Delos Reyes Palm Springs

From the faded sand exterior and external hallways, it's clear that Delos Reyes was once squarely a budget motel. Today, it's slowly but surely being renovated to attract the fashionable hordes that descend on Palm Springs for musical festivals and events. There's still a ways to go before it serves as a coveted Instagram backdrop, but the lobby features a plant wall, hanging basket chairs, and planted succulents. The adjacent gift shop sells cute items and a pot of coffee is usually on offer. Outside, the rooms are accessible via outdoor hallways and they wrap around the vintage (which is cool in its own way) swimming pool and geometric whirlpool. Views of the mountains and deserts are stunning (just look past the upscale mobile park). Guests are a grab bag of families, business travelers, and hipsters. We spotted two Porsches in the parking lot on our visit. 

The hotel's immediate neighborhood isn't trendy, but it's safe, quiet, and pleasant. There's an upscale mobile home just behind a wall that borders the parking lot and a Pizza Hut across the street. Mountain views are truly spectacular. Most guests have a car and simply use the hotel for home base.

• Five-minute drive to downtown Palm Springs shopping and restaurants
• Eight-minute drive to Wet 'n' Wild Palm Springs
• Eight-minute drive to Palm Springs International Airport
• 20-minute drive to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
• 40-minute drive to the Empire Polo Club (Coachella and Stagecoach festivals)
• 48-minute drive to Pappy & Harriet's restaurant and bar

Delos Reyes has 65 rooms in several different categories and many were renovated in 2018. The most affordable rooms are quite dated, with carpet and older furniture. Renovated rooms are individually decorated, but generally have laminate wood floors, art, and mason jar lamp fixtures. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have direct access to the pools. The largest rooms can sleep five people, for an additional guest charge. Bathrooms are a bit of a downer, and even the renovated bathrooms are a bit of a letdown with patched subway tiles and old showerheads. Past guests have complained about maintenance issues. 

Features are limited here. The highlight is the large outdoor pool and retro geometric whirlpool, but the plastic sun loungers could use an upgrade. Food isn't served at the hotel, apart from drip coffee and snacks for sale in the lobby. There's also a gift shop with water bottles, socks, hoodies, and cold drinks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is available in an outdoor lot.