The Ace Palm Springs is simply fun — a cool hotel in a cool town. The main hotel decor has a sort of retro ’60s vibe, while the rooms are a little more flea market chic. The floors are smooth pavement, the walls are draped in canvas, and the art is attached with chunky binder clips. It doesn’t feel kitschy; it feels uber-edgy. And the coolest accent by far is a record player and some killer vinyl to play on it.
The San Jacinto mountains rising border the chic hotel and as the Jet Setter put it, “It’s as if Fred Flintstone and Jim Morrison decided to open a hotel together…and I’m invited.”
The deep, glowing Art Deco pool is perfect for night swimming.The rockin’ pool scene is one of the main draws at the Ace Palm Springs. It has a lively atmosphere, with hip, urban L.A. types looking to get away for the weekend. There’s a rotating cast of DJs, and friendly cocktail waiters and waitresses. Things verge on rambunctious but never get obnoxious. The scene is accessible and simultaneously exclusive, and I feel as if I’m at some sort of awesome summer camp.
Nearby there are some great spots: Wang’s in the Desert has the best happy hour around, and Spa Resort Casino rocks a classic casino scene. Simple Rooms are straightforward and…well, simple. Bathrooms come with amenities from Rudy’s Barbershop, and views come courtesy of the mountains all around Palm Springs.
A big perk is that the Ace is very dog-friendly. In fact, it’s the only hotel around that seems to actually prefer that you bring a dog. This not only adds to the laid-back atmosphere, but a bark can sometimes be the perfect conversation starter.
