Missed Coachella but still want to get down in the desert? Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs is like a year-round festival destination. You’ll find an ongoing lineup of musical events, plus art-filled rooms and a retro roadside diner called King’s Highway. But while the throwback beaded and fringe-lined ‘fits at Coachella might not be authentic, the retro vibes here are real. If you can believe it, this hipper-than-hip space was a Howard Johnson hotel and a Denny’s back in the day.
The Look of Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Mix festival aesthetics with a chic summer camp, and you’ve got the look of Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Rooms have canvas-style draping to make you feel like you’re sleeping in a tent, as well as vintage furnishings and artwork by local artists. You’ll also find art in common areas, including a rope installation created by Michael Schmidt that looks like the macramé craft of your dreams come to life.
The Vibe at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
You’ve just been invited to your coolest friend’s pool party, and the year is 1974. Expect to spend at least half your stay shimmying, lounging, and soaking in your swim attire.
Who Will Love Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Social butterflies flock to the hotel's regular roster of events, including poolside DJs on weekends and Monday night BINGO.
Who Might Not Love Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Kids looking for a marathon session of Marco Polo. While youngsters are allowed, the hotel’s adult-focused pool parties might cramp their style (and vice-versa). That said, grown-ups looking for a raucous bacchanalia might also be disappointed, as the Ace falls somewhere in between rowdy and laid-back.
Best Amenity at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
They don’t call it a Swim Club for nothing. The property's two pools are the biggest draw here. Grab a pool float get down in the Main Pool, or mellow out in the smaller, more laid-back Commune Pool.
What’s Included at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Pool parties and music events in the Amigo Room, the former rancher watering hole turned bar, are included with your stay.
Fees and Extra Costs You Should Know About at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
An additional resort fee of $45 plus taxes applies to all stays and includes parking, wifi, bike rentals, pool and gym access, and local calls. There's also a $25 (plus tax) charge per night for the first pet you bring, then $10 (plus tax) for any additional fur babies per night.
You may also want to budget for extras like swimsuits, vintage vinyl, and an exclusive hoodie robe — all shoppable right from your room. Or, for some extra R&R, spring on a spa treatment at the aptly named Feel Good Spa.
How to Get a Deal at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Check the hotel’s offers page for regular deals, like food credits and spa discounts for booking a room, plus snag up to 20% off mid-week stays during the summer.
The Sweet Season
If you can brace the scorching heat, summer in Palm Springs is lovely. Room rates are significantly cheaper, and there are fewer crowds, so you can enjoy the destination's top offerings without having to wait in long lines or make reservations so far in advance. Plus, even when it does get incredibly hot, you can always hop in the hotel's chilled pool.
In the Neighborhood of Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Downtown Palm Springs is just minutes away, which means you’re within striking distance of restaurants, shops, and the Palm Springs Art Museum (look for the 26-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe sculpture). Grab brunch at Cheeky’s, poolside lunch at The Colony Palms, dinner at Workshop Kitchen & Bar, and tropical cocktails at Bootlegger Tiki.
Nearest Airport to Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Palm Springs International Airport is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
Nearest Public Transportation to Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Catch a bus just two minutes from the hotel via Sunline Transit. Buses run every 30 minutes, and single fares cost $1 for adults or $3 for a day pass.
It’s a hotel, an aquatic retreat, a BINGO parlor, and a roadside desert diner all rolled into one: In short, Ace Hotel & Swim Club is where the action’s at.