"Swingin Desert Hipsters Baby!" Desert Hot Springs by giampiero6

Desert Hot Springs Travel Guide: 16 reviews and 35 photos

Lido Palms - Desert Hot Springs
Lido Palms

Desert Hot Springs is a ramshackle high desert town. For all of its "fame" as a hot spring resort spot, the town is a dreary, dusty, bleached out mess. Part un-picturesque desert squalor and part southern california mini mall/chain store uniformity.

The town is dominated by over 40 motel/spa/resorts ranging from the absolutely ramshackle and dingy to the boring stucco apartment complex looking Korean spas to the supposedly luxury resorts.

The large aquifer under desert hot springs provides hot, mineral rich, wonderful water and at first glance is seems to be underutilized.

HOWEVER. A few of the old "route 66" type motels are being renovated and turned into cool, hip, retro 50's jewels. These look so so on the outside and just a little fresh paint and interesting details belie their cool, sleek and hip interiors.

Look around and if you notice something that catches your eye, take a look inside. Chances are you might find some surprising oases.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Desert Blue Sky, Sunshine, Hot springs, near Joshua Tree
  • Cons:A little run down and eerie depending on where you are
  • In a nutshell:Don't come for the culture, come for the sunshine and hotsprings
  • Intro Updated Nov 23, 2011
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Reviews (4)

- Desert Hot Springs Great Place, Great Host Hotels (4)

The Lido Palms is one of the handful of really nice - retro swank motels that have been refurbished in Desert Hots... more travel advice

The pool area at the hotel circa 2002 - Desert Hot Springs Emerald Springs Resort. A... Hotels (4)

I AM UPDATING THIS TIP AS OF SEPTEMBER 2009. When I first saw this hotel and stayed here in 2002, it was the first day... more travel advice

The Surrounding Desert - Desert Hot Springs The Hope Spa. Right next door... Hotels (4)

The Hope Spa. Right next door to the Emerald Springs Resort was the Hope Spa which was a little nicer, and a little... more travel advice

Mid Century Vintage Desert Design... Hotels (4)

I stayed at the Hope Spring for the first time over the labor day weekend, and THOROUGHLY enjoyed my stay. While it was... more travel advice

Comments (3)

  • Reply
    nyc10025's Profile Photo
    Apr 18, 2005 at 2:10 PM

    Giampiero, I was just at Palm Desert. Where is Hot Springs?

  • Reply
    keida84's Profile Photo
    Mar 11, 2005 at 8:35 PM

    G, I really enjoy gooing to DHS, especially in the summer. Your tip on the Emerald Spring Resort sounds like a place to check out! Thanks, Kat

  • Reply
    orlikins's Profile Photo
    Dec 3, 2002 at 3:30 AM

    Happy birthday !! :-)

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