Story from Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels: 7 reasons why the summer season is the best time to visit Palm Springs (2024)

Whether you’re looking for a secluded romantic weekend getaway or some BFF time, Palm Springs is the place to be in summer. Here are seven reasons why it pays to visit this desert oasis during the low season.

1. The boutique hotels are fabulous.

In Palm Springs, your hotel is so much more than a place to rest your head. Home to nearly 80 extraordinary small boutique hotels, Palm Springs is known for both exceptional architectural and cultural diversity. From quaint inns and quietly secluded bungalows to hip and modern poolside-hangouts, Palm Springs hoteliers cater to the tastes, lifestyles and budgets of all travelers.

Whether you want mid-century modern design, need a place that welcomes your fur baby or prefer that clothes are optional, Palm Springs has the perfect accommodations for you.

2. The legendary pools are warm.

What’s the best way to enjoy the desert heat? In the water. Whether you want to curl up in a lounge chair with a good book, dance and splash poolside or float all day with a frozen beverage in hand, the Springs has you covered. In Palm Springs, the pools are as legendary as the hotels. Imagine an oasis with hundreds of sparkling pools, each one with its own personality.

The 25-room L'Horizon Resort and Spa feels exclusive — and the pool is never overcrowded — but for a real splurge, reserve The Residence, the original home of Hollywood mogul Jack Wrather, with its own private, full-size pool.

Known for offering a “quintessential Palm Springs experience,” Alcazar boasts a large, saltwater-purified pool, surrounded by misters. Bonus: You’re mere steps away from two popular restaurants, Cheeky's and Birba.

Go big at The Santiago, which has the largest swimming pool of any Palm Springs gay resort, at an expansive 20 feet by 50 feet. This swimsuit-optional gay men's resort also features an outdoor mist cooling system, comfortable deck chairs, and complimentary guest lunches served poolside. And right across the street, another swimsuit-optional gay men's resort, Triangle Inn Palm Springs, offers an inviting pool and hot tub situated in an architecturally award-winning environment.

3. The humidity is low.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Palm Springs is the perfect place to soak up the sun. While the temperatures can reach the triple digits, the low humidity and unique microclimate means summer is a great time to luxuriate in the dry heat.

Lower humidity means you can enjoy all that Palm Springs has to offer. Get to know more than 3,000 types of cacti and desert plants at the Moorten Botanical Garden, which is open early (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in summer) to keep guests cools.

Take the 10-minute trip in the rotating Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The temperatures are guaranteed to be lower, and the views are unparalleled. Tip: Several Palm Springs boutique hotels, including Los Arboles and La Maison, offer tram packages so you don’t have to wait in line for tickets.

For aviation buffs, Felipe Castañeda, owner of Los Arboles Hotel, recommends visiting the Palm Springs Air Museum. The museum has 59 flyable and static planes inside four (air-conditioned!) hangars. Fun fact: Many of the docents are veterans, who can share their experiences.

4. The nights are perfect.

Palm Springs stays in the 80s at night, so the fun doesn’t have to end at sunset. These warm summer temperatures turn up the heat on the night life.

Once a month, Arrive presents a Dive-In Movie starting at dusk. It’s open to the public, with seats available poolside. If you arrive early enough, you can catch the flick from a float in the pool! You'll want to buy a beverage, but the movie and popcorn are free.

Many hotels — including the laidback, "attitude-free" Escape, a clothing-optional resort for men, and the quiet, relaxing Desert Riviera Hotel — offer 24-hour access to pools and hot tubs. Spend a late night soaking or floating under the desert stars.

5. The vibe is welcoming.

When boutique hotels in Palm Springs say they’re all-inclusive, they truly mean it. The city is the first and only one to have an all-LGBTQ city council, and it is home to more than 30 gay and lesbian-owned and/or operated resorts and guesthouses, including many that are clothing optional.

While the entire city has an international reputation as a thriving LGBTQ community, the boutique hotels in Palm Springs really pride themselves on offering a stress-free, worry-free environment where everyone is welcome.

You can come as you are, whether you choose a clothing-optional resort — like Terra Cotta Resort & Spa or Chaps Inn — or opt for a quaint inn like the French-inspired at La Maison or charming Spanish Revival style of The Andalusian Court.

6. The crowds are gone.

Coming to the greater Palm Springs area for the Dinah Shore Weekend, Pride Week or Coachella is certainly an adventure, but when you have the run of the town during the low season, your visit will be even more memorable.

Reservations when you want them. The best rooms at boutique hotels. And much less time waiting — and more time soaking up all that Palm Springs has to offer. Summer truly is the best time to enjoy Palm Springs. And, if you’ve only visited during those busier times, chances are you’ve been telling yourself you’d love to come back. Now’s the time!

7. The deals are too good to miss.

Ready to book your trip? Palm Springs’ boutique hotels are offering discounts this summer that really are too good to miss. From reduced summer rates to free nights if you book a multiday stay, you’ll be amazed at the savings on these top-notch properties (with no sacrifice on quality and amenities). And, if you’re looking for all-inclusive packages, many of the resorts and inns have you covered! Check out these hot summer deals on Palm Springs boutique hotels.

Check out all of the incredible summer offers from Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, as well as all the cool things to do in Palm Springs during the summer months.