Top 12 Boutique Hotels in Palm Springs for Engagement Photos
So you’re planning an engagement shoot and it’s time to choose a location. You want a stunning space, where the vibe is right…but have you thought about how it will translate in photos? Let’s chat about some of my favorite boutique hotels in Palm Springs for engagement photos!
Casa Cody
Casa Cody delivers stunning natural florals, private sun-drenched pools and gorgeous Spanish revival architecture, making it a gorgeous route to take for your engagement. If you want color and serenity running through your wedding photos, this boutique hotel in Palm Springs can provide, but be sure to note that it has a photo fee of $250 for up to 2 hours.
The Colony Palms
After undergoing a multi million dollar renovation, you better believe The Colony Palms is ready to not only host your engagement session, but give you photos that drop jaws. With historic buildings, lush lawns, intimate fountains, and vast views of the mountains, this boutique hotel in Palm Springs is definitely one that you will long to return to while placing your framed photos out for your wedding guests to admire. To take photos, you have to be a hotel guest and pay a fee of $500.
The Trixie Motel
Did someone say PINK? Birthed by Brian Firkus (known for his drag persona Trixie Mattel) and his partner David Silver, The Trixie Motel is a pink paradise smack dab in the middle of Palm Springs. With 7 custom themed rooms, a pink poolside to match, it’s about as camera ready as a boutique hotel in Palm Springs can be! If you’re a quirky couple looking for fun, colorful photos, look no further than the Trixie Motel. Since it’s a super small spot, you’re going to have to be quick to get a reservation, and plan on spending a bit more for a photo fee since it is truly a designer’s paradise.
The Ace Hotel
For those who want more of a simple, classic outdoor engagement session, The Ace Hotel is a sure fire bet. Not only do you have a great rooftop for endless sky photos, but you also have a giant poolside lawn with palm trees and mountains as your backdrop. Their industrial city vibe tucked into the cool desert will almost guarantee you your dream photos, and with no photo fees – it’s a steal!
Les Cactus
Calling all classic California couples only! Les Cactus is YOUR boutique hotel in Palm Springs for your engagement photos. With its dedication to the laid back, pink and green Cali style, you get a small, peaceful property with palm trees, tall cactus, a sparkling pool and blue skies for days. They pride themselves on “cultivating a quiet and relaxing atmosphere” so all photoshoots must be approved by the hotel and if you decide to book it for your wedding as well, a hotel buyout is required for groups larger than 4 people! That should tell you how small and cozy this place is. But don’t worry – that will only make your engagement photos look more intimate.
Korakia Pensione
Korakia Pensione feels like you just stepped into a secret garden in Greece. Everything about this place screams luxury and so will your engagement photos. With stone waterfalls, olive trees, citrus blossoms, and bougainvillea vines, Korakia is filled with natural beauty so the landscape for your engagement photos feels dramatic and grand. There’s a reason why it was on the cover of Architectural Digest! With this boutique hotel in Palm Springs you can expect a hefty photo fee. It costs anywhere from $1000 – $1500 for 2 hours as of 2022 to take photos here.
Saguaro Hotel
If you’re a couple looking for COLOR, I’ve got another hot spot for you. The Saguaro Hotel is a color block, dream boutique hotel in Palm Springs. Their beautifully manicured lawns are the perfect playground while the technicolor decor and mountainous views give your photos the most stylish backdrop. The best part is, no photo fee as long as you book a room!
Villa Royale
The Villa Royale gives a slight nod to the golden age of Hollywood with this boutique hotel in Palm Springs. Their old California architecture, stylish vintage furnishings and beautiful artwork set the stage for your engagement photos to really shine. As you move outside though, you’re greeted with lush lawns, sprawling skies and high hedges for privacy. It’s honestly the perfect cocktail for the more camera shy couple! And as long as you book a room, forget paying extra for those photos 😉
Sands Hotel
If you’re looking for a rose colored backdrop without a photo fee, this one’s for you. The Sands Hotel boasts Mid Century style mixed with Moroccan design and delivers flawlessly. Their ancient olive trees, poolside dining and Moroccan daybeds almost guarantee bespoke engagement photos and a truly glamorous experience.
La Serena Villas
La Serena Villas is a boutique hotel in Palm Springs specifically for adults. With outdoor fireplaces, tons of nooks and crannies for fun conversation and a rooftop deck with a 360 degree view of the San Jacinto mountains…this venue is a Spanish influenced, picturesque hideaway. It’s also a perfect spot for your wedding, but prepare to book out the whole hotel in order to have room for all your guests and a reception for the books!
Parker Palm Springs
So if you’re looking for boutique hotels in Palm Springs, you’re more than likely open to color, pattern and funky design. The Parker is not going to disappoint. Every surface is covered with hip patterned textiles, custom tile work and stunning art pieces that will lay the perfect groundwork for your personality to really shine through your engagement photos. Every corner is curated to perfection, so there’s a reason why they’ve got such a huge photo fee.
Miramonte Indian Wells
With five different venues to choose from within this one property, The Miramonte is definitely one for large groups and party people. Surrounded by boxwood hedges and cypress trees, The Miramonte offers privacy from the surrounding city but doesn’t block the gorgeous mountains beyond. Not only do they have some seriously unmatched views of the Santa Rosa mountains and beautiful desert sunsets perfect for some insane engagement photos, but they have multiple ballrooms, and a gorgeous terrace to really round out your whole wedding experience. Luxury is an understatement for this hidden gem of a boutique hotel in Palm Springs!
No matter the boutique hotel in Palm Springs, if you stick with one of these you’re going to get stunning views, otherworldly architecture, and impeccable design making your engagement photo album worthy of a damn NYT Best Seller. As long as you let me behind the lens!
If you loved these photos, and you’re looking for a photographer who will allow for all those little details to flourish and match your gorgeous, newfound location, check out some of my blogs where I go in depth into specific couples’ engagement shoots, what makes them special, and show you the shots I capture that NEVER disappoint – or inquire with me directly here!
