"Why book? A full-service hotel smack in the center of town, Palm Springs’ tallest building (at seven stories) is also the only hotel in the entire Coachella Valley with a rooftop pool. Throw in a nice gym, lots of food and beverage options, a wow-worthy lobby with ample space for lounging on your laptop, and the family- and pet-friendly factor, and it’s got something for every visitor. Set the scene Thanks to its height, rooftop pool, and plenty of passing foot traffic, The Rowan has more of a real-deal city vibe than most of the resort-feeling properties in town, drawing a crowd that varies in age and demographic, but often skews heavy on business travelers here for onsite meetings and conferences, as well as travelers with pets in tow (since the Kimpton chain is well-known for being super accommodating to four-legged friends; you could spend all morning staring at the pups parading through lobby.) The ground-floor lobby's soaring ceilings, towering bookshelves, massive macrame owl, and flickering fireplace make it the perfect place for getting some work done, or simply people-watching—as is the ground-floor eatery Juniper Table, which opens to a public courtyard and is open all day long. While the roof deck is sizable with tons of poolside loungers, a bar, and lots of restaurant seating, it never feels party-ish; most guests are simply chilling with a book in one hand and cocktail in the other, admiring the major mountain views. The backstory The 153-room hotel was built from the ground up as part of the of the (initially semi-controversial) downtown revitalization project that demolished a vacant old shopping center to make way for a slew of new (and mostly corporate-owned) shops and restaurants, in addition to the hotel. The rooms The Rowan feels modern while still honoring the city’s midcentury roots and desert location, with rooms featuring light-wood floors, hairpin-legged nightstands, leather desk chairs, cool blue accent rugs, framed topographical maps, and the especially novel tiled walls serving as headboards. Bathrooms feel fresh with large, glass-enclosed showers accented by glossy subway tiles. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, and many have balconies—with corner rooms offering wraparound options. I loved the King Spa Suite, which, at more than 600-square-feet, comes with view-packed balconies and soaking tubs situated within the giant spa showers. Food and drink Signature restaurant 4 Saints shares the rooftop with the pool, but feels miles away in its masculine, glass-enclosed space with mountain vistas, circular leather banquettes, and a sharp, square bar. It’s currently only open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, touting a grill-style menu with Southern influences—the Petite filet with crawfish Bearnaise is a good example—while still offering plenty of veggie options. Even if you don’t plan to dine here, stop in for a Highway 111 Old Fashioned made of date-infused bourbon and mole bitters. Downstairs, Juniper Table offers a counter-service bar for espresso and juice, a Cal-Med breakfast and lunch menu during the day, and a full-service dinner menu at night. For poolside eats, guests can order from High Bar's icy cocktails plus a casual all-day menu of burgers, hummus plates, and lettuce wraps. The rooftop area is limited to hotel guests only during the day, but opens to the public come evening. The neighborhood/area Once you step out of the lobby, you’re mere yards from the city’s bustling main drag and within walking distance of most of Palm Springs’ highlights—shopping, dining and live music, hiking, museums, and many new public art installations, including the love-it-or-hate it Marilyn Monroe statue. Those looking for a more private, off-the-beaten-path location will likely want to head elsewhere. The service Staffed to the brim, the service here—from the valet crew to front desk employees—is friendly, polished, and consistent. As with all Kimpton properties, the crew puts out complimentary coffee in the morning for guests and hosts a free nightly wine hour. For families In a town heavy on kids-free hotels, the Rowan is family-friendly (check out the dedicated kids’ menu at the poolside restaurant High Bar)—but not at the expense of child-free visitors. If you’re looking water slides and children’s activities, head east to Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. Accessibility The hotel is fully accessible, from entrances to restrooms and elevators—and offers dedicated ADA double and king rooms. Anything left to mention? The nook of a dining patio just beyond High Bar on the roof is one of the only ways to spot Palm Springs’ breathtaking collection of windmills from afar, outside of hiking your way to the top of a trail." - Lizbeth Scordo
