The Ace Hotel Palm Springs: Desert Oasis with Two Pools

What time does the pool close at Ace Hotel Palm Springs?

Swim Club operating hours

The property markets itself as the “Swim Club,” leaning heavily into its pool-centric identity rather than conventional business-hotel positioning. The official website lists current Swim Club hours on the dedicated swim club page. One editorial review from trvl diary reported the pool stayed open until 2 a.m. with live music or DJs on certain nights, but this specific claim comes from a third-party account and has not been verified against the property’s own statements. Readers should check the official swim club page directly for up-to-date operating windows, especially during off-season or special events.

Pool features and amenities

Two deep pools anchor the outdoor area. The site also references poolside bites and drinks, a rooftop terrace, a sundeck with hammocks, and community fire pits. Hotels.com adds a garden and picnic area to the amenity list. The property frames its pool area as part of a broader social atmosphere designed for guests to gather and meet other travelers. What this means: if late-night swimming is part of your plan, confirm hours through the official site rather than relying on secondhand accounts.

What makes Ace Hotel unique?

Design philosophy

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs is rooted in a mid-century or retro California resort aesthetic that Hotels.com describes as a “boho chic motel-to-hotel conversion.” The official site describes the property as “a modern desert oasis in a re-invented HoJo”—a direct reference to the Howard Johnson motel chain that once dotted American highways. That lineage shapes the property’s spatial logic: low-slung buildings spread across the desert landscape rather than a single tower. Five buildings or towers are listed on Hotels.com, giving guests multiple zones to occupy.

Views of the San Jacinto Mountains are part of the visual promise, framing the pools and outdoor areas against a mountain backdrop. The organic spa reinforces the wellness angle, while the food and beverage concept—a “refined roadside diner and cocktail bar”—reaches back to the original motor lodge identity while upgrading execution. Tripadvisor user descriptions frequently use phrases like “Artsy Funky Sheik” and “modern desert oasis,” reflecting how guests internalize the design language.

Cultural relevance

The property’s identity leans into social scene and pool-party culture more than business-amenity clustering. Free WiFi and a 24-hour fitness center are present per Expedia and Hotels.com, but the dominant marketing and guest conversation centers on the pools, spa, and bar. Agoda travelers—specifically verified couples—rate it 8.3 on average, suggesting strong performance on atmosphere and experience dimensions.

The implication: Ace Hotel Palm Springs is not trying to be all things to all travelers. It leads with lifestyle positioning, which makes it a natural fit for design-conscious visitors and pool enthusiasts, but less ideal for guests prioritizing business services or quiet isolation.

Who is the CEO of Ace Hotel?

Executive leadership

Chris Penn is listed as Chief Executive Officer of Ace Hotel and its parent entity, Atelier Ace, per the Ace Hotel LinkedIn profile. This places Penn at the helm of the broader hospitality brand that encompasses the Palm Springs property among other locations. The CEO’s LinkedIn presence is the primary source for this information.

Atelier Ace operates as the creative and operational core of the Ace Hotel brand, developing the design language, F&B concepts, and overall positioning that the Palm Springs property exemplifies. The brand has cultivated a distinctive identity around mid-century revival, community gathering, and art-forward hospitality.

Who is the new owner of the Ace Hotel?

Acquisition by Seibu Prince

Seibu Prince, a major Japanese hospitality conglomerate, acquired the Ace Hotel brand. An exclusive article examining the acquisition noted that Seibu Prince viewed Ace Hotel as a strategic fit within its global hospitality portfolio. The deal brought the brand under a larger operational umbrella while the individual properties—including the Palm Springs location—continued operating under the established Ace Hotel identity.

The pattern: brand acquisitions in hospitality typically do not trigger immediate changes to on-site operations or guest-facing identity. The Palm Springs property’s day-to-day operations, staff, and amenity offerings remain aligned with the Ace Hotel brand standards that predate the acquisition.

Where is Ace Hotel Palm Springs and how do you get there?

The property sits at 701 E Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, California 92264. Its positioning near downtown Palm Springs means walkability to nearby restaurants, shops, and nightlife is a genuine advantage—something repeatedly highlighted in guest reviews on Tripadvisor.

From Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), the property is approximately a 10-minute drive, making it accessible for travelers flying in from regional West Coast hubs. Ground transportation options include rideshare services, taxis, and rental cars available at the airport.

The catch: downtown Palm Springs is a car-friendly destination, and parking availability at the property should be confirmed directly, especially during peak season or major local events that draw crowds to the Coachella Valley.

Comparable options in Palm Springs

For travelers evaluating Ace Hotel & Swim Club against other Palm Springs properties, two notable alternatives appear in regional comparisons. For travelers interested in exploring the scientific aspects of romantic attraction, you can find more information at Ciència de l’amor a primera vista.

The bottom line: Ace Hotel occupies a specific niche—mid-century revival with strong pool and social scene identity—that neither the large-scale resort model of JW Marriott nor the high-design boutique positioning of Parker Palm Springs replicates directly.

Sample one-day itinerary

The following is illustrative, based on publicly documented amenities and guest experience patterns.

Morning

Start with coffee from the on-site coffee shop, then ease into the day at one of the two deep pools. The rooftop terrace offers views of the San Jacinto Mountains—worth visiting even if you are not swimming. A morning spa session at the organic spa is a natural complement to the desert climate.

Afternoon

Head into downtown Palm Springs for lunch—walkability is a genuine asset here, per Tripadvisor guest accounts. Return to the property in the afternoon for poolside bites and drinks, which Tripadvisor describes as a signature part of the Ace experience.

Evening

The refined roadside diner and cocktail bar provide on-property dining options with an atmosphere that echoes the property’s retro-modern identity. If the Swim Club hosts live music or DJs (a pattern noted in third-party reviews), the evening pool area takes on a different energy—confirm scheduling through the official site.

Late night

The 24-hour fitness center accommodates guests who want to maintain a workout routine regardless of schedule. Community fire pits extend the outdoor socializing beyond pool hours, depending on season and programming.

The trade-off: this itinerary assumes full participation in the social and lifestyle programming. Guests seeking quiet, isolated relaxation may find the pool scene and communal atmosphere less suited to their preferences.

“A modern desert oasis in a re-invented HoJo.”

— Ace Hotel, official property brand

“Two deep pools.”

— Ace Hotel, official property brand

While the Ace Hotel offers a serene escape, a Palm Springs travel guide helps travelers discover other must-see spots in the desert city.

Frequently asked questions