White walls, cool concrete floors, and unfussy furniture and linens are the hallmarks of this airy property, which is situated in a residential neighborhood and blends seamlessly with the midcentury modern homes around it. Conceived by photographer and entrepreneur Jaime Kowal, who has become a Palm Springs fixture in recent years, The Amado can only be booked on Airbnb. Five rooms wrap around a picture-perfect swimming pool and can be reserved individually, or en masse for a party or special event. Kitchens in each unit mean you can plan meals at leisure, and an electric car-charging unit out front reminds visitors exactly who Kowal envisions as her ideal guest.

This sprawling Waldorf Astoria resort covers so many acres that the surrounding town was eventually named after it. Once a retreat for Hollywood types looking to escape the city smog (Frank Capra wrote Lost Horizon here), the hotel adopted a like-home vibe. Guests stay in red-roofed casitas done in Spanish-style tile and dark wood; some have fireplaces and furnished terraces with views of the mountains, and all of them have easy access to one of the property’s 41 swimming pools. On-site restaurants, 90 holes of top-tier golf, a village of shops, and a full roster of activities like power yoga and movie nights mean that leaving the property isn’t strictly necessary during your stay, and that your whole party – from toddlers to grandparents – will have plenty to do. 

Painted in DayGlo colors, this former Holiday Inn has been given bold new life as an occasionally cheap, extremely cheerful hotel. Nothing in town quite rivals the hotel’s stunning pool area, which has been a fashion and design magazine darling in the years since its re-opening. This hotel is one of the prime locations for Splash House, a seasonal pool party with DJs and live music. For those looking for a soothing respite from the desert heat, this probably isn’t the place for you; some of the room features still feel distinctly Holiday Inn-ish, despite the chic paint job. But if you’re looking to truly indulge in Palm Springs’ carefree sense of sun-drenched booziness, we can’t argue with this choice.

If you’ve come to Palm Springs in search of its throwback glamour, designer Steve Hermann's first hotel project has plenty of it. Overlying the hotel’s beautiful mid-century bones are contemporary textures, colors, and amenities. Spotless white furniture surrounds the angular infinity-edge pool, and throughout the property you’ll hear the peaceful sounds of small fountains and water fixtures that are built into the many cactus gardens.

This Palm Springs classic, with its cheeky Jonathan Adler-designed spaces, is a steadfast It-girl of Palm Springs hotels. If you’ve stayed before and are looking for a new thrill, seek out the villas that surround the pool. They’re hidden amidst the towering garden greenery and feel especially exclusive.

The rules are simple: No kids. No groups. And if you want an adventure, you're welcome to discover it yourself. Such is the vibe at Sparrows Lodge, which doesn’t have its name printed on the sign, and welcomes guests not with a formal check-in desk, but with a stone fireplace burning and an oversized art book, open and ready for browsing. The non-structured, non-prescriptive theme carries throughout the property, and gives its lush central courtyard an air of languid peace. Guests meet twice each week under a leafy arbor for a family meal, and the occasional s’mores party is not unheard of. 

Beards. Tattoos. Oversized glasses. Girls doing their best Stevie Nicks impression. It’s all here at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club, which gets the important stuff right. Its rooms – all canvas and cotton – feel like the perfect place to hide from the blazing heat, while the pool area is active without a hint of party-hard craziness. King’s Highway, the Ace’s restaurant – is a former Denny’s, one of the few in the country that had a bar – and now serves a killer avocado toast. 

Situated on a 25-acre man-made lake – complete with a spouting fountain in the center – this charming inn is perfect for a special celebration. There are 13 lake-view suites with contemporary quirks like blown-glass chandeliers and bright-patterned pillows and throws. Have a glass of wine by the outdoor, lakeside fire pit and enjoy the view of the red-roofed surrounding community, or dine at the restaurant, Mélange, which serves New American fare with ingredients sourced from local farms.

Location is key at Triada Palm Springs, which is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. Its 56 uniquely designed guest rooms form a perimeter around two pools, sundecks, cabanas, and a low-key restaurant, Iluminara. The Spanish-style hacienda is located in the Movie Colony of Downtown Palm Springs, a convenient walk away from many of the area's popular restaurants and boutiques. As for the atmosphere, Triada manages to work for both younger and older crowds, offering a serene scene around the pools and plenty of seats to relax under the desert sun.

In a town best known for its mid-20th century architecture, Arrive has gone contemporary in its 32 stylish yet relaxed guest rooms. Amenities include free wifi, DirecTV, Apple TV, rain showers, Malin + Goetz bath toiletries, and minibar snacks at reasonable prices. What’s missing, however, is a room phone. Guests are encouraged to text the staff for whatever they might need. They’re also required to check in at the hotel’s restaurant and bar; there’s no front desk. There’s no age guideline, however, for the hotel’s two main activities: soaking up the sun around the hotel’s 66-foot poolside oasis and making friends on the bocce ball court.

With its V-shaped pool and balconies overlooking the mountains, this property has us craving a return flight to Palm Springs. The hotel, which opened in 2016, balances relaxation (free Saturday morning yoga sessions!) with an active pool scene, where you'll find a DJ by the pool every Saturday. There are 140 rooms and suites here, most with a private patio or balcony, perfect for enjoying that mountain air.