Murray On Travel

Without question this is one of the best hotels of the "7 Hotels in 7 Days: Palm Springs" project.  But this is no surprise the Viceroy has been a fabulous hotel for years. UPDATE: Renamed as an Avalon Hotel Palm Springs.


The property has three areas.  The central portion is made up of a two story traditional hotel layout around a pool.  Ground floor rooms have super easy access to the adults only pool.  (Avoid rooms 207 & 208 a public walkway runs between your patio and pool. Building 300 & 400 rooms are excellent.  Pool view rooms on second floor would also be great in any of these buildings.)



On one side of the property are individual casitas around another beautiful sunny adult pool.  Another similar area has a family pool near another group of lovely individual casitas with tall palms and fruit trees. 


Basic rooms have a very fun and lively Black and White decor.  A large yellow chandelier is centered in the room above the coffee table.  Very cool.   Not a lot of storage space, but you don't need much at a place like the Viceroy.  If I was here for several days I would take over the liquor cabinet and use it for clothes.  The Viceroy offers guest midsized bottles of tequilla, whiskey, and vodka in addition to a small stocked minibar refrigerator.  Other room options can be seen at the hotel website for the renamed Avalon Hotel Palm Springs.


Room was quiet, and the bed was extremely comfortable.  A nice big Sony HDTV with a DVD player offers HDMI inputs for additional devices you might have.  A small FM only clock radio with iPod dock and an aux input is bedside.  Note: $250 cleaning fee if you smoke in your room.


Bathroom is a little dark, but offers everything you will need.  Large bottles of branded bath essentials are provided for your use but not to take home as in other hotels.  A large shelf is available behind the door with towels and an area for your personal items.  It is a little inconvenient located behind the door, but I got used to it.


The hotel has a lovely walled in area dedicated to special events.  Unlike other resorts, this venue is well separated from the public areas of the property.  As a guest I always feel out of place when I turn a corner and walk into a private event. 

Called the front desk and asked when checkout was, noon.  They didn't offer a late checkout, but when I asked they gave me an extra hour.  At one point I called hotel operator and did not get an answer.


The hotel offers free Internet, both WiFi and hardwired.  Speed was 9mbps up and 1mbps down.  But it my connection was not steady and it dropped several times.  I mentioned it to the front desk at checkout and they gave me a credit for part of the resort fee.  Viceroy offers in-room dining along with a small bar and restaurant with inside and poolside tables.  Food is excellent in a lovely environment.

The Viceroy is about three blocks from downtown Palm Springs dinning, shopping and entertainment. An easy walk.