Stay

Colony Palms

The Colony Palms Hotel looks much as it did in 1936, when Al Wertheimer of the infamous Purple Gang opened it as the less-than-reputable Colonial House. Inside, however, the property is fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation that brings breezy Mediterranean decor to its 57 rooms, suites, and casitas as well as its Purple Palm restaurant and Olive Room lounge.

Holiday House

Peek behind the classic white facade of the historic Holiday House, and you’ll discover the 1950s-era motel has been reborn as a posh 28-room retreat. Designed by Mark D. Sikes, the adults-only property’s vibrant blue-and-white color palette and impressive contemporary-art collection have turned the mid-century-modern space into an effortlessly chic—and endlessly Instagrammable—new hot spot.

Kimpton the Rowan Palm Springs

Making the case for 21st-century style is the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, a new, sleek seven-story building that gives the city’s iconic local architecture the modern treatment with floor-to-ceiling windows and of-the-moment design. Taking the Palm Springs social scene to new heights is the 153-room hotel’s rooftop pool (the only one in town) and 4 Saints restaurant, both of which offer unrivaled views of the Coachella Valley.

La Serena Villas

Another historic haunt that has received a thoroughly modern update is La Serena Villas. Originally built in 1933, the property reemerged as a breezy 18-room hotel in 2016. Designed by Mary Sung, the property’s whitewashed rooms feature a stylish mix of Spanish-colonial architecture, Moroccan furnishings, and views of a glistening central pool. Come evening, guests can make their way to the rooftop lounge to watch the sun set over the San Jacinto Mountains with a craft cocktail in hand.

Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage

For a true taste of the desert, settle into the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, located a short 20-minute drive outside downtown Palm Springs. Perched on a ridge high above the Coachella Valley, the 244-room property offers all the plush amenities expected of a Ritz-Carlton—a world-class spa, a swimming pool that dramatically cantilevers over the desertscapes, and classic American dining. The property’s shining feature, however, is a state-of-the-art telescope; nightly stargazing sessions guide guests on a journey through the desert’s stunning night sky.

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Suite bedroom

Photo: Courtesy Colony Palms

Bedroom

Photo: Courtesy Holiday House

Bedroom with view

Photo: Laure Joliet

Patio and pool

Photo: Laure Joliet

Living room

Photo: Courtesy La Serena Villas

Sunset view

Photo: Courtesy Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage