From Bold Neon to Subtle Elegance in This Desert Playground

Palm Springs has long carried a bold and open heart as a desert haven where mid-century modernism, glamour and the Queer community intertwine. Whether you’re here for art walks, poolside lounging, nightlife or just a chic escape, finding the right hotel is part of the joy. These 10 stays combine design, desert calm and welcome arms, proving they’re more than places to sleep, but part of your Palm Springs story.

 

Royal Sun Palm Springs

Royal Sun lives in the sweet spot between desert clarity and downtown energy. With 66 rooms that marry mid-century minimalism and modern luxury, this boutique retreat invites guests to slip slowly into cadence: morning coffee under palm fronds, afternoon dips in the heated pool, sunset cocktails by the fireplace. The property is just minutes from downtown (you’re close enough to slip into dinner, yet far enough to own your peace), and the inclusive vibe is real here. The hotel is LGBTQ+ friendly, and it shows in the warmth of the staff and the come-as-you-are energy. At dusk, the lighting, textures and desert silhouettes all conspire to whisper: you’re in a place that sees you. If your mood is “quiet glamour with intention,” Royal Sun nails it.

Royal Sun Palm Springs
1700 S Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760.794.7991
@royalsunpalmsprings

 

Thompson Palm Springs — Upper Stories

Elevated in every way, Upper Stories is the secret floor of Thompson Palm Springs; an adults-only escape that feels like your own private sky. Here, privacy meets polish: each suite offers its own balcony or patio, and the ambiance is intentionally refined, serene and quietly confident. With 42 rooms in the enclave, it avoids the feeling of a hotel wing and leans more into an exclusive hideout. In the daytime, light filters through the canopy of palms; by night, you’re in full view of stars, city glow and desert hush. Upper Stories is a favorite for couples or friends wanting a luxurious desert moment; queer, straight or anywhere in between.

Thompson Palm Springs
414 North Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.778.1234
@thompsonpalmsprings

 

The Muse Palm Springs

If whimsical style, intimate scale and design that flutters between classic and playful are your jam, then The Muse hits the spot. This adults-only boutique hideaway has just nine unique rooms, each dripping with character; think statement colors, unexpected textures and those extra touches that make you want to linger. It’s a few minutes from the bustle, but once you arrive, you feel worlds apart. The courtyard, with its pool, swings, pergolas and ambient light, feels like the set of a dreamy film. The team behind The Muse leans into hospitality details, with snacks, toiletries, layout and even the mood of the walkways, making the experience feel curated. Whether you’re escaping for romance or refuge, The Muse is the kind of place that envelopes you completely.

The Muse Palm Springs
537 S Grenfall Rd,
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760.537.6411
@themusehotel

 

The Cole Hotel

The Cole offers flawless mid-century bones wrapped in thoughtful renovation. What was once the Bahama Hotel in 1959 now returns in full Palm Springs color, with an updated edge. With around 30 rooms, it keeps an intimate scale that lets the design breathe. Deep mahogany finishes, retro touches like Victrola Bluetooth stereos and bold accents meet modern amenities like charging ports, smart TVs and luxe bedding. It’s adults-only and dog-friendly, striking that rare balance between playful and composed. The pool courtyard is sculptural, angles deliberate and sightlines toward the San Jacinto and tramway give perspective. It’s far enough from the downtown crush to feel respite, but close enough to drop in on dinners, galleries and desert nights when you’re ready.

The Cole Hotel
2323 North Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.459.7914
@thecolehotel

 

El Noa Noa

El Noa Noa leans into romance, quiet luxury and desert soul. Tucked in Uptown, this five-star boutique feels like a secret garden in the desert: lush, private and beautifully unrushed. Designed with couples in mind (but welcoming to anyone who values calm), the property invites guests to slow down and stay a while. Nestled within the grounds is the Pura Vida Spa and Wellness Sanctuary, offering curated services like couples’ massages, skincare rituals and full-body treatments that elevate relaxation to something sacred. Outside, the gardens bloom year-round, terraces invite afternoon wine chats, and the pool glows under string lights once the sun dips. The rooms are equally refined, layered with thoughtful details, from luxe linens to a layout that flows. It’s walkable to downtown, but El Noa Noa is its own destination: a place where you don’t just unwind; you reconnect.

El Noa Noa
589 S Grenfall Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92264
949.439.8062
@elnoanoa.palmsprings

 

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs

Kimpton Rowan is a pillar of downtown energy and also the refuge of refined desert hospitality. With 153 rooms, the scale is large but never impersonal. In the lobby, a two-story cinematic window offers a powerful desert vista; upstairs, the rooftop pool bar feels like a social plane above the palms. The staff lean into local living: two chef-driven dining venues, seasonal menus and a pulse on desert events. They’ve also added six pickleball courts adjacent, so you can play to your heart’s content before cooling off in the pool. Kimpton is famously LGBTQ+ inclusive across all its properties, and the Palm Springs location is no exception.

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.904.5015
@rowanpalmsprings

 

Saguaro Palm Springs

Saguaro is vivid and unapologetically playful. Here, vibrant murals, saturated hues, open-air lounging and lively pooling zones set the tempo. It’s for folks who treat the day like a canvas and the night like an act. The public zones are designed for hanging: lounges, fire pits, music and social energy. The design leans into Mexico-inspired detail featuring leafy fallback corners and splash-ready features. Each room has its own personality, and the collective architecture is showy in the best way. It’s a hotel that wears its joy on its sleeve. If you arrive expecting to rest and get inspired, Saguaro often delivers both.

Local Insight:
Saguaro isn’t just rainbow‑bright in décor; it’s an active participant in Pride. The hotel donates $1 from every night’s stay to The LGBT Community Center of the Desert. Plus, it offers a Sleep & Slay Weekend package that bundles two nights with drag brunch tickets and cocktails, an inside nod to the celebration.

Saguaro Palm Springs
1800 E Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92264
@saguarohotels

 

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs

Ace Hotel is the desert art house. Understated boho, communal spirit and polished charm, it feels like a home away from home with elevated intention. Two deep pools anchor the property; fire pits, organic spa treatments and a stargazing deck deepen the mood. The design is sunlit and airy with moments of shade, pattern and texture. The rooms let the desert in through earth-tone palettes, minimalism and ample windows. The Swim Club extends the vibe as day-drinkers, locals and guests all mix in relaxed sun zones. The hotel also regularly collaborates with queer artists, DJs and performers, and its calendar stays packed with inclusive events that match the city’s energy.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs
701 East Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760.325.9900
@acehotel

 

Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs

The Riviera is the epitome of glamor, history and scale. Built in 1959, it once held the city’s only convention center. In its current state, it spans 16 acres, with two pools, a spa, meeting space and sweeping wings that radiate from central courtyards. The rebrand has restored much of the mid-century blue-chip swagger, merging vintage detail with modern comfort. While the grounds feel resort-scale, the design still stands out with columns, curves, vistas and strategic sightlines. In the evening, the courtyard lighting, palm shadows and sound of fountains all dance. If you’re looking for big‑hotel amenities with style, The Riviera offers breadth without losing narrative.

Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs
1600 North Indian Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.327.8311
@rivieraps

 

The Skylark

The Skylark is a tight, bold statement in mid-century reimagining. Originally built in 1955, this boutique gem boasts 28 uniquely styled rooms, each with unmistakable character. The aesthetic leans classic Palm Springs with a modern twist, featuring clean lines, vintage silhouettes and color chords that feel intentional. The Lost Property restaurant adds a coastal‑American edge to the mix. Because of its size, every corner feels curated. You sense thought in light, pathing and furniture. It also gets quiet praise in LGBTQ+ travel forums for its easygoing energy and proximity to downtown’s queer nightlife scene. When you want less scale and more presence, The Skylark delivers in spades.

The Skylark
1466 N Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.322.2267
@skylarkhotelpalmsprings