California,  Destinations

Best Palm Springs Resorts for Family Getaways

Waterslides at one of the Palm Springs resorts for families

A look at the best Palm Springs Resorts Family Edition

Palm Desert is hands-down one of my favorite weekend getaway spots no matter the occasion. And I’m not alone. In fact, it’s one of the best cities in California to visit and one of the best vacation destinations in January. We love going even for a quick weekend away. The drive is easy from San Diego, and Palm Springs has so many fun things to do. Most of the time, we love to just hang out at the pool and relax. But we’ve also ventured to Pioneertown, enjoyed brunch downtown, and even gone hiking.

I’ve created this list of the best Palms Springs resorts for a family getaway to highlight the resorts that will cater to your family’s needs–no matter what you’re hoping to get out of your Palm Springs vacation.

In the past, I’ve listed the best hotel pools in Palm Springs because if you know me, you know I love a good pool. Many of these hotels are on that list as well. But these resorts also provide many other family-friendly amenities and organized activities.

Palm Springs has a great selection of family-friendly resorts that are perfect for kids. Here are some of the top options:

Best Palm Springs Resorts for Family Stays

1. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

Palm Springs resorts family style -- a lazy river!
  • Highlights: My kids absolutely love the pool area at this resort–the Splashtopia water park. It’s one of the few Palm Springs resorts with a waterpark. You’ll find a lazy river, water slides, and a sandy beach area – perfect for kids of all ages. There’s also a kids’ club with organized activities, poolside movie nights, and family-friendly dining options.

    • Water Activities: Shallow pools for younger kids, splash pads, and interactive water features.
    • Safety Measures: Lifeguards on duty, child-sized life jackets available, and designated swim areas.
  • Family Perks: Spacious suites for families, golf and tennis for adults, and a spa for some relaxation time.

    • Dining Options: On-site restaurants with kids’ menus, room service for family convenience, and nearby family-friendly eateries.
    • Special Offers: Packages that include admission to local attractions, discounts for extended stays, and complimentary breakfast options.

2. Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Spa – One of my favorite Palm Springs resorts for family vacations

  • Highlights: This resort features a large pool complex with a family pool, an adults-only pool, and a kids’ splash pad. Kids love the dueling water slides and lazy river (and who am I kidding? So do I!), plus the Camp Hyatt program provides supervised activities. Family cabanas are available to reserve at the family pool.
  • Family Perks: Family suites are available, and there’s a good mix of family and adults-only amenities, like golf courses and a luxury spa. There are also complimentary bicycle rentals, and dog-friendly rooms available.
  • Dining Options: Multiple on-site restaurants serve a variety of cuisines, ranging from casual dining to fine dining experiences.
  • Entertainment: Regular evening entertainment is offered, including family movie nights and live music.
  • Fitness Facilities: A modern fitness center is available, along with daily fitness classes such as yoga and aqua aerobics.
  • Bonus: This resort isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s well out of my price range. However, I booked a weekend here using points from my Chase Sapphire card and got two free nights using less points than one night somewhere else. Not sure how? Ask me! But in a nutshell, you need to open the Chase Sapphire card and meet the spending requirement to get your bonus points. Then create a free Hyatt account, and transfer your points there. This resort typically costs about 15k – 25k points per night, but the 60,000 bonus points you get will more than cover a couple of nights.

Read my full review of this resort here.

3. The Westin Desert Willow Villas

  • Highlights: The Westin Desert Willow Villas features multiple pools, multiple waterslides, a splash pad for younger kids, and a quiet pool for adults seeking relaxation. There’s a dedicated kids’ area and organized family-friendly activities, including crafts, scavenger hunts, poolside bingo and movie nights. Outdoor games like ping-pong, shuffleboard, and bocce ball are available, along with sports courts for basketball and tennis, adding to the variety of family-friendly activities on-site.

    • Spa Services: Enjoy rejuvenating treatments at the on-site spa, which offers a variety of services including massages, facials, and body treatments designed for relaxation and wellness.
    • Dining Options: The resort features multiple dining options, from casual poolside snacks to upscale dining experiences.
    • Fitness Center: Enjoy a modern fitness center equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and exercise classes.
  • Family Perks: The resort offers spacious one- and two-bedroom villa-style accommodations, perfect for families or groups seeking a comfortable stay. Each villa includes a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances, a cozy dining area, a living room with a sleeper sofa for additional sleeping space, and a private balcony or patio to enjoy the scenic views. They even have a washer and dryer for your convenience. Additionally, the resort is pet friendly, allowing you to bring your furry family members along to create lasting memories together.

    • Convenient Location: The resort is situated close to various local attractions, providing easy access to nearby shopping, dining, and entertainment options for families to explore.

Read more about our recent stay at this resort here.

4. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa – One of the fancier Palm Springs resort for family stays

The JW Marriott is one of the best Palms Springs resorts for families
Image from Marriott.com
  • Highlights: When I first stayed here, I thought it was so cool to be staying at the resort where Jessie’s parents got married in Saved by the Bell (I’m dating myself here… IYKYK). But even without knowing that, this resort has so much going for it. There are several pools, including a large family pool, and paddle boat rentals on the resort’s lagoon. Kids love the on-site aviary, which houses colorful flamingos and parrots. There’s also an arcade and mini-golf course.
  • Family Perks: Family rooms are available, and parents can enjoy the spa or golf course while kids enjoy resort activities.
  • Dining Options: The resort features a variety of dining options, from casual eateries to fine dining. There are kid-friendly menus available, ensuring that everyone can find something they love.
  • Activities for All Ages: There are organized activities such as scavenger hunts, water aerobics, and outdoor movie nights that make it easy for families to bond.
  • Nature Trails: Beautiful walking trails surround the resort, perfect for a family hike or a peaceful morning walk.
  • Shopping Accessibility: A small boutique gift shop is located on-site, as well as nearby shopping centers, so you can pick up souvenirs or essentials during your stay.
  • Transportation Services: The resort offers shuttle services to nearby attractions, making it convenient to explore the local area without the hassle of driving.

5. La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton

Image from Hilton.com
  • Highlights: Known for its historic charm, this resort has 41 pools, including family pools with cabanas and splash areas for children. Their Kids Camp offers fun, supervised activities for kids, including crafts and games.
  • Family Perks: Spacious casitas and villas, pet-friendly options, and great hiking spots nearby. On-site restaurants and bars, with a variety of food options.
  • Bonus: If you sign up for the Hilton American Express card (with no annual fee!), you’ll get free night rewards and can stay here for free.
  • Amenities: The resort features a full-service spa, fitness center, and tennis courts, ensuring activities for all ages.
  • Location Benefits: Situated near local attractions, guests can easily explore cultural sites and nature parks, enhancing their stay.
  • Events and Activities: Regularly scheduled events such as movie nights, crafting classes, and outdoor adventures are offered to create lasting memories.

6. The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage

The Omni is one of the fancier of the Palm Springs resorts family options
Image from ritzcarlton.com
  • Highlights: While this resort is luxurious, it’s also family-friendly, with a Ritz Kids program offering activities focused on nature, arts, and adventure. The family pool has cabanas and a shallow area for younger kids, and there are plenty of good hiking trails nearby.
  • Family Perks: Spacious suites, and a kids’ club with both indoor and outdoor play options, plus eco-friendly, desert-themed programming. Option to have private patio with fire pit or balcony with fireplace.
  • Dining Options: Multiple family-friendly restaurants with diverse menus, including kid-approved dishes and healthy options. Special dining events, such as family BBQ nights and themed dinners.
  • Recreational Activities: A wide range of activities including guided nature walks, arts and crafts workshops, and stargazing nights. Sports facilities available for basketball, soccer, and tennis.
  • Wellness Facilities: Spa services for adults and mini spa treatments for kids, ensuring relaxation for the whole family. Fitness classes that welcome family participation.
  • Transportation Services: Complimentary shuttles to local attractions, making family outings more convenient. Rental bikes available for exploring the nearby scenic routes.

8. Marriott Shadowridge – The Enclaves

Enjoying the pool at one of the Palm Springs resorts for families
  • Highlights: This resort boasts splash pads, multiple pools, a waterslide, and a zero-entry pool. The zero-entry pool has a giant TV behind it, featuring sports during the day and poolside movies when it gets dark. And there are bars to meet your food and drink needs at the pool. Family-friendly games, such as mini-golf, bocce ball, and volleyball, are also available on-site.

    • Dining Options: A variety of restaurants and cafes, offering cuisines from around the world.
    • Spa Services: Full-service spa with massages, facials, and wellness treatments.
    • Fitness Center: State-of-the-art equipment and group classes for all fitness levels.
    • Shuttle Services: Complimentary shuttles to nearby attractions and shopping areas.
  • Family Perks: One and two-bedroom villas, with separate living areas and dining rooms. Organized activities for kids onsite.

    • Kids’ Club: Supervised play area for younger children with crafts and games.
    • Teen Lounge: Dedicated space for teenagers to socialize and enjoy video games.
    • Family Packages: Special rates and packages for families, including meals and activities.

Read my full review of the Marriott Shadow Ridge resort here.

9. The Westin Rancho Mirage

The Westin Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs has a ton of family friendly amenities
Image from Marriott.com
  • Highlights: The resort boasts multiple pools, including a large family-friendly pool with a waterslide and the Serenity Pool for adults seeking relaxation. There’s a large kids’ splash area, complete with multiple waterslides. A Kids Club is on site, featuring supervised crafts, games and activities. Plus there’s a bowling alley and arcade. And the resort has family movie nights, volleyball and bocce ball courts, and walking trails.
  • Family Perks: Spacious room options and suites that provide extra space and amenities. All rooms include the Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, adding to the comfort level.
  • Dining Options: Multiple on-site restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, including kid-friendly menu items.
  • Activities: Organized family activities throughout the week, including scavenger hunts and outdoor movie screenings.
  • Wellness Facilities: A fully equipped fitness center and wellness classes that cater to all ages.
  • Shopping: Boutique shops available for souvenirs and essentials without leaving the resort.

10. Tommy Bahama Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Image from Miramonte resort website
  • Highlights: This resort offers a family pool, and the laid-back vibe is perfect for families looking to relax. There’s a variety of seasonal family programming, including outdoor movie nights, games, and crafts. There are bocce ball courts on site, and you can borrow a fruit picker and enjoy fresh fruit picked from citrus trees.

    • Activities: Enjoy organized sports like soccer and volleyball for family bonding.
    • Relaxation Options: Spa services available for adults while kids have supervised activities.
    • Evening Entertainment: Live music and themed dinner nights to enhance family evenings.
  • Family Perks: Proximity to local attractions like the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, family-friendly dining, and comfortable suites for all family sizes. Pets are welcome as well.

    • Transportation: Shuttle services to nearby attractions for easy travel.
    • Discounts: Special family packages available for extended stays.
    • Dining Options: Children’s menus and healthy meal options at on-site restaurants.

Each of these resorts offers unique activities for kids while ensuring a relaxing experience for the whole family in the scenic surroundings of Palm Springs. No matter which one you choose to stay at, you can be certain you will create lasting memories with the family.

Check out these other popular posts to help you plan and prepare for your next vacation:

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Thanks for reading my post. My name is Jaime and I am a mom to three busy children. When we're not at the soccer and football fields, we try to get away as often as possible. I'm a teacher and my husband is a firefighter, so we mostly get away for long weekends or over the school breaks. I hope to inspire busy families to take time to recoup and relax while making memories on camping trips or cruise ships, or at the fancy resort pool--we love it all! Follow me on Instagram for real-time inspiration.

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