Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel

The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel stands as a beacon of modern luxury in downtown Palm Springs, celebrated for its stylish ambiance, prime location, and an array of appealing amenities. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it is recognized for offering a distinguished stay experience.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel is highly positive, with guests frequently praising its excellent location and dedicated staff. The hotel maintains a "Wonderful" rating with a score of 9.2 based on over 1,000 reviews. It is often described as elegant, upscale, modern, and "desert chic," offering a vibrant and refined atmosphere.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of the Kimpton Rowan:

• Location: The hotel boasts an "unbeatable" downtown location, placing guests within easy walking distance of Palm Springs' best restaurants, shops, galleries, and attractions like the Palm Springs Art Museum.
• Design & Vibe: The aesthetic is a blend of modern architecture with a nod to mid-century modern design, featuring soaring lobby ceilings, stylish furnishings, and thoughtful local touches. The overall atmosphere is often described as refined, pleasant, and even "sexy."
• Rooftop Pool: As the city's first and tallest building at seven stories, the hotel offers the only rooftop pool in Palm Springs, providing breathtaking 270-degree views of the San Jacinto Mountains, the city, and the Coachella Valley. This chic space with plush sun loungers and cabanas is a major draw.
• Amenities: The hotel offers a full fitness center, bikes to borrow, and a daily complimentary wine and beer reception (social hour) in the lobby, which is a popular and relaxing feature for guests. Complimentary coffee and tea are also available in the mornings.

Room Quality

The 153 guest rooms and suites at the Kimpton Rowan are designed with a contemporary finish. They are described as clean, well-lit, and comfortable, often featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that provide mountain or city views. Rooms exude an airy, contemporary vibe, accented with blue rugs, leather desk chairs, light-wood floors, and tiled walls doubling as headboards. Balconies are also a highlight in many rooms, offering a space to enjoy the surroundings. Bathrooms are modern and chic, with some featuring large walk-in showers and Atelier Bloem toiletries. Practical amenities like easily accessible power outlets and USB plugs are also noted.

Dining Experience

The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs offers diverse dining experiences:

• 4 Saints: Located on the rooftop, 4 Saints is an upscale fine-dining restaurant specializing in globally inspired, shareable plates with a French influence. It is a local favorite known for its beautiful dining room and unparalleled views.
• Juniper Table: This all-day Mediterranean café is situated in the lobby, offering coffee, freshly baked pastries, and outdoor dining for all three meals. Its menu focuses on fresh ingredients.
• High Bar: Also on the rooftop next to the pool, High Bar offers full food and beverage service, including excellent margaritas and bespoke cocktails, along with a new shareable menu for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
• Window Bar: An intimate spot in the lobby perfect for a nightcap or a business meeting, featuring specialty craft cocktails and live entertainment. Guests have generally praised the food quality at the hotel's restaurants and snack bars. However, some guests have noted limited low-grade meal options after 11 PM, sometimes necessitating a trip to a grocery store.

Service & Staff

The service and staff at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs consistently receive high praise. Guests describe the staff as "excellent," "dedicated," "extra friendly," and "very helpful," from the valet and front desk to bartenders and housekeeping. The hotel aims to treat guests like welcome visitors, a hallmark of the Kimpton brand.

Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location on W Tahquitz Canyon Way is considered almost unbeatable for exploring downtown Palm Springs on foot. It is conveniently located next to Starbucks and H&M, and just one block from the Palm Springs Art Museum. A wide array of boutique shops, bars, and restaurants are within an easy walk. For those looking to venture further, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is about a 20-minute drive, and Joshua Tree National Park is approximately 50 minutes away. Palm Springs International Airport is a short 10-minute drive, and the hotel offers complimentary house-car rides within three miles.

Value & Pricing

Pricing for the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel can vary significantly. Base rooms have been observed from $254 to as high as $768 per night during peak events like Coachella. Average weeknight prices are around $469, and weekend nights average $670, with August being the cheapest month and February the most expensive. While many appreciate the hotel's offerings, concerns about value for money have been raised, with some guests feeling room sizes are small and prices are high for the services provided. A mandatory resort fee of approximately $40 per night is charged, which typically includes valet parking, pool access, internet, fitness center access, and use of hotel bikes.

Common Complaints

Despite its many positive attributes, some recurring criticisms include:

• Value for Money: Several guests feel the hotel is overpriced for the room size and overall experience.
• Room Size: Some reviews mention that the rooms can feel small.
• Noise Levels: Issues with noise have been noted by some guests.
• Limited Late-Night Food Options: The absence of substantial food and beverage options after 11 PM has been a point of concern.
• Pool Temperature: There have been instances where the rooftop pool was advertised as heated but was not.
• Resort Fee: While common in Palm Springs, the mandatory resort fee is sometimes seen as a downside.

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