Teeming with Old Hollywood glamour, this newly reimagined adults-only boutique lodging was masterfully designed by David Rios, who was also behind the iconic Trixie Motel. Featuring nine suites, each with its own distinct Tinseltown personality, The Velvet Rope is stylish, sexy and utterly chic. Offering highly personalized service, a plethora of elevated touches, and the glittering onsite Bar Valerie, a stay here is truly luxe!
★★★
Oozing Hollywood history, this spot started life as a private home before becoming the Ambassador Apartment Hotel in 1939 and welcoming such guests as Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor and Tyrone Power. In 2014, it was revamped by Marriott into the Mediterranean wonderland it is today. While chock full of amenities, including three pools, two bars, a restaurant, and a gym, the place remains intimate with a boutique feel. One of my family’s favorite staycation spots, we’ve spent many a weekend at Triada, enjoying the plush rooms and gorgeous grounds.
★★★
This hotel has history in spades! Initially established in the 1920s by Harriet Cody (cousin of Buffalo Bill), Casa Cody is Palm Springs’ oldest operating lodging! Intimate, serene, and stunningly gorgeous, with amenities including two pools, a hot tub, grassy expanses, gardens, an onsite bar/restaurant, and the most charming rooms and suites, the property is an absolute gem! Be sure to ask for a tour during your stay for an up-close-and-personal glimpse of its many notable sites, including one of the original Olympic cottages from the 1932 games!
★★★★
It is hard to describe this Morrocan-inspired boutique lodging in words other than to say it is absolutely magical. My husband and I once checked in for a brief two-day staycation and wound up extending our reservation to a full week as we just couldn’t bear to check out. The Korakia has that effect. Stunning, peaceful, with grounds begging to be explored and not a TV nor phone in sight, at Korakia you can check in and truly check out. Be sure not to miss the classic movies shown each evening al fresco in the tranquil courtyard.
★★★★
One of Palm Springs’ most intimate, serene, and tranquil properties, this 30-room, adults-only boutique hotel is a genuine landmark. My husband and I actually got engaged at the property in 2009 and have returned several times since, with each stay seemingly better than the last. Boasting gorgeous grounds, a 24-hour pool and hot tub, and a stellar onsite restaurant and lounge, the Ingleside is the place to stay when you want to get away from it all. As such, it has become a Hollywood haven, hosting everyone from legendary crooner Frank Sinatra to Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, who honeymooned in Room 148.
★★★★
The Rowan is one of the few spots on this list where I haven’t actually stayed the night, but I have spent a considerable amount of time on the premises, dining at the many restaurants/lounges and enjoying cocktails at the rooftop bar. And I can honestly say it is an absolute delight! Though pricey, the property is one of downtown Palm Springs’ most upscale full-service hotels with a slew of amenities to offer. And its location at the heart of pretty much everything couldn’t be more prime! You can’t go wrong with a stay here.
★★★★
A hidden gem, The Willows is one of Palm Springs’ most unique and extraordinary lodgings. The boutique, adults-only, 17-room property is situated in two adjacent former private residences that have been reimagined as intimate and luxurious accommodations. With tasteful guest rooms, three-course breakfasts served daily against the backdrop of a striking 50-foot waterfall, and hors d’oeuvres offered aside a roaring fireplace each night, the site is more of a home away from home than a hotel. I recently had the pleasure of spending Christmas on the premises, and it was a magical experience. The location, just a block from Palm Springs’ main drag, also can’t be beat!
A desert icon, the Parker started life as a Holiday Inn (California’s first!) but was transformed by legendary designer Jonathan Adler into Palm Springs’ inaugural five-star resort in 2004. Boasting stellar eateries, an 18-hole golf course, an award-winning spa, three pools, pétanque and croquet courts, and 13 acres of impeccably manicured grounds, the property still offers the utmost in luxury today. As such, it has become a stomping ground for Hollywood’s elite, with everyone from Drew Barrymore to Liam Neeson to (perhaps most famously!) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie checking in for some upscale R&R.
★★★★★