Palm Springs is a year round destination known for its stylish hotels, golf courses, hot springs and mid-century modern architecture. There’s a little bit of something for everyone in Palm Springs. In this travel guide, updated for 2024, I’m sharing my top 3 picks of adults-only Boutique hotels, 6 bars/restaurants that you gotta check while you’re in town, and a few activities that will pass the time.

Where to Stay

Holiday House

If you’re looking for a place to stay in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs thats adults-only, you gotta check out the Holiday House. Holiday House oozes that mid-century modern design the second you walk into their lobby and throughout their property.

Not to mention, you’ll definitely notice a color theme! Get your iPhone out because you’ll have a ton of Instagram opportunities.

The 28 rooms on property are well-appointed, with super comfy beds and picturesque views of the gorgeous mountains. Complimentary bicycles make it easy to get around town, but what you’ll love most about Holiday House is the walkability. You can walk to Starbucks. You can walk to many of the cool bars and restaurants, and all of the best shops.

Think: Design-forward “the IT cool girl” hotel

If you want to see my full review of Holiday House, check out this post!

L’Horizon / Hermann Bungalows

Just south of Downtown Palm Springs is L’Horizon Resort and Spa, a more luxury and private resort experience, designed by Steve Hermann. This property is adults-only and very intimate – only 25 bungalows. Each bungalow has its own unique touches.. some with fireplaces and private pools. Within L’Horizon, is a hotel within a hotel concept, called Hermann Bungalows. Hermann Bungalows feature 24 ultra luxury mid-century modern bungalows with walnut walls, Venetian terrazzo floors, and custom furniture pieces. On that side of the hotel wing, there is also a dipping pool and additional cocktail bar.

Whether you go with a bungalow in the original L’Horizon hotel, or stay in a newer Hermann Bungalow, you’ll find a relaxing place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle. You’ll truly appreciate how quiet this property is.

Think: Unplugged getaway in the desert.

Here’s your reminder to book that girls staycation or wellness weekend at L’Horizon.

The Colony Palms

The Colony Palms is another hotel designed by Steve Hermann and L’Horizon’s sister property. Colony Palms is located in Downtown Palm Springs and has 57 guest rooms (a combination of rooms, bungalows and suites), a full service spa and one of the best restaurants in the area, The Colony Club (more on that below).

There are instagram-worthy moments throughout the property, beautiful views of the mountains and just like Holiday House, you’ll definitely notice a theme. Their pool area has plenty of chaise lounges and cabanas for larger groups. The hotel sits on 3 acres, enough to host events, weddings and parties.

The Colony Palms is also adults-only and extremely walkable to many shops, restaurants and bars.

The Thompson Hotel

Coming soon in 2024, the Thompson Hotel will make its debut in Palm Springs. Reservations are open for booking later this year through their website directly. The hotel will feature a Hall Winery Tasting Room, a rooftop pool & deck and over 35,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Where to Eat & Drink

Canopy Wine Lounge

Palm Springs first ever wine bar! Finally! They feature wines from around the world and they have one of the most beautiful “desert garden” murals behind the bar. They also have a pet-friendly patio, delicious bar snacks and live music events. Check out their Instagram for their current hours.

Truss & Twine

Truss & Twine is a cocktail bar in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs. You’ll be taken back by the black concrete walls and dramatic steel canopy that sits over the bar.

It’s a beautiful bar!

Their cocktails celebrate the history of drinks in America, like prohibition and the dark ages. My personal favorite is a gin cocktail called Game Changer – refreshing and classic.

If you’re looking for a few bites to eat – hands down – you gotta check out the Wagyu Oxtail Grilled Cheese. You can book on Resy for larger groups and walk-ins are accepted for the bar top.

Sugar High at La Serena Villas

If you’re looking for a cute rooftop moment, you’ll want to visit Sugar High bar at La Serena Villas. After 5PM, past the lobby and around the pool, you’ll see Azucar, the hotel’s restaurant. Up the stairs and you’ll find Sugar High, the perfect spot for a cocktail, taking in the breathtaking views of the San Jacinto mountains.

The decor is unlike anything else in Palm Springs. The vibrant wallpaper inside the bar is great for photo ops! And the bright pops of pink outside make everything fun.

It’s the most beautiful around sunset and after dark, when all the tea lights turn on. Sugar High also hosts private events and is adults-only! Check out their website for more information.

Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey

Who would have thought sushi.. in the desert.. would be pretty damn good?! Every time I visit Palm Springs, I go to Sandfish. No lie, it’s a staple for me and I live on the Southern California coast.. That is sayin’ something!

Sandfish started out as a small sushi joint in Downtown Palm Springs. The inside can maybe seat 35 people. During the pandemic, they opened a pretty big side patio, out of shipping containers. They have gotten so popular in Palm Springs, that they now have a second location in Phoenix.

The vibe is INSIDE, if you can get a reservation. There are a few different seating options through Open Table but if it doesn’t say “inside” – you will be on their covered patio outside or on their side patio. Unfortunately, the wind at certain times of the year can be intense and almost unbearable if you’re eating outside. Highly recommend booking WELL ahead of your trip and getting an inside table.

Bar Cecil

If it’s good for Diana Keaton & Giada de Laurentiis, it’s good enough for me! No seriously, Bar Cecil has been the hardest reservation to get since it opened in 2020. You might be among celebrities here, and for good reason. It got Michelin rated for 2022.

Everything about this place is just classic Palm Springs.

Fun mid-century modern design – Check

Inventive craft cocktails – Check

Epic bathrooms you want to take selfies in – Check

Food that looks like art – Check

I won’t spoil the menu for you but if you really want to ball out at Bar Cecil, try the Fifty-Dollar Martini and Caviar by Thomas Keller.

This place is on the small side and the vibe is inside, so check out Bar Cecil with a party of 4 people or less! They also accept a small amount of walk-ins for parties of 1 or 2 if you can get lucky.

Tac/Quila or Clandestino

Palm Springs has a lot of authentic Mexican restaurants (El Patio being my personal fav) but if you’re looking for modern, elevated Mexican food, Tac/Quila and Clandestino are the best. They are sister restaurants, about a mile from each other, and serve much of the same menu.

Both locations serve up the tastiest margaritas. In fact, you can get a 4-flight sampler of their most popular margaritas. For starters, check out the Ceviche Trio and Beer Tempura Avocado Bites – amazing!

They got street tacos of all different kinds, which are perfect for lighter appetites. The jicama and papaya salad is really refreshing, especially on hot summer days. If you want something a bit more filling, check out their speciality tacos, which are bigger in size and more unique flavors.

Clandestino has the better views of the two restaurants, with their patio overlooking the mountains. Tac/Quila would be ideal if you’re staying at the new Thompson Hotel or the Hyatt on Palm Canyon Blvd.

The Colony Club

The Colony Club at The Colony Palms hotel is another beautiful restaurant that serves up classic California fare. The restaurant is simply stunning with gorgeous art-deco vibes. They serve lunch, brunch and dinner, but my personal favorite is brunch. You can book your reservations on Open Table.

Aside from the main dining room, they also have a private dining room that can seat up to 14 people. They have outdoor seating too, overlooking the pool.

If you go for brunch, check out their avocado toast and Bloody Mary! If dinner is more your thing, I loved the Girl n Dug Farm Salad. Their menu changes seasonally so everything is fresh. I’d say this is one of the nicer places to eat in Palm Springs and could be a special occasion restaurant experience.

What to Do

While there are a ton of great golf courses, spas, restaurants and shopping to do in Palm Springs, I’m sharing a few things, off the beaten path, that you will want to check out. I actually wrote an entire blog post on 4 Instagram-Worthy Things to Do in Palm Springs but I’ll highlight my top 2 favorites in this post.

Self-Driving Windmill Tour

Chances are, you’ve probably seen the windmills in and around Palm Springs. They are pretty fascinating and their history is even more so.

Palm Springs has a self-driving windmill tour where you can see them up close and get all those great Instagram shots.

Because it’s a self-driving tour, this is perfect for a small group and you can do it at your own pace. The cost is per car, so it’s an affordable activity to do in Palm Springs. Check out this blog post to learn more!

Moorten Botanical Garden

Just south of Downtown is Moorten’s Botanical Garden, a privately-owned arboretum, also known as a “Cactarium.”

Moorten’s features over 3000 different plants and cacti from all around the world. Get your camera out, because this is where you’ll want some awesome IG photos.

During the summer hours, it’s only open Friday through Sunday from 9am-1pm, so this would be best to do before lunch time. If you plan to visit Palm Springs during the other parts of the year, check out their website for their updated hours.

For more details, check out my full review and post here!

Hope you enjoyed this Palm Springs Travel Guide, updated for 2024! For your convenience, I have all the hotels, bars and restaurants mapped out for you below that I included in this travel guide.

If you’ve been to Palm Springs and have other recommendations for me, drop them below in the comments.