Palm Springs Is Our Favorite Small Hotel Paradise. Here’s How to Book the Perfect Escape for Every Taste

At Sunset we’re big fans of Palm Springs for its ability to get us instantly into vacation mode. Behind low walls and courtyard gates, framed by palms and mountain views, you’ll find some of the most transporting places to stay in the world, all located in the heart of town. The 80 boutique properties that make up the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels collection are self-contained universes with personalities that reflect the vision and taste of their owners. (Who are more often than not Palm Springs locals!) From the minute you enter one of these distinct dreamscapes, you feel the shift: sun on your shoulders, a faint scent of citrus, the sound of a pool’s surface rippling in the breeze. And whether your ideal getaway involves a wellness reset, a design pilgrimage, a party with friends, or a romantic hideout, there’s a small hotel here that gets your vibe exactly right.

Utterly Tranquil

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For travelers who crave serenity and the chance to fully unplug, Palm Springs has boutique hotels that are practically meditation retreats, minus the rules. These properties boast lush private spaces and settings that dissolve your stress on arrival. Lucille Palm Springs, formerly The Andalusian Court, is a restful collection of bungalows set among palms and shaded courtyards. A favorite hideaway of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, it’s now been reimagined in Lucy’s honor, with luxury mattresses, Frette linens, and complimentary poolside cappuccinos each morning. Every one- or two-bedroom unit comes with a fully equipped kitchenette and its own private outdoor jacuzzi, ideal for long, slow evenings under the stars. At Terra Palm Springs, the mood is modern Zen. This petite wellness-focused stay surrounds its salt sauna, cold plunge, and rain room with soothing earth tones and thoughtful details. The peaceful courtyard also houses a pool, hot tub, and outdoor dining from the team behind Michelin-rated Workshop Kitchen & Bar. Then there’s Orbit In, a transportive mid-century gem that feels like walking into a design museum curated for calm. Each of the nine rooms is a perfectly preserved time capsule, furnished with original Saarinen, Bertoia, and Herman Miller pieces. One suite leans Rat Pack lounge, another boss nova cool, but all share the same quiet sense of desert time.

Fabulous & Fun

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Life’s too short not to throw a poolside party. These boutique hotels are dialed in for fun: Think margarita hours, cold plunges, fire pits, and communal vibes. Many have fewer than a dozen rooms, ideal for taking over the whole property with your crew. Monkey Tree Hotel is a retro dream with just enough modern luxe to keep it comfy. The rooms ring a saltwater pool in a private courtyard, with plenty of lawn to sprawl. A Scandinavian spa setup—hot tub, sauna, cold plunge—adds a fresh twist. Fleur Noire Hotel explodes with color, from floral murals by artist Ouize to custom wallpaper in each of the 21 Spanish-style rooms. La Boisson, their speakeasy-style rosé bar, serves poolside Champagne and cocktails via text. Fire pits, palo fierro shade trees, and a clubhouse round out the high-style hangout. The Twist is pure vacation energy: super mod, bright, and over-the-top in the best way. Full kitchens and private patios mean you can settle in, while mini-golf and a downtown-adjacent location keep the energy up. Bonus: It sits on storied ground once home to Don the Beachcomber. Drift Palm Springs feels like a stylish campus for grown-ups. Apartment-style suites (some with four bedrooms), a massive pool with cabanas, firepits, and the excellent Mexican restaurant Maleza make it a one-stop social HQ. Pour-over coffee in the rooms, Hay furnishings, and bold murals keep things upscale and interesting.

Culturally Queer

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Palm Springs has long been a haven for LGBTQ travelers, and these beautifully designed hotels honor that legacy while adding their own twist. Think fabulous, inclusive, design-forward, and always welcoming. The Descanso Resort, a recent renovation of a 1950s property, is a clothing-optional paradise that caters to gay men with sophistication and style. The 16-room hotel blends sharp tile work and lush landscaping with luxe touches like a mist cooling system, garden shower, and winter fire pit gatherings, all just steps from the Design District. Holiday House, originally built in 1951, has been stylishly reimagined with a Gio Ponti–inspired bar, curated modern art, and a playful, communal vibe. It’s a downtown gem with serious design cred: Hockney and Herb Ritts are among the names on the walls. Trixie Motel is a maximalist pink paradise, lovingly restored by drag icon Trixie Mattel. Each of the seven themed rooms offers a full immersion in glam, humor, and heart, from a honey-toned honeymoon suite to a Queen of Hearts fantasy.

Do Not Disturb

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Romance thrives in the desert. These hotels are made for lovers and are private, intimate, and indulgent, whether you’re honeymooning or escaping for a spontaneous weekend. Villa Royale, a 21-and-up retreat, blends Mediterranean textures with desert flair. Three pools, an art-filled courtyard, and a sultry tapas bar called Del Rey make it as dreamy as it is private. The rooms, splashed with bold tile and curated furnishings, feel like design-forward hideaways for two. Azure Sky updates the classic motel aesthetic with a calm, modern sensibility. Rooms come in warm neutrals, with custom beds, mosaic-tile showers, and sunrise-hued doors. Private patios with hammocks, a cocktail bar, and two fire pit courtyards add layers of cozy luxury, all managed by the expert team behind Acme Hospitality. Korakia Pensione is one of the most transporting of them all. Centered on two historic villas—one Moroccan, one Mediterranean—this retreat evokes Tangier and Marrakech with stone showers, afternoon tea, and flickering lanterns at dusk. Massage treatments, vintage movie nights, and heated saltwater pools make every day feel like a storybook page.

Stay in Style

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Palm Springs is a design pilgrimage for good reason, as it’s home to some of the most authentic and visionary mid-century modern hotels in the world. These boutique stays are ideal for travelers who want architecture, aesthetics, and curated vibes to be part of the vacation. Sparrows Lodge is a minimal, soulful retreat with just 20 rooms and no TVs or phones. Built in 1952, it’s stripped down in the best way: wood, stone, horseshoes, a vegetable garden, and a communal barn where breakfast is served. Quiet, warm, and perfectly considered. Limón Palm Springs is pop-art exuberance wrapped in mid-century form. Inspired by the Mexico City Olympics of 1968, this six-room stay bursts with color, tile, pattern, and playful design details. Available as a full buyout, it’s great for stylish group getaways. L’Horizon is iconic. Originally designed by William F. Cody for a Hollywood producer in 1952, it’s been painstakingly restored and elevated. Today, it’s home to a spa, boutique, and the gourmet SOPA restaurant. Bungalows are private and glamorous, and The Residence—the original 2,000-square-foot house with a private pool—might be Palm Springs’ crown jewel.

Nakedly Confident

Photo by Terry Hastings, courtesy of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels

For those who prefer their sunbathing with fewer tan lines, Palm Springs has a thriving community of clothing-optional boutique hotels that cater to gay men and are focused on body-positive, friendly, and relaxed environments. The Hacienda at Warm Sands feels like a private oasis, with lush gardens, two pools, and impeccable service. With just 10 suites, it’s an intimate escape where every guest is treated like a VIP. Optional clothing zones and in-room massages make for a truly rejuvenating stay. El Mirasol Villas blends Spanish architecture with Old Hollywood history—think fountains, paver paths, and bungalows filled with custom furnishings. Built by Howard Hughes and remodeled lovingly over decades, it’s peaceful, clothing-optional, and deeply rooted in Palm Springs tradition. Desert Paradise lives up to its name. This 12-room gay men’s resort exudes hospitality and comfort, with thoughtful service, updated rooms, and amenities like a steam room, dry sauna, and pool. Repeat guests are the norm, with many booking their next stay before they check out. INNdulge Palm Springs and Casa Oliver also offer warm, welcoming stays in gorgeous, unclothed comfort, rounding out the city’s legacy as a liberating, joyful place to be fully yourself, no matter what vibe you prefer. 

Plan Your Visit 

For more ideas and vacation inspo, visit Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels.com.