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- Avalon Hotel and Bungalows is one of Palm Springs' top-rated hotels, originally built for Hollywood's elite stars in 1929.
- Today it's still a popular desert destination, with iconic style, three pools, a spa, and excellent on-site dining, all within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs.
- Rates begin around $152 for a standard room in low season, with more spacious suites starting in the $300s, and signature detached bungalows in the $400s. I've stayed here multiple times in almost all room types, but there's one that I think offers the best value.
- Read all Insider Picks hotel reviews here.
There's something about the desert air that can fully transform a mood and a mindset - even if you're just coming from 120 miles away in Los Angeles, which is where I live. It's one of the main reasons why I travel so frequently to Palm Springs, and the Avalon Hotel and Bungalows is a second home there.
I've been visiting the property for years and was so struck by its Hollywood Regency-style design on a visit merely weeks before my wedding in 2010, I decided to revamp my entire decor for the occasion, remaking it with a nod to the property's vintage aesthetic.
That's because the property's look - indeed its whole vibe - is intoxicating. The Avalon evokes the glamorous time when Palm Springs was the playground of Hollywood heavyweights in the Golden Age, all updated with chic finishes and modern conveniences.
Standard rooms start around $150 in winter and go up from there in busy seasons such as spring and fall, though they're admittedly on the smaller side. There are also an array of suites for more space, or the uber-romantic bungalows, tricked out with extras like sun terraces, fireplaces, and kitchens, starting in the $500s.
I've stayed in the gamut of rooms at Avalon and here's my take: It's certainly the standard rooms that offer the best value (after all, every room comes with access to the hotel's pools and overall chic atmosphere) and most accessible price tag. And on the high end of the price scale, Avalon's bungalows offer the hotel's signature residential-like appeal with total privacy, but at significant cost.
The sweet spot is the mid-tier courtyard studio, which is right in the middle price range starting around the $300s. It offers generous space, a romantic vibe, and your own fireplace with a detached, private feel.
Need more Palm Springs hotel suggestions? Read our list of the best hotels in Palm Springs.