Palm Springs has long been a haven for sun-seekers, architecture lovers, and travelers in search of a unique desert escape. Known for its vibrant mid-century modern aesthetic and creative vibe, this Southern California oasis continues to evolve, welcoming a fresh wave of boutique hotels that blend nostalgia with modern comfort. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Palm Springs devotee, these new and revitalized properties offer something special for everyone.
“Our desert paradise is constantly evolving,” says Michael C. Green, co-owner of the iconic Triangle Inn Palm Springsand chairman of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, a local association of hotels with fewer than 50 rooms. “New hotels add personality and vibrancy to our community.”
A Sanctuary for Wellness: Terra Palm Springs
For travelers seeking restoration and relaxation, Terra Palm Springs is a haven of tranquility. Designed with wellness in mind, this boutique retreat offers an array of rejuvenating amenities, including a Himalayan salt sauna, cold plunge, rain room, and an inviting pool.
Guests can unwind in one of the 13 serene rooms, each featuring unique touches like an indoor soaking tub or private firepit lounge. The hotel even provides a bedside Loftie device, offering guided meditations, breathwork, and soundscapes to ensure restful sleep.
Reviving the Classics: The Stardust Hotel
For those who love a touch of vintage charm, The Stardust Hotel is a dream come true. Originally built in 1955, this mid-century beauty has been lovingly restored by owners Jessica and Tim Spry. Staying true to its roots, the couple brought back the hotel’s iconic pink exterior while infusing the interiors with rich jewel tones, funky wallpaper, and vintage art.
“The Stardust is perfect for groups or just you and your dog,” says Jessica. “It’s a dream escape—like stepping into a time capsule from the ’50s.”
With a shared gourmet chef’s kitchen, stylishly updated bathrooms, and a prime location in the Tahquitz River Estates neighborhood, The Stardust offers both comfort and convenience. And with restaurants, bars, a bike shop, and even an ice cream shop just a block away, it’s the perfect spot to soak in everything Palm Springs has to offer.
A Modern Oasis: The Cactai
If sleek, modern aesthetics are more your style, The Cactai delivers a fresh take on classic Palm Springs hospitality. Originally built in the 1940s as the Los Dolores, the hotel has been completely reimagined by three friends who saw the potential in this hidden gem.
With fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes in every room, The Cactai feels more like a chic desert apartment than a traditional hotel. Private patios, AI-powered management for seamless service, and a curated selection of wine and spirits make this an ideal retreat for those looking for a stress-free stay.
Music and Memories: El Noa Noa
Once owned by legendary singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel, El Noa Noa is as vibrant as the music that inspired its name. This eight-room boutique hotel, nestled against breathtaking mountain views, is designed for couples looking for a romantic escape.
The highlight? The Honeymoon Suite, featuring a private outdoor waterfall spa. Whether unwinding by the pool, soaking in the hot tub, or indulging in a relaxing treatment at the hotel’s Pura Vida wellness space, guests will find themselves swept away by the magic of El Noa Noa.
A Luxe Playground: Casa Oliver
For those seeking a more indulgent getaway, Casa Oliver redefines the Palm Springs experience for gay men looking to unwind in style. This clothing-optional retreat offers beautifully designed spaces, a 24/7 heated pool, hot tub, and an indoor maze with playrooms.
Beyond its stunning gardens and mountain views, Casa Oliver is known for its lively Sunday Funday lunches, where entertainment and poolside cocktails create the perfect desert escape. And with flexible day, night, and weekend passes, guests can enjoy the amenities at their own pace.
More Hidden Gems to Discover
Several other boutique hotels have also undergone exciting transformations:
The Skylark brings retro-chic vibes with a revamped mid-century design, “Lost Property” an on-site restaurant, and a vintage Airstream trailer as the check-in area.
The Muse Hotel Palm Springs embraces playful elegance with a pretty-in-pink aesthetic, pet-friendly rooms, and unique touches like feather chandeliers and floral wallpaper. Perfect for family gatherings and girlfriend weekend getaways.
Palm Springs’ boutique hotel scene is a testament to the city’s ever-evolving charm, blending history, personality, and innovation. Whether you’re looking for retro nostalgia, modern luxury, or a wellness retreat, these intimate properties offer a slice of paradise under the desert sun.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
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It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
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When endurance athlete Isaac Sanchez learned he had cancer, he felt blindsided. He was healthy, surfed often and was training for an Ironman triathlon. But he had to put that on hold to undergo treatment. His physicians at Scripps Cancer Center developed a plan to treat the cancer in his tonsil and lymph nodes that included six-and-a-half weeks of near-daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. He also worked with a Scripps Cancer Center dietitian to enhance his nutrition to promote strength and healing. Today, Isaac’s back to doing what he loves. Read more of his story here.
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