Discover Palm Springs Luxury Stays

By Barbara Beckley

From sky high glam to celebrity chic, Regency regalia to mobster extravagance – Palm Springs luxury is being redefined. Whatever your style – or an opportunity to switch it up – look to Palm Springs’ hotels to pamper, please and spoil you. While we offer a full range of luxury boutique properties, look to these for a bit larger scale.

 In the Clouds

Sip a cocktail in the sky-high glam of a window-walled suite at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs overlooking the city and valley. Contemplate your next move. Relax by the seventh-floor Rooftop pool? Hit the hosted social hour from 5 – 6 p.m. nighty. Maybe rooftop dinner at the hotel’s acclaimed 4 Saints American fare restaurant. Rising atop the heart of town, Palm Springs’ hot spots are within walking distance – or not.

The Rowan’s house car (or SUV) is available seven days a week, as are house bicycles. Surrender to wellness with ensuite spa services, or yoga on the ensuite mat, workouts in the fitness center, or the Rowan’s unique amenity, Talkspace online therapy, from the comfort of your phone. The Rowan also features golf bag storage, a Tesla charging station and overnight laundry and dry cleaning. Bring your doggie, please. NO deposit or extra fees required.

Old Hollywood Glamor 

Regency luxe décor blends a hip attitude with meditative tranquility – within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs — behind the walls of the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows. This is a historic property was build in 1923 as Estrella Villas, one of the swankiest villas in Palm Springs. Jackie Cooper stayed here in the 1930’s.  Bing Crosby and his wife, Dixie Lee, would also be guests. In 1941 Judy Garland enjoyed a few weeks at Estrella Villas. Today, the property has been redesigned under the direction of interior designer Kelly Wearsler.

Anchored by the world class Estrella Spa, indulge yourself with indoor and outdoor spa services, now including the CBD Spa Experience; perhaps a private trainer in the fully-loaded fitness center, or Tai Chi classes, and free yoga and guided meditation classes.

Afterwards, relax at three beautiful pools spread throughout 4.5 acres. Indulge in craft cocktails under a chic pool cabana. Or the fresh California menu in the signature Chi Chi Restaurant.  Relax in your Palm Springs luxury 700-square-foot villa, including a living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen, and one or two bedrooms outfitted with imported linens and custom comforters. Do alert the staff to your personal preferences. They love to customize services and amenities to suite their guests’ personalities.

Movie Colony Panache

Red tile roofs, balconies and garden pathways provide a posh sanctuary from everyday life at Triada Palm Springs, Autograph Collection by Marriott in Palm Springs’ Movie Colony. This is where Hollywood partied in the 1940s and ‘50s. It’s said Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton stayed in the dome-shaped Penthouse, which features a private entrance and stairway. Two pools – one fresh water and one saltwater – a fitness center, and ensuite and pool-side cabana spa treatments are just the beginning of this Palm Springs luxury resort.

Whatever you like – maybe yoga at sunrise or hikes in the nearby mountains – the staff will personalize a wellness program just for you. The concierge is at the ready with tours, tickets and more. He even has a “Palm Springs Pet Friendly Map,” so you and Fido can hit the town at dog-friendly parks, restaurants and trails. Enjoy breakfast in bed in the smartly-designed Presidential Grand Casita, complete with a grand piano! Or the Grand Casita, with a separate living room, kitchen, marble bathroom, and bedroom, with pillow-top mattresses, fine linens, and imported duvets and throws. Pair craft cocktails and fine wines with locally sourced California cuisine and channel the glamor of Hollywood nostalgia at signature Iluminara Restaurant & Bar’s intimate sun-kissed and moonlit outdoor seating and poolside bar.

Celebrity Tongue-in-Chic

Discover tranquil luxury behind the hedges of The Parker Palm Springs , a superstar playground packed with 16 acres of indulgence.

Zone out with pampering like no other at the hip, nautical-themed Palm Springs Yacht Club (spa). Perhaps the “Lost at Sea” package, 4.5 hours of head-to-toe bliss. Relax by the spa’s indoor pool and two outdoor pools. Arrange for a personal trainer. Take a yoga class. Play tennis, Petanque (sort of like French Bocce Ball), table tennis, Giant Chess, croquet. Go bicycling. Let the concierge arrange golf and custom hikes complete with a delicious house-packed lunch.

Eat, drink and make merry at five stylish eateries: Norma’s open-air terrace serving breakfast all day and all night; Mister Parker’s, a dark den of fish and steak set to re-open September 2022; the in-demand Counter Reformation bar and small plates; jewel-like Mini Bar, with maybe 10 stools; bright and breezy Lemonade Stand in the garden, and Mrs. Parker’s, a table for two set at the Gene Autry Pool, with your own chef and butler.

Speaking of Gene Autry – luxuriate in the 3,000-square-foot-plus, mid-century Gene Autry Residence with perks including a private treatment room and sauna, and a screening room. Or a sumptuous 600-square-foot poolside Junior Suite or stand-alone villa.

Historic Extravagance  

Surround yourself in lavish nostalgia where mobsters partied in 1936 and contemporary elegance now reigns at The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows. It was also owned in the 1950’s by Bob Howard who was the owner of the champion racehorse Seabiscuit.

Toast to good times in the incredible 1,200-square-foot Veranda Suite, overlooking the pool and entire property, outfitted with Frette linens, towels and robes; an artisanal mini bar, Nespresso Coffee machine and more.

Or in a cozy, stand-alone poolside bungalow. Indulge your palate at The Colony Club indoor-outdoor poolside restaurant, serving fresh California fare; and your mind and body with free yoga classes on the lawn and full-service soothing at The Spa. Take advantage of the spa’s unique signature Ear Acupressure. It uses 24K gold plated, Swarovski crystal ear seeds to alleviate body imbalances, which you can wear for up to three days at a time!

Palm Springs Luxury – Old Money Elegance    

Also since 1936, the iconic Smoke Tree Ranch is a hidden gem — in plain sight on 400 acres of unspoiled desert in downtown Palm Springs! Couples, friends and families luxuriate in the rustic-elegance of yesteryear’s dude ranch with today’s indulgent amenities. Walt Disney loved Smoke Tree and owned property here. Residents tended to be wealthy industrialists such as King Gillette (of safety razor fame), and Milo Bekins (Bekins Moving and Storage).

First, relax in one of 49 home-like studio, one- and two-bedroom cottages (all with carports and most with wood-burning fireplaces). You hardly have to lift a finger!

The staff is happy to assist with lessons, arrange for playing partners, and schedule tournament participation among the ranch’s huge range of activities including pickle ball, croquet, horseshoes, lawn bowling, basketball, tennis, volley ball, horseback riding, hiking and birding. The concierge will also arrange golf tee times at desert courses, and reservations and tickets to area shows at the McCallum, Annenberg and other desert theaters. Perhaps best of all – they arrange baby-sitting services!

More luxe amenities include an Olympic-size pool and Jacuzzi, a three-hole practice golf course, General Store, fitness center, kids’ playground and guest laundry. No need for dinner reservations – unless you want them. Your stay at the Smoke Tree traditionally includes breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the casually elegant Ranch House Dining Room.

Like a “club,” the Ranch House also offers a writing room, lounge with cocktails and live music, card room, library and a patio. Perhaps best of all, the all-inclusive meal plan includes gratuities!