4 Best Resorts in Indian Wells, CA

Set in a cove surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains in the Coachella Valley, Indian Wells is a planned community that’s home to just a handful of upscale resorts with a focus on wellness. It’s set around two championship golf courses at the Indian Wells Golf Resort.

The resorts in Indian Wells are some of the most luxe in the Greater Palm Springs area and boast top-notch spas and dining venues within their lushly landscaped grounds.

Just a 20-minute drive from Palm Springs International Airport, Indian Wells sits between the towns of La Quinta and Desert Palms. It is a convenient vacation spot whether you are on a romantic getaway or you’re traveling with kids or a group of friends.

The focus here has long been on relaxation, and Indian Wells, along with Greater Palm Springs, first became popular in Hollywood’s golden era. Starting in the 1950s, movie stars would come here to escape the crowds and recognition surrounding them in Los Angeles.

Today Indian Wells still attracts its share of famous clientele along with ordinary folks who come to the resorts for pampering at the spa, rounds of golf, and games of tennis. Here are our picks for the best resorts in Indian Wells.

1. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Highlights: One of the most luxurious resorts in Indian Wells, it works well for couples or families

The 4-star Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa is one of the most luxe properties in town. The focus here is on top-notch accommodations, along with total wellness and outdoor recreation. The property works well for families and couples alike. It recently added a new water park with dueling waterslides, a lazy river, and a splash pad for kids.

For lodging, there are more than 500 rooms and suites, as well as 43 villas. Rooms come with either a king or two queen beds and are quite spacious at 550 square feet per room. All have open living areas with a workspace, sitting area, and a private balcony accessed via sliding glass doors. The spa-inspired bathrooms are also quite nice.

If you need more space, book one of the one- or two-bedroom villas. These have separate bedrooms, ultra spacious living and dining space, and private outdoor patios with BBQ grills and dining tables. Some villas even have plunge pools or fire pits.

Property amenities include a few different dining options. In the lobby area, you’ll find a marketplace with a coffee shop and sandwiches and other snacks to go. There is also a casual restaurant open for breakfast and lunch and a lounge space serving personal pizzas and other light fare that faces the Indian Wells Golf Resort.

The golf resort is home to Indian Wells’ two championship golf courses. There is also a spa with a full range of treatments on-site.

Address: 44600 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, Greater Palm Springs, California

2. Tommy Bahama Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Highlights: Elegant Spanish hacienda-style resort with a spa and signature restaurant; adjacent to a golf course

Set on 11 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa is a tranquil retreat. The grounds are filled with citrus groves, olive and palm trees, rose bushes, and herb gardens and provide a soothing oasis in the desert.

The hotel is currently in the process of renovating its rooms and public spaces but remains open as it does so. The hotel is overall an elegantly designed Spanish hacienda-style space. The rooms and suites are set inside two-story bougainvillea-covered villas, and most have already been renovated to include fresh modern interior design while retaining grand archways.

Citrus & Palm is the hotel’s signature restaurant. It serves up healthy fare that uses a mix of ingredients grown on the property, as well as sourced from local farmers. The menu changes with the seasons.

Like other resorts in the Indian Wells development, Miramonte is adjacent to the Indian Wells Golf Resort with its 36 holes of championship golf. The 4-star resort is also home to The WELL Spa, which offers a number of blissful massage treatments including a couples massage.

Address: 45000 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, Greater Palm Springs, California

3. Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells

Accommodation: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells

Highlight: Adjacent to the Indian Wells Golf Resort, it has a swimming pool with a sand beach.

The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa is another great 4-star option if you’ve come to Greater Palm Springs to play golf. The hotel is also adjacent to the Indian Wells Golf Resort with its 36 holes of championship golf on two courses.

The resort also has a huge outdoor swimming pool lined by palm trees and bright-colored flowering plants. The pool even has a sandy beach area that is great for kids. There are plenty of sun loungers and cabanas that can be reserved around the pool. Other amenities include a full-service spa and fitness center.

The rooms and suites are done up in mid-century modern style and have fun pops of color and are filled with light thanks to sliding glass doors. These open onto furnished balconies with resort and mountain views.

There are five dining outlets on-site, with Cava being the main restaurant. It serves fresh takes on American fare.

Address: 44400 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, Greater Palm Springs, California

4. Sands Hotel & Spa

Accommodation: Sands Hotel & Spa

Highlights: A boutique property with unique personality and a fabulous Moroccan-influenced Mediterranean restaurant

Created in collaboration with designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the Sands Hotel & Spa is a boutique property with a great ambience. The 43 rooms and three suites each have a unique personality and come in a number of different color combinations. The bespoke furnishings, especially the Art Deco-style headboards, are stylish and fun.

Don’t skip a meal at The Pink Cabana. The restaurant has an ingredient-driven menu of Moroccan-influenced Mediterranean fare. There is also a full-service Moroccan-styled spa on-site. If you are on a romantic vacation, book one of the couples’ treatment rooms here. The large pool is also lined with cushioned sun loungers and black-and-white-striped cabanas that can be rented.

Address: 44 – 985 Province Way, Indian Wells, Greater Palm Springs, California

Map of Resorts in Indian Wells, CA

Indian Wells, CA – Climate Chart

April and November are the two very best months to visit Indian wells. During these months, there is almost zero chance of rain. Temperatures are also pleasant, averaging around 80 degrees.

The months of December, January, February, and March, when much of the U.S. is frigid, are also some of the best times to visit this desert region and escape to the Greater Palm Springs area.

December is the coldest month of the year, and daytime highs still reach 70 degrees, with lows in the 40s. February highs reach 75. Because Indian Wells is in the desert, you see little rainfall year-round. January and February are the rainiest months, and they still average just two days of rain.

Summers are very hot, however. June, July, August, and September average temps as high as 108 degrees. Nights cool down to a more comfortable 75 or so. The heat is dry, however, so it doesn’t feel quite as scorching as staying somewhere humid.