Home/Where to stay/Palm Desert/4-star hotels
4-star hotels in Palm Desert
A shortlist of 4-star hotels in Palm Desert, from a 5,725-review resort to a small golf-course villa, for travellers choosing between spa-and-fairway resorts, family apartments and a quiet foothills stay.
Staying in Palm Desert
Palm Desert grew from mid-century beginnings into a resort community of planned neighbourhoods and country clubs, and visitors come for the same mix: El Paseo, the shopping and gallery corridor often called the 'Rodeo Drive of the Desert', the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, golf on championship courses and hiking in the nearby mountains. With a dry climate and over 300 days of sunshine, it suits travellers who want relaxation and recreation in equal measure.
The hotels on this list sit on both sides of the city. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert and JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa are closest to the centre, at 1.5 km and 1.2 km, while Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert is 2.4 km out and The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert 2.6 km. The golf-orientated addresses — Marriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages, Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection and Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert — lie 3.2 km to 4.7 km from the centre, and Midcentury Rose at 6.4 km. Couples gravitate to the spa and fairway resorts, families to the kitchen-equipped villas, and drivers on a short break to the central addresses.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection by Marriott
45 400 Larkspur Lane, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Parking
Why stay hereHotel Paseo Autograph Collection by Marriott sits on Larkspur Lane, 4.6 km from the centre, and earns a 4.6 rating across 445 reviews. Guests can swim in the outdoor pool, work out in the fitness centre and stay connected with free wifi; a garden, patio and jacuzzi add room to unwind. Pets are allowed, so animals are welcome. It suits travellers who want a polished, design-led base with leisure facilities on site and a short drive to Palm Desert's centre.
See Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection by MarriottHilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert
1 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereClosest to the centre of the hotels here at 1.5 km, Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert is built for longer stays and families: rooms include kitchens and kitchenettes, and family rooms are available. Free car parking removes the hunt for a space, while the outdoor pool, tennis court and games room keep days full. With a 4.6 rating from 405 reviews, it suits guests who want apartment-style comfort and space to spread out.
See Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm DesertJW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
74 855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereJW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is the largest address on this list, with 5725 reviews and a 4.5 rating, 1.2 km from the centre. Golfers and active guests get a golf course, fitness centre, aerobics and even bowling and horse riding among the entertainment activities. Bars and a restaurant cover evenings, and the spa and jacuzzi handle recovery. It suits travellers who want a full resort with plenty to do without leaving the grounds.
See JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & SpaGolf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert
306 Castellana South, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Parking
Why stay hereGolf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert is a self-contained stay on Castellana South, 3.2 km from the centre. A kitchen with dishwasher and oven, plus a washing machine, makes it practical for longer visits, and the patio and fireplace give the place a homely feel. Guests have pool access and a jacuzzi, with a golf course, tennis court and spa also on hand. It suits families or groups who prefer their own space to a hotel room, reflected in a 4.5 rating from 5723 reviews.
See Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm DesertMarriott'S Shadow Ridge I The Villages
9003 Shadow Ridge Road, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Kids pool
- Sauna
- Parking
Why stay hereMarriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages combines villa-style rooms with resort facilities: kitchens and kitchenettes, a sauna and jacuzzi, and both an outdoor pool and a kids pool. A golf course and fitness centre are on site, and a market and restaurant cover everyday needs. Set 4.7 km from the centre, it is a strong choice for families and golfers who want space to cook and settle in. Guests rate it 4.5 from 1395 reviews.
See Marriott'S Shadow Ridge I The VillagesMidcentury Rose
47967 Sun Corral Trail, Palm Desert, United States
Why stay hereMidcentury Rose is the smallest and most secluded option here, at 6.4 km from the centre on Sun Corral Trail, with 139 reviews and a 4.4 rating. The listing is straightforward: a bathroom, a sofa bed and cribs available, with pets not allowed. That makes it a fit for travellers who want a quiet, low-key base away from the busiest parts of Palm Desert and who do not need a long list of facilities on site.
See Midcentury RoseCourtyard by Marriott Palm Desert
74895 Frank Sinatra Dr, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereCourtyard by Marriott Palm Desert on Frank Sinatra Dr is 2.4 km from the centre and rated 4.1 from 842 reviews. Free car parking and free wifi simplify the stay, and an outdoor pool and fitness centre cover the essentials; a restaurant and lounge handle meals without a drive. Pets are allowed, and the jacuzzi adds a place to relax. It suits travellers who want a dependable, well-located base with straightforward amenities.
See Courtyard by Marriott Palm DesertThe Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert
75 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Parking
Why stay hereThe Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert puts kitchens and kitchenettes in the rooms, with a washing machine, so longer stays are easy. Set 2.6 km from the centre, it pairs a golf course and tennis court with an outdoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi and spa. A restaurant and bar are on site, and free wifi and parking are included. It suits golfers and families who want villa space alongside resort facilities close to town.
See The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm DesertVilla Fieke
73136 Shadow Mountain Drive, Palm Desert, United States
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereVilla Fieke is a private-house style stay on Shadow Mountain Drive, 5.4 km from the centre. A full kitchen with dishwasher and oven, a fireplace, patio and garden, plus a jacuzzi and outdoor pool, make it well suited to groups or families wanting their own space; family rooms are available and pets are allowed. Free car parking and free wifi are included, and housekeeping and concierge services are on hand. It suits guests who prefer a quiet residential setting over a busy hotel.
See Villa Fieke
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection by Marriott | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 445 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.6 km |
| Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 405 | Yes | – | Yes | – | 1.5 km |
| JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 5,725 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 1.2 km |
| Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 5,723 | Yes | – | Yes | – | 3.2 km |
| Marriott'S Shadow Ridge I The Villages | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 1,395 | Yes | – | Yes | – | 4.7 km |
| Midcentury Rose | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 139 | – | – | – | – | 6.4 km |
| Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert | ★★★★ | 4.1 | 842 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.4 km |
| The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | Yes | – | 2.6 km |
| Villa Fieke | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 5.4 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert, Marriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages, The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert and Villa Fieke all provide kitchens or kitchenettes, and Shadow Ridge adds a kids pool.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert · Marriott'S Shadow Ridge I The Villages · The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert · Villa Fieke
For spa and golf
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa pairs a spa with golf, aerobics and horse riding across 5,725 reviews. Marriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages and The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert both list golf courses, spa and sauna, and Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert adds a pool, spa and tennis court.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa · Marriott'S Shadow Ridge I The Villages · The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert · Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert
For central stays
The shortest distances to the centre belong to Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert at 1.5 km, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa at 1.2 km, Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert at 2.4 km and The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert at 2.6 km, each with a pool and parking.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert · JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa · Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert · The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Palm Desert is reached via Interstate 10, about 120 miles east of Los Angeles and 15 miles east of Palm Springs. The nearest major airport is Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), which offers domestic flights; Ontario International Airport (ONT) is about 75 miles west. By car, take I-10 to exits such as Monterey Avenue or Cook Street. Public transportation is limited, and most visitors drive. Local bus service is provided by SunLine Transit Agency, but a car is recommended for exploring the area.
When to go
November to April brings mild daytime temperatures, from the 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, and is the best time to visit; spring and fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds than the winter high season. June to September is extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, which makes outdoor activities less comfortable — plan indoor time during the hottest part of the day.
Questions, answered
Which hotel is closest to the centre of Palm Desert?
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is 1.2 km from the centre, followed by Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert at 1.5 km. Both are 4-star hotels with outdoor pools and fitness centres. Midcentury Rose is the furthest away, at 6.4 km.
Which hotels in Palm Desert have kitchens?
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert, Marriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages, The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert and Villa Fieke list kitchens, and Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert has one too. Several also include dishwashers and washing machines, which suits longer stays.
Do any Palm Desert hotels allow pets?
Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert and Villa Fieke accept pets. Other hotels on the list do not state that pets are allowed, and Midcentury Rose explicitly notes pets are not allowed.
Which hotels are best for golf?
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Marriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages, The Westin Desert Willow Villas Palm Desert and Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert all list a golf course among their facilities. Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert also lists one.
How many reviews do these hotels have?
Guest numbers vary widely: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa has 5,725 reviews and Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert 5,723, while Marriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages has 1,395 and Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert 842. Midcentury Rose has 139.
What are the guest ratings of these 4-star hotels?
Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection by Marriott and Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert lead with 4.6 out of 5. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Golf Resort Getaway w Pool Access in Palm Desert and Marriott's Shadow Ridge I The Villages score 4.5, and Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert 4.1.
Which airport should I fly into for Palm Desert?
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is the closest, about 15 miles away, and offers domestic flights. Ontario International Airport (ONT) is another option, roughly 75 miles west. From either, Interstate 10 brings you into the city.
When is the best time to visit Palm Desert?
November to April is best, when daytime temperatures range from the 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit. Summer, from June to September, is extremely hot, often above 100°F, so outdoor activities are less comfortable then.