It can be a struggle booking a cool, family-friendly boutique hotel in Palm Springs. When planning your next visit, don’t get caught off guard. Consider these great options.
LessThe Ace lifestyle feels democratic, participatory, accessible. Maybe it’s a product of the brand’s origin in the Pacific Northwest, a region that’s known for an egalitarian, community-oriented philosophy. At Palm Springs and all other Ace outposts, this inclusive approach makes for an interesting crowd, as does the very reasonable price point.
Drift is a stylish boutique in a surprisingly quiet location just off the main drag. Instead of mimicking the neighbors’ midcentury modern aesthetic, the designers went for a minimalist industrial look, softening the white stucco buildings’ geometric lines with vibrant murals, handmade Mexican textiles, and an abundance of native succulents.
Royal Sun is a longtime fixture on the local scene, and many of its best features date back to its sixties-era origins. The interiors are eye-catching, notably the sleek bar and restaurant with checkered floors, curved booths, and retro barstools. Rooms are every bit as smart-looking, with minimalist pale-wood furnishings and decorative accents.
At seven stories high, and containing some 153 rooms, the Rowan is sizable by boutique standards, but it’s far from crowded. The rooms are spacious, and light is plentiful, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows; there’s a yoga mat in every room, and the elevated views offer an unusual perspective on this low-rise town — as does the rooftop swimming pool.
The Avalon’s hacienda-style Spanish tile roofs and whitewashed stucco walls hide stylish interiors, a modern take on the Hollywood Regency style of the resort’s golden age. Surrounded by manicured gardens and citrus trees, the eponymous bungalows are nearly palatial, sleeping four to six, and feature outdoor banquette seating and parlor rooms.
The Parker has a long history. It was once Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch estate, and then the Merv Griffin Resort. After a rethink by lifestyle designer Jonathan Adler, it has a whole new style. It’s been described as “hippie chic,” but its promiscuous blend of periods and references alternately recalls the Mod Sixties, the feel-good Seventies, and the classic Rat Pack vibe that Palm Springs is known for.
Pioneertown was born when Hollywood stars got sick of traveling long distances to find Old West atmosphere, and established their own Westworld in the desert. Those days are long gone, but the town is newly resurgent, as is the stylish and comfortable Pioneertown Motel. Its rooms trade Hollywood-style glamour for vintage charm with a contemporary design eye and custom furniture.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree combines both Airstream trailers and permanent suites, and the two differ less than you might think — the latter are stylish and minimalist, somewhat utilitarian but still plenty comfortable, while the former pack more luxury than you might imagine can be squeezed into a mobile home, including walk-in rain showers and kitchenettes.