This classic Palm Springs resort got a massive upgrade

I’m always looking for new lodging options in Palm Springs, and on my most recent trip, I was thrilled to experience the newly redesigned rooms at the Palm Mountain Resort & Spa, right in the heart of the city. The property’s location is incredible, steps from the art museum and the central part of downtown Palm Springs. But it’s also nudged a bit closer to the mountains, so it feels secluded and private at the same time.

There are 142 rooms, all being redone in a lighter and brighter style. The renovations started in November and are expected to conclude by the end of February. Rooms previously featured very dark wood furniture and thick marble desks, along with carpeting. They’re being upgraded to clean modern designs with luxury vinyl flooring, new furniture, softer desert colors, and a dramatic feature wall that evokes the iconic breeze blocks found so often in the Coachella Valley.

I appreciate a room with extensive lighting options; these refurbished designs deliver. There are even USB outlets and reading lights on each side of the bed, which is a thoughtful touch. Rooms feature large televisions, a microwave, a mini fridge, and a wall safe for laptops or other valuables.

Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the best LGBTQ+ travel guides, stories, and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today

While the resort doesn’t have a fitness facility, they do have an agreement with The Fitness Edge, a local gym about a mile away in the center of town. This full-service fitness facility is free for guests, and there’s even a free shuttle at the resort. (The shuttle also runs to Palm Springs Airport). I got in a good workout amidst all the muscle daddies lifting there.

There’s free parking provided at Palm Mountain, and guests can take advantage of complimentary bike rentals, too — which is a great way to explore the whole city and surrounding communities. Best of all, the gay bars and the clothing stores of the Arenas District are less than a five-minute walk from the property.

The resort features a spa offering massages, facials, and waxing services. The pool, located amidst the resort’s lush courtyard, is climate-controlled. There’s a hot tub and three firepits for cooler evenings. During the season, the resort staff collects grapefruit from the many grapefruit trees in the courtyard and puts them in the lobby for guests to take. You can even chill in the lobby with Max, a 14-year-old poodle mix on duty every day that the general manager is working (she’s brought him with her to work for years). Snuggling with a pooch on vacation made this lovely spot feel even more like home.

Related

The gay insider’s guide on where to party, stay, shop, and eat in Palm Springs
Who best to ask where to go and what to do when you’re soaking up the sun and warm weather this winter?

Here are a few other new things to check out on your next trip to Palm Springs:

• If you’re looking for luxury accommodations, the Thompson Palm Springs luxury hotel recently debuted with its restaurant, Lola Rose Grand Mezze. There’s even a special wine-tasting room

• Maybe the most unexpected new attraction in the valley is Palm Springs Surf Club, which offers professional surfing lessons and water slides. You can even rent cabanas and day beds to lounge next to the pool. Their onsite restaurant, Navigator, draws inspiration from global surf cultures.

• Getting here is getting easier, too, as United is launching nonstop flights to PSP from its Washington, D.C. hub at Dulles (IAD). Delta is starting seasonal service from NYC, which Porter Airlines will begin 3x weekly flights from Toronto. Lastly, Frontier is bringing in seasonal, nonstop flights from Denver and San Francisco.

• While not new, Modernism Week will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary from February 13-23, and tickets for tours, parties, and more are already on sale!

Join the GayCities newsletter for weekly updates on the best LGBTQ+ destinations and events—nearby and around the world.