Refined Flair
The
Viceroy Palm Springs' white-on-white palette and Hollywood Regency style evoke the easy elegance of an established A-lister, and the plush vibe continues outside with manicured gardens and three inviting pools. Its Estrella Spa offers alfresco treatments, such as poolside pedicures, but if you prefer to be lavished with layers of luxury, don't leave without experiencing the Chai Spice Wrap ($185, 90 minutes). Piquant and pampering, this multi-step therapy includes a chai spice exfoliation, massage, and hydrating application of organic moisturizers to nourish sun-drenched skin.
Book It: Viceroy Palm Springs, Estrella Spa, 415 S. Belardo Road, Palm Springs, (760) 320-4117; doubles from $199, 60-minute massage from $125
Retro Chic
A favorite of the Rat Pack in the 1960s, the
Riviera Resort & Spa is again ready for its close-up following a recent $70 million renovation. Touches like chandeliers, pop-art furnishings, and bold strokes of color are scattered throughout a pool scene seemingly airlifted from a Los Angeles rooftop bar. Just steps away, a sublime retreat awaits at SpaTerre, where the tone is set by the Buddha Lounge, a coed relaxation area and soaking sanctum. Your passport to bliss is the Javanese Royal Treatment ($250, 110 minutes)—an experience inspired by Indonesian prenuptial rituals (lulur)—which includes a Balinese massage, herbal exfoliation, and decadent soak in a tub strewn with rose petals.
Book It: Riviera Resort & Spa, SpaTerre, 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, (760) 327-8311; doubles from $249, 50-minute massage from $125
High-Desert Hip
Hanging out at the recently opened
Ace Hotel & Swim Club is like being on the set of an indie film. Boho-chic aesthetics meet desert simplicity with unvarnished surfaces, macramé accents, and white canvas. Innovative touches include yurts that double as treatment rooms and a Star Gazing Deck where you can enjoy a massage under the night sky. The spa's menu also features wonders like the Good Body Polish ($60, 45 minutes), a scrub that incorporates a tropical cocktail of superfoods as well as mineral-charged purifying salt.
Book It: Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Ace Hotel Spa, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, (877) 223-5050; doubles from $109, 60-minute massage from $110
Zen Den
A mid-century motel re-imagined as a serene haven,
Miracle Manor Retreat in nearby Desert Hot Springs features seven minimalist rooms, raked gravel gardens, and towering palms. The true stars, however, are the property's pools, which are filled with geothermally heated mineral water. Try the Water Miracle ($120, 60 minutes), an in-water bodywork session designed to leave you feeling positively buoyant.
Book It: Miracle Manor Retreat, 12589 Reposo Way, Desert Hot Springs, (877) 329-6641; doubles from $125, 60-minute massage from $100
Golden-Era Glam
A gilded, gracious nod to Palm Springs' history of speak-easies and mobsters, the 1930s-era, hacienda-style
Colony Palms Hotel features Spanish tile roofs, elegant archways, and tropical foliage. The property's attractions include a see-and-be-seen pool and its spa, which features four treatment rooms embellished with Moroccan fabrics and French tiles. Our favorite indulgence is the Custom Massage ($120, 50 minutes), a full-body rubdown fine-tuned to your needs and preferences.
Book It: Colony Palms Hotel, The Spa, 572 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, (800) 557-2187; doubles from $149, 50-minute massage from $120
