Hotel Paseo is the best base for travelers who want to spend their desert days down-valley, with shopping, dining and the Living Desert close at hand. A Marriott Autograph Collection hotel at 45-400 Larkspur Lane in Palm Desert, it sits just steps from El Paseo's boutiques, galleries and restaurants, and it was billed as the area's first new luxury hotel in more than thirty years. The design is fresh and residential, centered on an outdoor pool and whirlpool, poolside cabanas and the Lemon Drop Pool Bar for al fresco drinks and bites. Larkspur Grill, the main restaurant, serves California cuisine with an American twist, with live music and a happy hour that draw locals as well as guests, and Café Paseo handles breakfast, lunch and grab-and-go. House of Hudson Day Spa, off the lobby, offers treatments plus a sauna and cold plunge. Rooms range from boutique guest rooms to nine specialty suites. Practicalities: a destination fee covers valet parking and fitness center access (the hotel lists no separate self-parking), dogs are welcome with one pet per room up to 50 pounds for a $150 non-refundable fee per stay, and check-in is at 4pm with check-out at noon. Marriott Bonvoy members earn and redeem points. From here, Sunnylands, the Living Desert, Indian Wells' tennis and the La Quinta and Indio festival areas are all a short drive, while downtown Palm Springs is about half an hour away.
The appeal of Hotel Paseo is the combination of boutique scale and walkable convenience, something rare in the resort-dominated eastern valley. You can spend a morning at the Living Desert, walk to lunch and a gallery on El Paseo, swim in the afternoon and walk back out for dinner, without moving the car. The pool area feels social but not rowdy, the restaurant's live music adds evening atmosphere, and the spa gives an easy wellness option without the scale of a mega-resort.
Book a room overlooking the pool for the best feel, or one of the specialty suites for space on longer stays. Weekend evenings at Larkspur Grill can be busy, so reserve if you plan to dine in. Because the destination fee includes valet parking, compare the total price with resorts that charge parking separately. In high season and around the Indian Wells tennis tournament and the Indio festivals, rates rise and the hotel fills early.
Who should stay: couples and friends who want a stylish, walkable base in Palm Desert, shoppers, festival-goers wanting a smaller hotel and travelers with dogs. Who should not: those who want Palm Springs' midcentury neighborhoods on the doorstep (choose a hotel in town), and families seeking water slides (the Omni Rancho Las Palmas is the pick). For a smaller, more adult boutique stay nearby, look at the Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells.
Why stay here
- ✓Pool with whirlpool and cabanas
- ✓Lemon Drop Pool Bar
- ✓Larkspur Grill with live music
- ✓Cafe Paseo grab-and-go
- ✓House of Hudson Day Spa
- ✓Sauna and cold plunge
- ✓Dogs welcome up to 50 pounds
- ✓Steps from El Paseo
Good questions
How close is Hotel Paseo to El Paseo?+
Just steps away. The hotel is at 45-400 Larkspur Lane in Palm Desert, an easy walk to El Paseo's shops, galleries and restaurants.
Is Hotel Paseo pet-friendly?+
Yes. One pet per room is allowed, up to 50 pounds, with a $150 non-refundable fee per stay.
What does the destination fee cover?+
It includes valet parking and fitness center access. Confirm the current amount when booking.
