This is your invitation to step into one of Southern California’s most luxurious yet serene escapes. Indian Wells is defined not only by its world-class resorts, dining, and recreation—but by the moments unmatched that stay with you long after you leave: sun-drenched pool days, golden-hour cocktails, or that perfect swing on a course framed by mountain silhouettes.
Think of this guide as your insider’s playbook for where to stay, what to do, and how to make every season in Indian Wells unforgettable.
Tucked in the heart of Greater Palm Springs, Indian Wells feels worlds away from the rush yet remains at the center of it all. With just over 5,000 residents, it’s an intimate destination shaped by elegance, hospitality, and ease.
Here, luxury is effortless. It’s the serenity of a poolside lounge at sunset. A glass of wine savored slowly. Resorts that anticipate your needs before you even ask. This is not just a getaway—it’s for travelers who crave meaningful details and elevated simplicity.
From legendary tennis to innovative dining and design-forward hotels, Indian Wells has earned its reputation as a retreat that blends wellness, culture, and play.
In Indian Wells, leisure finds you. Days are designed to unfold at your pace, whether that means chasing the perfect swing under a mountain-framed sky, sinking into a botanical spa ritual that melts hours away, or stepping onto a court where legends have played before you. Here, activity and relaxation are not opposites, but complements, blending seamlessly into one unforgettable rhythm.
Golf with a View
Golf in Indian Wells is more than sport,it’s a love affair with the desert. At the Indian Wells Golf Resort, two award-winning courses—the Celebrity Course and the Players Course unfurl across 36 holes of championship play, each framed by breathtaking mountain vistas and desert landscapes. Nationally acclaimed and ranked among Golfweek’s Top 20 Best Courses You Can Play in California as well as Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 15 California Golf Resorts, it is both a test of skill and a journey of beauty. As the proud host of the Epson Tour Championship, Indian Wells Golf Resort stands at the forefront of elite women’s professional golf. From the rush of a perfect drive to the serenity of walking greens beneath endless desert skies, this is a golf experience unlike anywhere else.
Spa & Wellness
If golf is a thrill for the body, spa is a balm for the soul. In Indian Wells, wellness is woven into every detail. Think desert-inspired therapies steeped in local botanicals, serene treatment rooms designed for deep stillness, and outdoor sanctuaries where palm trees sway and sunlight filters through. Spa days here blur the line between indulgence and healing, leaving you both restored and renewed.
Tennis & Pickleball
Indian Wells lives and breathes sport. On its courts, energy meets elegance. Watch the world’s best compete during the BNP Paribas Open, or take to the courts yourself for a match of tennis or the ever-growing craze of pickleball. Here, athleticism feels glamorous—set against the desert’s glow, every rally, serve, and volley becomes part of the Indian Wells story. Pickleball lovers can enjoy 8 dedicated outdoor courts at the Tennis Garden itself. Additionally, at the nearby Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, there are 4 outdoor hard-surfaced courts.
In Indian Wells, dining is as much about atmosphere as it is about flavor. Each restaurant is a destination, each menu an invitation to linger. From poolside bites that pair perfectly with sunlit afternoons to chef-driven creations that rival the best culinary capitals, Indian Wells transforms every meal into an experience worth remembering.
At the Renaissance Esmeralda, vibrant dishes and poolside plates set the tone for casual indulgence under the desert sun. The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas offers the celebrated culinary artistry of Chef Angelo Sosa at Tía Carmen, where wellness-forward menus sit seamlessly beside hearty family favorites. At Tommy Bahama Miramonte, the signature restaurant Grapefruit Basil redefines farm-to-fork cuisine with a tropical twist, served amid lush courtyards and desert blooms. The Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel & Spa pairs bold flavors with bold design—an Instagram-worthy jewel box where every corner tells a story. And at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, timeless desert hospitality meets Old Hollywood glamour, creating a setting where dinner feels like a scene from a golden-era film.
Time works differently in Indian Wells. With more than 350 days of sunshine, every season offers its own desert magic, inviting you to curate your perfect escape no matter when you arrive.
Spring awakens with energy as the BNP Paribas Open brings global tennis stars to the courts, and nearby Coachella and Stagecoach festivals fill the valley with culture and music. Summer slows the pace, offering long, quiet pool days, thrilling waterslides, and refreshing spa escapes. By Fall, golden hours stretch across fairways, crisp evenings beg for al fresco dining, and the desert feels alive with warmth and color. Winter transforms the resorts into cozy sanctuaries, where fireside cocktails, star-filled skies, and elevated dining under palm canopies create the perfect retreat.
No matter when you arrive, Indian Wells delivers moments unmatched.
Each property brings its own personality - choose your vibe or return to try them all.The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa brings bold, modern energy to the desert, complete with a sandy beach pool, sleek cabanas, and a family-friendly atmosphere. At the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Spa, wellness and luxury intertwine across a newly renovated property offering tranquil spa escapes, private villas, and a water park for families—balanced by serene adult-only pool and cabana experiences. The Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa is pure laid-back island luxury, where botanical spa treatments and farm-to-fork dining make every moment restorative. Sands Hotel & Spa is boutique chic with Moroccan inspiration, anchored by the endlessly photogenic Pink Cabana. And at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, vintage Hollywood flair blends with cozy comfort, a nod to golden-era glamour in the heart of the desert.
By Air: Fly into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), just 25 minutes from Indian Wells, and skip the long lines and hectic terminals of larger airports. With nonstop service from more than 30 major cities, PSP sets the tone for your getaway the moment you land. Its open-air design, outdoor walkways, and lush courtyards with garden and water features ensure you arrive refreshed and relaxed.
For additional options, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 2.5 hours away, while Ontario International Airport (ONT) is approximately 90 minutes, both offering extensive domestic and international connections.
However you arrive, one thing is certain: from the moment you step into Indian Wells, you’ve officially entered vacation mode.
Indian Wells invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and let the desert work its quiet magic. It’s in the light, the flavors, the landscapes, and in the way every moment feels like it was designed just for you. Every detail, every season, every stay is designed to help you find those moments unmatched that turn a getaway into something unforgettable.
View our 5 day itineray for Indian Wells