
- Design Hotels member styling.
- Spa and poolside dining on site.
Cons:
- Multiple room types vary widely in price.
- Downtown setting can be busy at peak times.
Verdict: The best stylish downtown bungalow resort for travelers who want design and multiple pools in the city center.
8. Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs
Type: Full-service resort | Price: $$$ ($250-$500/night peak) | Location: North Palm Springs | Best for: Travelers wanting big-resort amenities and the city's largest spa
The Riviera Resort & Spa is a glamorous, full-service resort with chic accommodations, two pools, top dining, and Palm Springs' largest resort spa. Its retro-Hollywood styling and sizable grounds make it a strong all-rounder for travelers who want resort-scale amenities without leaving the city of Palm Springs.
Pros:
- Palm Springs' largest resort spa.
- Two pools and retro-Hollywood glamour.
- Top on-site dining.
- Resort-scale amenities within the city.
Cons:
- North-end location is a drive from downtown's core.
- Large property can feel busy with events.
Verdict: The best full-scale resort within Palm Springs for travelers who prioritize a big spa and pool program.
9. Sands Hotel & Spa
Type: Adults-only boutique resort | Price: $$$ ($300-$600/night peak) | Location: Indian Wells (Greater Palm Springs) | Best for: Couples wanting a Moroccan-inspired adults-only escape
The Sands Hotel & Spa in Indian Wells is a Moroccan-inspired, adults-only hideaway with 46 richly designed rooms, a pool, the Pyramid restaurant, and a spa. Its intimate scale and exotic styling make it a distinctive, romantic alternative to the larger valley resorts.
Pros:
- Moroccan-inspired design throughout.
- Adults-only, intimate 46-room scale.
- Spa and Pyramid restaurant on site.
- Quiet Indian Wells setting.
Cons:
- Adults-only excludes families.
- A drive from downtown Palm Springs.
Verdict: The best exotic, adults-only boutique for couples wanting a distinctive Greater Palm Springs escape.
10. The Saguaro Palm Springs
Type: Colorful lifestyle hotel | Price: $$ ($180-$380/night peak) | Location: South Palm Springs | Best for: Travelers wanting a vibrant, photogenic pool-party stay on a budget
The Saguaro Palm Springs is instantly recognizable for its rainbow of saturated colors across the building exterior, anchoring a lively pool scene, a restaurant, and a spa. It is a fun, photogenic, value-friendly choice for younger travelers and groups who want energy and a social pool deck.
Pros:
- Iconic rainbow color scheme — highly photogenic.
- Lively pool scene and social vibe.
- Restaurant and spa on site.
- Value-friendly rates.
Cons:
- Party energy isn't for quiet-seekers.
- Rooms are casual rather than upscale.
Verdict: The best vibrant, value-friendly pool-party stay for younger travelers and groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best resort in Palm Springs? The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs is the best overall — the only true five-star downtown high-rise, with a rooftop infinity pool, mountain views, and a central, walkable location.
Which Palm Springs resort is the best value? The Ace Hotel & Swim Club offers a lively pool scene, two restaurants, and a spa at rates below the city's luxury properties, making it the top value pick.
Which Palm Springs resorts are adults-only? L'Horizon Resort & Spa and the Sands Hotel & Spa in Indian Wells are both adults-only, offering quiet, romantic retreats ideal for couples.
Which Palm Springs resort has the best pool scene? The Ace Hotel's Swim Club, The Saguaro, and the Kimpton Rowan's rooftop infinity pool are among the city's most popular and photogenic pool scenes.
When is the best time to visit Palm Springs? Fall through spring (October-May) brings comfortable desert weather; summer is very hot, though it offers the lowest rates. Spring is peak season around festival weekends.
Which Palm Springs resort is best for families? La Quinta Resort & Club, with over 40 pools, tennis, and spacious casitas, and the Riviera Resort & Spa are the most family-friendly full-service options.
Sources
- Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs — Official Site
- The Best Luxury Stays in Greater Palm Springs — Visit Greater Palm Springs
- Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs — Official Site
- Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs — Official Site
- Where to Stay: Wellness Resorts & Boutique Hotels — Palm Springs Life
Related on PULSE
- Top 10 Resorts in Las Vegas — a desert-city contrast a few hours away.
- Top 10 Resorts in Charleston — a coastal alternative to the desert.
- Pulse Tools — trip-budget and resort comparison calculators.
Bottom Line
Palm Springs rewards travelers who match the property to their style. For a polished, amenity-rich base, the Kimpton Rowan leads with its rooftop pool and central location, while The Parker and L'Horizon win on design and quiet luxury. La Quinta Resort & Club and the Riviera deliver big-resort amenities, and the Ace Hotel and The Saguaro offer the best value and pool-scene energy.
Every resort here is real and bookable for 2026-2027 — choose by whether you want downtown buzz, a bungalow hideaway, or a full-service spread.
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