Palm Springs has a reputation as an adults-only pool-party town, and honestly, some of it is earned. But dig past the influencer photos and there’s a solid lineup of family friendly hotels in Palm Springs built around kids: splash pads, connecting rooms, kids-eat-free menus, and pools that don’t feel like a nightclub at 2 p.m.
Palm Springs has more family-friendly hotels than its party-town reputation suggests, ranging from budget suite hotels to full resorts with lazy rivers, kids’ clubs, and dedicated family pools. The best options for families cluster in the Uptown Design District, downtown Palm Springs, and nearby Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, each offering different price points and pool setups.
Where to Base Your Family in Palm Springs
Where you stay matters almost as much as which hotel you pick, because Palm Springs is really a string of small desert cities.
Downtown Palm Springs puts you walking distance from restaurants, shops, and the Aerial Tramway shuttle stop. It’s the best pick if you don’t want to rent a car or drive much with tired kids in the back seat.
Uptown Design District, just north of downtown, has quieter, boutique-style properties with pools and gardens, plus easy access to unique shops and art galleries alongside adventure activities, making it a good middle ground between walkability and calm.
Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, a short drive east, is where most of the big resort-style properties with water slides and kids’ clubs are concentrated. You’ll trade walkability for space — bigger pools, bigger grounds, more built-in activities so you’re not driving somewhere new every day.
Quick takeaway: Pick downtown or Uptown for a shorter, walkable trip. Pick Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert if you want a resort you can mostly stay put at.
The Best Family Friendly Hotels in Palm Springs
| Hotel | Area | Best For | Notable Family Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Hotel Palm Springs | Downtown | Boutique + pet-friendly families | Private family bungalows, cruiser bikes, board games, a dedicated family pool separate from the adult pools |
| Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa | Rancho Mirage | Water play & supervised activities | Multiple pools including a family pool, splash pad, dueling water slides, and a lazy river, plus a supervised Camp Hyatt-style kids program and reservable family cabanas |
| Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas | Rancho Mirage | Villa-style space | Multi-pool grounds with a consistently family-friendly reputation among guests |
| Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs | Downtown | Boutique with practical perks | Connecting rooms, complimentary cribs, and an onsite snack bar |
| Andreas Hotel & Spa | Downtown | Budget-boutique | Spacious rooms with connecting rooms and a microwave, a garden for strolls, and a snack bar |
| Palm Mountain Resort and Spa | Downtown | Value with basics covered | Free cribs and rollaway beds, accessible pools, and a garden area for outdoor play |
| Miramonte Indian Wells / La Quinta Resort & Club | Indian Wells / La Quinta | Multi-generational trips | Themed family dining events, kid-friendly menus, spa and tennis for the adults, and shuttle service to attractions |
Best for Pools & Water Play
If your trip is basically a pool trip with a hotel attached, this is the category that matters most. Omni Rancho Las Palmas stands out here: the resort’s pool complex separates a family pool from an adults-only pool and adds a kids’ splash pad, water slides, and a lazy river. That separation is a bigger deal than it sounds — it means your toddler’s splash pad time doesn’t collide with someone else’s quiet adult afternoon, and vice versa.
Best for Budget-Conscious Families
Not every family vacation needs a resort fee. Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert and similar mid-range properties show up repeatedly in family review lists without the luxury price tag. Andreas Hotel & Spa and Palm Mountain Resort and Spa both land in the same downtown price bracket while still covering the basics families actually need — cribs, connecting rooms, a pool, and a spot to grab a quick bite.
Best for Multi-Generational Trips (Suites & Kitchens)
If you’re traveling with grandparents or need real separation between kids’ bedtime and adult time, look at bungalow or villa-style layouts. Avalon’s private bungalows and adjoining suites include full kitchens, separate living rooms with sofa beds, and private patios — genuinely more livable than a standard two-queen room for a week-long stay.
What to Actually Look for in a Family Hotel Here
Marketing copy calls almost every hotel “family-friendly.” Here’s what actually separates the properties that mean it:
- A dedicated family or kids’ pool, not just “a pool that allows kids.” A pool set apart from a resort’s main adult-oriented pools tends to be calmer and less crowded.
- Supervised kids’ programming, like Omni’s Camp Hyatt-style activities, if you actually want a few hours off.
- Connecting rooms and cribs available on request — several downtown boutique hotels offer both, and it’s worth confirming at booking rather than assuming.
- A kids’ menu that’s more than chicken tenders. Some properties offer dedicated kids’ menus with customizable, allergy-friendly options and in-room dining for early bedtimes.
- Pet policies, if you’re bringing the dog — weight limits and pet amenities vary by property, so check before you book if this matters to you.
Quick takeaway: Before booking, confirm three things directly with the hotel — crib availability, whether the family pool is separate from any adult-only pool, and the age cutoff for “child” rates, since that cutoff can be 12 or 17 depending on the property.
Nearby Things to Do With Kids
You won’t spend the whole trip at the pool. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens lets kids explore desert wildlife through interactive exhibits, while the Palm Springs Art Museum runs family programs and hands-on activities. For a bigger outing, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway climbs the mountain for cooler air and hiking trails, and Indian Canyons offers scenic, palm-lined hiking suited to a range of skill levels. Older kids who like history might enjoy the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, and the Coachella Valley Preserve is a quieter, less crowded alternative to the Tramway for an oasis hike.
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When to Visit (and the Heat Question Nobody Answers Honestly)
Most Palm Springs family guides skip this, but it’s the single biggest factor in whether your trip actually works: from June through September, daytime temperatures regularly clear 100°F, which is brutal with young kids who don’t self-regulate around heat well. Late October through April is the realistic family window — warm days, cool nights, and pools that are actually pleasant rather than survival mode. If you can only travel in summer, prioritize a hotel with a shaded pool area and plan outdoor attractions like Indian Canyons for early morning.
Booking Tips That Save Families Money and Hassle
- Call the hotel directly to confirm crib and connecting-room availability — third-party booking sites don’t always reflect real-time inventory for these.
- Ask about resort fees up front. They’re common in the area and can add $30–$50+ per night that doesn’t show in the headline rate.
- Book shoulder season (April or October) for the best mix of good weather and lower rates than peak winter.
- Check the “child age” definition before assuming free stays — some hotels count anyone under 17 as a child while others cut off at 12, which changes your total cost.
- Read recent reviews for room-specific complaints. Guests have flagged issues like dim lighting or mismatched fixtures in some family suites — worth checking before you commit to a specific room type.
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FAQ Section
Is Palm Springs actually good for families, or is it mostly for adults?
Both. Downtown has an adult-leaning nightlife scene, but a solid number of hotels and nearby resorts are genuinely built for kids, with dedicated family pools, cribs, and kids’ clubs.
What’s the best area to stay in Palm Springs with kids?
Downtown or the Uptown Design District if you want to walk everywhere; Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert if you want a bigger resort with water slides and activities on-site.
Which Palm Springs hotel has a water slide or lazy river?
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage has water slides, a splash pad, and a lazy river as part of its pool complex.
Is Palm Springs too hot for kids in the summer?
Yes, for most of June through September, with daytime temps regularly above 100°F. Late October through April is a more comfortable window for families.
Do Palm Springs hotels offer babysitting or kids’ clubs?
Some do — Omni’s supervised kids’ program is a strong example. Others, like Avalon, don’t offer direct babysitting but can refer trusted local childcare providers.
Are there budget-friendly family hotels in Palm Springs?
Yes. Boutique downtown options like Andreas Hotel & Spa and Palm Mountain Resort and Spa, plus chain properties like Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert, offer family basics without resort-level pricing.
Can I bring my dog to a family hotel in Palm Springs?
Some can — Avalon Palm Springs allows dogs up to 50 lbs with pet amenities included, but pet policies vary by hotel, so confirm before booking.
Do these hotels have connecting rooms and cribs?
Many downtown boutique hotels, including Kimpton Rowan and Andreas Hotel & Spa, offer connecting rooms, and cribs are commonly available on request across most family-oriented properties.
