When is a hotel not a hotel? When it’s a pool with luxe rooms. The swishy 163 rooms of the Hotel Zoso might boast 42-inch flat-screens, plush bedding, and custom furniture, but perhaps the biggest draw is the paradise of the pool. After all, you’re in the desert, where the temperatures rocket sky-high. Reserve queen-sized, covered day beds or oversized and furnished cabanas for days sipping in the sun, bouncing from the hot tub to the private shade, and savoring bites and drinks from the Kitchen, the poolside bar and restaurant. Weekends, hit up the high-energy pool parties with live DJs or enjoy a more laid-back vibe in the lobby lounge. All the action is just steps away from all downtown Palm Springs has to offer.

You might be tempted to never leave this oasis that’s wrapped in enchanting views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Maybe it’s how many of the 261 rooms boast sweeping mountain views, and then there’s the fit-for-royalty suites with separate living areas and private balconies. Or the Elements Spa, where you can lounge in the eucalyptus air of the steam room before a deep-tissue massage. The restaurants and cafés of town are just a quick jaunt away, though you can find tantalizing bites at the casual Terrace Restaurant which overlooks the pool and two whirlpools, and toast the day away with a custom cocktail at the on-site bar, Harvey’s Lounge. Better yet? Start your day with a fluffy stack of pancakes from the room service menu before perusing all Palm Springs has to offer.