Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs

The Verdict

701 E Palm Canyon Drive is one of the most recognizable addresses in Palm Springs hospitality — and the Ace Hotel & Swim Club earns that recognition on the strength of its outdoor spaces rather than its rooms. If you're coming to Palm Springs to be outside, by a pool, with a drink in hand and the San Jacinto Mountains framing the scene, this is the easiest booking you'll make in the desert. It's not the most polished property in town, but it's the most socially alive one, and for a certain kind of traveler that matters more than thread counts.

The Outdoor Experience

The swim club is the main event here. The pool deck draws a mix of hotel guests and day visitors, and the energy peaks from late morning through sunset — which, in Palm Springs, means you're working with a long window given the near-constant sunshine. Spring and fall are the sweet spots: temperatures are comfortable enough to actually enjoy being outdoors without the punishing heat of July and August. If you're visiting now, in the shoulder season, you'll find the pool at its most usable and the crowds at a manageable level. The outdoor bar and fire pits extend the evening well past sundown, making this a full-day proposition rather than a quick dip. Compare that to the pool scene at a property like 4 Saints, which sits within the Saguaro and runs a tighter, more curated vibe , the Ace is looser, louder, and more inclusive of non-guests.

Who Should Book

Book the Ace if you're a social traveler who wants to be in the mix. It's the right call for groups, for travelers who treat the pool as a social venue rather than a quiet retreat, and for anyone who wants easy access to the Amigo Room , one of the better dive-leaning bars in the city , without leaving the property. Solo travelers or couples looking for a quieter, more design-forward stay should look at other options in our full Palm Springs hotels guide. The booking difficulty here is low: the Ace takes reservations through standard channels and rarely sells out outside of festival weekends like Coachella and Stagecoach, when rooms go fast and prices spike.

Practical Details

The property sits on East Palm Canyon Drive, in the south end of the city, slightly removed from the denser restaurant strip on North Palm Canyon. That's worth knowing if walkability to the main dining corridor matters to you , it doesn't make the Ace a bad choice, but you'll likely be driving or ridesharing to spots like Bar Cecil or Birba for dinner. For a fuller picture of what's around the property, the Palm Springs restaurants guide and bars guide are worth a look before you land. Day passes for the pool are worth asking about when you book , availability varies by season and occupancy. If you're planning around specific experiences beyond the property, the Palm Springs experiences guide covers the wider calendar.