Both my husband and I are last minute weekend getaway type of people. Thankfully Palm Springs is just a 2.5 hour drive away. We have been so many times now that we have figured out how to do Palm Springs on the cheap without sacrificing the glam. Trying to get a hotel room at the last minute is not usually the most affordable way to go but seriously my husband has got it down to an exact science. He knows how to check/compare amenities, star ratings, etc. on Hotwire and then he goes to Priceline to place a bid. With just a little online research, you can pretty much narrow down which hotel(s) you are going to get so you don’t have to worry about being stuck with a hotel you won’t like. He SWEARS by these two travel sites over all of the others.

Tip: Go during the summer months when the temps are higher. The prices are cheaper and there are less people (BIG plus in my book).

Tip: No hotel room available online? CALL the hotel. I don’t know if it is because my husband could sell ice to Eskimos or what but he will call and speak with the manager and somehow finagle a room in a supposedly sold out hotel.

Tip: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ask the front desk if they have any upgraded rooms available. Many times they will bump you up without an additional charge.

We’ve stayed at a lot of hotels on and off the strip and one of the best spa experiences is at the Riviera Hotel & Spa. They have an awesome grotto with private relaxation rooms that you can hang out in and have lunch, read or nap in peace.

Tip: Call the hotel and ask if they have any spa deals/promotions. Many times they offer packages that give you a spa credit. Or if you end up staying at a hotel without spa facilities, you can always just get a treatment here and have a day of pampering!

We used to stay at resorts where you pretty much have to stay on the property or drive 20 minutes to get to town. Now we like to stay at Alcazar right at the beginning of the strip. My FAVE breakfast place is basically on the property and they have FREE bike rentals so you can go out and explore all day long.

Tip: Rent a bike and stop at the pricier hotels for a fancy drink or two. It’s a great way to check them out and the front desk is usually happy to give you a tour of the property and/or a peek into the rooms.

Tip: Palm Springs is known for it’s old school glam and the resale/thrift shops offer some of the best shopping out there! And what’s more exciting than finding a great vintage piece on the cheap?

Have any Palm Springs tips to add? I’d LOVE to hear them so please feel free to leave them in the comments! How do you travel luxe for less?

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