With its desert landscapes and pool-focused hotels, Palm Springs is an easy family escape outside the hottest months. We've stayed at the six properties below, from downtown hotels to a Rancho Mirage resort. Our stays describe what we experienced; pools, restaurants, family perks and prices can change. One property we visited is currently being renovated, so read its update before planning a stay.
Best Hotels for Families in Palm Springs
Palm Springs has hotels across a wide range of budgets. For us, the deciding factors were pool access, room layout, breakfast and whether we could walk to dinner.
Advantages of Staying at a Family-Friendly Hotel in Palm Springs
Some properties offer children's pools, waterslides or larger rooms; others work for families mainly because of their location. Check the amenities included in the rate you are considering, especially resort fees and parking.
For dining beyond the hotel, see our guide to the best kid-friendly restaurants in Palm Springs.
How to Save on Family-Friendly Hotels in Palm Springs
Compare the total price, including parking, resort fees and breakfast, on the hotel's own site and a booking platform. Midweek dates and shoulder seasons can cost less, but check the weather: summer heat changes what you can comfortably do outdoors with kids.
What To Know Before Booking A Hotel In Palm Springs With Kids
Before booking, check room occupancy, bed configuration, pool rules and any age or height limits for slides. Ask about cribs or connecting rooms if you need them. Policies and fees can vary by rate and date.
How our six stays compare
The table reflects what stood out during our stays, updated with current official hotel information where available. The Riviera is listed for context but is not a current booking recommendation.
Some hotel links below are paid links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
| Hotel | Why we chose it | Pool and family note | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel | Our overall downtown pick | Outdoor pool and separate children's pool | Walkable to central Palm Springs |
| Riviera Resort & Spa, formerly Margaritaville | A stay we enjoyed before rebranding | Under renovation; confirm reopening before booking | Uptown Palm Springs |
| Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa | Our resort pool pick | Splashtopia lazy river, slides and splash areas | Rancho Mirage, outside Palm Springs |
| Hilton Palm Springs | Downtown convenience | Large outdoor pool and onsite dining | Central Palm Springs |
| Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel | Simpler downtown base | Heated pool and included breakfast | Central Palm Springs |
| Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs | Design-led splurge | Rooftop pool; connecting rooms available | Central Palm Springs |
Now the details on each.
Best overall
#1 Best Hotels for Families in Palm Springs: Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
★★★★★
The Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel is a modern, upscale hotel downtown, close to restaurants, shops, and everything the city has to offer.
The inviting front of Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
The hotel features a large outdoor pool and hot tub, plus a separate children's pool and sandbox. Lounge chairs and cabanas surround the pool area, and there is a poolside bar for drinks and light bites. Supervise children around the water as you would at any hotel pool.
The kids' pool at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Room types include spacious suites and connecting rooms, so families can spread out. Rooms are contemporary, with flat-screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
For dining, Date Restaurant serves American cuisine with a modern twist, and Rocks Lounge is the spot for cocktails and light bites. More restaurants and shops sit within walking distance.
Many rooms have balconies overlooking the pools at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Location
Downtown's shopping, restaurants, and entertainment are a 5-10 minute walk away, so you can explore without driving. That's a huge plus with children in tow. The hotel is also near top attractions like the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens and Moorten Botanical Garden.
Pros & Cons of Staying at Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel with kids
The biggest advantages for families and kids at the hotel are:
- The huge pool area and a smaller kiddie pool, lots of sun beds, and a bar/snack place.
- Breakfast at Date Restaurant; check the current rate and any children's offer when booking.
- The short walking distance to Downtown Palm Springs, with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
The disadvantages of the hotel are:
- Parking adds to the cost: the hotel currently lists self-parking at $35 per day. Check your rate for any included parking.
- Apart from the children's pool and sandbox, it is less focused on organised children's activities than a larger resort.
Tips for families staying at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel with kids
The Renaissance is our pick for families wanting an upscale hotel within walking distance of the city. These tips will make the stay smoother with children.
- The elevators can be noisy. So make sure to ask for a room away from the elevators.
- Book a room with a balcony facing the pool area and ask for a room on a higher floor, which has better views.
- If you want to enjoy the sun from your balcony, ask for a room on the North wing of the hotel (but not if you want to sit in the shade).
- Check whether breakfast is included before choosing a room rate.
- Stay on a weekday or Sunday to avoid the crowds and increase your chances of a room upgrade.
The breakfast restaurant at Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Summary of Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel with kids
Despite the parking cost, the Renaissance is hard to beat if you want a downtown base. Its separate children's pool, onsite dining and short walk to central restaurants make it our overall pick among the places we stayed.
Best pools & activities
#2 Our former stay: Riviera Resort & Spa, previously Margaritaville
Riviera Resort & Spa official site
We stayed here when it was Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs. The property has since returned to the Riviera name. Visit Palm Springs says it is under renovation with a planned January 2027 reopening. Do not plan a current stay around the pools or activities described in older reviews; check the resort and city tourism listing for reopening details.
The pools during our former Margaritaville stay
During our stay, the grounds and pool time were the attraction. The renovated Riviera's amenities and family suitability need a fresh look after reopening.
Best pools & activities (outside central Palm Springs)
#3 Best Hotels for Families in Palm Springs: Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
★★★★★
If pools and resort life matter more than being downtown, consider the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage. Its Splashtopia water park is the reason we would choose it with children.
The pool and slides at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
The Omni has a lazy river, waterslides and family splash areas, plus other resort pools. The water park is for overnight resort guests, and operating hours vary. We would book it for the water play and allow travel time for downtown Palm Springs; check the current activity calendar rather than assuming a particular kids' programme is included.
Closest to activities
#4 Best Hotels for Families in Palm Springs: Hilton Palm Springs Resort
Closest to the action: Hilton Palm Springs Resort
★★★★★
Downtown Palm Springs has countless restaurants, shops, and attractions, and the city is very walkable, so staying close to it pays off. For the best combination of a large, kid-friendly pool area and proximity to the action, nothing beats Hilton Palm Springs Resort.
The Hilton Palm Springs Resort is a 2-minute walk to Downtown
The vast pool area has more sun beds than you can count, and both parents and children will enjoy their time there. Rooms are large and family-friendly, though starting to look a little dated. Facilities are excellent, with dining and bars onsite.
The pool area at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort
If proximity matters more than modern rooms, the Hilton is for you. Otherwise, we recommend the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel a few minutes further down the road.
Best boutique hotel with charm
#5 Best Hotels for Families in Palm Springs: Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel
Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel
★★★★★
The Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel is a comfortable, affordable hotel in the heart of downtown. The Las Brisas leans toward older children and adults who appreciate boutique charm, but it still offers plenty for families with kids.
The hotel features a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, ringed by lounge chairs and umbrellas, with a poolside bar where parents can sip while kids swim.
The main draw for families is the complimentary breakfast buffet of hot and cold items like waffles, eggs, yogurt, and fresh fruit, an easy way to fuel up before a day out.
The downtown location puts restaurants, shops and the Palm Springs Art Museum within reach on foot. The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert is in Rancho Mirage, so plan a separate trip for that. If you want a smaller-scale alternative to the big resorts, the Las Brisas is worth comparing; Best Western currently lists breakfast and parking as included.
Best splurge
#6 Best Hotels for Families in Palm Springs: Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
★★★★★
The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs is a stylish, modern hotel downtown, with spacious rooms and family-friendly amenities.
Room types include suites and connecting rooms, decorated in bright colors and bold patterns, with flat-screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The main draw is the rooftop pool with views of the surrounding mountains. Cabanas, lounge chairs, and a poolside bar make it a great spot for parents to relax while kids swim. The hotel also runs a complimentary bike rental program, a fun way to see the city together.
The rooftop pool at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
The rooftop 4 Saints serves dinner, and the hotel also has more casual dining options. We could not confirm the old children's menu items, so check the current dining listings if you plan to eat onsite with kids. Plenty more dining sits within walking distance.
If you want a stylish, modern base in the heart of the city, the Kimpton Rowan covers it with spacious rooms, the rooftop pool, and the free bikes. The catch is the price. It is a splurge and among the most expensive hotels in the area.
Too expensive? Consider the more reasonably-priced Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel.
Why You Should Travel to Palm Springs with Kids
Palm Springs offers more than hotel pools, but outdoor plans need to match the season. Cooler months are good for family walks, and Joshua Tree National Park is an option if you allow enough driving time and bring food and water. The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert is in nearby Rancho Mirage.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens are other family outings, though neither is a quick walk from a downtown hotel. Check current admission, weather and hours before planning a day around them.
Outdoor Adventures For Families In Palm Springs
For an outdoor day, consider the trails at Indian Canyons or Tahquitz Canyon. Start early, carry water and check current trail conditions, especially in warmer months.
When it's time to eat, our kid-friendly Palm Springs restaurant guide has the places we actually used with children.
Accommodations here run from luxury resorts with pools and spas to budget hotels with game rooms and playgrounds, so you can match your stay to your kids' ages and your budget. Many families pair a Palm Springs stay with a day at a Southern California theme park. If that's on your itinerary, our Disneyland packing list for babies and toddlers makes that part of the trip easy too.
Conclusion
For a downtown stay with a children's pool, we would start with the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel. For a resort day built around slides and a lazy river, Omni Rancho Las Palmas is the stronger pick. Compare the other current hotels for your dates, and leave the Riviera off the booking shortlist until its reopening is confirmed.