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.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
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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