At the base of the San Jacinto mountains and at the heart of Palm Springs, you’ll find a gem of a historic hotel ideal for destination weddings – Villa Royale. 

This mission-revival-style-villa-meets-mid-century-modern property offers personality in abundance. With 37 distinct rooms, three pools, a rooftop terrace, an expansive event lawn, a delectable on-site restaurant and proximity to all Palm Springs has to offer, guests will be dazzled by this adult-only hideaway. 

It once was a get-away for Hollywood’s elite and now plays home to many vacationers and destination wedding couples alike. 

Set on 3.5 acres, the property feels a world away. As much of Palm Springs’s most beautiful architecture is hiding behind a ficus privacy hedge, Villa Royale is no different. The entrance may not be grand, but the moment you enter, you’re transported to an artistic California refuge filled with beautiful original art, meandering walkways and stunning gardens overflowing with desert succulents, crawling vines and palm trees. 

Every room feels a little different and offers something completely unique. Some have double doors overlooking courtyards, others come complete with a small kitchen or a private outdoor jacuzzi. One thing they all have in common is the abundance of style. Interior design team Lightning Bar Collective, has brought this 1947 property up-to-date with modern amenities but kept the eclectic vintage vibe so every room is interesting and every backdrop begs for a photo. 

For couples thinking of doing a destination wedding in Palm Springs, this property should be high on the list. The 33,000 square-foot private event lawn is surrounded by towering ficus trees and allows for the entire event to be held in one space. Dine alfresco under the stars for groups up to 250 and for smaller groups, there are special spaces all over the property that can accommodate. And with the number of rooms, the entire property can easily be bought out in its entirety. 

The on-site restaurant, Del Ray, feels like an old-timey Speak Easy with all the dark woods, dim lighting and jazz sounds one would expect. Romance and food go hand-in-hand here as tables are intimate and the food is shareable. The Spanish, tapas-style menu is locally sourced and perfectly complements the diverse hand-crafted cocktail list. On cooler nights, warm yourself on their fireside outdoor patio under the market lights – ideal for larger groups.

No matter what brings you to Palm Springs – for your destination wedding or a romantic getaway, start your love story with a little bit of history and a whole lot of heart at Villa Royale.