Palm Springs Boutique Hotels are Big on Style & Sophistication

If you haven’t discovered one of Palm Springs’ best kept secrets, get ready for a special treat. Palm Springs, Southern California’s glam desert resort, boasts a bevy of small chic hotels that offer great value, luxe amenities and loads of sophisticated style – many of them located within a casual stroll of Palm Springs’ charming downtown. Visitors to the desert oasis will be delighted to discover the best of all worlds in accommodations. While the resort town has a number of large, stylish hotels, there are more than 70 historic inns, elegant B&Bs, and architecturally-significant boutique hotels in Palm Springs that cater to those looking for a tranquil getaway without sacrificing glamour.

For nearly a century, Palm Springs has been a magnet for sanctuary-seekers and visitors searching for a casual and relaxed ambiance. Beginning with an influx of visitors around the 1920s – 1930s who traveled to the dry desert climate for health reasons, Palm Springs has gained an international reputation for its extraordinary natural beauty coupled with warm hospitality. Today, visitors can stay and experience the historic inns which are beautifully restored.

In 2006, Palm Springs was added to the National Trust of Historic Preservation’s list of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, a list of only 84 unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States. Palm Springs’ distinctive and historic architecture is inextricably woven into the town’s appeal and personality.

A variety of architectural styles can be found in Palm Springs including Spanish, Mediterranean, Ranch and Mid-Century Modern. The desert modernism architectural movement is very much in evidence in Palm Springs; hence, the town has become renowned for having the world’s largest concentrations of mid-century modern architecture. This distinctive feature of Palm Springs affords visitors a unique aesthetic experience that can be found nowhere else.

Retro Cool
Sipping martinis in the footsteps of legends has never been more fun. Enjoying Palm Springs’ spellbinding view of the majestic Mt. San Jacinto and swaying palms only add to the magic. The sensuality of all these experiences intersect in the classic and sophisticated glamour of Palm Springs’ retro chic boutique inns which have become a part of its signature.

You’ll find yourself happily ensconced in mid-century modern treasures that evoke the retro cool era. The Orbit In, The Horizon Hotel, and Del Marcos Hotel have all been heralded by national and international media for their pristine mid-century architecture. Others such as The Chase Hotel, Desert Riviera, Desert Hills Hotel and A Place in The Sun, are but a few others that offer guests a mid-century modern ambiance with 21st century amenities.

Swank and Sexy
Renowned for its Rat Pack sleek and sexy style, Palm Springs has several hot properties that inspire romance. But before the Rat Pack there was the Purple Gang. The Colony Palms Hotel was originally opened in the 1930s by Chicago mobster Al Wertheimer of the notorious Purple Gang. After several incarnations during its long history and a 16-million dollar renovation, the stylish Colony Palms and its award-winning Purple Palm Restaurant is back on the map as one of Palm Springs’ hottest hangouts.

Famously designed by design diva Kelly Wearstler in a Hollywood Regency décor, The Viceroy is one of Palm Springs most glamorous outposts. Set on five acres, The Viceroy’s sprawling grounds feature lush gardens, numerous pools, intimate cabanas and full-service amenities with its Estrella Spa and Citron Restaurant.

One of the newest additions to Palm Springs’ distinctive and affordable lodging is The Pool House adjacent to The Blue Pear Restaurant, all part of a glamorous compound that exudes warm hospitality. The stylish décor of The Pool House is reminiscent of the casual sophistication of Palm Springs’ heyday. With six spacious suites set around private cabanas and an outdoor pool bar, The Pool House sets a new standard for affordable elegance.

A Fun Alternative
Additional Palm Springs boutique inns are simply imbued with loads of fun personality such as Ruby Montana’s Coral Sands with its collection of western furniture and collectibles; the Rendezvous Bed & Breakfast, with ten individually-themed rooms from Marilyn Monroe and Cowboys to Crooners and Rock n Roll; the Korakia Pensione featuring a 1918 adobe and villas offering the blend of Southern European luxury; and the Old Ranch Inn, a step back into the Old West.

Palm Springs also has inns that cater to LGBT lifestyles – there are more than 30 clothing optional and gay and lesbian reports to choose from including Queen of Hearts, Casitas Laquita, Century Palm Springs, East Canyon Hotel and Spa, and Tortuga Del Sol.

Whatever your personal lodging preference, the number of Palm Springs’ sleek boutique hotels, intimate B&Bs, and historic inns is long with options that fit every budget and sense of style. Less than two hours away from Los Angeles and San Diego, and direct flights to Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs is a close and affordable destination for those seeking the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and casual relaxation.
For a complete listing of boutique hotels in Palm Springs, go to www.visitpalmsprings.com.