La Serena Villas

A sign reading "Good Vibes Only" and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine on La Serena Villas' reception desk pretty much sum up this spectacular boutique hotel. Originally built in 1933, the hotel was redeveloped as an upscale boutique in 2016. Guests enter from the sidewalk and up a short flight of steps into a very cozy and warm boutique-style lobby with a fireplace, cozy sofas, and woven chandeliers. White sculptures and bold artwork adorn the space. The lobby leads out onto the chic and sophisticated swimming pool, accented with sun loungers and tall palm trees -- plus views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Behind the pool is El Azucar, a local favorite restaurant, decorated with Frida Kahlo prints and Mexican accents. Upstairs, the rooftop lounge and bar is a romantic evening spot with bohemian furnishings and a fireplace. Kids are not allowed at the hotel, so expect a serene, private, and relaxed atmosphere inside the walls and gates that surround the hotel. 

Set on busy (but busy in Palm Springs is a relative term) S Belardo Road, La Serena Villas has a convenient location for those who want to walk around downtown Palm Springs. It's set in a partially residential and partially commercial neighborhood that's also home to a few other boutique hotels, just a three-minute walk from Palm Canyon Drive. That's the main drag in downtown Palm Springs and the street is home to restaurants, boutique shops, banks, pharmacies, and convenience stores. You can also join a walking tour of Mid-Century Modern architecture from downtown. Farther afield, it's about a 20-minute drive to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Joshua Tree National Park and Coachella grounds are about a 50-minute drive. It's only 10 minutes to Palm Springs International Airport. Expect anywhere from two to four hours in the car to reach Los Angeles -- traffic can be heavy, especially in April around Coachella. 

Each of the 18 villas has an individual decor and layout, though all feature the same bones and glamorous bungalow look. For instance, Room 1, is a fountain courtyard bungalow with a king-size bed and 300 square feet of living space. The king-size bed is made with Frette sheets. Laminate wood floors, white walls, lattice-iron vents, and wood ceiling beams are evocative of an expensive artist's studio. Substantial bathrooms include large indoor showers, L’Occitane toiletries, robes, and hairdryers. Outside, there's a private back patio with a gorgeous outdoor claw foot bathtub and fire pit. One of the suites upgrades to an outdoor whirlpool. Some of the rooms offer vintage-style kitchenettes with retro appliances. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a 40-inch flat-screen TV, and welcome bottle of tequila. Courtyard bungalows usually have hanging wicker swings. 

La Serena Villas is a boutique hotel with an incredible amount of high quality features, though there is a daily resort fee to cover some of them. These features include bikes to borrow, Wi-Fi, a welcome bottle of tequila, and continental breakfast delivered in a basket to villas or the pool each morning. Guests can opt to pay extra for a hot breakfast, such as eggs Benedict or an egg sandwich. Other meals are served a la carte at the wildly popular Azucar restaurant. The menu offers a range of Mexican, Mediterranean, and California-style dishes for lunch, dinner, and happy hour. Upstairs, Sugar High serves cocktails and appetizers, and can be used for events. Heat lamps keep things cozy on cool nights. The swimming pool is also a highlight -- with sun loungers and food/drinks service from the restaurant. Whispers Spa offers a full selection of treatments, plus an outdoor jetted pool in a cute courtyard. For shopping, there's a little boutique with clothing and gifts in the lobby. Pets are welcome to the property, but for an additional fee. Parking is widely available on the street, or guests can park for free in the back parking lot. Valet service is not available.