Search
Log-in

Desert Dining & Poolside Play at Thompson Palm Springs

Thompson Palm Springs Adult-Only Pool. Photo Jill Weinlein

Palm Springs is one of the sunniest cities in the U.S., with 300+ days of sunshine a year. It's an ideal celebratory destination for a girls’ getaway, romantic weekend trip, family reunion or solo desert escape. The newer Thompson Palm Springs provides fun-in-the-sun experiences for all.

The heart of the resort are two sparkling swimming pools for guests to swim, float and soak up the sun any time of the year.

What makes the property an enchanting vacation destination is the “Upper Stories” adult-only enclave. It is now open to guests 18+, offering a private pool, bar and serene lounge with a relaxed vibe.

Thompson Palm Springs. Photo Jill Weinlein

There are 168 guest rooms and 18 suites, including 42 private, upscale Upper Stories rooms and five thoughtfully designed suites, including the expansive 1,100 sq.ft., Las Palmas Suite. Bespoke mid-century design and comfortable custom furnishing look out to the Coachella Valley, downtown Palm Springs and the four majestic mountains.

Guest rooms and suites throughout the resort reflect the muted colors of the desert. They are designed with warm natural hues, wood textures, storytelling artwork, large showers, and outdoor private balconies and patios.

Upper Stories Breakfast. Photo Jill Weinlein

Guests staying in Upper Stories receive a light breakfast displayed in a breezeway with mimosas, coffee, pastries and fruit. Snacks are set out on the communal table later in the day. This is one of the perks guests receive who are staying in the Upper Stories area. Other benefits include morning yoga on the pool deck, and priority entry to signature dining and curated shopping experiences.

Pool For Everyone at Thompson Palm Springs. Photo Jill Weinlein

The picturesque San Jacinto Mountains set the background for DJs spinning tunes as guests gather around the lively main pool bar. Dedicated servers bring creative cocktails and margaritas to guests reclining on lounge chairs. It's a stylish place for everyone to relax, sunbathe, and float on one of the colorful inner tubes.

Locals and snowbirds can join the Swim Club to receive access to the scene-setting main pool. Membership also includes full gym privileges, 10% off food and drinks at Lola Rose Grand Mezze, exclusive invitations to special guest DJ sets, and weekend wellness sessions. This special is priced at $175 per month.

Sunset at Thompson Palm Springs. Photo Jill Weinlein

The Thompson Palm Springs is Hyatt's Lifestyle Brand offering experiences for everyone. Coming up on November 7 - November 9, rent one of the cabanas at the main pool area to watch the Palm Springs Pride parade below.

Swim Club Cabanas are also great for birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, and sports viewing parties. Each cabana accommodates up to six adults and includes a bottle of Rose' wine, fresh fruit platter, a comfortable couch for napping, misters, two reserved lounge chairs outside the cabana, flat screen television, security safe and complimentary waters.

As the sunset dips behind the mountain, the pool areas are ideal gathering spot for those who explored Greater Palm Springs during the day. The hot whirlpool is popular for those seeking to soak in warm water before getting ready for a night on the town or at the resort.

Go for a bike ride. Photo Jill Weinlein

During the day take the resort bicycles for a spin around Palm Springs. Nearby there are paved bike paths to the Old Las Palmas neighborhood. It's a fun bike ride to see some past and current celebrity homes.

Due to the movie-studio two-hour rule from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, the desert has been a playground for celebrities for years. Ride by the former home of Marilyn Monroe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elizabeth Taylor, Liberace, Clarke Gable and Gene Autry.

Lola Rose Grand Mezze. Photo by Jill Weinlein

Return for drinks or a meal at the signature Lola Rose Grand Mezze restaurant and lounge. It's open for breakfast, lunch or dinner inside or out by the main pool. Drawing inspiration from spice markets in Istanbul, the menu features local ingredients with a Mediterranean flair.

Guests gather at sunset to sit outside of the restaurant or out on the deck to watch the mountains glow during their 'pink moment.' This is one of the top gathering spots on weekends in the desert to sip a beverage, listen to music, and mingle with friends.

Lola Rose Grand Mezze. Photo Jill Weinlein

The dinner menu at Lola Rose Grand Mezze includes the Grand or Petite Mezze. It's an Eastern-Mediterranean feast with mezze starters, fresh seafood, charred meat kababs and grains. 

Start with a choice of 'greens' such as baby beets, citrus endive or burrata, followed by a choice of grilled protein plates, a kabab or two and condimiments, such as hummus or baba ganoush. Be sure to order one of the best breads you have ever tasted, and rice that arrives with a hard caramelized-looking shell on top to crack open.

Dessert at Lola Rose Grand Mezze. Photo Jill Weinlein

Save room for their desserts, especially their Mango Magick that looks like a beautiful mango on a plate. Crack the hard shell with a spoon to reveal mango yogurt mousse, almond cake and a aleppo pepper center.

HALL Wines. Photo Jill Weinlein

Off the lobby of the Thompson Palm Springs is HALL Napa Valley. This beautiful indoor and outdoor lounge offers wine tasting opportunities and light bites curated by hotel chefs.

Craig and Kathryn Hall own the Thompson Palm Springs and opened a wine tasting room shortly after the hotel opened. Now fans don't have to drive all the way up to Napa Valley to enjoy a HALL wine tasting experience.

Guests can learn about HALL's three premium family-wine brands: HALL, WALT, and BACA. There are different wine and champagne flights based on your flavor preference. Guests can also order wines by the glass and bottle. 

White wine lovers will enjoy the L’Amour de Blancs flight of elegant wines. Start with a taste of the light and fruity 2023 HALL Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc, followed by 2021 WALT Sanglacomo Vineyard Chardonnay offering a popcorn finish. Learn how the grapes cultivated to make this wine grow in an old apple orchard. Finish with a taste of 2023 BACA Stargazing White Wine. Made with a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne grapes, this wine received 92 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Hall Napa Valley at Thompson Palm Springs

Their WALT wines honor Kathryn's parents, Dolores and Bob Walt. As vintners in Napa Valley since the 1970s, they continue to be a source of daily inspiration for handcrafting Pinot Noir and Chandonnay varietals.

Be sure to try the WALT Blue Jay Pinot Noir. The winemaker smokes the stems to add a smokiness to this fruit forward red wine. HALL and WALT members receive perks, such as two complimentary tasting flights per year for up to four people at this Palm Springs location.

Bar Issi at Thompson Palm Springs. Photo Jill Weinlein

Across from the outdoor HALL Wines tasting lounge is Bar Issi by the Boujis Group. They also owned Drycott in the Pacific Palisades, and are owners of the successful Olivetta in West Hollywood and Issima in L.A.

This relaxed yet chic dining and bar experience offers nightly dinner service, and brunch on Friday through Sunday.

Hotel guests and locals flock to the eye-catching bar that oozes a romantic atmosphere. Playfully designed by London/LA Fettle design studio, the wallpaper, light fixtures and bar stools are unique and fun. Start with bar bites and happy hour drinks, before sitting outside on the garden terrace for upscale coastal Amalfi Coast-style fare. 

Fire features around the Thompson Palm Springs

Finish your evening by one of the fire pits around the Thompson Palm Springs rooftop deck to enjoy the cool desert vibe and watch the action below. Look up to see hundreds of stars and the outline of the nearby mountains as a dramatic backdrop.

Check the Hyatt Hotels & Resorts website for specials on room rates, exciting activations and special events. 

Jill Weinlein

Los Angeles based Jill Weinlein covers travel, food and lifestyle destinations for multiple newspapers, magazines and websites. Her areas of expertise include, luxury travel, culinary reviews, cruising and family travel destinations. Born in Los Angeles, Jill studied Communications and Theatre Arts at UCLA. She has a a Dine and Travel blog - www.dineandtravel.me and she writes a weekly restaur...(Read More)