Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel

Best Western Plus Las Brisas is the smart choice for travelers who want to stay in the middle of downtown Palm Springs without paying boutique or resort prices. It sits at 222 South Indian Canyon Drive, in the core of downtown, one block east of Palm Canyon Drive: Spencer's Restaurant is next door, the Thursday VillageFest street fair is about a tenth of a mile away, and the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, Downtown Park and dozens of restaurants and bars are within an easy walk. The hotel is straightforward and well kept, built around a pool with fountain terraces, with an on-site bar and grill and a fitness center. A complimentary breakfast buffet is served daily, and free high-speed Wi-Fi covers the hotel. Rooms come with pillowtop beds, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, mini-fridges and work desks, and accessible and non-smoking rooms are available. Check-in is at 3pm and check-out at 11am. The listing does not spell out parking charges or a resort fee, and its pet information is contradictory (the FAQ says pets are not accepted), so confirm both directly with the hotel before booking. Best Western Rewards members can earn and redeem points. What you give up compared with Palm Springs' design hotels is personality and a pool scene; what you gain is a central location, breakfast included and a total price that is often far lower, especially on weekends when boutique rates soar.

Location is the whole argument. From Las Brisas you can walk to dinner on Palm Canyon Drive, browse VillageFest on Thursday night, catch the art museum's free Thursday evening hours, visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and the Village Green, and stroll the Walk of the Stars, all without moving the car. Rideshares to the tram, Indian Canyons and the Uptown Design District are short. For travelers who plan to spend their days out exploring and just need a comfortable, convenient base, that is excellent value.

To get the most from it, ask for a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper, especially on busy weekend and VillageFest nights, and confirm parking arrangements and any fees in advance. The free breakfast covers the basics and saves both money and time on early starts for Joshua Tree or the tram. In summer, rates fall further, and the pool is a welcome retreat between early-morning outings and evening plans.

Who should stay: budget-conscious travelers, families who want downtown convenience, festival visitors on a budget and anyone who prioritizes location over design. Who should not: travelers looking for a midcentury design experience, a social pool scene or resort amenities, who should look at the Saguaro or the Ace for style at a fair price, or the Kimpton Rowan for a downtown splurge with a rooftop pool.