Greater Palm Springs has figured out something most desert towns haven’t: dogs are good for business. The result is a hotel market where pet policies go beyond “tolerated” to something closer to “actively welcomed.” Here’s where to stay, what it costs, and which places actually mean it when they say dog-friendly.
Arrive Palm Springs
Arrive is a boutique hotel on North Palm Canyon Drive with a pool scene that skews young and design-conscious. Dogs of any size are welcome with a $50 per stay pet fee. The courtyard and pool area are open and social, which means your dog will meet other guests whether you planned on it or not.
The rooms open onto shared outdoor corridors, so dogs who bark at passersby may not be the best fit. But for social, calm dogs, it’s one of the more seamlessly dog-friendly stays in town. Walking distance to restaurants and shops on the north end of Palm Canyon Drive.
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs
The Rowan sits on top of the downtown strip with rooftop pool views of the San Jacinto Mountains. As a Kimpton property, there’s no pet fee and no weight limit — their company-wide policy is one of the best in the hotel industry. They provide beds, bowls, and treats at check-in.
The location is prime: you’re above the Palm Springs Art Museum and steps from the Thursday night VillageFest street fair. Rooms are upscale and modern. This is the splurge option that doesn’t punish you for bringing your dog.
La Quinta Resort and Club
This is old-school desert resort territory — casitas, citrus trees, mountain views, and 45 acres of grounds. Dogs up to 40 pounds are welcome with a $150 nonrefundable pet fee. The weight limit is the main catch, but if your dog qualifies, the property itself is extraordinary for walking.
The resort is in La Quinta, about 25 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. It’s quieter and more spread out than anything in town. Morning walks through the grounds with your dog and a coffee are worth the drive alone.
Ace Hotel and Swim Club
The Ace was one of the first boutique hotels to make Palm Springs cool again. It’s casual, a little scruffy, and unapologetically hip. Dogs are welcome with a $35 per night fee (max two dogs). The vibe is communal: poolside DJs, a diner, and an outdoor fire pit where dogs are part of the scenery.
Rooms range from compact to bungalow-style, and the property was a former Howard Johnson’s, which explains the mid-century layout. The Ace is best for people who want their dog trip to feel like a weekend with friends, not a formal vacation.
Holiday House Palm Springs
Holiday House is a mid-century modern boutique with clean lines, a calm pool area, and 28 rooms that feel more collected than decorated. Dogs under 25 pounds are welcome with a $75 fee. The weight limit is strict, but the experience is polished without being fussy.
It’s on the quieter south end of Palm Canyon Drive, within walking distance of the Design District. The Continental breakfast is included, and the staff tends to remember your dog’s name by day two.
The Saguaro Palm Springs
You’ve seen the photos — it’s the rainbow-colored hotel off East Palm Canyon Drive. The Saguaro is a Joie de Vivre property that welcomes dogs of any size for a $75 per stay fee. The pool is the main event: large, loud on weekends, and surrounded by brightly painted walls.
The rooms are basic-comfortable, not luxury. The draw here is the social energy and the fact that your dog can be part of a scene that most hotels would consider too chaotic for pets. If your dog handles pool parties well, this is the spot.
Vacation Rentals: The Flexible Option
Palm Springs has one of the deepest vacation rental markets in California, and many mid-century homes come with fenced yards and private pools. Sites like Vrbo and Airbnb let you filter for pet-friendly properties, and the advantage is clear: no weight limits, no pet fees (usually), and a fenced yard for off-leash time.
Look for homes in the Movie Colony or Deepwell Estates neighborhoods — both are walkable, residential, and close to downtown. Expect to pay $200 to $500 per night depending on season and size.
What to Do While You’re There
Hike: The Indian Canyons trails (dogs on leash, $9 entry) wind through palm oases and rocky desert terrain. The Andreas Canyon loop is an easy two miles. For something bigger, the Lykken Trail from the Visitor Center climbs the ridge above town.
Walk downtown: Palm Canyon Drive from Alvarado to Amado is the main drag — dog-friendly patios at most restaurants, shops with water bowls, and a generally dog-positive atmosphere. Thursday evening VillageFest closes the street to cars.
Eat out: Sherman’s Deli has a dog-friendly patio and serves the kind of portions that explain why it’s been open since 1953. Workshop Kitchen + Bar allows dogs on its outdoor terrace. King’s Highway at the Ace Hotel is casual and welcoming.
Cool off: The desert is hot from May through October, seriously hot. Plan outdoor time before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. during summer. Pavement temperatures can burn paw pads even when air temperature feels manageable. Bring a cooling mat or wet bandana for your dog.
