Winter sun is the question? Greater Palm Springs is your answer. Fed by underground springs, the desert comes alive here.
Shaded by signature palm tress, and lined with a string of resort communities. It’s the place to be cool, kick back and relax. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians settled in the Palm Springs area centuries ago for its resources and natural beauty, eventually becoming a place of glitz and glamour as the playground for celebrities and presidents who come to relax. It still has tons of retro hipster swagger with the beauty of the California desert all around. Renowned for its poolside culture, get enough winter sun for a romantic getaway or splash around with friends with a margarita. Pick from the top 10 poolside spots, that makes for a great 7 day getaway.
NEW! The Rowan Palm Springs
The Rowan Palm Springs opens this November, and will be home to the first rooftop pool in Palm Springs. The six-story, 153-room Kimpton brand hotel will feature the city’s first and only rooftop pool complete with six luxury cabanas, two restaurants and two bars. Perched above the city, the new spot will offer idyllic views of the San Jacinto Mountains and desert landscape.
The Ace Hotel and Swim Club, Palm Springs
Palm Springs’ Ace Hotel is famed for its year-round pool parties; from a two-day New Year bash, to celebrity hosted Coachella parties and poolside beer brunches in the summer. Relax poolside and enjoy freshly-squeezed cocktails or head to the quieter Commune pool with a fire-pit for keeping toasty when the evenings get cold.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Desert Springs
The luxury resort has five huge pools across the 450-acre property, surrounded by towering palm trees with spectacular views of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This one is a family friendly option with the Springs Outdoor Family Pool and pool parties with live DJs in the Oasis pool during the summer months. A saltwater pool provides a haven for those looking to relax and guests can enjoy poolside frozen cocktails and a BBQ.
The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage
The resort sits in the heart of the Coachella Valley, nestled in a quiet mountainside on the edge of Rancho Mirage. The infinity style Air Pool offers unparalleled views of the Greater Palm Springs area below and there is an additional adults-only Vista Pool for those looking for a quieter spot to relax amongst the desert luxury.
La Quinta Resort and Club, La Quinta
The sprawling resort has an impressive 41 pools across its estate, including a main pool, adult plunge pool, lap pools and private pools. The resort’s old world charm, hacienda style and dramatic mountain surrounds makes it an ideal destination for a remote retreat. With past guests including Clark Gable and Greta Garbo, you’ll be walking the footsteps of Hollywood glamour.
Korakia Pensione, Palm Springs
Forbes Traveller named Korakia Pensione one of the “Sexiest Hotels in America” and it has also been used as the backdrop for many a photoshoot. The romantic retreat sprawls 1.5 acres and amidst its Moroccan fountains, waterfalls and olive trees lies two saltwater pools. Guests can relax by the pool on one of the day beds with a book from the property’s extensive library while enjoying Moroccan afternoon tea, or unwind in the evening around a fire pit, watching the nightly outdoor movie.
The Saguaro, Palm Springs
The Saguaro’s pool area is a top Instagram spot in Greater Palm Springs; its architecture is inspired by bright indigenous flowers of the surrounding desert and sits against the backdrop of San Jacinto State Park. It’s also home to notorious pool parties such as Splash House, which, partnering with two other resorts, attracts around 6,000 people each year to enjoy over-sized inflatables, after-hours parties and DJs.
Two Bunch Palms, Desert Hot Springs
The adults-only Desert Hot Springs resort is set on 77 landscaped acres with its main attraction, the Grotto, featuring two mineral rich, naturally heated pools. The Grotto’s waterfalls, foliage and stone landscaping replicates the sensation of soaking in a secluded forest.
El Morocco Inn & Spa, Desert Hot Springs
El Morocco Inn & Spa offers an exotic getaway in the heart of the Californian desert. Its pool area is lavishly decorated with rich colours and exotic furnishings, many of which were sourced in Morocco, while the pool itself is natural hot mineral water. The pool’s high mineral content and its stimulating benefits are recommended for various therapeutic uses such as helping to improve blood circulation and promoting healthy skin.
Colony Palms Hotel
This Spanish Colonial-style hotel was built in 1936 and is spread over three acres in the historic Movie Colony neighbourhood. From the welcoming arched and vintage-tiled entry to the cosy lobby, to the lush, tropical grounds, there’s an air of exclusivity and privacy. The rich history of the property, with its many original 1930s structures, is a constant presence. Enjoy small nooks around the area to relax in the outdoor space and feel a sense of privacy. The pool area, with white lounge chairs and white umbrellas with touches of black, is both relaxing and elegant and boasts a great view of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Best time to visit
While the rest of the country is blanketed in snow, winter in the desert is a popular time of the year to visit and considered the “in” season. Autumn and Spring are also quite popular with temperatures still on the mild side and big events like Modernism Week and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival occurring through April.
Getting there
Palm Springs International Airport is the main and most convenient airport if travelling to the desert and any of its nine cities. It’s an open air airport providing picturesque views of the mountains immediately upon arrival. It also has a pet-friendly park in the middle of the airport.
Any Questions or Tips to add?