For those of us who appreciate the finer things in life, Greater Palm Springs is a picturesque area known for glitzy glamour and stunning surroundings. Whether you're looking for luxury hotels or exclusive resorts, Greater Palm Springs is one of the best places to stay in Southern California. Here's a compiled list of some top luxury resorts to add to your bucket list.
Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs
Historic and tucked away in old downtown Palm Springs, these Spanish-style studios, suites, and bungalows are the epitome of luxury. Hollywood has been coming here since the 1930s. Between its tranquil spa (Estrella), romantic setting, plush beddings, and standout poolside dining with Cali-Mediterranean cuisine (at Chi Chi), what’s not to like?
One-bedroom bungalows offer incredible views, and the suites and courtyard studios offer a cozy vibe. Let go, breathe and unwind with Estrella’s signature Avalon Massage or Sea Salt Body Scrub. Turquoise Sage Mud Wrap, perhaps? Why not? This is the place to go all out. Notice the detail and nuance that goes into making your stay here feel downright memorable.
Arrive Palm Springs
Sleek with a bit of mystique, Arrive Palm Springs impresses on a number of fronts. On one hand, it's purposely chill. On the other, its remarkably luxurious setting—oh, those mountain views—are unbeatable. It’s the scenery, in fact, that makes up most of its lavishness, anchored by a pool experience that feels comfortably upscale. Rooms (studios and patio settings) feature 100 percent Egyptian cotton bedding with plush robes to boot. Malin + Goetz bath amenities are soothing perks, too. Well-behaved dogs can live it up here. Bring Fido. Dining is considerably low-key—although the signature Ice Cream & Shop(pe) is superb as are the coffee drinks featured here. You don’t have to be a millionaire to stay here, but you sure feel like one when you do.
Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas
Blending contemporary luxury with family-friendly appeal, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas offers a spacious sanctuary with standout amenities. Lavish villas with private plunge pools, spa-inspired bathrooms, and premium concierge services provide an elevated home-away-from-home experience. Guests can unwind with holistic treatments at the tranquil Agua Serena Spa, enjoy championship golf, or retreat to private poolside cabanas. For a splash of excitement, the resort’s HyTides Waterpark—complete with dueling waterslides and a lazy river—adds a playful twist to a sophisticated stay.
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
At Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, a fabulous rooftop pool, several dining options from stellar dining venues (Juniper Terrace offers sublime culinary wonders while 4 Saints’ rooftop presents farm-fresh American fare), and light-drenched guestrooms and suites with stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains make for a truly chic getaway, right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs.
Large windows welcome you in spacious guestrooms whose showers and tubs are the epitome of luxury—plush bathrobes are a nice touch, too. Want to go all out? Bask in luxury in a King Suite, complete with a private balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows. A unique standout here is the inventive concierge service, which offers above-par assistance in booking local tours or guiding you to the best dining options in downtown—although all food venues within this wonderous complex stand out. Elegance and convenience align here for a memorable stay.
La Quinta Resort & Club
Whisk away to this dream hideaway in Greater Palm Springs. The La Quinta Resort & Club sits snuggled alongside the Santa Rosa mountains. Located in La Quinta, this resort is minutes away from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the Empire Polo Club, the latter of which plays host to the renowned Coachella and Stagecoach festivals every April. Spread across this beautiful 45-acre property are hacienda-style suites with access to over 40 climate-controlled pools, 21 tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a spa. The landscape is filled with flowers and palm trees, perfect for a stroll or enjoying the peaceful scenery.
L’Horizon Resort & Spa
With iconic midcentury modern architecture and a storied Hollywood past, L’Horizon Resort & Spa offers a boutique hideaway just minutes from downtown Palm Springs. Built in 1952 by renowned architect William F. Cody, this adults-only retreat once hosted golden-era icons like Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and several U.S. Presidents. Today, the legacy of luxury lives on through 25 bespoke bungalows, some featuring private outdoor showers or fire pits, along with Frette linens and Le Labo amenities. A serene spa and open-air dining at SO•PA complete the timeless, star-studded experience.
Parker Palm Springs
Few hotels know how to master color themes as well as Parker Palm Springs. Bold reds, hypnotic turquoise, tangerines, and striped blues abound here in this palm tree haven that shares real estate with herb gardens and the lush landscape. Palm Springs Yacht Club, featuring the finest custom treatments and wellness regimens, is perched here. Its ocean-themed pool is an eye-catcher.
Five indelible dining spots offer opportunities to imbibe on many levels, including Norma's (a glorious open-air terrace restaurant serving breakfast day and night), Mister Parker's, and Counter Reformation, where stellar wines at the bar are a nice touch. The Mini Bar and Lemonade Stand round out the mix, but the “world’s smallest restaurant", Mrs. Parker’s, is dreamy poolside magic at its best. There are several pools to choose from here, in fact—all of them unique. Tennis, table tennis, pétanque, or croquet, anyone? Maybe after another nap in lavish rooms. But now that you’re here, why not consider the midcentury marvel that is the Gene Autry Residence?
The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage
Among the top luxury stays in the country, The Ritz-Carlton's modern design, dreamy accommodations, and striking views create an unrivaled opportunity for pristine upscale comfort. To be sure, the sunsets here are so stunning they take your breath away. Its two swimming pools and VIP-style cabanas vie for attention with the signature spa experiences at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and treatment settings featuring private terraces and plunge pools.
Get your om on with yoga and meditation, too. The full-service salon is a nice touch and cuisine at the Air Pool Bar and State Fare Bar & Kitchen is fine dining at its best. As far as rooms go, you have your choice of a one-bedroom suite, a residential suite, or a remarkable 1,700-square-foot Valley view suite. Decisions, decisions.
Sands Hotel & Spa
Sands Hotel & Spa offers luxurious guest rooms and suites that each have their own unique charm. The boutique hotel is in the exclusive community of Indian Wells and the layout of the hotel feels extremely private. Lay poolside under the palms or enjoy a little R&R at their spa, which offers Moroccan-inspired treatments. This hotel is also home to an ultra retro-chic restaurant/bar, The Pink Cabana, which pays homage to tennis and racquet clubs of the 1950s and 60s. Those looking to unwind even further can be sure to do so at their signature spa, which is sure to lead to the ultimate weekend of relaxation.
Sensei Porcupine Creek
Nestled at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Sensei Porcupine Creek offers a transformative wellness experience rooted in nature. Guests enjoy personalized wellness consultations, a world-class golf course originally built for private use, and accommodations adorned with museum-quality artwork. With its Nobu-curated dining, tranquil spa pavilions, and lush, meditative grounds, the estate delivers an unparalleled blend of serenity, sophistication, and seclusion.
Thompson Palm Springs
With striking midcentury-inspired design and a location steps from the heart of downtown, Thompson Palm Springs delivers a luxurious escape. Elevated details like floor-to-ceiling windows, in-room cocktail carts, and a rooftop bar with sweeping mountain views set the stage for a stay that feels both stylish and effortless. Two outdoor pools and curated culinary experiences—including Lola Rose, a grand mezze-style restaurant with bold Mediterranean flavors and a lively ambiance—add to the resort’s modern take on Palm Springs glamour.
Feeling inspired to indulge? Pair your luxury stay with a spa day in Greater Palm Springs.
