Palm Springs is known for three things: its history as a hub for Hollywood elites during its golden era, a world-class list of spas and golf courses, and—most notably—its array of modernist architecture and mid-century modern design.
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The three go hand-in-hand.
As Palm Springs developed throughout the 1940s and 50s as a hub for successful Hollywood stars, many new constructions were built in a modernist style. This trend coincided with the rise of the mid-century modern design, which is a subset of the modernist movement.
Palm Springs even has its own Desert Modern architecture, spearheaded by men like Richard Neutra and Donald Wexler. Two activities sought after by visitors from LA were spas and golf courses.
To this day, Palm Springs is a destination preferred by the rich and famous, but it’s also become more accessible to regular travelers who enjoy style, wellness, and desert scenery. In fact, there are new projects still launching that showcase Palm Springs’ iconic retro feel, such as the Trixie Motel.
Whether you’re shacking up for a weeklong wellness escape or using it as a stopover on your way to Joshua Tree, check out these notable mid-century modern hotels in Palm Springs for a stylish stay.
Mid-century modern hotels in Palm Springs: the top list
- A romantic escape: Les Cactus (check price)
- A kitschy adventure: Royal Sun Palm Springs (check price)
- A classic pick: The Parker Palm Springs (check price)
- A fresh take on modernism: Fleur Noire Hotel or Sparrows Lodge
- A budget-friendly getaway: The Dunes Hotel Palm Springs (check price)
10 iconic mid-century modern hotels in Palm Springs
Fleur Noire Hotel
- Built in: 1940
- Design: Expect bold design accents from designer Chris Pardo, who uses eclectic floral wallpapers and large hand-drawn murals to capture the attention of guests. Think: organic desert meets LA tastes
This 21-and-over hotel has 21 bungalows and casitas that have a bright, whimsical design. Coupled with the modernist buildings, you’ll feel a blend of classic Palm Springs architecture infused with eclectic flair. This hotel also has plenty of outdoor spaces where you’ll want to hang out, from the pool to the fire pits.
Holiday House
- Built in: 1951
- Design: You’ll notice an impressive and curated art collection throughout the grounds, which includes works from David Hockney and Alex Katz. Most of the original 1951 structure remains, but some suites are newly built.
Holiday House is a small 28-room boutique created by the same crew as Sparrow Lodge (below). It’s boho-chic meets whimsy in the desert. There’s also a strong focus on creating a social atmosphere. Rooms don’t have televisions, but some come with private balconies and patios with mountain views.
The Parker Palm Springs
- Built in: 1950s
- Design: This hotel revolves around the ‘happy chic’ design craze started by Johnathan Adler in the 1970s. Think: retro vibes in an upscale package that comes with Aesop toiletries.
The Parker Palm Springs is a known quantity thanks to its iconic orange door and its light-up sign reading ‘Drugs’. This 13-acre property is also home to plenty of gardens and meandering walkways. You’ll see a few nods to the property’s original role as Cali’s first Holiday Inn, too.
Colony Palms Hotel
- Built in: 1936
- Design: Once a Spanish Colonial villa and then renovated by celeb designer Steve Hermann to add an Art Deco and mid-century flair, the Colony Palms Hotel is an ode to the evolution of Palm Springs’ many design tastes.
This adults-only hotel actually predates the modernist movement by around a decade. It was built in 1936 in a Spanish Colonial style, letting you peek into Palm Springs’ pre-Rat Pack past. Inside, you’ll find that the rooms have high ceilings and an iconic Moroccan design.
Sparrows Lodge
- Built in: 1951
- Design: Modern-rustic and rustic-chic tastes transport you from the usual Palm Springs modernist focus. You’ll notice plenty of exposed beams and concrete elements.
Sparrows Lodge is a boutique hotel designed to shake up your usual hotel stays. First, there aren’t televisions and other tech, inviting you to a little digital detox. Second, though Sparrows Lodge offers a fresh take on design, the structures date back to 1951, giving you a mid-century framework for the hotel’s unique rustic design.
Royal Sun Palm Springs
- Built in: 1950s (estimate)
- Design: Mid-century modern design meets retro flair, giving you a full-on Palm Springs experience. Despite the kitschy element, the property relies on calming desert palates that make the stay effortlessly relaxing.
This inclusive and stylish hotel is all about showcasing the best of Palm Springs. The hotel is designed to make it easy to unwind, whether you want to hang on a lounger by the pool with a drink in hand or enjoy the greenery in the hotel gardens. There are plenty of spaces to see and be seen while you kick back in style.
Les Cactus
- Built in: 1935
- Design: Les Cactus has a design inspired by 1960s vintage French flair. You’ll notice pastel colors galore, along with décor that feels like it’s out of a Wes Anderson film.
From the stylish pool to the brightly decorated suites, Les Cactus is a design-lover’s treat. The boutique hotel transports you into a colorful, playful world that still feels classy and upscale. Think: hammocks in the garden and world-class toiletries in the bathrooms.
The Dunes Hotel Palm Springs
- Built in: 1960s
- Design: This hotel was originally one of Palm Springs’ first mid-century standouts. Following a 2024 renovation, the property includes many odes to its original form—just outfitted with modern amenities and appliances.
This budget-friendly stay gives you a great introduction to Palm Springs’ mid-century modern tastes. Though the rooms and décor are pretty basic, they’re well-done and come with all the perks you could want. There’s also a gorgeous outdoor pool to enjoy whenever you like.
ARRIVE Palm Springs
- Built in: 2015
- Design: ARRIVE was designed by Chris Pardo, the same as the Fleur Noire Hotel. Expect bold colors and design choices that suit Palm Springs’ mid-century tastes but also deviate with rusted steel and butterfly roof lines.
If you’re looking for a fresh, newly imagined take on Palm Springs’ obsession with modernism, look no further. This 32-room boutique hotel is decidedly local in its design choices, but also has a touch of industrial grandness to it, which you’ll notice immediately thanks to its rusted façade.
The Saguaro
- Built in: 1977
- Design: This motel-style design has exterior-opening rooms framed around a pool. It’s been beautifully renovated to maintain its original mid-century design elements, but now has more space to roam thanks to expanded communal spaces.
This large hotel has a little bit of everything. It’s a colorful, vibrant hotel that has many décor callbacks to its heyday in the 1970s and 80s. The retro flair is in full swing. There’s also a large pool, a lauded spa, and plenty of social programming that make The Saguaro the trendy place to be in Palm Springs.
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