Avalon Hotel and Bungalows Palm Springs

Avalon Hotel and Bungalows Palm Springs: A Michelin Key Selected Oasis of Old Hollywood Charm

The Avalon Hotel and Bungalows Palm Springs, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a "glamorous but low-key" escape, channeling Palm Springs' Golden Age through a modern take on Hollywood Regency style. Guests consistently praise its beautiful grounds, attentive service, and tranquil atmosphere, making it a favored spot for a romantic hideaway or a relaxing getaway.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for the Avalon Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with an average guest feedback score of 18.3 out of 20 based on verified stays. Guests frequently describe it as a "beautiful oasis" and a "secret hideaway". The hotel boasts a "very good" rating on Booking.com with an 8.5 score from 125 reviews, highlighting strong satisfaction in areas like location (9.2), comfort (8.9), and staff (8.9).

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Avalon:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's "vintage minimalist" and "sexy" aesthetic, with black and white decor accented by chrome, creates a "young and fun" vibe. The meticulously landscaped grounds, featuring citrus trees and vibrant bougainvillea, offer a peaceful and quiet setting across its four acres.
• Amenities: The three heated outdoor pools (including a family-friendly and an adults-only option), two jacuzzis, and the Estrella Spa are significant draws. The gym, offering fitness classes like yoga and Pilates, along with complimentary loaner bicycles, are also highly appreciated. Thoughtful touches like totes and shoes for the pool, and trays of healthy drinks, enhance the guest experience.
• Location: Its excellent location on a quiet street near downtown Palm Springs allows for easy access to shops, attractions, and even hiking trails.

3. Room Quality

The hotel offers 67 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, including 13 historic one- and two-bedroom villas. Rooms, suites, and bungalows are described as elegant and luxurious, with patios or balconies overlooking courtyards and gardens. The design blends modern Hollywood Regency interiors with classic Spanish architecture. Comforts include Italian linens and robes, Thymes bath products, flatscreen TVs with streaming services, iPod docks with Bluetooth speakers, and minibars. Some larger suites and villas feature fireplaces and full kitchens. While generally attractive and clean, some rooms, particularly standard doubles, have been noted for having small bathrooms and potentially inexpensive-looking decor in bedrooms.

4. Dining Experience

Chi Chi Restaurant, the hotel's on-site eatery, serves Californian cuisine with a focus on wellness and clean eating, available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It offers both poolside and pool-view dining options. Breakfast is available as a full or cooked-to-order meal (with a surcharge) and has been described as "awesome" with delicious options like acai bowls with homemade granola. Dinner at Chi Chi is considered a "cocktail-driven gourmet experience". Guests have praised the food and drinks as excellent, including well-crafted cocktails. During weekends, gourmet barbecues by the pool, featuring lobster, shrimp, and filet mignon, are a highlight.

5. Service & Staff

Service at the Avalon is consistently highlighted as excellent, with staff described as incredibly attentive, helpful, wonderful, and accommodating. Guests appreciate the welcoming touches, such as welcome drinks upon arrival. The staff is noted for handling guest requests with a "VIP treatment". Poolside service also receives positive feedback.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Avalon Hotel is situated on a quiet, unassuming street close to the heart of downtown Palm Springs. This prime location offers easy walking access to attractions like the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Plaza Theatre, and Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Convention Center is a short drive away. The hotel offers valet parking (included in the resort fee) and ample free parking on S. Belardo St. directly in front. Loaner bicycles are available for exploring nearby shops and attractions. The property is also wheelchair accessible in all public areas and bedrooms.

7. Value & Pricing

While the Avalon is a luxury property, reflected in a standard rate that can be around $690 per night for a "Premium Studio King" room, guests often find the overall experience worth the cost, particularly for its unique charm and excellent service. The resort fee includes amenities such as bike rentals, cold plunge, sauna, and fitness center access. For Marriott Bonvoy members, it was previously a Category 6 property, offering good redemption value for points.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring criticisms include:

• Room Maintenance: A few guests have suggested the hotel could benefit from a "cosmetic renovation".
• Bathroom Size and Ventilation: Some double rooms have been noted to have small bathrooms with poor ventilation.
• Air Conditioning Placement: One guest specifically "hated" the placement of the in-room air conditioner, finding it blasted directly into their face while trying to sleep.
• Mosquitoes: During certain times, guests have encountered issues with mosquitoes, even being advised that moving inside might be worse.
• Dining Variety: While the food is generally praised, one review noted that the main restaurant's dinner menu could benefit from more options. Another mentioned a dinner experience at Citron being "underwhelming and fussy" at times.
• Construction Noise: One traveler reported swimming pools being under construction during their stay, leading to noise from jackhammers and detours, which was not disclosed at booking.

Sources

1. visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
2. mrandmrssmith.com
3. michelin.com
4. booking.com
5. flyinghighonpoints.com
6. booking.com
7. tablethotels.com
8. ninafood.com
9. marriott.com
10. designhotels.com
11. expedia.com
12. hotels.com
13. thedailymeal.com