California,  Hotels & Airbnb Stays

Best Hotel Pools in Palm Springs: Top 5

Relaxing at one of the best hotel pools in Palm Springs

While there are many reasons to visit Palm Desert, the top of my list always includes some relaxation in the sun. That’s why I’ve spent a lot of time scoping out the best hotel pools in Palm Springs. When I vacation with kids (which is 99% of the time), a good pool is at the top of my must-have list for the hotel.

Nothing beats a lazy river and some fun water slides. Add in some blended cocktails and a pool-side movie at the end of the day, and I might never leave. If you have the desire for more of an adventure away from the waterslides, be sure to check out these fun family things to do in Palm Springs.

But first, check out these hotels, which have some of my favorite pools to relax at when I visit Palm Springs. If you’re looking for more than just a nice pool, check out these Top Palm Springs Resorts for Families.

1. Best Hotel Pools in Palm Springs: Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

The hotel that always comes to my mind first when thinking about the best hotel pools in Palm Springs is the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. It checks all the boxes. Lazy river? Yep. Water slides? Yep. Two 100-ft waterslides. Poolside movies? Yep. Poolside drinks? Yep. Plus a grill for meals and snacks.

On top of all that, they have a sand-bottom pool, a cliff-side hot tub and a splashpad area for the littles. When we’ve stayed there, they kids have been able to participate in fun poolside competitions, like cannonball contests, as well.

2. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells has one of the best hotel pools in Palm Springs
Image Source: Hyatt Website

This resort recently underwent a major pool renovation that has truly made it a top contender on the list of hotels with the best pools in Palm Springs. It now features a pair of 3-story high dueling water slides that are said to be the highest in the desert. It has a 450-ft lazy river, and a splash pad full of activities for the littles.

With poolside movies, s’mores and many activities for the kids, you can relax with a cold beverage from the poolside bar while the kids are entertained. Plus, you can use your World of Hyatt points to book free nights here.

Read my full review of this resort here.

3. Marriott Shadow Ridge II Enclaves

Minus a lazy river, the Marriott Shadow Ridge II Enclaves resort checks most of the criteria for the best hotel pools in Palm Springs. Check out my full review of the Marriott Shadow Ridge resort here.

When you stay at the Enclaves, you’ll have access to multiple pools, one that’s zero-entry, perfect for your smallest kids, and another that has a waterslide. The zero-entry pool is the one that will be closest to you in the Enclaves section of the resort. This 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. Poolside activities might feature water-balloon toss competitions for the kids, along with popsicle rewards.

4. The Westin Desert Willow Villas – One of the best hotel pools in Palm Springs

The Westin Desert Willow Villas is a favorite for kids of all ages. There are 3 pools and a 159-ft waterslide to keep the kids entertained. At the Mirage Pool Deck, you’ll find a sports pool if the kids want to shoot some hoops without leaving the vicinity, plus a spa and the waterslide. The Palo Verde Park and Pool features a large heated swimming pool and a kiddie pool, plus food and beverage options.

Read more about our experience at this resort here.

5. The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa

Recent renovations at the Westin Rancho Mirage pool makes this one of the best hotel pools in Palm Springs.
Image from Marriott website

Your kids will have 3 pools to choose from at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort, one that has been recently renovated and now features two waterslides. There are poolside cabanas available for rent, with elevated levels of service, ranging from cold water to included cocktails and appetizers.

More to Do Near Palm Springs

Palm Springs is one of the best cities to visit in Cali. It has a ton to offer. But if you’re looking for something truly unique, you might want to take the 50-minute drive to Pioneertown (just outside of Joshua Tree) for some wild wild west kind of fun. It’s definitely high on my list of family things to do in Palm Springs.

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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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