Ace Hotel & Swim Club

The Palm Springs Ace Hotel, housed in what was once a Motel 6, is the party destination for hip young travelers heading to the desert. They've got all the accoutrements, from a photo booth and retro macrame in the lobby to record players and vintage magazines in the rooms. There are also fancy robes and decked-out walking sticks for guests to use during their stay, which means that as the day goes on, more and more guests look like hippie cult members running around with hoods and canes. And it is a bit of a cult—the guests here are die-hard, looking to see and be seen by the pool, out on beach cruiser bikes or in the decent (but a little over-priced) restaurant, King's Highway (which used to be a 24-hr Denny's). The hotel offers $20 day passes for pool use, which gives non-guests access to the scene (and the parties and live music that often grace the grounds). The Ace is almost so hip that it's becoming a charicature of itself—if you're down to party all night with trendy 20-somethings, this is your spot, but the more sophisticated (or relaxed) traveler might look elswhere.