10 Best Desert Hotels in the West

The desert version of over-the-water bungalows, Encuentro Guadalupe’s 20 freestanding stilted posh pods, each with a terrace and outdoor clay chimenea, seem to float with the same beckoning allure—only instead of ocean you’re surrounded by the mountain vineyards of the Valle de Guadalupe wine region. Take in the rocky terrain and flowering shrubs by horseback or while sipping wine in the dramatic infinity pool cut into the hillside. http://www.grupoencuentro.com.mx/english/index.html

Located near the tiny town of Todos Santos on a beach known for its fishing and surf breaks, this isn’t your ordinary desert hotel. Colorful tiled floors, brightly woven blankets, and flamingo pool floats contrast with the rugged Baja landscape, making this 32-room boutique hotel a photographic standout. Sip mezcal margaritas by the turquoise pool and dine on locally-caught fish at Benno, the hotel’s restaurant. http://sancristobalbaja.com

You can thank local architect Alejandro D’Acosta for this stunning display of rustic woodwork, metal, boulders, and earth walls in Mexico’s lauded wine region. As well as the modern yet minimalist eight-room bed and breakfast, each with glass walls overlooking the winery, there’s an elevated infinity pool and standout farm-to-table restaurant, Fauna. Oh, and all the eco-friendly wine you can sip. http://bruma.mx/

Slightly removed from Palm Springs proper is Hope Springs Resort, a gorgeously restored 1950s motel in Desert Hot Springs, a stylish refuge where privacy and pampering are the M.O. The 10-room property boasts three spring-fed pools, two hot and one less hot, where soaking in the therapeutic mineral waters is mandatory. http://www.hopespringsresort.com

Unplugging at this five-room roadside desert hideaway in Joshua Tree isn’t difficult. Instead of TVs and WiFi, rooms feature private patios and outdoor showers, as well as manual typewriters and vintage record players. Hike nearby Joshua Tree, grill up some grub in the communal BBQ, and bask in the intimate minimalist oasis. http://www.mojavesandsatjoshuatree.com

Set in the striking red rocks of Sedona on what many believe to be a sacred energy vortex, Mii Amo is the ultimate desert destination spa. Not only do treatment rooms outnumber guest casitas 20 to 16, the new age spa menu is a standout with psychic readings, chakra meditation, energy clearings, aura photography, and past life regression. https://www.miiamo.com

You know you’ve arrived at The Downtown Clifton when you spot the standout Día de los Muertos outdoor mural, a nod to the kitschy Southwest vibe of the 10-room remodeled 1947 motel. From the made-in-Tucson wooden platform bed and local art slung on the walls, to the mini bar stocked with Mexican sodas and Tucson-made snacks, you know you’re not in Kansas anymore. This world is decidedly more hip. http://downtowntucsonhotel.com

What started as a 12-room Route 66 adobe-style 1936 motor court is now 86 rooms stretching over five acres. Each room is unique, but nostalgic types will love the revamped originals, complete with turquoise doors, covered patios, original artwork, and beamed ceilings. Don’t miss La Reina, the property’s tequila and mezcal bar. http://www.elreycourt.com

Amangiri is a true reflection of its remote desert setting. A posh escape on the Utah-Arizona border set between breathtaking buttes and magical mesas, the 600-acre hideaway blends almost seamlessly with its sweeping surroundings. There isn’t a bad view in the house, especially from the pool which wraps around an enormous sandstone cliff. Desert perfection. https://www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri

Those rocks! That’s the first thing you’ll notice at the aptly named Boulders, a sprawling Sonoran Desert resort framed by Flintstone-sized ancient rock configurations. Accommodations, which range from casitas to 3000-plus square-foot luxury haciendas, blend into the landscape, giving it an even more deserty feel. Hike, rock climb, golf, or spa, just be sure to watch the sun set over the saguaros. http://www.theboulders.com