Hilton Palm Springs

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places in Palm Springs over the years, and the Hilton on Tahquitz Canyon Way hits that sweet spot where you get the reliability you want without feeling like you’re in some soulless chain hotel. It’s right there in the thick of downtown – I mean, you can literally walk to the main drag in about three minutes, which is honestly perfect when you don’t want to deal with parking every time you want to grab dinner or hit the shops.

The building itself has this sort of understated desert modern vibe that actually works. None of that over-the-top Spanish revival stuff you see everywhere else in town (though I get why people love that too). What really sold me was the pool area – it’s got these mountain views that are particularly incredible around sunset, and the whole setup feels more like a resort than a business hotel. The rooms are solid, nothing revolutionary but they’ve clearly been updated recently. Good blackout curtains too, which you definitely need when you’re trying to sleep in past sunrise after a late night on Palm Canyon Drive. One thing that surprised me was how quiet it stays despite being so central – I was expecting more street noise, but the way the building’s positioned, you really don’t get much of that.

You know what really makes this place work though? The staff actually seems to know Palm Springs. I asked the front desk about hiking trails that aren’t completely overrun with tourists, and the guy gave me directions to this spot near the Indian Canyons that ended up being perfect. That kind of local knowledge makes a difference when you’re trying to experience the real desert, not just the poolside resort version. The 8.0 rating feels about right – it’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s exactly what you want when you’re using Palm Springs as a base for exploring. Plus, honestly, the location means you’re spending less on rideshares and more time actually enjoying what the area has to offer. Just keep in mind that weekends and festival season (looking at you, Coachella) will jack up the rates significantly, but if you can swing it during the week or in summer – well, it’s blazing hot then, but the pool becomes your best friend anyway.