V Palm Springs

Rather than opting for the mid-century modern look so loved by Palm Springs fanatics, this hotel draws its inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The free-standing lobby building, for instance, mixes earthy colors and interesting textures (including fumed oak and coarsely woven upholstery fabrics) in order to create a warmer contemporary look that incorporates desert culture and native traditions. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work. Concrete floors and sparse furnishings make the space seem more cavernous than cozy or cool, so it’s no surprise that the millennial vacationers who typically check in here spend more time lounging by the pool, where the mood (and the volume) get turned up.  

Under the shadow of the San Jacinto Mountains, this South Palm Springs hotel is only three minutes on foot from the gorgeous Moorten Botanical Garden. Better still, it’s three by car from downtown and, as a result, offers easy access to top attractions, along with a wealth of dining, shopping, and nightlife options. (Guests who don’t have their own vehicle can borrow bikes on-site or take advantage of the city’s free Thursday-through-Sunday trolley service, which stops right outside.) If you want to go farther afield, you can drive to popular outlying sites -- like the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens or the Coachella Valley Preserve -- in 25-minutes or less; it takes just under 40 to hit the Empire Polo Club (home of the famous Coachella Music Festival) and 45 to reach the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center.

• Three-minute walk to Moorten Botanical Garden 
• Three-minute drive to Palm Springs Art Museum
• Three-minute drive to Ruddy's General Store Museum
• Three-minute drive to Agua Caliente Cultural Museum 
• Six-minute drive to the Palm Springs Convention Center
• Seven-minute drive to Palm Springs International Airport
• Nine-minute drive to Palm Springs Air Museum
• 14-minute drive to Palm Springs Train Station
• 17-minute drive to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
• 22-minute drive to Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
• 25-minute drive to Coachella Valley Preserve
• 39-minute drive to Empire Polo Club
• 45-minute drive to Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center

Designed by the WESTAR Architecture Group, rooms feature a minimalist decor anchored by duvet-topped platform beds plus a palette pulled from the desert landscape (picture sand tones enlivened by sky blue). An occasional animal skull and other southwestern touches are further reminders of the location, while variations on the “V” motif (evident in everything from the throw pillows and wall art to the mirrored headboards and inlaid furniture) reinforce the brand. In terms of amenities, all have mini-fridges, digital safes, 47-inch flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but coffeemakers are notably absent in many rooms. Higher-category options add balconies or patios with funky swings, while suites, which promise direct pool access, provide separate living areas and extra amenities (Nespresso machines among them). Across the board, the handsome bathrooms boast quartz-topped teak vanities, generously sized showers trimmed in subway tile, and welcome bonuses like hooded robes and tempting Malin+Goetz bath products. But glass partitions used in place of shower curtains, while attractive, can leave water on the floor. And for all the hip boutique-hotel accoutrements, a motel vibe lingers. Also note, rooms by the pool can pick up noise from its booming sound system.

Considering the hotel charges a daily resort fee, you might reasonably expect to find more resort-like perks. But on-site features are not a strong point. The V does have a spacious outdoor pool that’s, appropriately, shaped like a V and lined with loungers and daybeds, plus adjacent hot tub and fire pit areas. There’s a Polynesian-inspired poolside bar/eatery, too -- Elixir, which serves up Pan-Asian fare and fun Tiki-type cocktails. But otherwise recreational facilities are few and the hotel’s full-scale farm-to-table restaurant still hasn’t opened after repeated delays (optimists are now hoping for late 2017). Other amenities include a small fitness room with cardio and weight-training equipment; concierge and laundry/dry-cleaning services; free outdoor parking, a free guest computer in the lobby and free Wi-Fi throughout. Staff get mixed reviews, with some guests remarking that service is entirely too lax.