Sands Hotel & Spa - Indian Wells, California

Laura K.

Very nicely decorated room. Bed was very comfortable. We were on the 2nd floor in room 23. We asked for a mountain view so I think that was one of maybe 2 rooms that had a view of mountains but also the main intersection right at the corner of hwy 111 and Province Way. The patio area was an echo chamber of the traffic noise. Once the 2 patio doors were closed it was quiet in the room. One morning a delivery truck was right under out patio making a lot of noise. If I were to go back to this resort I would definitely pick another room location. The pool area was very nice with water and sunscreen available. There was coffee every morning down at the pool. We did not go to the restaurant or order anything from them. We did eat at the Nest next door which was good. Upscale shopping was nearby in Desert Palm.

Gally P.

Booked the sands hotel and spa for a mother and daughter weekend getaway, I booked the kings suite and it was the perfect suite with style and plenty of room with a full size tub and shower. The Sands Hotel has a charming Moroccan Style decor inside and out of the hotel room.. Gift upon arrival in our room such a nice touch. The Sands Hotel and Spa offers morning coffee outside by the pool and early rise you can take advance of the pool and jacuzzi which we did all weekend long. They have a spa onsite, unfortunately we did not use it we booked at another day spa in Palm Springs . There is also a lovely Restaurant called the Pink Cabana, with delicious food you can also order and sit by the pool or in your room, our room had porch area for sitting and enjoying our food. We did take advantage of the fires pits by the Pink Cabana, first come first served… nice touch at the end of our days to relax next to the fire pits and enjoying our drinks from the Pink Cabana . The Sands Hotel Staff was amazing and made our experience truly a wonder weekend getaway … and do not forget to try the complimentary Moroccan tea ….its delicious ||All rooms come with Robes for the Guests and flip flops just in case you forget yours. Thank you to all at the Sands Hotel & Spa

Denis R.

Although the property is lush and lovely and the staff is pleasant and accommodating (I was told that my classic king reservation was upgraded), I am leaving a one star review for one reason: the hotel's outrageous "amenity" fee of $42. I was advised by the very nice front desk staff that the fee covers parking, coffee, pool lotions, & some other nebulous "amenity." This fee was not disclosed until I checked in. The Hyatt website (through which I chose and booked the Sands) indicated a "total" of $179. Imagine my surprise at learning at check-in that the actual price was $42 higher. I was embarrassed for the staff who had to explain the Sands' money grab to me since I had chosen the hotel based on the rate I was quoted.||Needless to say, I will not be returning to this or any other Mr. & Mrs. Smith property since the chain engages in a bait and switch pricing practice.|| In addition, any room facing Rte. 111 will have traffic noise. In these rooms, you are only 30 ft from the road & behind 2 sets of sliding glass doors, but the traffic rumble is only lessened, not eliminated. Granted, the mountain view is nice, but since the *very* busy road is between your balcony & the mountains, it's unlikely you will spend much time on it because of the unfettered noise outdoors. The pool area is peaceful though. ||I loved the jazz soundtrack that plays in the rooms; it's very relaxing & manages to cover the traffic noise too. But, when you turn it off, the rumble returns.||In summary, nice hotel & staff, but outrageous junk fees.

Andrea S.

The Sands Hotel and Spa is a hidden gem in the Palm Springs/La Quinta area. Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s design is nothing short of perfection—every detail exudes Moroccan-inspired elegance while maintaining modern comfort.

The rooms are beautifully appointed, with thoughtful touches like a French press, a well-stocked in-room bar, and charming balconies. If you can, book a room with a bathtub—it’s worth it! The spa is wonderful for treatments, though it’s more service-focused than a place to lounge.

The restaurant is another highlight: visually stunning with an effortlessly chic vibe, and the cocktails are just as fabulous as the setting.

This boutique hotel is the perfect mix of style, relaxation, and understated luxury—an oasis you’ll want to return to again and again.

Paul

I wish I had found this lovely and surprising gem sooner!

I loved the vibe and decor of the whole place. I felt so refreshed after my stay- and enjoyed it more than the brand new Thompson in Palm Springs (which I also enjoyed). The pool had plenty of seating and included a large hot tub. Pool side service (during the early afternoon on a Wednesday) was good.

The room was great. I found the bed and pillows to be comfortable. It had some nice touches, like a French press and some high quality tea. Turn down service was provided both nights. The shower was huge, had great water pressure, and had a full range of temperatures. The sink could produce warm water quickly (I swear some hotels just dont have warm water attached to the sink).

The restaurant had a very fun ambiance, and though expensive at dinner, was quite tasty.

I seriously considered extending my stay an additional night, but decided that it wasn't quite worth it given that doing so would mean waking up at 3AM to hit the road.

I hope to return.

*The room was not lap top friendly - but I figured our a solution. And most people don't come to a hotel like this to use lap tops.

**The room and property showed some signs of age, but nothing problematic. I just mention it so that picky people aren't taken by surprise and then leave bad reviews. See below topics for more info. .

Joni B.

Room was very nice -- arrival experience eh. Just a parking lot. Would have stayed for dinner rather than driving all the way into Palm Springs if only the bartenders were more engaged. They were very aloof and thought they were too cool. It was a cute hotel. Not really close to anything except a nice coffee shop.

Karla R.

My husband booked us a room here for a quick weekend getaway. My husband called beforehand to confirm if we'd be able to enjoy the pool prior to checking in (very late check-in time). The staff was extremely kind and professional over the phone.

Once we arrived, I immediately noted how beautifully the hotel was decorated and designed. Has such a modern look with a touch of moody vibes and a 40s-50s look tied into one.

We went to our room and couldn't believe how beautiful and large our room was. We didn't book a suite or upgraded room. There was a lounge area, a beautifully decorated bathroom, and a sleeping area. In addition to the beautiful decor, there was a fully stocked bar. The best touch of all was the soft jazz music that was playing in the room. Such an elegant touch.

We quickly changed over and headed to the pool. There were plenty of self-serve water stations to help combat the heat. Our poolside waiter was very kind and attentive. We had a variety of cocktails on the menu and weren't disappointed with any of our drinks. We sadly missed the window to order food as the kitchen was closed. Our waiter spoke to the chef and was able to squeeze our order in which was wonderful. The food was very tasty and cooked to our liking. Every staff member we encountered was very kind and attentive.

In the morning, I walked down to get some water from the water station, and they had set up a complimentary self-serve coffee station as well.

We were able to enjoy the pool for a few more hours in the morning as their check out isn't until noon.

All in all, we absolutely enjoyed our stay here and can not wait to return. We truly found a hidden gem here in the palm desert area. I found our time here to be more enjoyable than we've had at the larger, more commercialized resorts in the area.

N R.

Just got back from the best massage of my life at the Sands Spa! And I have had hundreds of massages!! Richard was FANTASTIC...he is incredibly skilled, applying the perfect amount of pressure .... It was intense, but in the best way, as I could feel my muscles relaxing with each movement. By the end of the session, I felt completely rejuvenated and free of the usual aches and tightness. If you're looking for a deep, restorative massage, definitely go see Richard! He is really really fantastic. Highly recommend!