The Revival of Palm Springs Glamour
Palm Springs has long been synonymous with mid-century architectural beauty, but few properties capture its essence quite like the Royal Sun. This recently renovated boutique hotel doesn’t merely reference the city’s golden era—it embodies it with authentic flair and contemporary relevance.
Located at the edge of downtown Palm Springs, the Royal Sun presents an architectural statement that immediately transports guests to the heyday of desert modernism. The sharply angled canopy over the entrance pays homage to classic roadside motels, whilst the boxy stone facade with bold tangerine accents creates a striking first impression. This thoughtful design continues throughout the property, where original sixties-era elements have been preserved and enhanced during the comprehensive renovation completed in November 2023.
Architectural Highlights and Design Philosophy
Desert modernism reimagined
The Royal Sun exemplifies Palm Springs’ architectural heritage without falling into pastiche. The property’s design speaks to a sophisticated understanding of what made mid-century modern design revolutionary—clean lines, indoor-outdoor flow, and harmony with the surrounding landscape.
The hotel’s exterior features outdoor corridors that allow guests to remain connected to the desert environment, whilst the interior spaces showcase a commitment to authentic design principles. The sleek bar and restaurant area presents one of the most photogenic spaces in the property, with its distinctive checkered floors, elegantly curved booths, and meticulously sourced retro barstools that feel both historically accurate and timelessly appealing.
Particular attention has been paid to preserving architectural integrity whilst upgrading amenities to match contemporary luxury standards. The three-level structure maintains its original footprint, whilst subtle enhancements throughout ensure modern convenience doesn’t compromise aesthetic coherence.
The oasis at the heart
The centrepiece of Royal Sun Palm Springs is undoubtedly its thoughtfully designed pool area. Set against the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains, this oasis-like space embodies the quintessential Palm Springs experience. Rows of fringed red and white umbrellas create visually striking contrast against the azure water, whilst towering palm trees frame the desert vistas beyond.
The pool house conversion shows a particularly thoughtful aspect of the design. Transformed into an open-air bar, this structure maintains its mid-century character whilst serving a thoroughly modern purpose as the social heart of the property. The careful positioning of cacti and desert plantings around the pool area reinforces connection to place without requiring excessive water resources—a considerate approach in the arid California climate.
Accommodation: Desert-Inspired Luxury
Thoughtful comfort in every detail
The 66 guest rooms at Royal Sun Palm Springs demonstrate how luxury can be delivered through thoughtful design rather than opulence. Each room features minimalist pale-wood furnishings that allow decorative accents to shine—fanciful vintage lamps, carefully selected artwork, and headboards featuring gradient colours reminiscent of desert sunsets.
Standard King rooms offer 301 square feet of carefully considered space. The colour palette draws direct inspiration from the surrounding landscape, with warm tones and desert-inspired décor creating a soothing atmosphere that encourages both relaxation and contemplation. Premium Revival linens ensure comfort, whilst Le Labo bath products add a sensory dimension to the luxury experience.
Modern amenities for travellers
Beyond aesthetic considerations, rooms feature practical amenities that visitors particularly appreciate. Each accommodation includes a minimalist desk suitable for focused work, high-speed complimentary wireless internet (capable of supporting multiple devices simultaneously at speeds exceeding 500 Mbps), and thoughtful in-room refreshment options including Fellow electric kettles with TAZO teas and Steeped Coffee.
Rooms open to balconies or patios, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor living philosophy central to desert modernism. The botanical rain showers show another carefully considered touch—efficient with water usage whilst delivering a luxury experience through thoughtful design rather than excess.
For those wanting additional space, the property offers a single suite featuring a separate living room with velvet sofa. This accommodation demonstrates the same design sensibilities as standard rooms but provides expanded space for longer stays or small meetings.
Culinary Delights in the Desert
High Moon: Sophisticated desert dining
The Royal Sun’s culinary programme centres around High Moon, the property’s signature restaurant. Here, executive chefs have crafted a menu that blends modern California cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, creating dishes that reference the region’s culinary heritage whilst remaining thoroughly contemporary.
The restaurant space itself warrants special mention. Adorned with floral accents and jewel tones that provide rich contrast to the otherwise minimal design, High Moon offers an intimate dining atmosphere that feels special without pretension. The curved booths encourage conversation, whilst the dramatic ceiling heights prevent the space from feeling confined.
The seasonal menu focuses on bold flavours that complement the desert setting. Morning offerings include elevated breakfast classics using premium ingredients, whilst dinner service showcases more ambitious culinary techniques and flavour combinations. Cocktail offerings demonstrate similar attention to detail, with house creations featuring desert botanicals and regional spirits.
High Moon Pool Bar: Casual elegance
For a more relaxed dining experience, the High Moon Pool Bar delivers casual elegance against the backdrop of desert hills. This converted pool house serves as both visual anchor for the pool area and practical amenity, offering shade and refreshment during Palm Springs’ warmer months.
The Pool Bar menu features thoughtfully crafted small plates designed for sharing, alongside refreshing cocktails that complement the outdoor setting. The bar programme deserves particular recognition for balancing accessibility with sophistication—drinks are approachable but never ordinary, with house-made components elevating familiar formulas.
Location and Accessibility
Strategic positioning
The Royal Sun enjoys a privileged location at the junction of Palm Canyon Drive and the San Jacinto Mountains. This placement offers guests the dual advantage of proximity to Palm Springs’ cultural attractions whilst maintaining a sense of retreat.
Visitors find themselves steps from the Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium—a regional horticultural treasure—and within easy walking distance of the San Jacinto Mountains. Additional nearby attractions include The Spa at Séc-he, a premier luxury day spa featuring hot mineral baths, located 2 miles away, and Indian Canyons Golf Resort (within two miles), providing varied leisure options without requiring extensive travel.
Thoughtful amenities
The property offers complimentary self-parking—an increasingly rare amenity in boutique hotels of this calibre. The 24-hour front desk ensures assistance regardless of arrival time, whilst express check-out services cater to travellers operating on tight schedules.
Additional property amenities include poolside cabanas (available for surcharge), garden areas for quiet contemplation, and concierge services capable of arranging desert experiences ranging from architectural tours to hiking expeditions.
The Royal Sun Experience
The Royal Sun Palm Springs delivers what sophisticated travellers increasingly seek—authenticity of place combined with genuine comfort. The property demonstrates how thoughtful design can create luxury through specificity rather than standardised extravagance.
For those looking for respite from corporate environments, the hotel offers both productive spaces and opportunities for genuine relaxation. The balance of historical reference and modern convenience creates an atmosphere conducive to both work and leisure, whilst the distinctive design aesthetic provides visual refreshment for those accustomed to corporate uniformity.
The property’s modest size—just 66 rooms—ensures personalised service without the formality larger luxury properties sometimes impose. This approachability, combined with genuine design credentials, positions Royal Sun Palm Springs as an ideal destination for those who appreciate architectural integrity, thoughtful service, and distinctive sense of place.