The Joshua Tree Inn

This hacienda-style inn, built in Joshua Tree in 1950, is just six miles from the National Park and boasts a pool–the ultimate luxury in a desert climate. There are 11 rooms—one, room 8, famously known for being the room in which folk singer Gram Parsons' spent his final hours. A kitschy guitar-shaped shrine sits in the garden facing the door, alongside a path that leads to the hotel's communal firepit, breakfast nook (with free tea, coffee and granola bars), and of course, the pool. Each room has a private patio, mini fridge and microwave, heat and AC, cable TV and free wifi. The vibe is sparse but charming, and the prices can't be beat for a laid-back place with AC and a pool.