13 Best Resorts in Palm Desert, CA

Near Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is best known for its golf courses and country clubs, but also hosts resorts for most budgets. You won't find any 5-star properties here; the most luxe accommodation is in the 4-star range, but these resorts still have glamor and plenty to keep you occupied without totally blowing your budget.

Whether you are traveling with the kids and looking for a resort with multiple swimming pools and villa-style accommodation, with a kitchen for DIY meals, or a more romantic getaway with spa services that also lets you bring your dog, Palm Desert delivers.

Find a place to relax between playing golf, shopping at El Paseo, exploring Joshua Tree National Park, or touring the surrounding Sonoran Desert landscapes with our list of the best resorts in Palm Desert, CA.

1. HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection

Accommodation: HOTEL PASEO, Autograph Collection

The Hotel Paseo, Autograph Collection has a great location just steps from El Paseo, which is where most of Palm Desert's restaurants, shops, and art galleries are located. This boutique lifestyle resort offers guests a few different accommodation choices.

Choose from one of the stylish hotel rooms, a spacious suite, or a vintage 1950s Airstream Trailer for a unique holiday experience. Rooms and suites feature private balconies with gorgeous San Jacinto Mountain views. They are done up in light blue, white, and gray hues and come with luxe spa-inspired baths. Beds are comfy and draped in high-quality linens.

Amenities include a lovely outdoor swimming pool with cushioned sun loungers and umbrellas. There is also a hot tub, a spa with a range of services and a sauna, a fitness center, and a restaurant on-site. Popular with couples and families alike, Hotel Paseo is also pet-friendly.

Address: 45400 Larkspur Ln, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

2. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert

Accommodation: Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert

Located next to the Desert Willow Golf Resort, Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert is a time-share resort that can also be booked nightly.

This gated community nestled into the San Jacinto Mountains is set on lushly maintained grounds with walking and biking trails. It offers condo-style units with one or two bedrooms. These are spacious and come with full kitchens, as well as terraces. It is popular with groups of friends on golf vacations and also families.

There is no restaurant on-site, but there are a few within walking distance. Other amenities, however, are plentiful. Choose from four different outdoor swimming pool options, including one reserved for adults. Each has its own hot tub. There is also a movie theater, game room, and pool tables, as well as a small gym, a yoga studio, and tennis and basketball courts on-site.

Address: 1 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

3. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa

Accommodation: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa

The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa is a great all-around destination resort whether you are traveling with the family, friends, or on a romantic getaway.

Choose from rooms and suites with mountain, golf, or pool views. These are spacious and comfy. Suites have separate living spaces with sleeper sofas, as well as soaking tubs in the baths.

This 4-star property features some really cool amenities, including gondolas that depart from the lobby and meander around waterways on the grounds. There are also two championship golf resorts here to play. If you prefer a smaller course, kids and adults alike will love the mini-golf course.

Also on-site are four swimming pools, a tennis center, gym, volleyball courts, jogging path, and six different restaurants. If you are in need of some pampering, the massive spa offers a full range of treatments, from massages to manicures.

Address: 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

4. Marriott's Desert Springs Villas I

Accommodation: Marriott's Desert Springs Villas I

Set on more than 400 acres, Marriott's Desert Springs Villas I is part of a two-resort complex that also includes Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II.

They share amenities, including restaurants. If you just want something to take back to your room, The Marketplace has coffee, cold drinks, snacks, and other necessities.

Choose from rooms, suites, and one- or two-bedroom villas here. The villas come with full kitchens, washers and dryers, and deep soaking tubs in the bathrooms. They are a popular choice with families, as they offer plenty of space to move around. Kids stay free here.

Amenities include seven different swimming pools, basketball courts, a movie theater, and a gym. For little ones there is a kids' club and a children's playground on the grounds.

Address: 1091 Pinehurst Lane, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

5. The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

Accommodation: The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

Offering one- and two-bedroom condo rentals, The Westin Desert Willow Villas is another favorite family choice. Villas are spacious and feature kitchenettes or full kitchens, as well as washers and dryers and the brand's signature beds. They also have sofa beds and private balconies with mountain views.

The resort is near the Desert Willow Golf Resort if you are in Palm Desert to play. The resort can also arrange golf lessons at the Palm Desert Golf Academy. There are three swimming pools on-site including one for children with a waterslide. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, restaurant, convenience store, and a game room.

Address: 75 Willow Rdg, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

6. Hampton Inn and Suites Palm Desert

Accommodation: Hampton Inn and Suites Palm Desert

With more than 20 restaurants within a one-mile radius, the Hampton Inn and Suites Palm Desert has a convenient location for exploring the Coachella Valley. The mid-range hotel also offers great value and appeals to families, as well as couples planning to be away from their rooms most of the day and just wanting a comfortable place to sleep with some amenities.

Choose from rooms and suites in a few different configurations, including doubles that are good for families. Rooms have contemporary décor, and beds are draped in crisp white linens and topped with duvets. They also feature microwaves and fridges.

A free breakfast is served in the morning, and parking is also complimentary here. There is a swimming pool and hot tub on-site, as well as a fitness center, laundry service, and 24-hour check-in.

Address: 74900 Gerald Ford Dr, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

7. Best Western Plus Palm Desert

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort

If you are traveling with a dog, the Best Western Plus Palm Desert is a great pet-friendly choice that is also affordable. This hotel with resort-like amenities is near the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens and the PGA West Golf Course, and also offers easy access to Joshua Tree National Park.

Choose from 130 rooms or 22 suites. All feature comfy beds, large windows, colorful décor, mini-fridges, and balconies. A complimentary hot breakfast is served in the mornings. Other amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, outdoor misting system for hot summer days, and two tennis courts. There is also a fitness center on-site.

Address: 74695 Highway 111, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

8. Marriott's Shadow Ridge II - The Enclaves

Accommodation: Marriott's Shadow Ridge II - The Enclaves

Located right on the Shadow Ridge Golf Club's fairways, Marriott's Shadow Ridge II - The Enclaves offers accommodation in one- and two-bedroom villas overlooking the greens and lakes. The villas are perfect if you want to cook some of your own meals, as they come with full kitchens. Additionally they offer balconies and separate living and dining spaces.

If you are traveling with kids, there are a number of activities to keep them busy. There is a kids' club on-site, as well as a mini-golf course and a children's pool with a waterslide. This is just one of a number of pools on the grounds. Other amenities include hot tubs, tennis courts, a game room, 24-hour fitness center with a steam room and sauna, and a few restaurants.

Address: 9003 Shadow Ridge Road, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

9. Marriott's Shadow Ridge I - The Villages

Accommodation: Marriott's Shadow Ridge I - The Villages

The second vacation rental property by Marriott at the Shadow Ridge Golf Club, The Villages shares many amenities with The Enclaves (reviewed above). It also offers similar style accommodations that price a little lower than The Enclaves.

Choose from spacious and modern guest rooms or one- and two-bedroom villas. The villas come with oversized soaking tubs in the master bedroom, full kitchens, and separate living and dining spaces, as well as great views of the golf course from furnished patios and balconies.

The Villages also caters to families with a lot of kid-focused amenities. There is children's play equipment inside and out, as well as a kids' pool. If parents want to book a tee time, there is also a supervised kids' club.

Other perks of staying here include multiple swimming pools, a hot tub, a fitness center with classes, a tennis court, game room, and hair salon. There are a few restaurants on-site including one serving American fare.

Address: 9003 Shadow Ridge Road, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

10. Holiday Inn Express Palm Desert

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Palm Desert

Just a few minutes' drive from El Paseo, Palm Desert's dining and shopping district, and close to many of the 120 golf courses in the surrounding desert, Holiday Inn Express Palm Desert/Rancho Mirage is a good-value hotel option.

It offers clean and spacious rooms with comfy beds, colorful furnishings, and semi-private balconies. All come with microwaves. The least expensive face the highway, however, so book a room with a pool view for less noise.

A complimentary continental breakfast is served in the lobby each morning. The lobby also boasts a large plasma TV and leather furnishings meant for relaxing in. Other amenities include a large heated swimming pool, a hot tub, and a gym. There are also tennis courts and shuffleboard tables. Parking is free.

Address: 74675 Highway 111, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

11. Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert

Accommodation: Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert

If you want easy access to Palm Springs as well as Palm Desert then consider the Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert. This 3-star hotel is just 12 miles from downtown Palm Springs and 11 miles from the Palm Springs International Airport.

This is also a family-friendly place, where kids stay free. The spacious suites are stylish, with mid-century modern furnishings throughout. They also feature kitchenettes for quick meals. There is no restaurant on-site, but the hotel is less than a mile from more than 20 different dining options, so you won't have to drive far.

There is a swimming pool, barbecue area, putting green, and a fitness center on-site. The hotel also welcomes four-legged friends if you are traveling with a pup. The local park just across the street from the hotel is another perk.

Address: 36999 Cook Street, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

12. Mojave Resort

Accommodation: Mojave Resort

For something different than a standard chain, check out the Mojave Resort. This mid-range property is just two blocks from El Paseo's shops and restaurants.

The rooms here have a retro vibe with mid-century modern style, and some come with fireplaces and kitchenettes. The motel-style layout means everyone is on one floor, and private patios lead out to a garden courtyard.

Breakfast is served here and parking is also complimentary. There is a swimming pull with sun-loungers and a nearby hot tub. Massages can be booked either in-room or in an outdoor cabana. If you've come to golf, ask about passes (for a fee) to nearby clubs.

Address: 73721 Shadow Mountain Drive, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

13. Desert Breezes Resort

Accommodation: Desert Breezes Resort

Offering lodging in Mediterranean-style villas, Desert Breezes Resort is another good resort choice in Palm Desert. The buildings are spread around a nicely landscaped pond with a water feature and surrounded by palm trees.

Choose from studio, one- or two-bedroom units. The studios are very affordable and good for couples or families. They have modern décor, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening onto a terrace or balcony, and kitchenettes. They can sleep up to four people with a queen bed and a pull-out queen sleeper sofa.

One and two-bedroom units add full kitchens and a second bathroom. They also have separate living space. The two-bedroom suites are quite roomy at 1250-square-feet and some have fireplaces on the balconies. The resort also runs stay longer packages that can save you up to 25 percent when booking three or more nights.

The resort has a number of amenities to keep you busy. There are three large swimming pools to cool down in as well as multiple hot tubs for cooler desert nights. The fitness center has a mix of cardio and weight training machines, and there are also tennis courts.

Adults and kids alike will enjoy the putting green. There is also a spa on the grounds.

Address: 77955 Calle Las Brisas S, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, California

Best Time to Visit Resorts in Palm Desert, CA - Historical Climate Averages