Best Places to Stay for a Palm Springs Golf Trip
Explore Palm Springs’ best golf resorts and group stays, from luxury icons like La Quinta to budget-friendly villas near the valley’s top public courses.
October 9, 2025 · 9 min read
By Ryan at 18Away
The Palm Springs area was built for golf, and built for comfort. Here, world-class resorts hug championship fairways, mid-century villas offer private pool decks for post-round hangs, and boutique hotels pulse with retro desert style. Choosing where to stay shapes your entire trip, whether your crew wants to play PGA-caliber courses, enjoy late-night cocktails downtown, or stretch the budget across a weekend of 36-hole days.
Below, we break down the best Palm Springs golf trip stays, each with course access, group value, and signature desert character in mind.
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Quick Answer: Best Places to Stay for a Palm Springs Golf Trip
For the ultimate Palm Springs golf trip, stay at La Quinta Resort & Club, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, or Indian Wells Golf Resort for premium golf access and luxury amenities. Mid-range options like The Saguaro Palm Springs, Palm Mountain Resort, and Hyatt Regency Indian Wells mix comfort with location value. Groups seeking privacy or budget wins can find standout villas and short-term rentals across Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, often within minutes of the best public courses in the Coachella Valley.
If you’re planning around course access, compare your lodging picks with our Best Public Golf Courses in Palm Springs for Groups guide to pair the right resort with your round lineup.
See the courses, hotels, and nightlife we recommend for the perfect 3-day getaway.
La Quinta Resort and Club
La Quinta is Palm Springs golf royalty. Originally opened in 1926 and now part of the Waldorf Astoria collection, this adobe-style retreat sits at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and anchors the legendary PGA West complex designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer.
- Guests enjoy direct access to five championship courses, including the Stadium Course, host of The American Express PGA Tour event.
- The resort features 41 pools, 23 tennis courts, and villas with private patios ideal for group evenings under desert stars.
- According to Golf Digest, La Quinta ranks among America’s top 25 golf resorts for overall experience and architectural heritage.
Pros: Direct access to PGA West, unmatched course pedigree, scenic desert backdrop
Cons: Premium winter rates, about 30 minutes from downtown nightlife
Best if: your group wants signature golf history and a self-contained resort vibe.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
This sprawling resort blends Palm Springs elegance with Vegas-style social energy.
- Designed around lush waterways and manicured landscapes, it offers two Ted Robinson-designed courses, the Palm and the Valley, each with wide landing areas perfect for group play.
- The lobby bar and outdoor pools create a lively post-round scene, while gondola rides and five restaurants add variety for longer stays.
- According to Tripadvisor data, Desert Springs ranks among the top 5 most-booked Palm Desert hotels for golf travelers year-round.
Pros: Two on-site courses, social resort scene, full-service amenities
Cons: Can feel busy during weekends, green fees vary by season
Best if: your group wants activity, convenience, and built-in nightlife without leaving the property.
Prefer to stay in a house? Check our handpicked list of the Best Palm Springs Home Vacation Rentals for Golf Trips.
Indian Wells Golf Resort
Indian Wells Golf Resort is one of the few public-access facilities where you can stay steps away from 36 holes of Clive Clark and John Fought design brilliance.
- The on-site Hyatt Regency Indian Wells offers room-to-tee access to the Celebrity and Players courses, both ranked among the best municipally owned layouts in California.
- Their “Stay & Play” bundles offer significant group value, especially in shoulder months.
- The Shots in the Night experience (lighted putting course and range games) adds unique nighttime fun for bachelor or buddy groups.
Pros: Central location, dual courses on-site, great group packages
Cons: Peak-season demand drives rates quickly, and limited dining walkability
Best if: your group wants premium golf with a social twist and modern resort comfort.
The Saguaro Palm Springs
Vibrant, social, and set in the heart of town, The Saguaro brings Palm Springs’ retro personality to life.
- While not a “golf resort,” it’s close to Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort (Ted Robinson Sr. & Jr.), one of the best-value public plays in the valley.
- Pool parties, colorful design, and proximity to downtown nightlife make it ideal for bachelor or social golf groups.
- Room rates stay well below resort-level properties, especially during off-peak months.
Pros: Affordable, fun atmosphere, near nightlife, and public courses
Cons: Not golf-focused, can be loud during event weekends
Best if: your group wants a social base camp close to dining and nightlife.
Planning a Palm Springs golf trip? Get the 3-day golf trip itinerary, which includes hotels, courses, nightlife, and more.
Private Villas and Group Rentals
Private rentals offer a different kind of luxury: space, privacy, and flexibility.
- Many 4–6 bedroom villas in Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert include private pools, outdoor kitchens, and putting greens, ideal for post-round hangouts.
- Local management groups like Natural Retreats and Acme House Company specialize in golf-trip rentals.
- According to Visit Greater Palm Springs, villa stays rose 22% year-over-year among golf travelers, reflecting group demand for shared spaces and flexible check-ins.
- View our curated list of the top home rentals in Palm Springs.
Pros: Maximum privacy, cost-sharing benefits, group dining options
Cons: No on-site courses or hotel amenities
Best if: your buddies' trip values space, flexibility, and full control over the schedule.
Choosing Your Location
Palm Springs stretches across multiple cities, each offering a slightly different trip vibe. According to Visit Greater Palm Springs, resort occupancy averages over 80% during peak golf season, underscoring how central golf tourism is to the region’s economy.
- Palm Springs proper: Best for nightlife, restaurants, and proximity to downtown energy.
- Palm Desert & Rancho Mirage: Central for golf access, luxury lodging, and quieter resort environments.
- La Quinta & Indian Wells: Home to top-tier golf resorts and dramatic mountain scenery.
To time your stay for the best rates and course conditions, pair this with Best Time of Year to Golf in Palm Springs, a seasonal breakdown of when the desert is at its peak.
More Palm Springs Golf Trip Guides
Planning a Palm Springs Golf Trip?
- Unlock the 3-Day Palm Springs Template
- View Top Palm Springs House Rentals
- View Palm Springs Content Hub
- Start a Custom Golf Trip Plan
Still deciding? Take the Golf Trip Quiz to get matched with your perfect trip plan.
Written by Ryan from 18Away, your go-to golf trip planner.
When the desert sky fades orange over the mountains and your crew gathers by the pool with scorecards and stories, that’s Palm Springs at its best, the kind of stay that keeps groups coming back year after year.
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means if you book a vacation rental or hotel through our recommendations, 18Away may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. These earnings help us keep building world-class golf trip guides, tools, and itineraries for players like you.
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