Palm Springs has a bit of a reputation for being a playground for retirees and mid-century modern architecture nerds. But then there’s the Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs. If you’ve spent any time on Instagram in the last decade, you’ve seen the sign—that giant, blocky "ACE" made of rope. It’s basically the unofficial mascot of the Coachella Valley. Honestly, it’s easy to roll your eyes at a place that has become such a massive cultural trope, but there is a reason this repurposed Westward Ho motel from the 1960s hasn't faded into irrelevance. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s sort of perfect if you don't mind a bit of chaos with your craft cocktails.
Most people think the Ace is just about the pool. They're wrong. While the Swim Club is the heart of the property, the hotel actually functions as a sort of living gallery for the Commune Design firm, which handled the original aesthetic. They took a defunct Howard Johnson and a diner and turned it into a bohemian utopia that feels like a film set from 1974.
The Vibe Shift: Why Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs Hits Different
The desert is full of pristine, white-glove resorts where everyone whispers. The Ace is the opposite of that. You’ve got the Amigo Room, which is dark, cavernous, and usually smells faintly of tequila and old vinyl records. It’s where people go when they want to forget that it’s 110 degrees outside. The design isn't "luxury" in the traditional sense; it’s canvas, denim, and reclaimed wood.
Walking onto the property feels like entering a compound. It's self-contained. You have the Feel Good Spa, the King’s Highway diner, and two pools that operate on entirely different frequencies. The "Swim Club" pool is where the action is—DJs on weekends, people posing on yellow loungers, and a lot of very expensive sunglasses. If you want to actually read a book, you head to the Communal Pool. It’s quieter. Sorta.
I think the reason it stays relevant is the commitment to the "low-fi" lifestyle. There are no marble bathrooms here. You’re getting a room with a record player and maybe a patio with a fireplace if you spring for the "Patio Garden" suite. It’s tactile. It feels real in a way that the newer, more clinical desert hotels sometimes miss.
The Architecture of a Rebirth
Commune Design didn't just paint the walls white and call it a day. They leaned into the "motel" bones. You can see the history in the breeze blocks and the way the rooms are arranged around the central hub. It’s a classic "donut" layout. By using materials like felt, plywood, and industrial canvas, they created a space that feels like a high-end campsite.
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- The use of native plants like ocotillo and agave isn't just for show; it anchors the building into the actual Mojave landscape.
- The "Stargazing Deck" is a weirdly underrated spot. Most guests are too busy at the bar to find it, but it offers a genuinely great view of the San Jacinto Mountains.
- Indoor-outdoor flow is the priority here, with many ground-floor rooms featuring heavy denim curtains that open directly onto private patios.
Eating at King’s Highway and Why the Date Shake is Mandatory
Let’s talk about the food. King’s Highway was once a Denny’s. Now, it’s a high-concept diner that serves some of the best breakfast in the valley. You have to try the date shake. It’s a Palm Springs law. They use local Medjool dates, and it’s basically a meal in a glass.
The menu leans into "desert roadhouse" vibes. Think fish tacos, ricotta pancakes, and a burger that actually tastes like it came off a grill. The coffee is Stumptown, which was a big deal when the hotel opened and remains a staple for the hungover crowd staggering out of their rooms at 10:00 AM.
What's interesting is how the space feels. The stone walls and the leather booths give it a heavy, grounded feeling that contrasts with the bright, searing sun outside. It’s a sanctuary. You’ll see locals there, too, which is always a good sign. When a hotel restaurant isn't just for tourists, you know the kitchen is actually trying.
The Amigo Room: Desert Nightlife Without the Bottle Service
If you hate the "Vegas-style" club scene, you’ll like the Amigo Room. It’s tucked away near the back of the diner. It’s dim. The acoustics are great because of all the wood and fabric. On any given night, you might find a drag bingo session, a psychedelic rock band, or a DJ spinning rare 45s.
- There is a rotating craft beer list that highlights California breweries.
- The cocktails are stiff. No neon-colored sugary syrups here.
- The patio area of the bar is great for people-watching without being in the thick of the pool crowd.
The Rooms: What to Expect (and What to Avoid)
The rooms at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs are polarizing. Some people find them too "basic" for the price. If you’re looking for 500-thread-count sheets and a gold-plated bidet, stay at the Ritz in Rancho Mirage. The Ace is about a specific aesthetic.
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The walls are often white-washed brick or rough plaster. The furniture is custom-made but looks like it could have been found at a very high-end flea market. It’s "shabby chic" but with a masculine, industrial edge. One thing to note: the walls can be thin. It’s an old motel. If your neighbors are partying, you’re going to hear it.
If you want the best experience, book a "Simple King" if you're on a budget, but honestly, the "King Dog Patch" rooms are the move if you have a pet. The Ace is famously dog-friendly. Seeing a French Bulldog wearing a bandana by the pool is a common sight. It’s part of the charm.
The "Ace Effect" on Palm Springs
Before the Ace opened in 2009, this part of East Palm Canyon Drive was pretty sleepy. The hotel's arrival triggered a massive wave of gentrification and "cool" in the South End. Suddenly, the Saguaro popped up with its rainbow colors, and then arrived the V and several others.
But the Ace stays the OG. It has an institutional memory that the newer places lack. It’s hosted Coachella parties that have become legend—and a bit of a nightmare for the staff, I’m sure. It’s the place where the "New Palm Springs" was born.
The hotel also prioritizes sustainability in a way that isn't just greenwashing. They use vintage furniture. They keep the landscaping drought-tolerant. They don't over-air-condition the outdoor common areas, relying instead on misting systems and shade—the way the desert was meant to be handled.
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Expert Tips for Your Stay
- Visit mid-week. Seriously. The rates drop significantly, and you won’t have to fight for a pool chair. Tuesday at the Ace is a vibe—quiet, sunny, and much more relaxed.
- Check the event calendar. They have a very active programming schedule. If you hate loud music, don’t book during a "Desert Gold" weekend.
- The Spa is legit. The Feel Good Spa uses organic products and has a very unpretentious, "high-end yurt" feeling. The "Good Spirit" massage is worth the splurge.
- Skip the rental car. If you’re just hanging out at the hotel, you can bike everywhere. The Ace has "Ace x Tokyo" bikes you can borrow. Downtown is a quick ride away.
Final Thoughts on the Ace Experience
Is it perfect? No. It can be noisy. The service is "cool-casual," which some might interpret as "we don't care," though that’s rarely actually the case. But for a specific type of traveler—the one who wants their vacation to feel like a curated experience rather than a generic stay—the Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs is still the gold standard.
It’s about the smell of the desert air mixed with pool chlorine. It’s about the sound of a record needle dropping in your room while the sun sets behind the mountains. It’s a very specific brand of California magic that hasn't been successfully replicated anywhere else.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of a trip to the Ace, you need to plan for the environment, not just the hotel.
- Book through their mailing list. They often run "Early Bird" specials or "Stay 3, Pay 2" deals that aren't on the major booking sites.
- Pack for the "Desert Shift." It can be 100 degrees at noon and 60 degrees at 9:00 PM. Bring a heavy denim jacket or a wool wrap.
- Research the "Modernism Week" schedule. If you’re visiting in February, the hotel becomes a hub for architecture tours. It's a great time to be there, but you need to book months in advance.
- Download a star-mapping app. The Stargazing Deck at the Ace is one of the few places in the city with low enough light pollution to really see the constellations clearly.
- Check the pool pass policy. If you aren't staying at the hotel but want the vibe, they often sell day passes for the Swim Club. It’s a cheaper way to get the experience without the room rate.
Stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen. And don't forget to take a photo of that rope sign—it's a cliché, but it's a classic for a reason.