With its stunning desert landscape and year-round sunshine, Palm Springs is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. And what better way to enjoy the sunshine than with a private pool?
If you’re looking for a Palm Springs private pool hotel, the only one I can recommend is L’Horizon Resort. A suite called The Residence is actually a home with its own private pool within the property at this midcentury modern hotel.
From luxurious resorts to cozy boutique hotels, Palm Springs has some really cool hotels, but private pools are not necessarily a common feature. While there are a couple more hotels with private pool rooms in Palm Spring, they didn’t make the cut, either for bad reviews or outdated decor. More on that later.
Instead, one of the best ways to experience Palm Springs is by renting a midcentury modern home with a private pool.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape or a family-friendly vacation, you’ll find the perfect place to stay in Palm Springs.
So, if you’re ready to take a dip in the pool and soak up the sun, check out my list of the best Palm Springs private pool hotels.
Palm Springs Private Pool Hotel
L’Horizon Resort & Spa
L’Horizon is a hotel in Palm Springs that was originally a midcentury modern home. Exclusively for adults, it offers an exceptional spa, restaurant, and an infinity pool for only guests to enjoy.
“The Residence” is a roomy vacation home located within the resort. It has an outdoor shower, a sunken fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen. Additionally, it offers a private saltwater pool in its own enclosed back yard. This accommodation can be configured as either a one or two-bedroom setup.
Le Labo bath products, Frette linens, and modern design with the latest home technology make this suite a very comfortable place to relax. Check out their personal spa treatments too.
Alternatively, the poolside Hermann Bungalows are stunning, and you feel like you’re in your own private pool paradise, even though you share the main pool with other guests.
This is an adults only resort, so if you’re traveling with anyone under 18, keep scrolling.
Rent a Private Pool Villa in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is fairly residential. In the 1930s, Palm Springs started to attract celebrities as a safe haven from Hollywood. That appeal never really stopped, but during the 50s and 60s a lot of development was done, and well-known architects like Richard Neutra and Donald Wexler helped shape the look of an era.
Here are some great Palm Springs villas with private pools.
Rock Star Life Villa
Rock Star Life Villa is located close the Palm Springs International Airport, 2.5mi from the convention center and near Escena Golf Club.
This villa has a large patio with private outdoor pool, and a game room with a pool table.
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 shower, 1 tub/shower combo)
- Full kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven
- Cushioned pool loungers
- Fire pit and seating area
Luxury Desert Retreat with Pool & Mountain View
Luxury Desert Retreat with Pool & Mountain View is located 1.1mi from the convention center and has a private pool, spa, and small putting green in the back yard.
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths (2 showers, 1 tub)
- Full kitchen with dishwasher and oven
- Modern microcement finishes
- Washer and dryer
White Pearl Villa
Located less than 1 km from the Palm Springs Visitor Center and 2.7mi from the O’Donald Golf Course, White Pearl Villa offers a terrace and a range of amenities.
This villa includes a private pool and hot tub, outdoor lounge area and free private parking. It can sleep up to 14, with various prices based on number of guests. More details:
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 showers, 1 bathtub)
- Small but equipped kitchen with dishwasher and microwave
- Washer and dryer
- Outdoor fireplace
Airbnb
There are a ton of rental homes on Airbnb, but here are some of the best villas that show the kind of designer homes with pools you can rent in Palm Springs:
Beyond the Top Picks
Above are some of your best options for private pools in Palm Springs. I aim to curate the best in hotels and poolside experiences, so sometimes you might see options that look good on screen, but aren’t recommended here.
In the case of Palm Springs, here are a couple of hotels I vetted that have private pool suites, but just didn’t meet my criteria. I have linked to their hotel info pages on booking.com so you can compare for yourself.
What to Look for in a Palm Springs Private Pool Stay
It’s nice to have a private pool, but honestly, that’s not enough for an excellent vacation. Here are some of the key features to consider when looking for a private pool in Palm Springs.
Hotel vs Villa
Do you want the full service amenities that comes with staying in a hotel or would you prefer to stay in a luxury home where can be more independent?
Perhaps you’re traveling with little ones and you don’t want to coordinate nap time with hotel cleaning schedules. Get a villa.
There are a lot of cases where you can have the best of both worlds, with a villa on property like L’Horizon or these California hotels with private pools.
Location
Consider where you’ll be in relation to the airport, restaurants and shops you might want to visit. Is it walkable to dinner or downtown Palm Springs? This would be a really nice feature to have in a Palm Springs accommodation, but the area is fairly spread out, so it’s likely you’ll need to get an Uber, drive or hop on a bicycle.
Poolside Furniture
Consider what type of poolside loungers you prefer: mesh for drying quickly or cushioned chaise loungers for extra comfort.
Look for dining table, cafe tables or similar with shade by your private pool. When you’re dripping wet but want to have lunch poolside, you might want to sit at a table.
Shade
When I say Palm Springs is hot, I mean HOT – especially in summer. Your private pool will need solid shade. Beware, because there are lots of places in Palm Springs with private pools that don’t have umbrellas.
Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the sun here. The good news is, it cools off drastically at night, so bring layers for dinner.
Poolside Views
Palm Springs is a uniquely flat locale, surrounded by gorgeous rugged mountains and sprinkled with palm trees. Most accommodations will have stunning views of these mountains, simply because many of the buildings are single story.
Hot Tub
As mentioned before, it cools down at night in Palm Springs, so hot tubs are a nice amenity. A hot tub and pool combo is a great feature in a private villa.
Best Time to Visit Palm Springs
- For deals: late summer when the weather is hottest, you can find some great deals in Palm Springs
- For parties: come during a Coachella or film festival weekend
- For design: Modernism week happens twice a year, in February (larger) and October; look for special events at the Palm Springs Art museum
- For a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park: the weather is most mild in spring and fall for a trip to the desert
Conclusion
Staying in your own villa can be the way to go in Palm Springs, especially if you’re traveling with a group. If you choose the villa route, I recommend checking out Luxury Desert Retreat.
If you are looking for a private pool, but with the added services of a hotel, head to L’Horizon Resort and the Hermann Bungalows.
Hopefully this helped you find a Palm Springs private pool for your next getaway. So what are you waiting for? Get those bags packed!