Axel's take on Tennis Club: #1 of 5 in Palm Springs, 7.2/10
Quiet historic streets without giving up downtown evenings. Tennis Club wins overall with standout hotels, historic character and downtown access, but weaker value and fewer doorstep options keep the lead narrow.
West of Palm Canyon Drive, around Belardo Road and West Arenas Road, Tennis Club swaps the main strip for historic homes, small inns and mountain-backed streets. You can walk out for dinner or the Art Museum, then return to a more residential setting. It is our strongest compromise for couples wanting both atmosphere and convenience; recent visitors also praise its quiet, walkable location.
The trade-off is that the neighborhood itself is not a shopping or late-night district. Check the actual walk from hillside addresses, and don't assume the name guarantees public tennis courts: the Tennis Club is private. Skip it if you want busy bars immediately outside.
- Best for: couples, luxury travelers, travelers without a car, a quiet stay
- Skip it if: You want bars immediately outside; Public tennis access is essential
- Getting around: Walk downtown; SunLine 1WV, 2 and 4 run along nearby Palm Canyon/Indian Canyon; from PSP, use a taxi/rideshare or hourly Route 4 followed by a walk west.
- After dark: Visitors describe quiet residential evenings; some report dark walking routes, so check the route back from dinner rather than just the distance.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $357 a night · usually 6% under the public rate
Where to stay in Palm Springs: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in Tennis Club
- West Arenas and Belardo. Historic side streets keep downtown close without putting you on the main strip; good for couples exploring on foot. Hotels here: Holiday House Palm Springs, Casa Cody, Palm Mountain Resort and Spa.
- Belardo, Baristo to Ramon. Architecture and small inns suit travelers wanting character and quieter evenings within walking distance of dinner. Hotels here: La Serena Villas - Adults Only 21 & Up, Del Marcos Hotel, Ingleside Estate Hotel & Bungalows- Adults Only.
- West Baristo's mountain end. The mountain-foot setting feels more residential; choose it for slower days rather than doorstep shopping. Hotels here: Palm Springs Tennis Club.
How to choose
- Choose Holiday House Palm Springs if warm service and generous, art-filled rooms matter more than an in-room TV; everyone is 21 or older.
- Choose La Serena Villas - Adults Only 21 & Up if a private patio, soaking tub and fire pit justify one of the pricier stays here.
- Choose Palm Springs Tennis Club if you want cheaper self-catering space and tennis, and can accept variable furnishings.
What paying more buys
Palm Springs Tennis Club is cheaper than most here and already provides cooking facilities, pools and tennis. Paying more for Holiday House buys generously sized, art-filled rooms and especially warm service; La Serena Villas adds private patios, soaking tubs and fire pits. The premium is less compelling if you mainly want kitchen space and spend your days out. Typical rates with Axel here run from $217 a night at Palm Mountain Resort and Spa to $827 at La Serena Villas - Adults Only 21 & Up (last 30 days).
The best hotels in Tennis Club, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- Holiday House Palm Springs 9.2/10, upscale, adults-only boutique hotel in downtown Palm Springs. A standout downtown boutique for grown-up pool days and genuinely warm service. Why it's here: warm service and generously sized, art-filled rooms for walkable, grown-up pool weekends. Accept: 21-plus only, with no in-room TVs, phones or elevator. $296 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- La Serena Villas - Adults Only 21 & Up 8.9/10, upscale, adults-only boutique hotel with 18 villas in downtown Palm Springs. A strong couples’ retreat with private patios and downtown on the doorstep. Why it's here: private patios, soaking tubs and fire pits for an adults-only occasion stay. Accept: mandatory resort fee, limited pool seating and occasional housekeeping lapses. $512 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Palm Springs Tennis Club 8.7/10, historic, mid-range timeshare resort with studios, suites and tennis courts. A strong pick for space, tennis and downtown access, rather than luxury. Why it's here: cheaper self-catering space with tennis, multiple pools and walkable downtown access. Accept: variable unit condition, stairs in places and no routine housekeeping. $152 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Casa Cody 8.7/10, historic, upscale boutique hideaway near downtown Palm Springs. Historic character and a walkable location make this a strong boutique pick. Why it's here: historic character, warm staff and varied accommodation welcoming children and dogs near downtown. Accept: variable layouts, resort fees and pool-work status to confirm. $382 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Ingleside Estate Hotel & Bungalows- Adults Only 8.6/10, historic, adults-only 4-star boutique estate near downtown Palm Springs. A strong pick for old-Hollywood character and poolside calm, with a few service gaps. Why it's here: old-Hollywood character and adults-only poolside calm at a mid-priced neighborhood rate. Accept: food service can be slow; finishes and mattresses vary. $269 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Palm Mountain Resort and Spa 8.3/10, relaxed 3-star pool hotel in downtown Palm Springs. A strong downtown base, with a pleasant pool and modest resort ambitions. Why it's here: one of the cheaper central pool bases, with spacious rooms and family-friendly practicality. Accept: weak shower pressure and limited full-service facilities. $192 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Del Marcos Hotel 8.2/10, adults-only, mid-century boutique motel near downtown Palm Springs. Come for the architecture and walkable location, but expect some rough edges. Why it's here: mid-century architecture and a low-key adults-only pool within easy walking distance of downtown. Accept: variable upkeep, compact bathrooms and assistance sometimes next door. $210 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
