PALM SPRINGS, CA

Coachella Valley 

Palm Springs is one of those places that gives you that magical feeling upon arrival. Most people only associate this desert oasis with Coachella, but in all honesty, PS is much more than a place to crash during a music festival! We actually prefer to visit when the crowds have dwindled and you can actually find a room under $200 (yes, its possible!) If you truly want to experience this gem of destination then keep reading my Palm Springs travel guide to find out the spots we continue to visit each time we're in town!
 

WHERE TO STAY IN PALM SPRINGS

THE ACE HOTEL
701 E Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92264

THE ACE: We are definitely privy to the ACE considering that we were married here! The vibes are relaxed and favor the hipster visitors. The rooms aren't what you'd consider from a luxury hotel, but much more campy and bohemian (which we love!) I'm sure if you follow the hotel or other bloggers who have stayed here you get the feeling that just about everything on the property is "Instagram worthy". What their pictures may not show you is how relaxed and friendly their staff is! We've only had great experiences during our stays and always feel like everyone has a great attitude. 

The other great things about the ACE is the food! The poolside bar, Amigo Room, and King's Highway offer up an incredible menu that is credible for doing more than just curing hangovers. Some of our favorites include the Breakfast Sandwich, Avocado Toast, and Steak Frites! If you happen to just be stopping by to see the grounds make sure you pop into the Amigo room for a cocktail or watermelon margarita, the decor inside is incredible!
 

THE V
333 E Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92264

THE V: The V is a relatively new hotel, with an updated take on the motel style. (Think modern, two-story layout with a central pool and bar). The amenities were absolutely incredible and certainly catered to every desire a vacationer could dream of. Their poolside bar and grill, Elixir served up an array of tantalizing cocktails and tapas and is a must-see and sip if you’re in the area. If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen a gram of the Love with the Cacao! We also ordered a few of their foreign beers, and the Cucumber Crush, which is an incredibly refreshing mix of cucumber, citron vodka, Velvet Falernum, pineapple, and lime. Stay tuned this week for more images from our stay.

 

KORAKIA PENSIONE
257 S Patencio Rd,
Palm Springs, CA 92262

KORAKIA: The Korakia has been on my PS travel list for years! I've always admired the properties unique design from afar, so when we had the chance to book a stay we jumped at it! The overall architecture lends itself to Moroccan and Mediterranean influence, giving it an overall element of relaxations and tranquility. The boutique hotel caters to an audience looking for leisure in a smaller, much more serene setting (i.e you won't find any DJ'ed pool parties here.) During our stay, we booked on the Moroccan side and found the room to be plenty big, we also loved that there was an outdoor patio!

Each of the rooms circles around two central pools, lined with striped loungers and large umbrellas. The lush grounds also offer a unique experience that feels much like a desert oasis. The property staff do a fantastic job of maintaining the grounds and room and really contributed to our positive experience. 
 

WHERE TO EAT IN PALM SPRINGS

MR. LYONS
233 E Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92264

MR.LYONS: I swear walking into Mr. Lyons is like stepping back into another decade! The interior is enough to make you want to do a double-take for the Rat Pack and is incredibly transformative from the outside facade. The main salon dining room belongs in the pages of ELLE Decor and is dream worthy! Velvet tufted booths line central dining tables with mid-century elegance in the form of shiny brass elements and tiled marble floors. In terms of dining the menu offers the usual steakhouse suspects, but with a nod to classic preparations like beef wellington and slow roast options.

We were lucky enough to visit during Palm Springs restaurant week so we opted to order the 3-course prime-rib and wine flight pairing (which was a major steal!) Our meal kicked off with Caesar salads, which we average and pretty large for a starter. For our main both Kevin and I ordered the prime rib which was delivered with a zig-zag cut baked potato with a side of fixings. The roast was delicious and was prepared to our requested temperature.

BIRBA
622 N Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262

RIO AZUL
350 S. Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262

RIO AZUL: If your craving Mexican fare than consider Rio Azul your spot! Normally, we kick our meals off here with a double margarita and must-order table-side guac! The menu is large and can be overwhelming, so be sure to take your time (enjoy an app) and browse. We've tried a bunch of different items, but have to say that the fajitas we're our favorite! If our recommendation isn't enough to go on then rely on locals who go here just as much as out of towners (it really is a gem).

CHEEKY'S
622 N Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262

CHEEKY'S: Real question, have you ever read a Palm Springs travel guide without Cheekys on the list? This is a  must-eat for a breakfast or brunch! The mimosas and bloody marys (with spiked veggies) will kick any hangover and pair perfectly with their menu of delicious options. We love the breakfast quesadilla, corn pancake, and bacon flights!

COPLEY'S ON PALM CANYON
621 N Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262

COPLEY'S: What is now located in the middle of downtown Palm Springs, Copley's is the perfect place for a dinner for two! The restaurant is actually Cary Grant's former guesthouse, so the charm and character are present everywhere. While dining here we opted to eat outdoors on the front patio, but they also provide indoor seating. The menu is a mix of American fare and classic entrees, many of which have gained notoriety amongst the industry. Our waitress was very friendly and made a point of timing out our dinner so we could chat and enjoy our wine. 

Kevin opted for the short ribs, while I went with the New York steaks and frites. Both meals were outstanding and we're the perfect last dinner while in Palm Springs! We ended up being pretty full at the end of our meal, but their dessets look and sounded just as good*

TRIO
707 N Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92262

TRIO: An excellent choice for dinner or lunch if you're craving California cuisine done right! The service is incredible and the vibes are very classic palm springs. The Meatloaf, Roasted Chicken, and Pork Roast are among our favorites. Don't forget to check out the dessert menu too!

THE DRAUGHTSMAN
1501 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262

THE DRAUGHTSMAN: If you're thirst has you craving a beer, than look no further than The Draughtsman, a fairly new arrival to Palm Canyon Drive! This spot is tucked away at the end of Palm Canyon drive near the Arrive Hotel. The spot is perfect for large parties and offers a ton of craft beers and delicious lunch and dinner bites. If you happen to go during the evening, make sure to request a table on their back patio. The have a ton of games, perfect to kick off an early happy hour (3-6pm).

WHERE TO DRINK IN PALM SPRINGS

THE AMIGO ROOM
701 E Palm Canyon Dr,
Palm Springs, CA 92264

BOOTLEGGER TIKI
1101 North Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Have you ever been to Palm Springs? I'd love to know your go-to spots in the comments below!

xoxo,

Birdie