How a Hotel Buyout Works: Booking the Whole Hotel for Your Group

A hotel buyout means one group books every room in the hotel for the same dates, so nobody else checks in and every shared space belongs to you. At The Muse, a Palm Springs hotel buyout is all nine suites, nine bathrooms and room for up to 22 overnight guests around one courtyard pool. Still deciding if it's the right format? Start with our what is a hotel buyout explainer. Here's how booking one actually works.

What does hotel buyout mean?

It means you're booking the property, not a few rooms in it. With a room block, a hotel holds a set number of rooms for your group and keeps selling the rest to strangers. With a buyout, there are no other guests, so the pool, the hot tub and the lobby run on your schedule.

You'll also see "resort buyout" or "exclusive use." Same idea. At a nine-suite hotel it's simple: one group, one guest list, one set of plans.

How do you book a full hotel buyout?

Five moves, no mystery.

• Send your dates. Two or three possible weekends, a rough headcount and the occasion.

• Get availability and a quote. We confirm the dates and send the details for your group.

• Count heads for real. Every overnight guest counts toward the 22, so get a firm number from the group chat, not a hopeful one.

• Confirm in writing. Read the agreement and ask your questions before you sign. Your quote spells out the terms.

• Book the extras early. Glam, massages and dinners fill up on spring weekends.

SEND US YOUR DATES

What's included in a buyout at The Muse?

The whole hotel. Just your group. That's nine suites named for famous muses: Sophia, Edie, Bowie, Kate, Barbie, Brigitte, Audrey, Marilyn and Taylor. There are 10 beds plus two rollaways, which is how 22 guests fit without anyone on a couch.

You also get:

• The courtyard pool, private to your group for the stay

• A six-person hot tub

• An outdoor fireplace, pergola swings and a BBQ grill

• A lobby with a large table, booth seating and a large TV

• A projector for courtyard movie nights or presentations, and speakers throughout the property

• Grab-and-go breakfast from Aspen Mills, parking and Wi-Fi

Brigitte, Audrey, Marilyn and Taylor are king suites with private fenced yards and full kitchens. Kate has two queens. Bowie is the largest, with a separate bedroom. Compare them on the suites page before you start the rooming list, because somebody will ask who gets the yard.

Is there a bar minimum or required event package?

No. A Muse buyout has no bar minimum and no required event package. Music is welcome at reasonable volumes until 10PM, so plan the loud part of the night downtown and the late part by the fire.

Want help with the party? Buyout groups can book our bartender package: three hours of service with ice, drinkware and up to three cocktail selections, with alcohol purchased separately. Buyouts can also add Party on Wheels for the ride downtown. The rest of the menu lives in Muse Experiences.

Who books a hotel buyout?

Bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, family reunions, team offsites and small weddings. Micro weddings and vow renewals can be hosted on full buyouts. It also suits a festival crew or production team: one address, a big lobby table for the morning meeting and a pool for the afternoon. If you need room for a rehearsal, tell us what the space has to do when you send your dates.

A good rule of thumb: with 10 or more people who want to be under one roof, a buyout usually beats booking rooms one at a time. For a smaller crew, a few suites around the same pool can work. Our guide to a buyout or individual rooms walks through that call.

What should you ask before booking a hotel buyout?

Any property you're comparing should answer these in plain words:

• How many overnight guests can stay, and do rollaways count?

• How many bathrooms are there? Twelve people and three showers is a long morning.

• Is there a bar minimum, an event package or a vendor rule?

• Until what time is music allowed outside?

• What's included: breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi?

• What are the payment and cancellation terms, in writing?

• Are pets allowed?

At The Muse, most of those answers are above. Pets are welcome with prior approval, and on full buyouts the fee is $100 per pet, per stay.

How far ahead should you book?

Spring goes first. Palm Springs season runs roughly October through May, and festival weekends (Coachella and Stagecoach, usually in April) and Modernism Week (usually in February) book early. If your date is fixed, send it now. Summer afternoons often top 100 degrees, which means long pool days and more open weekends.

Hotel buyout FAQ

What is a hotel buyout?

A hotel buyout is when one group books every room in a hotel for the same dates. No other guests check in, so the pool, common areas and amenities are reserved for that group.

How many people can stay on a buyout at The Muse?

Up to 22 overnight guests across nine suites, nine bathrooms, 10 beds and two rollaways. Every overnight guest counts toward the 22.

Is there a bar minimum or required event package?

No. There's no bar minimum and no required event package. Music is welcome at reasonable volumes until 10PM.

Can we host a small wedding on a buyout?

Yes. Micro weddings and vow renewals can be hosted on full buyouts.

Is The Muse adults-only?

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

One address, one pool and a group chat that finally agrees. Send us your dates and we'll check the calendar.