Life slows down the minute you walk through the front door of Casa Palma in Palm Springs. Beach colors, real plants, and soft music greet you.

I was thrilled to recently have the opportunity to stay at this boutique property. As a resident of Palm Springs, I didn’t know it had been totally revamped into one of our more charming Palm Springs Preferred Hotels. (Note: This was a sponsored trip and most of my expenses were covered. I am sharing my own opinions and impressions.)

Checking in

The welcoming lobby at Casa Palma. Photo: Kathy Condon

One of the first things I learned is that there’s an actual person at the reception desk, 24 hours a day. The owners, early on, decided this hotel would be customer service oriented and wanted to ensure someone was available to answer questions and assist with any issues that might arise during a guest’s stay.

I was advised that freshly baked croissants and coffee would be available in the lobby in the morning. The lounge furniture, reading material, and plants provided a good setting for a slow start to a day here.

Instead of a card key, I was given a rubber watch-like band. Hidden under its exterior was a mechanism to unlock every place on the premises, from my room to the tennis courts. I assumed it was waterproof and later proved it with an early-morning swim.

The room experience

A warm glow makes your Casa Palma room feel extra cozy. Photo: Kathy Condon

Cars are parked right outside the hotel’s locked gate, so it was an easy walk to my assigned bungalow, set in a courtyard complete with a two-tiered garden fountain. After unlocking the door with my wristband, I walked into a space with paned French doors that revealed a lovely view of the garden and the large pool with a volleyball net.

The artwork made me smile — when is the last time you saw a large photo of a male lion lounging on a chair poolside? A fun touch, and a subtle reminder not to take life so seriously.

While putting my suitcase in the large closet, I noticed there was another room: a kitchen, sans stove, but with dinnerware, a table and, of course, the all-important coffee pot. During my stay, I chose to drink my coffee on my private patio, overlooking the manicured gardens, with the main pool in the distance.

The sporty side of Casa Palma

Casa Palma has multiple pools for guests to use. Photo courtesy of Casa Palma

In the early morning, I slipped on my swimsuit, quietly went out into the darkness, and entered the heavenly, warm waters of Casa Palma’s large pool, all the while thinking, “It can’t get much better than this.”

There is another heated pool and hot tub on site, located next to a large grassy area, which I understand is often rented for weddings. It’s a beautiful spot, surrounded by trees, their branches forming a canopy overhead. If you want to add on a gym workout, there’s also a fitness center on property.

While walking around, I came across a special storage area, and what I saw inside made me smile. There, neatly displayed, were tennis rackets, volleyballs, pickleball paddles, and various games for guests to use when the urge hits to play outside or sharpen their skills. No checkout system — they trust you will return them to their assigned shelf.

If you’re not staying on property or live locally, you can get a day pass for Casa Palma through Resort Pass.

Where to dine at Casa Palma

Get comfortable and prepare for a great meal at Chiquita. Photo: Kathy Condon

As of this writing, the restaurant Chiquita is open for breakfast, lunch, and brunch, Friday through Sunday. Check their website for hours of service, which may expand during the season.

Chiquita is a cheerful place, with tall, lush plants, a patio, and a bar where the chef prepares meals from local produce. Again, you notice the quiet. It is a spot where you can carry on a conversation easily without being distracted by environmental noise.

There is also a small area in the lobby with bottled drinks and snacks for when hunger strikes. Want a specialty coffee, a mixed drink, or wine? The desk person will happily retrieve it for you if it’s outside their regular restaurant hours. All you have to do is ask. Watching a drink being delivered poolside to a woman reading her book under the afternoon sun made me smile. Life is good at Casa Palma.

It has been a while since I found hotel staff so accommodating and willing to meet guests’ needs. When speaking with others at the property, this was the first thing they mentioned and one of the reasons they keep coming back.

Difficult to leave

The lovely courtyard is just one of the special areas for guests to enjoy at Casa Palma. Photo: Kathy Condon

Alas, my two-night stay came to an end too soon. It is not often I feel genuine remorse when it’s time to leave a place, but I felt it here.

Was it the quiet? Was it the comfort of the bungalow? Was it the staff? The large, heated pool? It wasn’t easy to pinpoint, but I knew one thing: As a local, I look forward to bringing my friends here for a weekend breakfast or lunch.

Casa Palma is one of our special Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels. It is waiting to welcome you to a place where the outside world’s noise does not exist.