Palm Springs

A relaxation break
Many travellers come to Palm Springs simply to relax.

The town is built for it, with stylish hotels, pools and spas designed for slow, sunny days. It suits couples and those wanting a restful escape, and works beautifully as a standalone break or a relaxing end to a wider California journey.

An active or design-led escape
Others come for the golf, the outdoors or the design.

Days can be shaped around championship courses, hiking in the canyons, or exploring the town’s celebrated mid-century architecture, galleries and shops. Palm Springs also pairs naturally with Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park or a wider Southwest journey.

The key is matching the hotel and activities to the pace you want.

Palm Springs is at its most pleasant from around October to May, when the desert climate brings warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, ideal for pools, golf and the outdoors.

The summer months, from June to September, are extremely hot, which suits those happy to stay by the pool but is less comfortable for outdoor activity. Spring, in particular, is popular, coinciding with events across the Coachella Valley.

The best time to travel depends on how much time you want to spend outdoors and your tolerance for the heat.

Palm Springs is a destination designed for slowing down.

Its appeal lies in sunshine, style and relaxation, best enjoyed without a busy schedule. While there is plenty to do, the town rewards an unhurried rhythm of pools, spas, long lunches and warm evenings.

A stay that balances a little activity with plenty of rest will usually feel more rewarding than one packed with plans. The aim is to embrace the easy, sunny pace that defines the desert.