What Is an Adults-Only Resort? What It Means and What to Expect

An adults-only resort is a hotel or resort that doesn't book young children, so the pool, the dining spaces and the hallways are built around grown-ups. The minimum age is set by each property, so always check the fine print before you book. The Muse is an adults-only boutique hotel in Palm Springs with nine suites around one courtyard pool, and you can see every suite here.

What does adults-only mean at a hotel?

It means the property has a minimum age for guests. The cutoff varies: some set it at 16, many at 18 and some at 21. The rule usually covers everyone on the property, not just the person who made the booking.

Adults-only describes the guest list, not the entertainment. It doesn't mean clothing-optional or anything racy unless the property says so clearly. Most adults-only stays look like any good hotel stay, just with fewer cannonballs.

What is the difference between an adults-only hotel and an adults-only resort?

Mostly size. A resort usually has several pools, on-site restaurants, a spa and sometimes an all-inclusive plan. An adults-only hotel tends to be smaller, with fewer rooms and fewer amenities, and often more personality.

An adults-only boutique hotel is the smallest version: a handful of rooms, a design point of view and a lot of personality per square foot. That's where The Muse fits. Nine suites, each named for a famous muse, with Sophia, Edie, Marilyn and Taylor among them.

What happens at adults-only hotels?

Less than you'd think, which is the point. A typical day is a slow breakfast, a long pool session with a book, a nap, dinner out and a nightcap somewhere quiet. Couples come for anniversaries and long weekends. Friend groups come for birthdays and girls' trips. Solo travelers come because nobody bothers them.

At The Muse that looks like grab-and-go breakfast from Aspen Mills, the courtyard pool, the six-person hot tub, pergola swings, and an in-room massage booked at least 48 hours ahead.

What does an adults-only pool mean?

At a hotel that welcomes families, an adults-only pool is a separate pool or section reserved for grown-ups. At a fully adults-only property, every pool is an adults-only pool. At The Muse, the courtyard pool is shared by suite guests, or private to your group on a full hotel buyout.

Are adults-only hotels always quiet?

Not always. Adults can be loud too, and a bachelorette party is technically an adult gathering. Adults-only removes one kind of noise, not every kind.

If quiet matters, look at three things: the size of the property, any music or quiet-hour policy, and who else books there. Smaller hotels are easier to keep calm. On a full buyout at The Muse, music is welcome at reasonable volumes until 10PM, so the party has a natural last call.

What are the benefits of an adults-only resort?

• Calmer common spaces. The pool is for reading and floating.

• Better for couples. Fewer distractions and more spaces built for two. Our romantic getaway page shows how that works at The Muse.

• Easier group trips. A girls' trip or birthday weekend fits in without worrying about the family next door.

• A different pace. Slow mornings, long afternoons, no schedule.

What should you consider when choosing an adults-only resort?

• The age policy. Check the exact minimum and whether it changes for group bookings.

• Size. A big resort and a nine-suite hotel are very different trips.

• What's included. Breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi add up. At The Muse, all three are included.

• Room type. Couples may want a private outdoor space. Four Muse suites, Brigitte, Audrey, Marilyn and Taylor, have king beds, full kitchens and private fenced yards.

• Location. The Muse is minutes from downtown Palm Springs by car.

• Pets. Some allow them. At The Muse, pets are welcome with prior approval, so contact us for current terms.

For more options around the state, see our guide to adult resorts in California.

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Adults-only FAQ

What is an adults-only resort?

A hotel or resort with a minimum guest age, so children don't stay there. The exact age is set by each property.

What is an adults-only hotel?

The same idea on a smaller scale: a hotel that only books guests above a set age, usually with fewer rooms than a resort.

What happens at adult-only hotels?

Mostly relaxing. Pool time, good meals, spa treatments and quiet evenings. Adults-only refers to the guest age, not the entertainment.

What makes adults-only hotels better for couples?

Calmer pools, fewer interruptions and rooms built for two. Many couples choose them for anniversaries and long weekends.

Is The Muse adults-only?

Yes. The Muse is adults-only, and all guests on a full hotel buyout must be 21 or older.

A small hotel with a very good pool. Check your dates and pick the suite with your name on it.