Pros

  • Historic property with Old World allure
  • Individually decorated antique-filled rooms
  • Two outdoor pools and a hot tub
  • Restaurant and bar, plus poolside patio bar
  • Free hot breakfast cooked to order
  • Small full-service spa
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Decor might not suit all tastes
  • In need of some updates and maintenance
  • Tiny fitness center
  • Quiet atmosphere is not kid-friendly (pro for some)
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Bottom Line

Modeled after a classic Mediterranean estate, the Villa Royale Inn is a boutique upper-middle-range property that is rich in old Hollywood history. Its three acres of tranquil grounds include two pools, a hot tub, and a quaint footbridge spanning a small bubbling stream. The villa-style rooms are large and filled with antiques, though they might not suit all tastes. The restaurant gets mixed reviews, but the hot breakfast is cooked to order and included in the room rate. The serene atmosphere and beautiful grounds attract leisure travelers who enjoy a European patina and quiet reflective strolls, though guests might want to compare rates at the nearby Desert Riviera Hotel.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Villa Royale

Scene

Mediterranean-style historic estate with original furnishings and lovely grounds

Built in 1947, the Villa Royale Inn was originally the private residence of Olympic figure skater-turned-Tinseltown celebrity, Sonja Henie. The hotel has remained true to the original architecture with aging, but stately, reminders of the past. The crumbling facade and weather-worn fountains could use some touch-ups, but there's a ton of character here under the lush palms and draping bougainvillea. The lobby doesn't seem to have changed much since the '40s, with antique furnishings and the kinds of Asian accent pieces that were so in vogue during the era, arranged around an old brick and plaster fireplace. The decor, though atmospheric, is a bit dated and might not suit all tastes.

See More Scene

Location

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood near downtown Palm Springs

Villa Royale Inn is situated on a side street in a quiet neighborhood that's under a 10-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs' shopping, galleries, restaurants, and bars. There's not too much within walking distance (other than a number of other hotels), but attractions are easily accessible by car, including regional destinations like Joshua Tree National park (45 minutes away) and Coachella (35 minutes away). It's a nine-minute drive to the Palm Springs International Airport and a two-hour drive to Los Angeles.

See More Location

Rooms

Atmospheric rooms and villas decorated with period antiques

The Villa Royale Inn's 31 rooms and larger villas are all individually decorated and furnished with antiques. Inspired by the 1940s decor of the original estate, a pair of Hollywood set designers recreated the look throughout the property, and though no two rooms are quite alike, all feature authentic period lamps and furniture accompanied by accent pieces that have an Asian flair -- from ornate vases, to lacquered artwork inlaid with mother of pearl. Some of the bathrooms are in need of renovation, with a mix of old walk-in showers and tiled shower/tub combos. The standard European Rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, while Royale Rooms also have fireplaces or patios. Larger Villas add kitchenettes and private patios, including one that was once Henie’s own abode, with striking red and gold decor and a fireplace.

See More Rooms

Features

Tranquil garden grounds with two outdoor pools, small spa, and fitness center; restaurant and two bars, plus freebies including extensive breakfast, various refreshments, and Wi-Fi

Cobblestone walkways weave through the garden grounds revealing hidden benches and quiet alcoves with tables under overgrown shade trees. The two outdoor pools and hot tub are all in separate areas, each set in a cobbled sun deck with loungers and umbrellas. For more serious relaxation, a small spa has all the basic treatments, but is limited due to its size (in-room massages are also available).

The main pool is accompanied by a covered patio bar and lounge where coffee is served in the morning from an old wooden bar made in 1917 that was brought over from Paris. In the afternoons, free fresh-baked cookies and refreshments are also available. AAA, Wine Spectator, Zagat, and TripAdvisor have all heaped praise on the hotel's restaurant and bar, Europa. Stuffed pheasants, gilded chandeliers, and walls of French doors make it feel like a manor in Southern Europe with double crown rack of lamb and pork shank osso buco on the menu. A free breakfast is included in the room rate, with hot cooked-to-order choices from a set daily menu. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Villa Royale

Scene

Mediterranean-style historic estate with original furnishings and lovely grounds

Built in 1947, the Villa Royale Inn was originally the private residence of Olympic figure skater-turned-Tinseltown celebrity, Sonja Henie. The hotel has remained true to the original architecture with aging, but stately, reminders of the past. The crumbling facade and weather-worn fountains could use some touch-ups, but there's a ton of character here under the lush palms and draping bougainvillea. The lobby doesn't seem to have changed much since the '40s, with antique furnishings and the kinds of Asian accent pieces that were so in vogue during the era, arranged around an old brick and plaster fireplace. The decor, though atmospheric, is a bit dated and might not suit all tastes.

See More Scene

Location

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood near downtown Palm Springs

Villa Royale Inn is situated on a side street in a quiet neighborhood that's under a 10-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs' shopping, galleries, restaurants, and bars. There's not too much within walking distance (other than a number of other hotels), but attractions are easily accessible by car, including regional destinations like Joshua Tree National park (45 minutes away) and Coachella (35 minutes away). It's a nine-minute drive to the Palm Springs International Airport and a two-hour drive to Los Angeles.

See More Location

Rooms

Atmospheric rooms and villas decorated with period antiques

The Villa Royale Inn's 31 rooms and larger villas are all individually decorated and furnished with antiques. Inspired by the 1940s decor of the original estate, a pair of Hollywood set designers recreated the look throughout the property, and though no two rooms are quite alike, all feature authentic period lamps and furniture accompanied by accent pieces that have an Asian flair -- from ornate vases, to lacquered artwork inlaid with mother of pearl. Some of the bathrooms are in need of renovation, with a mix of old walk-in showers and tiled shower/tub combos. The standard European Rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, while Royale Rooms also have fireplaces or patios. Larger Villas add kitchenettes and private patios, including one that was once Henie’s own abode, with striking red and gold decor and a fireplace.

See More Rooms

Features

Tranquil garden grounds with two outdoor pools, small spa, and fitness center; restaurant and two bars, plus freebies including extensive breakfast, various refreshments, and Wi-Fi

Cobblestone walkways weave through the garden grounds revealing hidden benches and quiet alcoves with tables under overgrown shade trees. The two outdoor pools and hot tub are all in separate areas, each set in a cobbled sun deck with loungers and umbrellas. For more serious relaxation, a small spa has all the basic treatments, but is limited due to its size (in-room massages are also available).

The main pool is accompanied by a covered patio bar and lounge where coffee is served in the morning from an old wooden bar made in 1917 that was brought over from Paris. In the afternoons, free fresh-baked cookies and refreshments are also available. AAA, Wine Spectator, Zagat, and TripAdvisor have all heaped praise on the hotel's restaurant and bar, Europa. Stuffed pheasants, gilded chandeliers, and walls of French doors make it feel like a manor in Southern Europe with double crown rack of lamb and pork shank osso buco on the menu. A free breakfast is included in the room rate, with hot cooked-to-order choices from a set daily menu. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.