7 Unforgettable Getaways: A Guide to the Best Hotels Downtown Palm Springs

Palm Springs beckons with its sun-drenched avenues, mid-century charm, and vibrant energy. But finding the perfect place to stay, one that balances serene relaxation with easy access to the downtown buzz, is key to an unforgettable trip. Whether you're planning a chic bachelorette party, a girls' weekend, or a romantic escape, navigating the options can feel overwhelming. This guide cuts through the noise, highlighting the best hotels downtown Palm Springs has to offer, from sprawling resorts to intimate, design-forward retreats.

TL;DR – Why The Muse Hotel Palm Springs Is a Standout

• Adults-only boutique hotel with private patios

• Located minutes from downtown in Warm Sands

• Each suite features a unique muse-inspired theme

• Heated floral pool, fire pit, swings, & stylish common areas

• Great for couples, bachelorettes, and full property buyouts

At the top of our list for group celebrations and stylish getaways is The Muse Hotel Palm Springs, a private, adults-only oasis that feels like your own personal desert hideaway. We’ll dive into what makes each downtown hotel unique, comparing key amenities like pools, pet policies, and group buyout options. Our goal is to provide a clear, actionable roundup to help you find the ideal home base for your next desert adventure, ensuring your trip is as seamless as it is memorable.

🌟 Spotlight on The Muse Hotel Palm Springs ✔ Adults-only, private & peaceful ✔ Hot tub + floral pergola courtyard ✔ Stylish mid-century aesthetic ✔ Kitchenettes & patios in every suite ✔ Ideal for groups & full buyouts 👉 Check it out

1. The Muse Hotel Palm Springs – A Boutique Stay with Style, Soul, and Seclusion

Topping our list of the best hotels in downtown Palm Springs is The Muse Hotel Palm Springs, an adults-only (21+) boutique oasis that masters the art of the group getaway. A true adults-only oasis, The Muse blends mid-century modern design, private patios, and group-ready suites into one of the most stylish hotels in Palm Springs. While technically located in the quiet and desirable Warm Sands neighborhood, it’s just a five-minute drive from the main strip, offering a perfect balance of serene seclusion and convenient access to the downtown buzz.

The Muse isn't just a hotel; it’s a private, curated experience perfect for bachelorette weekends, romantic getaways, or private hotel buyouts. Its main draw for bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, and corporate retreats is the full property buyout option. You can reserve the entire nine-suite property for up to 21 guests, transforming the hotel into your own exclusive desert compound. This level of privacy is a game-changer for groups who want to celebrate without limits. For those orchestrating a larger gathering, understanding the nuances of effective planning corporate events can help maximize the potential of such a unique venue.

Key Features and Vibe

Every detail at The Muse is designed for a stylish, memorable stay. The central courtyard is an Instagrammer's dream, featuring a heated floral-covered pool, a glamorous swing pergola, and a cozy fire pit for evening cocktails.

• Accommodations: Each of the nine suites is uniquely themed and comes standard with a private patio and a kitchenette or full kitchen, providing flexibility for meals and pre-dinner drinks.

• Atmosphere: The vibe is desert-chic meets mid-century modern, creating a sophisticated yet relaxed environment. It’s an adults-only property, ensuring a tranquil atmosphere for all guests.

• Booking Tip: Due to its intimate size and popularity for buyouts, it’s essential to book well in advance, especially for weekend dates or holiday seasons.

The Muse stands out by offering a bespoke, high-design experience that feels more like a private villa than a traditional hotel, making it the definitive choice for groups seeking an exclusive Palm Springs escape.

2. Expedia: Best for Bundling and Rewards

For travelers who prefer a one-stop-shop approach, Expedia is an invaluable tool for finding the best hotels in downtown Palm Springs while potentially saving on the entire trip. Its powerful platform allows you to bundle your hotel stay with flights and a rental car, often unlocking package discounts that aren't available when booking separately. This makes it a go-to for visitors flying into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) who need to arrange all their logistics at once.

Expedia’s main advantage is its robust filtering system and vast inventory. You can use its dedicated "Downtown Palm Springs" neighborhood filter to instantly narrow your search, ensuring you only see properties in the heart of the action. Furthermore, its One Key rewards program offers member-only pricing and the ability to earn and redeem points across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. This is particularly useful for frequent travelers looking to maximize their loyalty benefits.

Key Features and Vibe

Expedia streamlines the booking process with transparent pricing and a user-friendly interface, making it easy to compare larger resorts and smaller inns side-by-side. The platform’s vibe is efficient and comprehensive, catering to planners who value convenience and cost-effectiveness.

• Accommodations: The inventory is massive, ranging from large-scale resorts with extensive amenities to smaller, more intimate properties. This breadth of choice is great, but it means you might miss out on exclusive group buyout options offered directly by boutique hotels. For those seeking unique, adults-only hotels, exploring a curated list of stylish Palm Springs hotels for adults can help you discover hidden gems.

• Atmosphere: The experience is functional and straightforward. Expedia shows total pricing, including taxes and fees, early in the process, which helps avoid surprises at checkout.

• Booking Tip: Always double-check the cancellation policy for your chosen hotel. While many properties offer flexible booking, some of the best deals, especially during peak season, may be non-refundable.

Expedia excels as a comprehensive booking engine for travelers prioritizing package deals and reward points. It’s the practical choice for securing a great downtown location while managing all your travel components in a single, convenient transaction.

3. Hotels.com: Best for Comparing Downtown Palm Springs Hotels with Member Perks

When you need a broad overview of the best hotels in downtown Palm Springs, Hotels.com offers a streamlined and user-friendly platform. As an Expedia Group brand, it aggregates a wide variety of properties, from large resorts to intimate inns, all within its dedicated Downtown Palm Springs hub. This makes it an excellent tool for comparing prices, locations, and amenities side-by-side.

What sets Hotels.com apart is its clear interface and valuable One Key rewards program. The platform’s map view and robust filtering options allow you to quickly narrow down choices based on what matters most, such as "adults-only," "pet-friendly," or properties with a pool. Many listings even provide estimated walking times to popular attractions like the Palm Springs Art Museum, which is a huge plus for travelers wanting to stay in the heart of the action.

Key Features and Vibe

Hotels.com excels at presenting information cleanly, helping you make an informed decision without the clutter. Its focus on member pricing and flexible booking terms provides both value and peace of mind.

• Accommodations: The selection includes a healthy mix of well-known hotel chains and independent boutique properties. However, for a truly curated and private experience like the group buyouts offered at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs, direct booking is often essential as these unique properties may have limited availability on larger platforms.

• Atmosphere: The platform is a search tool, so the "vibe" is efficiency-focused. It uses clear icons and guest reviews to help you understand the atmosphere of each hotel, from lively and social to quiet and secluded.

• Booking Tip: Always sign in to see exclusive Member Prices, which can offer significant savings. Be sure to check the final booking page for any additional resort or parking fees, as these are sometimes added late in the process.

4. TripAdvisor: Best for Vetting Hotels with Crowd-Sourced Reviews

While not a hotel itself, TripAdvisor is an indispensable planning tool for discovering the best hotels in downtown Palm Springs. It leverages millions of real traveler reviews to help you spot consistent service patterns, verify amenities, and set realistic expectations before you book. For boutique properties where the on-the-ground experience is everything, this platform provides invaluable, unfiltered insights.

TripAdvisor’s strength lies in its deep, recent review volume. You can quickly assess the current state of a hotel, from the cleanliness of the pool to the noise levels on a weekend night. Its powerful filters allow you to narrow down options by style (boutique, romantic, luxury) and must-have amenities, making it easy to compare similar properties. Traveler-awarded badges like "Best of the Best" and "Travelers’ Choice" instantly highlight properties that consistently exceed guest expectations.

Key Features and Vibe

Using TripAdvisor effectively is about reading between the lines to find the perfect fit for your trip, whether it's a quiet couples’ getaway or a lively bachelorette party.

• Functionality: The platform offers curated lists, traveler photos, and detailed Q&A sections where you can get specific answers about parking, pet policies, or group accommodations.

• Atmosphere: It provides a comprehensive picture of a hotel’s vibe. For instance, reviews will quickly tell you if a hotel’s pool scene is party-centric or tranquil, helping you match the property to your travel style.

• Booking Tip: Use TripAdvisor for research, but always cross-reference final pricing by clicking through to a few booking partners or visiting the hotel’s official website. Rates and cancellation policies can vary significantly between sellers.

TripAdvisor excels at providing the ground-level details and social proof needed to book with confidence, ensuring your chosen hotel aligns perfectly with your vision for a Palm Springs escape.

5. KAYAK: Best for Strategic Price Comparison and Timing

Before you book any hotel, a savvy traveler’s first stop should be KAYAK, a powerful metasearch engine that acts as your personal deal-finding assistant. While not a hotel itself, KAYAK is an essential tool for finding the best hotels in downtown Palm Springs at the most competitive price. It aggregates rates from hundreds of sellers like Booking.com, Expedia, and the hotels' own websites, presenting them in one clean interface for easy comparison.

KAYAK's dedicated page for Downtown Palm Springs is particularly useful, offering hyper-local insights that help you book smarter. It analyzes historical data to show you the cheapest months and even the best days of the week to travel, which is invaluable for flexible planners. This platform is less about discovering hidden gems and more about ensuring you don’t overpay for the one you’ve already found. For travelers who have their hearts set on a specific experience, KAYAK helps validate that direct booking rates are the best available.

Key Features and Vibe

KAYAK's interface is built for efficiency, allowing you to quickly filter, compare, and set alerts to snag the best possible deal. It empowers you to make an informed decision rather than just a quick one.

• Functionality: Its core strength lies in its side-by-side seller comparisons for the same room and date. You can also set price alerts to be notified when rates drop for your desired hotel. Finding the perfect place is just the first step; getting tips on where to stay in Palm Springs, California can help you narrow your search.

• Atmosphere: The user experience is data-driven and straightforward. It’s less about aesthetic inspiration and more about practical, budget-conscious planning.

• Booking Tip: Use KAYAK to confirm pricing, but always check the hotel’s direct website. Many boutique hotels offer exclusive perks or better cancellation policies for direct bookings that aren't reflected on third-party sites.

KAYAK is the ultimate research tool, perfect for price-checking and identifying travel trends to ensure your Palm Springs getaway is as affordable as it is stylish.

6. Tablet Hotels (by the MICHELIN Guide): Best for Design-Forward Curation

For travelers who prioritize style and a curated experience over endless scrolling, Tablet Hotels is the perfect antidote to overwhelming booking sites. Backed by the MICHELIN Guide, Tablet is not a massive online travel agency; it's a meticulously handpicked collection of the world's most extraordinary hotels. This "less is more" approach makes it an invaluable tool for finding the best hotels in downtown Palm Springs that meet a high standard for design, service, and overall vibe.

Instead of showing you every available room in the city, Tablet presents a refined list of properties that have already passed its rigorous inspection. This high signal-to-noise ratio is ideal for discerning couples, bachelorette parties, and groups who want a guarantee of quality without the guesswork. The platform often features the exact kind of unique, character-rich properties that define a Palm Springs getaway. If you’re curious about what makes these stays so special, understanding the key elements of a true boutique hotel can elevate your search.

Key Features and Vibe

Tablet simplifies the search for an exceptional stay by focusing on what truly matters: a memorable experience. Its user-friendly interface highlights stunning photography and essential details, allowing the hotel's character to shine through.

• Curated Selection: Its Palm Springs portfolio is a who's who of chic, from minimalist desert escapes to mid-century modern icons. This curation is its biggest strength.

• Tablet Plus Membership: For frequent travelers, the optional "Tablet Plus" membership unlocks VIP perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and late check-out at participating hotels.

• Verified Reviews: The "Tablet Score" is based exclusively on reviews from verified guests, providing a trustworthy measure of a hotel’s quality and service.

• Booking Tip: Because its inventory is smaller and features highly sought-after properties, the best hotels can book up quickly, especially during peak season. Plan ahead to secure your preferred dates.

Tablet excels by acting as a trusted travel editor, ensuring every option is a worthy contender. It’s the go-to platform for travelers who believe where you stay is just as important as the destination itself.

7. Visit Palm Springs: Best for Local Intel and Direct Bookings

When you want to plan your trip like a local, the best resource is often the city’s official tourism board. Visit Palm Springs serves as the definitive digital concierge for discovering the best hotels in downtown Palm Springs, with a special focus on boutique, independently owned, and LGBTQ-welcoming properties that define the city's unique character. It’s less of a booking engine and more of a curated directory that connects you straight to the source.

This platform is invaluable for travelers who prefer to book directly with hotels, often unlocking special packages or room types not advertised on larger online travel agencies (OTAs). It’s particularly useful for group organizers, like those planning a bachelorette weekend, as it provides direct contact information for arranging private buyouts and other special requests.

Key Features and Vibe

Visit Palm Springs excels by offering context that other booking sites miss, from neighborhood guides to timely information on major city events like Modernism Week. The platform's layout is clean and user-friendly, allowing you to filter stays by type, such as "Boutique & Small Hotels" or "Gay Resorts."

• Local Curation: The site provides an expertly curated list of accommodations, giving you an authentic look into the local hotel scene. You can explore different neighborhoods with confidence by using a detailed Palm Springs hotel map for every traveler in 2025.

• Direct Booking Links: Instead of acting as a middleman, the site links you directly to each hotel's own website. This ensures you get the most accurate pricing, availability, and direct communication with the property.

• Booking Tip: Use the site to build a shortlist of hotels, then click through to each one to compare rates and perks. Booking directly is often the best way to secure upgrades or make special arrangements for a group celebration.

For travelers who value authenticity and want to support local businesses while getting the inside scoop, Visit Palm Springs is an essential first stop in the planning process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes The Muse Hotel unique among boutique hotels in Palm Springs?

The Muse Hotel stands out with its private, adults-only setting and focus on group experiences. Unlike larger hotels, it offers a full property buyout option, allowing groups of up to 21 to have the entire place to themselves. Plus, every suite includes a private patio and kitchenette/kitchen, blending hotel amenities with the comforts of a private villa.

Is The Muse Hotel adults-only?

Yes, The Muse Hotel Palm Springs is a 21+ adults-only property, ensuring a peaceful and sophisticated atmosphere for all guests, whether they are couples, friends, or part of a group celebration.

How close is The Muse Hotel to downtown Palm Springs?

It’s perfectly situated just a five-minute drive or a short rideshare from the heart of downtown Palm Springs. This allows guests to enjoy the tranquility of the Warm Sands neighborhood while still having quick and easy access to the city's best restaurants, shops, and nightlife.

Is The Muse a good hotel for groups or bachelorettes?

Absolutely. The Muse was designed with groups in mind. Its flexible indoor/outdoor spaces, Instagrammable courtyard with a pool and fire pit, and the option for a full property buyout make it the premier choice in Palm Springs for bachelorette parties, birthdays, and other group getaways.

Your Final Checklist for the Perfect Downtown Stay

Choosing where to stay in Palm Springs sets the tone for your entire trip. For those planning a bachelorette party, a milestone birthday, or a reunion with friends, the priorities are often privacy, style, and spaces that encourage connection. While the options downtown offer incredible convenience, they can lack the intimate atmosphere needed for a truly special group event. That’s where a hotel like The Muse feels like a private hideaway, just blocks from the buzz of downtown.

• Group Dynamics vs. Hotel Layout: Does your group need communal spaces to gather, or are individual private sanctuaries more important? Hotels with flexible indoor-outdoor areas, like a courtyard and fire pit, are ideal for balancing socializing with quiet time.

• Aesthetic and Atmosphere: Are you looking for a vibrant party scene or a tranquil, chic retreat? The best hotels downtown Palm Springs offer a spectrum of vibes. For a sophisticated yet fun group event, an adults-only setting provides a refined atmosphere without sacrificing style.

• Amenities That Matter: Go beyond just a pool. Do you need kitchenettes for preparing snacks and cocktails? Private patios for peaceful morning coffee? A hot tub for evening relaxation? Prioritize hotels that offer amenities designed to enhance your specific type of getaway.

• Proximity vs. Privacy: While being in the heart of downtown is appealing, a location just a few blocks away often provides a more peaceful and exclusive experience. This allows you to easily access the action but retreat to your own private oasis when you're ready to unwind.

Whether you're planning a Palm Springs weekend getaway, a girls’ trip, or simply want a more stylish place to unwind, The Muse Hotel Palm Springs brings together privacy, design, and atmosphere in one beautifully curated package. If you’re planning a stylish weekend in the desert, The Muse belongs at the top of your list.

Ready to create an unforgettable group getaway? Discover how The Muse Hotel offers the perfect blend of private luxury, mid-century style, and group-friendly amenities, making it one of the best hotels near downtown Palm Springs for your next celebration. Explore The Muse Hotel and start planning your stylish desert escape.