Top 10 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Hotels

The RItz Carlton Rancho MIrage was perfect for our time in the Palm Springs area. We were upgraded to a fire pit room with a desert view and loved it. After a night swim we would return to a lit fire and view of a full moon. It was a beautiful way to start the day as well. The view was gorgeous. We had a child with us so we could only use the large family pool. There were always chairs available and the staff was so helpful. They would open umbrellas, pass out ice water, frozen berries, and small smoothies. We ate at the restaurant a few times and it was always good ( I usually hate hotel food). We were 6 miles away from downtown Palm Springs, but it was a quick drive to grab lunch, wander around and check out the art museum. If you enjoy nature, this is the right hotel for you.

I think I might be a little generous with a four star rating. However this is the first time travelling to Palm Springs so I have nothing else to judge it by. We set up our reservations via AirBnB. When we arrived we were told we needed to pay a $40 daily ”resort fee” that clearly was not reflected in the listing. The man at the reception desk advised he would need to check with his central booking. Long story short it took more than two hours for him to do so. we actually went and had lunch and he still did not have an answer for us. Meanwhile we still dd not have a room. When we finally did get get word that they would waive the fee, we still waited another hour to get our secret room code. It was just after the 4:00 check in time. Our room was a two bedroom corner suite with a full kitchen. Property appears to be either new or newly refurbished. Not sure if the stove or pots and pans were ever used before us. Yes, they give you ONE cup of free coffee to be used in the pour over coffee system. Otherwise the cost is $15 for a ten (?) ounce bag. Fridge was stocked with beer, wine soda, etc all for a fee. We pushed all the stuff to one side of the fridge and went to the grocery store (a block away) and filled it with our own (grocery store also carries beer & wine). Room was very comfortable. Great beds, nice shower/bathroom Wrap around balcony had a rope swing/seat along with chairs and a table. Unfortunately ours overlooked two vacant lots. No storage for clothes other than a basket full of hangers and a couple steel bars to hag stuff on. Other than a couple scatter rugs the floors are cold concrete. Definitely hear people walking above you so would suggest top floor if possible. Pool was nice but was not available for an early morning swim. Also had to pay for the use of cabanas. Never did see anybody using one. Did not eat in the restaurant but did utilize the bar. Personally not a fan of tequila or mescal but they evidently specialized in it. We did not pay to park nor did we see any parking attendants for valet service. In fact the 'front desk' (outside kiosk) was rarely attended. Definity a great location as far as being close walking distance to shops and restaurants. They do offer complimentary use of bicycles, that we did not use.

This place is a real paradox...on one hand it is really nice, peaceful, quiet, charming, on the other hand, it is missing some of the basic requirements to be a 5 start resort in my opinion. We stayed in one of the nicest accommodations they have, with a full kitchen, yet no coffee maker. You have to wait for them to bring coffee around at 7am, which is only enough for about 2 cups of coffee. The only food available is breakfast each day in the courtyard, which is fine, but would be nice to have breakfast in the room and more than 2 options, one of which is granola everyday. It is not quiet. There is a lot noise whether it be crickets in the room, birds chirping in the middle of the night for no apparent reason, road noise, neighbors, etc. It is also very dated, which I get is part of the charm...but there are certain amenities that are necessary to be considered 5 stars and $3500/night in my opinion. Like operational and fast internet. They are using Starlink for internet service, and at best, you might get 15mb/s download speeds. Being able to get a drink, and drink service by the pool. Having doors that keep the bugs out. Our room had 2 of the 4 walls that were able to completely open, but the bottom has huge cracks between the doors and the ground which lets all sorts of fun things come in at night. We both got bit numerous times in our bed one night by something that decided to join us. Charming yes...five stars...no. Worth the price....we won't be going back. The staff is friendly and try's to make the very best with what they have.

I have had better stays at Courtyards than at this JW property. - Really long wait to check in. Was told as an industry guest, we were expected early and our room was currently being cleaned and the front desk would call up to have it rushed to be finished - we waited 3 hours and no one notified us when it was done as promised. - Furniture was scattered and out of place in the room - Elevators consistently not working - Bellmen at the front drive unwilling to help with our armfuls of grocery bags, but would not let us take luggage cart either. - Were told luggage would be rushed up to us- over an hour later had to call and they finally sent someone up but no luggage. Had to come back - Room service delivery just walked into the room without knocking or announcing self - Incredibly poor service at Aquifer by Dylan. Very long wait, no refills on drinks, food took forever, lots of children jumping on shared sofas and no one asking them to stop. - Keys did not work to room. Neither did mobile key. Had to get physical keys redone 3 times. - TV would turn off once an hour. - Very poor customer service at all restaurants and front desk. From rude managers (Martha) to those unwilling to return phone calls when we called about issues. - Pool-side service from Alan was atrocious. Paid for pool chairs and did not even get checked on once an hour. Finally got up and went to sit at a table just so someone would help us. - Breakfast- no one ever came over to our table to tell us what was included with our platinum breakfast so we were charged a full breakfast. Had to ask for someone to send our server over after being given the bill. Incredibly long wait and lots of attitude. - Dirty tables and menus EVERYWHERE. Absolutely disgusting. - Fridge was not working in the room and had to get a replacement the next day after our contents had already spoiled. - Our room was consistently not cleaned. Was asked when we wanted them to come to do a proper clean and we said after 5pm. They showed up before 5 and wouldn’t come back in 10 min after we left for dinner like we had asked. Said they leave at 5:30 so they never cleaned the room, but floor was filled with cleaning carts when we got done with dinner. Since our room was not cleaned the day prior, we again were asked what time we wanted someone to come to the room and we said after 10am. No one ever came until 6:30pm to do turn down service so we again had to turn them away because we’re in the middle of getting ready for dinner. The next day no one came but when we got back from dinner at 9:30pm- someone was doing turndowns and wouldn’t leave. - Last and worst of all- while in nothing but a towel and on the phone with manager Callie- one of the engineers just walked into our room. No knocking, no phone call, just walked right on into the room. My friend was in the shower- I was in the towel and a grown man who we do not know waltzed in like he had a right to be there. This is unforgivable