Is Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — if you want a mid-century–style Palm Springs stay with lively pool programming, an on-site spa, and easy access to downtown and local trails, Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs is worth it. It’s especially good for adults and mixed-age groups (the Main Pool is 18+ while the Commune Pool is family-friendly), but note resort fees, parking charges, and the 21+ check-in minimum.
In this guide
Location & getting there
Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs is at 701 E Palm Canyon Dr, a short drive from downtown Palm Springs and about 10 minutes from Palm Springs International Airport. The property is within walking distance of Moorten Botanical Garden and the San Jacinto Mountains.
Nearby outdoor attractions include Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons, and the hotel sits close to local transit stops for downtown connections.
- Address: 701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
- Palm Springs International Airport: ~10-minute drive
- Moorten Botanical Garden: about a 0.5-mile walk
| Nearby place | Approx. travel time |
|---|---|
| Moorten Botanical Garden | ≈ 8-minute walk |
| Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) | ≈ 10-minute drive |
| Tahquitz Canyon | ≈ 5–10 minute drive |
Pools, spa and fitness — who it’s best for
The property centers on two outdoor pools: the Main (Swim Club) Pool, which is restricted to guests 18 and older and hosts weekend DJs, and the Commune Pool, which is open to guests of all ages. Pool hours for hotel guests run daily from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM.
Feel Good Spa is appointment-based with facilities including a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and massage yurts. The 24-hour fitness center has modern cardio and strength equipment plus lockers and steam/sauna access.
- Main Pool (Swim Club): adults only (18+), weekend DJ programming
- Commune Pool: family-friendly, open to all ages
- Pool hours for guests: 7:00 AM–2:00 AM
- Feel Good Spa: appointment-only (age rules — massages/body treatments 18+, facials available to 16+ with adult)
| Facility | Age policy / notes |
|---|---|
| Main (Swim Club) Pool | 18+ only; weekend DJs |
| Commune Pool | All ages |
| Feel Good Spa | Massages/body treatments: 18+; facials: 16+ with adult |
Rooms and suites — what to expect
Rooms keep a mid-century look updated by Commune, and the property offers these room types: Superior Suite (1 King Bed), Superior Room, Multiple Beds (1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds), Deluxe Room (1 King Bed), and Superior Room (1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds).
Suites and some rooms have living areas, daybeds or private patios depending on the type; specifics (exact layout, outdoor space) vary by room and should be confirmed when booking.
- Superior Suite — listed with 1 King Bed
- Superior Room, Multiple Beds — listed with 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds
- Deluxe Room — listed with 1 King Bed
- Superior Room — listed with 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds
| Room type | Bed configuration (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Superior Suite | 1 King Bed |
| Superior Room, Multiple Beds | 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds |
| Deluxe Room | 1 King Bed |
| Superior Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
Dining, bars and nightly entertainment
On-site dining includes King's Highway, a casual American restaurant with an all-day coffee bar (La Colombe) that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on a schedule set by the hotel. The Amigo Room is the cocktail bar with live music and DJ nights and later weekend hours.
The hotel runs regular entertainment such as bingo nights, live concerts and nightclub-style events; pool events and DJs are focused on the Main Pool. Check current schedules for exact nights and times.
- King's Highway: seasonal American fare, La Colombe coffee; hours vary (hotel lists Fri–Sun 7am–10pm; Mon–Thu 7am–9pm)
- The Amigo Room: cocktails and local draft beers; bar hours extend later on weekends
- Weekly entertainment: bingo nights and live/DJ events — times subject to change
| Venue | Typical hours / notes |
|---|---|
| King's Highway (restaurant + coffee) | Fri–Sun 7:00 AM–10:00 PM; Mon–Thu 7:00 AM–9:00 PM |
| The Amigo Room (bar) | Sun–Thu 4:00 PM–11:00 PM; Fri–Sat 4:00 PM–1:00 AM |
Practical costs, policies and accessibility
A daily resort fee applies to rooms and covers pool access, Wi‑Fi, bike rentals, gym and steam room; the hotel lists this fee as $45 per night plus tax. Self-parking is charged separately (hotel lists $10 per car per day) and a parking pass is issued at check-in.
Guests must be 21 or older to book or check in a room; minors may stay when accompanied by a parent or guardian. The property offers ADA-compliant parking spots, accessible restrooms, and a pool access ramp, but some upper floors may be reachable only by stairs.
- Resort fee: listed as $45/night plus tax (covers pools, Wi‑Fi, bike rentals, gym, steam room and local calls)
- Parking: self-parking charged separately (listed $10/day)
- Minimum age to check in: 21 (under‑21s require accompanying parent/guardian and photo ID)
- Pet policy: dogs allowed with a fee ($100 per stay for up to two dogs; additional $50 for third), service animals exempt
- Accessibility: ramps, accessible restrooms, pool access ramp and accessible fitness/spa options
| Item | Hotel listing |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | $45/night plus tax (covers listed amenities) |
| Parking | Self-parking fee (listed $10/day); parking pass issued |
| Check-in age | Must be 21+ to book/check in |
Pros and cons — who should book
Pros: clear mid-century character and active pool scene for adults, a family-friendly secondary pool, on-site spa and 24-hour gym, easy access to downtown sights and airport, and free bike rentals included with the resort fee.
Cons: resort fee and separate parking charge add to the nightly cost, Main Pool is adults-only (which could disappoint families wanting to use the central pool), and the hotel enforces a 21+ check-in requirement which may affect younger groups.
- Good for: adults looking for nightlife and pool DJs, mixed groups with children (use Commune Pool), design-minded travelers, guests who value an on-site spa and fitness center
- Not ideal for: travelers wanting an all-inclusive price (meals/drinks not included), groups with many under-21 bookers, or those who expect free parking
| Strength | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Two pools with different vibes | Gives separate spaces for families and adult pool parties |
| Central downtown location | Short drive or walk to several local attractions and the airport |
| Resort fee + parking | Adds predictable costs beyond the nightly rate |
Tips for booking and visiting
Confirm the specific room layout and outdoor space when you reserve — Superior Suite, Superior Room, Multiple Beds and Deluxe Room differ in beds and living areas. If you need ground-floor patio access or a specific bed configuration, request it in advance.
If pool atmosphere matters, ask when the Main Pool hosts DJs (weekends are commonly active) and plan family time at the Commune Pool. Also factor the resort fee and parking into your total cost, and remember the 21+ check-in rule.
- Request room type and any accessibility or patio preferences at booking
- Book King's Highway reservations via OpenTable for larger parties or busy nights
- Bring ID and the card you used to book — the front desk requires a photo ID and credit card at check-in
| Before arrival | Do this |
|---|---|
| Pools | Check DJ/event schedule if you prefer quieter or livelier pool times |
| Costs | Add resort fee and parking to your budget |
| Check-in | Ensure the primary booker is 21+ with ID and card |
