The Villa Royale, Palm Springs CA

I stayed a few days after attending a conference in Palm Springs.  I specifically wanted to stay in a place where if I wanted to do nothing but hang out at the hotel, I would enjoy it.  I also had a car this time and so location was not as important as prior times when I wanted to stay in a place that was walking distance to most things.

The entrance to the inn and restaurant was a sign of things to come.

The grounds are a series of courtyards and secret places.  Lots of blooming bougainvillea, lemon trees, palm trees, and tropical foliage.  Fountains, streams, and seating areas abound.  Everything felt very private, even with plenty of people there.

A path through a rose garden leads to a hot tub that is private and separate from the pools.

There are two pools, one unheated in the third courtyard and much more private than the main pool.  My room was in the far corner.

The main pool is larger and heated.  It is in the first courtyard outside the bar and restaurant area.  The bar is not normally open in the daytime but on Saturday they decided to open it up and serve a light lunch.  I didnt have time for the lunch, but spent my last two hours before heading to the airport sitting at poolside drinking a salty dog.

It wasn't perfect.  The rooms could use some tender loving care and my patio could have used a power wash.  But I left there relaxed and happy, and I think that's the most important thing for an inn like this.