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5.0
#3 of 80 hotels in Palm Springs
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Welcome to the Hotel California in Palm Springs! Nestled along the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, in the Southern California desert of Palm Springs, the Hotel California is an ideal adults only getaway for guests looking to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Our classic California Spanish Mission hotel provides just the right amount of rustic charm and romance. Fourteen comfortable rooms surround a sparkling pool and spa amid a lush courtyard where banana palm trees and birds of paradise sway in the breeze complimenting spectacular mountains views!!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Value
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
424 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92264-8806
Hotel California
2,224 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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Hotel California earns rave reviews for its exceptional service, with staff members providing attentive care and thoughtful free amenities that leave guests feeling pampered. The hotel is lauded for its value, cleanliness, and comprehensive amenities, which include a heated pool, hot tub, and free bikes. Its prime location is perfect for exploring nearby dining and attractions, enhancing its appeal.
While the rooms are cozy and well-stocked with complimentary treats, a few guests have suggested they could use a refresh. The atmosphere is consistently described as charming and intimate, making it a welcoming retreat for travelers.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Abundant
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My husband and I have stayed at the Hotel California several times and are always greeted like family with warmth and graciousness. The wine or beer offering upon arrival is also always much appreciated! Hosts check you in and personally escort you to your room poolside, on an upper level or in a more hidden nook -- your preference upon reserving. We love the hot tub and heated pool and often just spend our days lounging there, reading, taking another dip or two and totally unwinding. Rooms are comfortable and clean, quiet location, attentive service, bikes there to ride, walkable to restaurants and town center. There is also a lovely open kitchen for guests to use, with snacks and fruit always available. Next to that area is a separate TV, reading, video lending library, computer, comfy chairs, etc. Lots of outdoor seating in different areas so there is always some privacy if you are looking for it. What's not to like? This is not a big, loud, fancy resort, which we are not into. We just want a small,clean, intimate yet inviting oasis in the desert to call our own when we visit Palm Springs and Hotel California has become that place for us. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelCaliforniaTeam, General Manager at Hotel California
Responded 20 Jan 2020
Reading your review makes a person all warm and fuzzy. .The affection you have for this sweet oasis is a reflection of the goal of the hotel and staff--stress free, reenergizing , but relaxing, experiences. We are delighted that you feel at home when you are with us. See you again soon.
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This is my second visit to Hotel California. My husband and I were traveling with another couple. The hotel provided complimentary snacks and drinks in our rooms as well as a complimentary bottle of champagne for the other couple we were with since we were celebrating a retirement. We booked rooms 4 and 5 which are tucked back from the center courtyard/pool. Although these rooms don't get as much light, we preferred the privacy. From the first call I made until the last day we checked out, the service was absolute top notch. Every employee was service oriented and said "yes" to every request I made. We had late check in due to a flight change but that was easily arranged with the key pad. We found our room quickly and were taken care of the next morning as well. Dawn, Chris, Kelly, and Misty were our hosts and managers. Janet, Sandra, Irma, Alejandra and Solia took excellent care of the grounds and our rooms. The pool maintenance guy was great too, but I neglected to get his name. Very personable and welcoming! Hotel CA is a 14 room space but it feels like it's own little haven as you are sheltered from other surrounding buildings by banana and palm trees. Even when the hotel was full, we didn't feel crowded. All the guests seemed to continue the laid back vibe that was set by the hosts. The hot tub was glorious for both early morning and later evening soaks. The pool was warm enough for swimming even on a "cool" January evening. There are nightly complimentary beverages which both Chris and Kelly readily refilled while various groups gathered in the outdoor space. Upon learning that we wouldn't be there during the evening "Happy Hour", Chris happily served up beverages early for all the guests that were enjoying the poolside and courtyard area. The following night when Kelly noticed that we had missed Happy Hour, he graciously made our group drinks while we were gathered around the fire table. The housekeeping employees seemed to anticipate our every need- bringing us water and towels and making extra pots of coffee as they saw us lingering by the kitchen and pool in the mornings. The community kitchen is awesome. I used it for breakfast every morning as we had bought a few items that we stored in the kitchen. We used the BBQ grill one night too and prepared a delicious dinner in. Everything was sparkling clean and ready to go! The day we checked out Misty showed us around to several of the rooms that were empty including some of the newly renovated rooms. They are upstairs overlooking the pool and have sweet decor. The couple we traveled with kept exclaiming that they'd never been treated so well while traveling. I just smiled because I'd been trying to tell them all along how great the hospitality was here. If you are considering booking here, stop looking right now. Just book and you'll be planning your next trip before you even check out!
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Date of stay: January 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Tucked away are rooms 4 and 5. Poolside are rooms 1 and 16 (plus several more)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel California, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel California
Responded 24 Jan 2022
We here at Hotel California are thrilled to of made you feel as you wrote in your review. We strive to make every guest feel like family. We hope we will see you both again real soon! Dawn
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I have been going to Palm Springs for years and for reasons I can’t explain I always thought this hotel was closed. I can’t even count how many times I’ve stumbled out of The Reef across the street laughing at how funny a Hotel California would be. So imagine how surprised I was when my friend suggested this hotel for our first post-vaccination weekend, “you mean it’s a real hotel?!” She convinced me to give it a try with the selling point being, “if it sucks we can always get super drunk at The Reef so we don’t care.” Turns out that was unnecessary and this hotel is amazing.
The property does not have a restaurant/cafe so there is no room service but they do have a fully equipped and stocked kitchen and BBQs which were perfect! I do mean FULLY equipped. I could have baked a cake, BBQed, and sautéed some veggies if I felt the urge. Everything I could have needed was there including a full fridge to store my produce. They also have coffee and snacks available at all times - I’m pretty sure I cleaned them out of biscotti and hazelnut coffee. There are tables so you can eat take-out fireside and the patio areas are spaced enough for social distancing. If you don’t want to cross the street for fine dining at Melvyns or burgers at The Reef, DoorDash works out great. The patio is also very charming and relaxing with plenty of shaded spaces to chill and in case you’re in the sun they have complimentary spray sunscreen near the pool so you don’t burn in the desert sun.
The rooms are standard and nothing to write home about but for what you’re paying I was actually pleasantly surprised. I have had far worse for much more in Palm Springs. The bed was comfortable and cozy, shower worked just fine, tons of cable channels to choose from, dinette fit our food, little fridge for our leftovers and water, and plenty of floor space for all my things.
The staff are also very friendly, attentive, and helpful. I’m sure if we had any concerns they would have taken care of it immediately but the most complicated problem I had was trying to open the shade umbrella at the pool.
It was honestly much better than I expected for the price point and I’m shocked this hotel isn’t booked up all the time since it’s such a bargain. For comparison, I usually stay at Villa Royale or Sparrows Lodge and I was just as happy with this property as I have been staying there and there is at least a $150/nt difference! This is absolutely a gem and I can’t recommend it enough.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Hotel California in Palm Springs has to be one of the nicest boutique hotels that we have ever stayed at. The staff were so attentive and arranged “Pink Champagne on ice” in our room upon arrival and helped with info and tickets at area attractions. We stayed in a lower Suite which is basically two adjoining rooms which we loved. (Rooms 1 & 16) One room was the sitting area and the other the bedroom. We really enjoyed having two bathrooms and lots of extra space. The living room also has a pull down extra bed if needed. The rooms were exceptionally well stocked with soft drinks and snacks. The bathrooms and showers were fantastic. We also enjoyed two refrigerators, two big TVs and a room safe. Our rooms were situated in a beautiful courtyard with the pool right outside our door. We also enjoyed the hot tub and enjoyed the “adults only” designation. The tropical courtyard is full of luscious plants, fountains and comfortable lounge chairs. The Hotel California has a few restaurants within walking distance but is just an easy 4-5 minute drive to downtown Palm Springs. Parking at the hotel is free. In summary the Hotel California is a beautiful small boutique hotel with exceptional amenities and staff.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel California, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel California
Responded 23 Aug 2021
Thank you for the in-depth review. We will all keep doing what you appreciated and what we love to do so that we will be ready for your return visit which we hope will be soon.
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First time staying at HC. Would definitely return. Small, intimate property. A very casual and welcoming vibe. More like a B&B than hotel as amenities and setting really promote interaction with others. Common kitchen is a great idea. Well stocked and convenient for grabbing a morning coffee. We liked to head off for an hour walk each morning. The Deepwell neighborhood is quiet and interesting. Dawn and Maria were awesome. Their hospitality is a key part of HC's charm.
I'd highly recommend contacting the property directly when booking. you have a better chance of connecting with a room that best meets your needs, as no two of the 14 are the same, and size and amenities vary quite a bit. We booked through Expedia which got us a default room that wouldn't have been our first choice. We would have chosen an upper floor, larger unit with a separate living space.
Only negative was the road noise from Palm Canyon drive, which is busy. But the setting is so tranquil and inviting and the many other positives far outweigh this small flaw. The trolley also runs every 20 mins and is a short walk to catch; great convenient way to access the many great restaurants close by, or take in the Thurs night street fair.
We look forward to our next stay at HC.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:We'd stay on top floor next time
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First time in Palm Springs and we couldn’t have been more pleased with our 4-night stay. Upon booking, we included a message that we’re celebrating our wedding anniversary and babymoon on this trip. When we arrived, we were greeted by property manager Dawn and other staff members with congratulations and they even surprised us with sparkling juice, cake, and freshly cut flowers! It was the sweetest greeting and warmed our hearts to feel so welcomed. The property was immaculately clean, people were super friendly, and we enjoyed using the bikes to tour downtown. The pool is small, however, never felt too crowded as there is only a few rooms on-site. While swimming, staff came by to check on us and occasionally offered treats (popcorn, drinks, popsicles). Each morning, the common kitchen had fresh coffee and fruit. And every night, we loved how the property transforms into this charming oasis complete with candles, it really gave a romantic vibe. My husband and I appreciated the sweet little touches that truly make this boutique hotel spectacular. Can’t wait to return!
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Room 1 was right next to the pool and closest to common kitchen. We loved every minute.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel California, Guest Services / Front Office at Hotel California
Responded 19 Oct 2021
First of all, congratulations on your anniversary and on the major event soon "arriving" in your lives. Dawn, along with all staff members, have as top priority the comfort of each guest and answering needs before they are even expressed. Hotel California is truly a spot of stress free relaxation which is not always easy to access in our everyday life. Good luck to you and we hope to see you again soon.
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Review in a nutshell: The kind of service you get here and the way the staff treats you make staying here a unique and absolutely wonderful experience. Read on for the details.....
So my wife and I decided to head down to Palm Springs for a long weekend with another couple. None of us had been to this town before, so we didn't have a lot to go on in figuring out where to stay. We couldn't have done better.
First off, we had a little trouble with the website and the upshot of this was that our reservation was not what it was supposed to be (which was pretty much on us). Other hotels might have had issues with this but the Hotel California staff, Dawn and Maria, didn't blink. It took them all of five minutes to fix it all and check me in. Kudos to them for not even giving me a sidelong glance (although I kinda deserved one). They even offered me a beer while I checked in.
The hotel itself is just great. The room we had was a nice size and included a microwave, coffee maker, and mini-fridge (with free water and soda). Bed was comfy and the linens were good. Everything was clean as a whistle.
There's a central courtyard with pool, jacuzzi, tables, chairs, etc. There's also a communal kitchen stocked with pots, pans, utensils, spices, etc. There's coffee in the kitchen and a couple of very nice gas grills if you want to cook up some burgers or steaks. There's a TV/game room with a big screen TV and an extensive DVD library. (We watched the second half of an NFL playoff game in there with some other hotel guests and Dawn brought in a pizza and beers for us, on the house. Take THAT, Ritz Carlton!)
We loved the location. It's in a quiet area a little away from downtown. You can get downtown by driving, walking (a mile and a half or so), using the bicycles that the hotel provides free of charge, or by taking the Buzz Bus which comes by every 20 minutes. The Reef, an excellent restaurant/Tiki bar is right across the street. We also greatly enjoyed Elmer's (for breakfast) and the restaurant at the Ace Hotel, both very short walks from the Hotel California.
All of this is great stuff, of course, but what really makes the hotel is the service. The people here are very friendly and personable and will help you out with whatever you need while you're here. You get the sense that they honestly enjoy what they're doing. There are other hotels which offer great service in a sort of stodgy, impersonal way but the staff here are real people who interact with you like friends do, and it makes for a great experience. This seems to rub off on the guests as well as it's hard to be anything but friendly while you're there. We are already planning a trip out for next year and there is no other place in Palm Springs we would stay. See you next year, Dawn, when the Vikings will really be ready for the 49ers!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelCaliforniaTeam, General Manager at Hotel California
Responded 20 Jan 2020
Thank you for your wonderfully thorough review. You got to the absolute core of what makes Hotel California the experience that it is. The rooms are great, the hummingbirds are lovable, the pool is inviting,---yes, it's all true, but you caught the very essence of our oasis which is customer service. Thank you for staying with us and we look forward to your next visit no matter which teams are playing.
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We just loved our stay at Hotel California. Some of the reasons we will be returning: comfortable and well appointed rooms, an interior courtyard with pool and hot tub that had lots of cozy seating areas along with wonderful mood lighting after dark. A fully stocked kitchen that had coffee available every morning and could be used by guests for meal preparation, the lovely outdoor dining area, a welcoming and friendly staff, and so on. The location is very convenient to downtown, restaurants and shopping centers. It felt like we were never more than a few minutes from whatever we wanted to do. Plus, very close to the airport! I
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelCaliforniaTeam, General Manager at Hotel California
Responded 20 Mar 2020
Thank you for choosing Hotel California. Your reasons for returning are the very items we take pride in. Our guests’ enjoyment and comfort are always our goal and measurement for accomplishing that goal. The convenience factor is certainly an added bonus. Looking forward to your return visit.
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The Hotel California was the perfect location for a trip to Palm Springs to see friends. It is small, quiet, and an excellent place to relax. The manager and her staff were extremely helpful to make sure my stay was a pleasant one. When my room was not ready at the appointed time, they went out of their way to make me comfortable in the lovely patio surrounding the pool, (plus offered a small discount to the room rate for one night). There is easy parking on the side or in front of the hotel, a kitchen where coffee and snacks are available all day. Room #11, which has been recently remodeled, had a very comfortable bed, large shower, refrigerator, microwave, windows facing a view of the mountains -- all adding up to a relaxing weekend. Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: April 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Room #11 is large, comfortable, and recently remodeled. It's upstairs, very quiet.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From the very beginning this place was amazing. You walk through the front gate and you feel as if you've traveled to some small B&B in Spain. The staff, especially Chris, made us feel right at home from the very beginning. We were offered welcome beers and margaritas, always great! Our room was excellent with our own private seating area right outside our doors and next to the pool. I wouldn't want to stay at any other hotel in Palm Springs. Will always make sure to stay at Hotel California from here on out. And, we actually loved it so much we ended up staying an extra night that wasn't even planned.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:The Jr. Suite is Awesome!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelCaliforniaTeam, General Manager at Hotel California
Responded 25 Mar 2020
Thank you for choosing Hotel California and thank you for the glowing review. Chris and the entire staff are delighted that what they always work towards was accomplished — primarily happy satisfied guests. We will be looking forward to your return stay.
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Hello, we offer early check in's when we are able to free of charge. If you arrive earlier than our 4 p.m. check-in time and your room isn't quite ready, you are more than welcome to use the pool and the property until your room becomes available.
We stayed at Hotel California one night, and I would happily stay there again. It was attractive and different from most hotels... quiet is a virtue here. My room was great for me, but it was a 2nd floor walk-up. The kitchen, where we could get cereal or cook our own food, is on the ground floor. I would suggest calling the front desk during the day to learn about accessible rooms.
Maria, as much as we love them, we are not. Please visit
small hotel of palm springs there you will find a few that are pet friendly. Hope this helps you.
There are more places to choose from in the Palm Springs area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$232 - AU$406 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
california hotel palm springs, california palm springs
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaCalifornia DesertGreater Palm SpringsPalm Springs
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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