Palm Springs, California, makes for a stellar late fall, winter, or early spring vacation destination, as the temperate desert climate is ideal for enjoying the outdoors on the hiking trail or golf course. Other things to do in the area include ascending the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, shopping at upscale boutiques, checking out local museums and botanical gardens, and dining at excellent restaurants, many of which offer outdoor dining with pretty patios.
The desert vacation spot also has a longtime connection with Hollywood. As early as the 1920s, the city served as a respite for celebrities. Actors and entertainers could escape the spotlight in Palm Springs, and over time, many purchased real estate in the area, including Sammy Davis Jr., Lucille Ball, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Kirk Douglas.
From sprawling celebrity enclaves to exquisite mid-century modern homes to palatial Spanish-style estates, the greater Palm Springs area has oodles of luxurious vacation rentals to choose from. If you’re game for a splurge on your Palm Springs getaway, or you’re traveling with a brood and need a spacious multi-bedroom home base for exploring all the area has to offer, consider these luxurious vacation rentals in greater Palm Springs:
1. Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate
Built in 1947 for Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy Barbato, the Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate features mid-century modern style with current-day amenities. The luxury home rental has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a vintage audio system (yes, that means a decades-old record player), an original recording studio, and a piano-shaped swimming pool. The interior decor is phenomenal, with historic memorabilia throughout, new kitchen cabinets that resemble the original mid-century modern design, and one bedroom’s walls and ceiling covered in bright green palms.
The Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate is located near the downtown Palm Springs Convention Center.
2. Legendary Merv Griffin Estate
Longtime television host, media mogul, and creator of the beloved game show Jeopardy!, Merv Griffin lived large in his sprawling 13-bedroom home in La Quinta, a neighboring community of Palm Springs. The Legendary Merv Griffin Estate is now a vacation rental for discerning guests who might appreciate the Moroccan-inspired decor, 5,400-square feet of living space in the main house (plus two guesthouses), an infinity pool and hot tub underneath looming palm trees, multiple covered patios, and even a private pond with paddle boat.
La Quinta is dubbed the “Gem of the Desert,” one of nine cities in the Coachella Valley. It is southeast of Palm Springs.
3. Kempa Villa
Kempa Villa is definitely not your ordinary vacation rental. It comprises an expansive villa, a bungalow, and a casita that together house up to 18 guests. The indoor/outdoor living space in Spanish colonial style is an incredible 9,000 square feet. The resort-style estate features a soothing Peace Pond with boat, a gorgeous saline pool, a spacious in-ground fire pit with lounging area, and a Great Lawn for setting up croquet or throwing frisbees. Plus, there are picturesque vineyards on the property, and there’s no excuse not to keep up your exercise routine here, with a full home gym on premises.
Kempa Villa is in Palm Desert’s Cahuilla Hills neighborhood.
4. Casa De Monte
This stately, Spanish-style estate is within walking distance to downtown Palm Springs, making it easy to enjoy a day of shopping or night on the town. The estate has various casitas suites, each with its own kitchen or kitchenette and bathroom, so you can rent them separately if you like, or book the entire Casa de Monte estate if you’re traveling with a group. Spanish tile floors are found throughout, bicycles are available to borrow, and entertaining is made easy with an outdoor kitchen and covered dining area. A saltwater pool is surrounded by lush gardens and mountain views.
Casa De Monte is in the historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood, just six blocks from downtown Palm Springs.
5. Hamrick House
If pampering is key to your Palm Springs vacation, consider renting Hamrick House, where concierge service is included with every reservation. You’ll feel like a celebrity, relaxing at the pool area, complete with fountains, spacious cabana, outdoor showers, multiple comfy lounge chairs, and a giant screen for movie nights poolside under the stars. Hiking and biking trails are a stone’s throw away, as this property is nestled in a hillside, with outstanding views of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley, and the San Jacinto Mountains. This Mediterranean/Spanish Revival home has five bedrooms.
Hamrick House is in Palm Springs between Chino Canyon and the Old Las Palmas neighborhood.
6. Private 5-Acre Walled And Gated Resort
Searching for seclusion on your California vacation? You’ll get it with this very private enclave in Palm Desert. This rental includes three different buildings (main house, guesthouse, casita), two pools, two hot tubs, a tennis court, and an outdoor pavilion with pond — all yours to enjoy behind privacy walls. There are seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms in total, plus a billiards room, outdoor fireplace, multiple living areas for gathering, and a huge dining room table that seats at least 12 people.
This extravagant vacation rental is located in Palm Desert, adjacent to the Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge and just south of the Coachella Valley Preserve.
7. Casa De Lujo (House Of Luxury)
A main house and freestanding casita combine to provide seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms for guests who might like plenty of room to spread out. This estate was built for entertaining, with a huge kitchen featuring multiple ovens and an L-shaped island that has space for nine bar stools plus two cozy dining tables. A giant covered patio also has plenty of seating with mountain views, and there’s a separate area for outdoor gathering around a circular fire pit. A private pool and tennis court are also at your disposal.
Casa de Lujo is located in Bermuda Dunes, a community between Palm Desert and Indio that’s about 20 miles southeast of Palm Springs.
8. Villa Sierra With Famous Pink Door
This stylish, 5,400-square-foot ranch home may boast a 75-foot swimming pool with art deco cabana, floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain views, and a billiard room with an opulent bar. But it’s most well-known for its ultra-Instagrammable giant pink front door. Color permeates the modern and airy estate, with rose-colored dining room chairs, pistachio-green kitchen cabinets, and bright purple carpet in one of the four bedrooms.
Dubbed Villa Sierra, this vacation rental is in the Indian Canyons neighborhood of Palm Springs.
9. Sputnik House
Fan of The Jetsons? Entranced by space travel? Check out the Sputnik House, which is a homage to the fascination Americans had with space, astronauts, and rockets in the middle of the 20th century. Originally built in the early 1960s, the one-level home with resort-style pool was totally remodeled with a space-age, mid-century modern theme: each bedroom is named after a planet, with decor to match; NASA travel posters adorn the white walls; and funky, colorful furniture — like a peacock-blue curved sofa — take center stage.
The Sputnik House is in Palm Springs, just 2.2 miles from the Palm Springs Air Museum and 4.8 miles from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.