Where Do Celebrities Stay in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is coming into its busiest season, from January through April, offering plenty of opportunity for celeb-spotting! Season kicks off with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which takes places the first week of January. This event has attracted stars like Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Bradley Cooper, & Julia Roberts, to name just a few. Ever since the opening of the La Quinta Resort in 1926, Hollywood stars have flocked to the desert for its proximity to L.A. & abundant sunshine. Here, I’ll do my best to find out: “Where Do Celebrities Stay in Palm Springs?“
The Kardashians are the most recent celebs to bring renewed attention to Palm Springs, with their frequent visits to homes in the area. Photo by E! Online.
Where Do the Kardashians Stay in Palm Springs?
You may be wondering where the Kardashians stay & have purchased homes in Palm Springs. And the answer is: at the Madison Club, which is actually in La Quinta ~ not Palm Springs. It’s right across from the Polo Fields, where Coachella takes place every year. The Madison Club is a very high-end, golf community, which is home to many celebs. I’ve actually been there many times, as a friend’s dad was a founding member. Most homes, including the Kardashians ~ are ultra-modern, with massive pools & ridiculous mountain views.Â
And ridiculous price tags!
This is what most homes in the Madison Club look like: HUGE, super modern, lots of windows, large pools, & indoor-outdoor living at its best & most expensive.
Can you stay in the Madison Club? That’s a big, fat NO! This is one of the most exclusive communities in the desert, & the only way you’re getting in is if you know someone. But if you want to see Kourtney Kardashian….head to my family’s restaurant: Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, in Old Town La Quinta. My brother has seen her & hubby Travis Barker here many times, dressed incognito.
Where Do Celebrities Stay in Palm Springs?
The hotel where you’re most likely to spot celebs in Palm Springs is by far the Parker Palm Springs. Especially around Film Festival time. Hidden behind a tall fortress of green hedges: the Parker is the ultimate modern celebrity hideaway….for those who don’t want to be seen ~ but in reality, kind of do! When my friends & I dined at Mister Parker’s, we sat next to Chloe Moretz, a popular young actress. The outdoor terrace of their restaurant Norma’s is another place for potential celebrity sightings, & it’s a great spot for breakfast as well.Â
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie made the Parker famous when they held their iconic “W” photo shoot here.
Check prices at the Parker here, & while you’re at it ~ book a spa treatment. You may end up in the lounge next to JLo….
Where Do Celebrities Stay in Palm Springs?
- Hotels Where You’re Most Likely to Find YOUNG Influencers & Celebrities: Hot pool scenes like those found at the Ace Hotel, candy-colored Saguaro, & new-kid-on-the-block Arrive are where you’re most likely to find a younger crowd, & a “hipper” pool scene. But all bets are off in April, when Coachella & Stagecoach come to town: then, you’ll spot celebrities & reality stars at nearly EVERY pool in the desert ~ but really popular spots will be closer to the Coachella grounds, in cities like La Quinta & Indian Wells, at hotels like the MIramonte & the Renaissance Esmeralda.
Splash House, which takes place every August, is like a mini-Coachella that takes place at rotating pools in Palm Springs. DJ’s spin tunes while 20-somethings frolic in the pool, trying to beat the summer heat while looking cool.
The Ace Hotel chain has long been known for its “hip” vibe, & its Palm Springs is where you may run into some young celebs ~ particularly during Coachella & Stagecoach.
For a list of the best hotel pools in Palm Springs: click here.
Where Do Celebrities Stay in Palm Springs?
- Spa Hotels Where You’ll Find Detox-Seeking Celebs: Desert Hot Springs may not have the cache of Palm Springs, but it does have hotels that specialize in wellness & detoxification. The most celeb-friendly is We Care Spa: this is a juice-fasting, colonic-offering, yoga & meditation retreat ~ no poolside margaritas here! Lisa Rinna, Molly Sims, Kristin Cavallari, & Liv Tyler all swear by this place. I went here myself years ago; it cost about $1,200 for three days of juice fasting & colonics, in a low-key desert setting. I would definitely recommend it, & they’ve upgraded their accommodations since I’ve been….so it’s even prettier now, less rustic.
A 3-day stay at We Care Spa will set you back about $1,500 ~ but it’s an incredible opportunity to detox & press the re-set button. And Gwen Stefani may be next to you at the pool…
Other Desert Hot Springs Retreats: Two Bunch Palms is a popular wellness resort with numerous pools & spas (my friends & I got “Water Massages” there, & it’s one of the most unusual, sleep-inducing massages I’ve ever had. Tuscan Springs Resort & Spa is another option with a cozy vibe, friendly owners, & numerous hot springs to relax in.
- Hotels Where You’re Likely to Find Privacy-Seeking Celebs: A truly privacy-seeking star will rent a house when in the desert. But there are a few Palm Springs hotels where you may get lucky: the very small, very exclusive Sparrows Lodge is a stand-out for Gwyneth & her Goop audience. Korakia Pensione is an option for discerning high-profile couples, with its romantic setting & unique Moroccan architecture. And the newest arrival in the high-end space is L’Horizon Resort & Spa, which gives you a chance to soak in mid-century architecture & absolutely heavenly beds…but you’ll definitely pay for the privilege!
Sparrows Lodge is high-end desert chic ~ favored by Gwyneth Paltrow & her GOOP readers.
Where Do Celebrities Stay in Palm Springs?
- Hotels with “Movie Star” Vibes: The Movie Colony Hotel has “movie” in its name, & its more intimate setting is reminiscent of an older-era in Hollywood. One of the most “old-school” hotels in Palm Springs is Ingleside Inn, where you’ll find the most Rat Pack kind-of vibe.Â
Particularly in their restaurant Melvyn’s, which was a favorite of Sinatra’s ~ & one of the desert’s great old-school dining spots…
Melvyn’s Restaurant at the Ingleside Inn opened in 1975, & it still has some of that Rat Pack era-feeling today.
Where Do Celebrities Stay in Palm Springs?
For more articles on the desert, check out my favorite hikes ~ or read about the most scenic golf courses in town. If you’ve got questions about staying in the desert, ask me in the comments below…I try to respond within 24 hours!
xoxo NoeliaÂ
Read Next:Â Where to Stay for Coachella & Stagecoach
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Really appreciate your detailed and broad knowledge on places about town. I can imagine the visitors for gay pride that followed your suggestions and are staying in legendary hotels or neighborhoods founded on movie stardom! You used pastels to paint a pretty picture of the land we’re sharing at the moment… NiCe!
It’s really healing of your descriptions of places and pretty people that could be there, to distract the rest of me from feeling the heat! Until November when sanity returns to the days hi temps numbers!
Appreciate your take &info, and I’ve even lived here for 4 years!
Continued success!
Hi there, Dyke ~ thank you for such a detailed & thoughtful comment. The desert has such a long & storied past, & a deep connection to Hollywood: so I think it’s really fun to tease out that connection. I hope you’re enjoying living in Palm Springs ~ the weather is turning just about perfect right now…my family all lives down there & I know they’re thankful for the cooler weather! Much thanks & cheers, Noelle