Our 8 favorite points hotels in the Palm Springs area
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Palm Springs, California, has long been an oasis for Southern Californians — and those from farther afield — looking to escape the busyness of daily life or the cold of winter with a trip to the warm desert.
Set in the stunning Sonoran Desert and surrounded by mountains (that often have snow at the top, even in the summer), the Palm Springs area has something for everyone. The weather is great year-round (though it gets very hot in the summer; it is the desert after all). There's an abundance of golf courses and tennis courts, plus a plethora of cultural attractions and a vibrant dining and drinking scene.
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, travelers — and the travel industry — have realized the potential of this destination as a perfect escape.
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The city and surrounding area have actually benefitted tremendously from the shift in travel preferences away from crowded cities and international destinations for places closer to home with lots of outdoor space. In fact, the nation's major airlines added new flights to the desert city, betting that it'll remain a popular destination for Americans looking to get away from the monotony of everyday life during the pandemic.
Predictably, as the popularity of Palm Springs has increased over the years, there are numerous top-notch resorts that cater to a wide range of people, from a solo traveler looking to get away from it all to those seeking a family-friendly spot to let the kids burn off some of that pent-up energy in the great outdoors.
The four major hotel chains — Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Marriott — all have properties in the area (along with some great independent properties), but as you'll see in the list below, those with Marriott Bonvoy points to burn are spoiled for choice, whereas those loyal to any of the other three chains won't be able to be as picky.
Let's take a look at the top points hotels in the area, should you want to take advantage of all the new flight options into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and enjoy a desert vacation.
Related: How to use points to book 9 unforgettable wellness retreats
Top Hilton hotel in the Palm Springs area
La Quinta Resort & Club
In La Quinta, just over a half-hour from the airport, the La Quinta Resort & Club is spread across a whopping 45 acres and has an equally eye-popping 41 pools and 53 hot tubs across the resort. Even the base rooms are casita style, adding even more of a sense of privacy and space to this already gigantic property. In addition to all those pools, the resort features a fitness center and spa, 21 hard and clay tennis courts and a staggering five golf courses.
A king casita with a mountain view at this property can be had for as little as $393 or 80,000 Honors points per night in April. There's also a $35-a-day resort fee that includes internet access, valet and self-parking, fitness and tennis club access, fitness and yoga classes; a PGA West shuttle, golf bag storage, daily in-room bottled water and local calls and long-distance access.
If your Hilton Honors balance is lacking, consider applying for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which is currently offering a welcome bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card review
Top IHG hotel in the Palm Springs area
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, the Kimpton Rowan pays homage to the area's midcentury roots with a stylish exterior and even better interior. Spacious, airy and modern, the guest rooms evoke the midcentury glamour that Palm Springs is famous for, but also remind you that you're in a new, 21st-century property. Guests can enjoy views of the mountains from the restaurant's outdoor dining terrace and spend a day sipping cocktails by the rooftop pool for a thoroughly Instagrammable vacation in the desert.
A room at the Category 7 Kimpton Rowan can be had for around $783 or 40,000 IHG Rewards points per night. You will pay a $40 daily resort fee that covers valet and self-parking, upgraded Wi-Fi speed in guest rooms and public spaces for up to five devices, golf bag storage and business services such as printing and faxing.
If you'd like to use your points for a getaway but find yourself short, consider opening the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card, which is offering a sign-up bonus of 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Related: IHG Rewards Premier card review
Top Hyatt hotel in the Palm Springs area
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
If you're traveling to the Palm Springs area with kids in tow, look no further than the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, about a half-hour drive from PSP. The property has a waterpark with dual waterslides, a lazy river and splash pads, perfect to keep the kiddos entertained while the adults relax poolside with a cold beverage in hand.
Rooms at this Category 5 World of Hyatt property can be had for $655 or 23,000 points per night in mid-April. A $40 daily resort fee (waived for Hyatt Globalist members) covers the following:
- Access to the HyTides waterpark, a 450-foot lazy river and children's splash pad.
- In-room premium internet access and personal coffee and tea maker.
- Two bottles of water per stay.
- In-room safe.
- Unlimited local telephone calls and access charges for 1-800 or 1-888 phone calls.
- Incoming faxes.
- Filtered water stations.
- One hour of tennis court time per day.
- Shuttle service to Indian Wells Golf Resort.
- Discounted green fees at Indian Wells Golf Resort.
- Golf bag storage, outdoor games and activities.
Remember that Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to the World of Hyatt program, meaning you could earn two nights at this property from the sign-up bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which is currently offering 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred review
Alternatively, you could look to the World of Hyatt Credit Card, which is offering a sign-up bonus of up to 65,000 points — 35,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months and up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 bonus points per dollar spent on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening.
Related: World of Hyatt card review
Top Marriott hotels in the Palm Springs area
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
About a 20-minute drive from PSP sits (very fittingly on Frank Sinatra Drive) The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. Set atop a cliff, the property offers stunning views of the Coachella Valley below and the mountains in the distance. Base rooms are spacious at 450 square feet, and many feature spectacular vistas of the area's terrain. Enjoy two pools and two full restaurants, in addition to a pool bar and a five-star spa with 16 private treatment rooms, during your stay.
Rooms at this Category 7 Bonvoy property (50,000 points off-peak, 60,000 standard and 70,000 peak) can be had from $1,013 or from 70,000 to 140,000 points per night, based on a mid-April stay. The $40-per-day resort fee covers the following:
- Daily fitness class.
- Hotel-guided sunrise or sunset hike (weather permitting).
- Stargazing or sungazing experience (weather permitting).
- Daily afternoon candy bar.
- Golf bag storage.
- Recreational lawn game rentals.
- Morning outdoor stationary spin bikes.
- 24-hour use of business center.
- Resort art self-guided tour.
This property would be eligible for the annual up-to-85,000-point free night certificate at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program (certain hotels have resort fees, including this one) with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. With this card, you'll also earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card in your first six months.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card review
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
This renovated Indian Wells resort is a desert oasis, with two golf courses, multiple restaurants, a full spa and a large resort pool with a sandy entrance on one side, perfect for the kids. After a full day of fun in the sun, retire to a bright and airy room with decor that channels the area's midcentury design aesthetic.
Rooms at this Category 6 Bonvoy property can be booked from $520 or for 120,000 points per night based on a mid-April stay. If you find nights with standard or off-peak availability, they would be eligible for the up to 85,000-point free night certificate that comes with the Bonvoy Brilliant card. The hotel's $36 daily resort fee includes bike rental, fitness classes, golf bag storage and self-parking.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
In nearby Palm Desert — just over 20 minutes from PSP and downtown Palm Springs — is the venerable JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. Opened in 1987, the resort has been a fixture in the area ever since. This massive, 884-room property has nine food-and-beverage outlets; four pools (as well as one spa pool); a gym; spa; two championship golf courses; 15 hard, three clay and even two grass tennis courts; and more.
Rooms at this Category 6 Bonvoy property can be booked from $675 or from 120,000 points per night, based on a mid-April stay. The hotel's daily $40 resort fee includes:
- Pool access.
- Fitness center access.
- Sporting facilities or equipment.
- Nearby fitness center access.
- Bicycle storage.
- Internet access.
- Phone calls.
- Faxes.
- In-room safe.
- In-room coffee.
- Self-parking.
- Housekeeping.
If you find nights with standard or off-peak availability, they would be eligible for the up to 85,000-point free night certificate that comes with the Bonvoy Brilliant card.
Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs, a member of Design Hotels
If you're looking for a chic urban getaway, look no further than the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows in downtown Palm Springs. With just 67 rooms and suites, you'll feel like you're at a boutique property with plenty of space to breathe. Accommodations range from studio guest rooms to private villas and all feature a modern take on the midcentury glamour of the city. The property features three swimming pools, a restaurant, an intimate spa and more.
Rooms at this Category 6 Bonvoy property can be booked from $998 or from 40,000-60,000 points per night, based on a mid-April stay. A daily resort amenity fee of $45 includes high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the resort, three outdoor pools (including one family pool and two adults-only tranquility pools), two large Jacuzzis and the use of Avalon bikes.
If you find availability, they would be eligible for the up to 85,000-point free night certificate that comes with the Bonvoy Brilliant card.
Hotel Paseo, Autograph Collection
The Hotel Paseo in downtown Palm Desert opened to much fanfare in 2018. With the shops, galleries and restaurants of the city's El Paseo street — known as "the Rodeo Drive of the desert" — just steps away, a stay here will have you feeling like you're in the middle of it all until you remember that you're in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. The vibe is unapologetically modern and playful in its design, with bright yellow umbrellas surrounding the pool and quirky artwork lining the hallways. Instead of a full golf course, you have a putting green here (in addition to the outdoor pool and lawn with a cornhole setup), but you're not staying here to escape it all, but rather be in the middle of it all.
Rooms at this Category 6 Bonvoy property can be booked from $426 or from 120,000 points per night, based on a mid-April stay. The property's $36-a-day resort fee includes the following:
- Valet parking for one car, with handicapped parking and spots for accessible vehicles.
- Daily morning yoga.
- Mercedes shuttle rides to golf and shopping.
- Up to 30% off Desert Willow Golf Resort.
- Bike rentals.
- 24/7 fitness center.
- Two bottles of water in your room each day.
- Putting green and backyard games.
- High-speed Wi-Fi.
If you're able to find nights with standard or off-peak availability, they would be eligible for the up to 85,000-point free night certificate that comes with the Bonvoy Brilliant card.
Bottom line
TPG looked at these hotels based on mid-April dates. It's always best to go directly to the hotel's website to find the best prices. Enjoy all the amenities that Palm Springs has to offer.
Additional reporting by Benét J. Wilson.