Iconic Histories and Celebrity Tales of Greater Palm Springs Hotels
This is a guest post by Thoughtful Misfit.
Greater Palm Springs boasts a rich legacy of architectural innovation and Hollywood allure, with hotels that have defined the destination for decades. From visionary architects who shaped modernist icons to local legends and A-list celebrities, these properties hold captivating stories. Discover a selection below.
The Monkey Tree Hotel
Hidden behind stone walls and private gates, The Monkey Tree Hotel is a treasure trove of history. Designed by acclaimed architect Albert Frey—a pioneer of Palm Springs modernism—its slanted roofline elegantly frames the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, blending seamlessly with the desert landscape.
The hotel has welcomed luminaries like Lucille Ball, Katharine Hepburn, Gene Wilder, Eric Clapton, and the Beatles (minus Paul). Its most legendary guests? President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, who stayed in Room 15 under Secret Service protection.
Once briefly a nudist colony, it has been lovingly restored by current owners into a serene midcentury retreat. Guests enjoy homemade, farm-to-table gourmet breakfasts daily.
Movie Colony Hotel
True to its name, this Frey-designed haven drew Hollywood elite. Frank Sinatra called it home while building his nearby estate. Legend has it Jim Morrison once dove from an upper balcony into the pool in the late 1960s.
Korakia Pensione
Built in 1924 by painter Gordon Coutts to evoke his Tangier days, this Moroccan-style villa became a creative hub for artists like Grant Wood (American Gothic creator), Agnes Pelton, and actors Rudolph Valentino and Errol Flynn. Remarkably, Winston Churchill reportedly painted in the Artist Studio, which guests can book today.
Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage
Post-presidency, Gerald Ford frequently hosted board meetings here. So often, in fact, that a secret door led to an underground garage for discreet Secret Service access. The restored boardroom, redecorated in his honor, evokes that era.
The Willows
One of Palm Springs' 10 oldest buildings, this landmark hosted Hollywood stars and intellects, including Albert Einstein—a frequent guest whose Einstein’s Garden Room, with private patio, remains bookable today.
La Quinta Resort & Club
Dubbed “The Original Desert Hideaway,” this 1926 gem by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann attracted Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and director Frank Capra, who penned screenplays poolside. Luxuries persist with 41 pools and five golf courses.
Casa Cody
Palm Springs' oldest hotel welcomed photographer Julius Shulman, Charlie Chaplin (who owned a house on-site), and even U.S. Military personnel training for WWII. Some casitas originated from the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.
Del Marcos Hotel
Architect William Francis Cody's first solo project earned an American Institute of Architects award and drew Frank Lloyd Wright inspiration. It launched his career designing clubs, homes, and more.
Ingleside Inn
Hostess Ruth Hardy—later Palm Springs' first councilwoman—drew Howard Hughes, John Wayne, Salvador Dalí, Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy, and J.C. Penney. Invitations were required. The restaurant, Melvyn’s, was Sinatra's haunt; original waitstaff remain, and Steak Diane is flambéed tableside—his favorite.
Explore more accommodations in our full list of hotels in Greater Palm Springs.
