Headed to the California desert and looking for the best boutique hotel in Palm Springs? Look no further. We’ve got you covered with the best Palm Springs hotel. Read on for all the deets!
Do you love a boutique hotel as much as we do? We are going to share our experience with you for the best boutique hotel in Palm Springs— hands down.
We recently had the pleasure of staying at The Paloma Resort, located in Cathedral City, Palm Springs, and let us tell you, it was an experience like no other. This stunning boutique hotel combines breathtaking natural surroundings with exquisite amenities and unparalleled service, making it the best boutique hotel in Palm Springs.
Where is The Paloma Resort?
Located just moments away from the Palm Springs International Airport, it’s the perfect location for a quick getaway or an extended stay. You’ll be within walking distance of some of Palm Springs’ premier attractions including Moorten Botanical Garden. You’re also within a short driving distance of Joshua Tree National Park. But once you get to the Paloma Resort, you might not want to leave, since they have so much to do.
How to Get to The Paloma Resort?
The Paloma Resort is conveniently located just minutes away from the Palm Springs International Airport. Guests can take a shuttle or hire a taxi to get to and from the hotel. Parking is also available, so you don’t have to worry about finding a place to park your car while you’re away.
There are a few other boutique hotels in the area that are on the main drive. However, The Paloma Resort is off of the main area, but very easy to find. Plus, you’re looking for the BEST boutique hotel in Palm Springs, right?!
The Hotel
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed with open arms and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The staff is friendly and attentive and will go out of their way to make sure you have an unforgettable stay. The rooms are beautifully designed with contemporary furnishings, and the views all around are breathtaking.
From their lobby to their pool, the lush green vine-lined walkways, and even an outdoor putting green, they have everything you need to relax and be pampered.
They also have a rich history as an agricultural hub and resort destination. The property was actually owned by two pioneering women in the 1920s, and that historic Adobe now houses their iconic restaurant.
We loved being able to learn about the resort, and seeing how they were able to keep parts of the culture and history, like the date palm groves that were planted by the pioneering families.
The Paloma is one of the most historic hotels Palm Springs offers, as well as the best boutique hotel in Palm Springs. Did we mention that? 😉 It exudes modern architecture. In fact, we had White Lotus vibes most of the time we were there. I (shannon) was definitely channeling my inner Jennifer Coolidge.
The Guest Room
One of the standout features of The Paloma Resort is its stunningly designed rooms. The moment we entered our room, I was blown away by the modern and elegant design. We stayed in The Palm Springs deluxe suite, which was perfect for our stay.
They also have plenty of other types of rooms, ranging from studio bungalows to spacious deluxe suites. They all have fun names like The Joshua Tree, The Rancho Mirage, The Coachella, and of course, ours, The Palm Springs. The sleek furniture, comfortable bedding, and high-end amenities ensure a relaxing and restful stay.
Each room is also equipped with the latest technology, including flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi access, and our very own Suitepad tablet. The Suitepad let us make our reservations for dinner, control the TV with ease, and look up things to do in the area.
But the highlight of the room was the private (balcony/patio) that offered breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape. It was the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening while taking in the stunning views.
The room also came with some complimentary water bottles which was a nice touch, a Keurig machine, and a wet bar with a mini-fridge. You really could have your own cocktail bar in your suite if you wanted. Don’t let that prevent you from heading down to the pool bar though.
Public Spaces in this Boutique Hotel
The overall public spaces at The Paloma Resort were also impressive. The hotel’s lobby/check-in area was stunning, featuring fun and modern decor that automatically entices you to get your phone out to snap some pics. We often found ourselves just walking around the property taking photos of the colorful Riviera aesthetic.
The Citrus Suite is available for reserving space, but you can meander in, by the pool, to check out the very chic decor.
There is also a gym that will make you want to get some photos because it, too, is decorated in a very fun way!
Looking for event space or for a gathering? They have space where a reception or party can be held, equipped with a piano. You never know who you may find playing that piano. Sometimes, it could be Ed Roland from Collective Soul. Seriously.
The Best Pool & Spa in Palm Springs
The pool at The Paloma Resort is one of the best in Palm Springs. It’s large and offers plenty of day beds along with a hot tub and lounge areas. The bright pink umbrellas against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains make for beautiful photos.
The pool is heated, so you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the middle of winter. If you are a local in Palm Springs or Cathedral City, you can purchase a day pass to enjoy the pool. How wonderful is that?!
The Paloma also has a very cool poolside bar which was a great spot for some pre-dinner drinks and after-dinner cocktails…. ok, and a few Aperol Spritzs during pool time. They had an extensive menu of beers, wines, and spirits, as well as some signature drinks and mocktails.
Nosh was available at the poolside bar from the Sol y Sombra tapas menu. Stay with us as we tell you in just a bit about Sol y Sombra.
One of the highlights of our stay was visiting the hotel’s spa, Groundworks. The spa offered a range of treatments, from massages to facials. We indulged in a relaxing massage that left us feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
The spa was beautifully designed and offered a serene and tranquil environment that made it easy to unwind. We loved that the spa also offered a range of organic skincare products and signature body scrubs, making it the perfect place to pamper yourself.
Food + Drink
The Paloma provides a complimentary continental breakfast, which was a European-style spread with a range of pastries, fruits, and yogurt. Not sure how many boutique hotels you have been to, but you don’t often get a spread as amazing as this one. Breakfast is in the Citrus Suite, and is very comfy and relaxing. The decor is Palm Springs modern. Bring your phone because you will want to snap pics for the gram.
The hotel’s restaurant, Sol y Sombra, was another highlight of our stay. Their chef, Chad Gardner, created a tapas-style menu that incorporated the local agricultural roots and combines Spanish-inspired dishes with citrus, dates, chilies, and other locally-grown ingredients.
The restaurant offered a range of delicious dishes from various meat dishes to vegetarian dishes, but the standout was the Paella de Planta. This vegetarian version of the classic Spanish dish was simply divine, and we highly recommend it to anyone who visits the hotel.
The restaurant had a cozy ambiance. We chose to dine al fresco for the ambiance it provided. The restaurant was built in a historic Adobe, which was amazing. The service matched the food with the excellence!
We met and spoke with the restaurant’s executive chef, Danny Feliz, and thanked him immensely for all of the delicious dining experiences we were able to take in during our stay.
Hospitality + Sustainability
The service and hospitality at The Paloma Resort were exceptional. The staff was warm, friendly, and always available to help with any questions or concerns. They went above and beyond to make me feel at home, and their attention to detail was impressive. The Paloma Resort is also committed to sustainability and social responsibility.
They use eco-friendly materials in the rooms, serve produce and ingredients from local farms, and support the local community. That is very important to us and did not go unnoticed. It was one of the things that drew us into this boutique hotel.
What is There to Do Around The Paloma Resort?
The Paloma Resort is located in a great area with plenty of things to do. There are great hiking and mountain biking trails nearby, and you can even go horseback riding. There are also plenty of golf courses and tennis courts in the area, as well as hot springs.
The Paloma has bike rentals for you to pedal your way around Cathedral City and around Palm Canyon Drive to local art galleries, other places to grab some California nosh, and some fun exploration.
If you’re looking for some retail therapy, The Paloma Resort is only a few minutes away from downtown Palm Springs, which is full of boutique shops and restaurants. There are also plenty of museums to explore and botanical gardens.
Downtown also has great bars, nightclubs, and restaurants for a night out.
Day Trips from The Paloma Resort
Since Palm Springs is in the Coachella Valley, there are plenty of day trips to be taken while visiting the area. A must while in this area of California is a trip to Joshua Tree National Park. You can spend a day navigating the terrain here or driving around to take quick outings. If you prefer riding on a tour, try out the Joshua Tree Driving Tour.
Another trip that we recommend is heading up the mountains to Idyllwild. Drive through the rocky mountains, and increase your elevation to find plenty of hiking trails, quaint restaurants, and shops in Idyllwild.
In fact, you can really make your stay worthwhile and tack on another weekend trip in Idyllwild after your stay at The Paloma Resort and stay at Grand Idyllwild Lodge. We did this and absolutely loved it! Note, the temperature is much different when you head into the mountains from Palm Springs, so pack and plan accordingly.
If you are a hiker, you may want to try out the San Jacinto hike. Mt San Jacinto is Southern California’s second-highest peak at 10,834 feet elevation. The highest is San Gorgonio Mountain coming in at 11,503 feet.
We also recommend the San Andreas Fault Open-Air Jeep Tour. It’s 3-hours long, but totally worth it. You take a tour of the San Andreas Fault Zone and learn so much about the history of the California desert.
Our Takeaway from The Paloma- The Best Boutique Hotel in Palm Springs
Overall, our stay at The Paloma Resort was simply unforgettable and we cannot recommend it enough. The stunning guest rooms, exceptional service, luxurious amenities, breathtaking public spaces, and delicious restaurant make it the perfect destination for anyone looking for a luxury boutique hotel and an unforgettable getaway.
Whether you’re looking to relax by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment, or explore the natural beauty of Palm Springs, The Paloma Resort has everything you need for an unforgettable stay. Book your weekend Palm Springs trip, or stay a week at one of the best Palm Springs hotels.
Be sure to head to their website where they often highlight special prices and booking options.
Frequently Asked Questions | FAQ
We visited Los Angeles pre-covid and wanted to take a day trip to Palm Springs but were only there for a short time. If you have the time, visit the other while in Southern California. They are a little over 2 hours apart.
A boutique hotel is generally smaller than a mainstream hotel. It is all about intimacy— the personal touch. Most boutique hotels focus on the experience of the guest, not just the accommodations.
You can definitely walk up, down, and around Canyon Drive. Since The Paloma has bikes you can rent, you should take advantage of that. There are parts of Palm Springs though that you will need to Uber or drive to.
