California, Destinations, Southern California, USA

Sands Hotel and Spa: A Review of This Stunning Hotel Near Palm Desert

Sands Hotel and Spa has long held a place on my hotel bucket list. This picture-perfect, pink-hued stay is located in Indian Wells, just on the border of Palm Desert. 

The gorgeous design alone made me want to visit. While it was originally built in the 1950s, the luxury property was renovated in 2018 under the direction of interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. The secluded property also has a dip-worthy pool, so it seemed like the ultimate spot for a sunny escape to the desert.  

I finally had the chance to stay at this boutique hotel during a weekend getaway to the Coachella Valley…and I can happily say that it lived up to my expectations! In my Sands Hotel review, I’m covering everything that I loved about my visit. 

This is not sponsored. I fully paid for my stay! This is a completely honest review based on my time at this Indian Wells hotel.

The pool at the Sands Hotel, which is surrounded by palm trees and other greenery. There are lounge chairs and umbrellas around the pool.
The interior dining room of The Pink Cabana. There is a checkered floor, a green bar, and lanterns hanging from the cieling.
A walkway with grass on either side leading up to a black double door on a pink building.

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Quick Facts About Sands Hotel & Spa

  • Boutique hotel with 46 rooms and suites
  • Adults-only property
  • Pool and spa on-site (no gym)
  • Restaurant and bar on-site, called The Pink Cabana 
  • Located in Indian Wells, just a quick drive from El Paseo in Palm Desert and about a 30-minute drive from Palm Springs

Take a look through my Palm Springs weekend getaway guide for more info on things to do in the greater area!

My Sands Hotel Review: What I Loved About My Visit 

Here are the highlights and notable things worth mentioning from my stay at the incredibly gorgeous Sands Hotel and Spa. 

Beautiful Property & Detail-Oriented Design

Sands Hotel really is picture-perfect. The design combines Moroccan influences with a laid-back California style (complete with some mid-century modern hints!). I loved the beautiful tiles, bold prints, lush greenery, and of course, the pink stucco walls. 

I also really appreciated the many nice outdoor sitting areas, including the tree-covered fire pits right in front of the on-site restaurant. They really give you an opportunity to relax and fully enjoy the beauty of the space!

A secluded walkway leading up to the entrance of the Sands Hotel. The building is pink, and there is a tree in the courtyard over the walkway.
A mix of black and white tiling in the lobby of Sands Hotel and Spa.
Star shaped lanterns handing from the ceiling next to archways. The walls and ceiling are painted pink.

Comfortable Room with High-Quality Amenities

I reserved a Superior King for my stay. I loved the room from the moment we checked-in…partially because we were greeted with a chilled bottle of rosé. 

Unsurprisingly, the room is just as stunning as the rest of the property. I especially loved the cool photographs on the wall, the mix of fun patterns and materials, and the gorgeous dusty pink-colored bathroom (which was stocked with Diptyque amenities!). Most importantly, the king-sized bed was very comfortable. 

The room also comes stocked with a ton of mini-bar snacks and drinks available for purchase. This includes a variety of medium-sized bottles of alcohol, including tequila, wine, vodka, and more. Perfect if you want to enjoy a relaxing night in! 

The Superior King room includes either a balcony or a patio. We ended up with a balcony with amazing views of the San Jacinto Mountains. 

I will note that our room was facing the main road. It was blocked visually by tall hedges, but we would hear some traffic noises when hanging out on the balcony (mostly just during the day…no problems when we were out there in the evening!). But don’t worry – they very thoughtfully designed the space with two sliding glass doors that kept the room completely insulated from outdoor noise! 

A marble sink with brass faucets. There is checkered tiling in the shower, and the wall is painted a dusty pink color.
A white chair on the pink-painted balcony off a room at Sands Hotel.
A bed in a room at Sands Hotel. There is a pink patterned headboard, and a light green throw pillow on white bedding.

Amazing Service and Thoughtful Details 

Thankfully, the level of service matched the high-quality hotel design. The staff was friendly and helpful, readily available to assist with any questions we had.  

I also loved the little details that made our stay extra special. This includes a welcome note in our room when we arrived, and the delicious Moroccan mint tea in the lobby. Both mornings that we were there, I really appreciated the complimentary coffee by the pool (complete with both dairy and non-dairy milk!). 

Excellent Pool (That Doesn’t Feel Overcrowded!)

Sands really does have the perfect pool area for a lazy afternoon soaking up the sun. There are plenty of sun loungers and cabanas, and the pool and hot tub are surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery. 

While the property did seem to be pretty booked up during my stay, the pool didn’t feel overcrowded (even on a hot Saturday afternoon!). We were easily able to get a comfortable spot. Since the hotel is fairly small and adults-only, I don’t think you really have to worry about it being too busy. That said, if you want to secure the perfect sun lounger (or a cabana), you can coordinate with the front desk to reserve your space. 

The poolside servers were very attentive, and even brought out some coconut water while we were hanging out. I also really appreciated that they had complimentary sunscreen available by the pool (both SPF 30 and 50), as well as after-sun lotion. 

The sun shining on the empty pool at Sands Hotel. There is a row of sun loungers underneath umbrellas on the opposite side of the pool.
A cactus leaning against a pink wall
A row of empty sun loungers at Sands Hotel in Indian Wells.

Stunning On-Site Restaurant with Delicious Food

The Pink Cabana (the Sands Hotel restaurant) is easily one of the most Instagrammable places in Palm Desert…and potentially in all of the Coachella Valley! The eclectic design takes inspiration from the tennis and racquet clubs from the 1950s and 60s. You’ll see racquets hung up on the walls alongside a nice collection of fun vintage photographs. 

This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I dined here for breakfast, and really enjoyed both the French toast and the avocado toast, as well as a fresh pressed juice! 

Note: even if you’re a hotel guest, it’s smart to make reservations in advance. This is especially true if you’ll be dining at the hotel for a weekend brunch or dinner. This is a popular spot, and you’ll see both hotel and non-hotel guests dining there. 

The interior dining room of The Pink Cabana. There are lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and a variety of framed photographs on the wall.
A framed photograph of a woman in a pink dress laying on a pink bed with black and white pillows. There is white and pink wallpaper on the walls.
A couple tables and chairs on the outdoor patio of The Pink Cabana. There is green and white checkered floor tiling, and a pink stucco wall besides the tables.

Full Spa Program  

While I didn’t indulge in the spa during my stay, it’s worth noting that they do have an excellent and well-reviewed spa at the hotel. The small spa has three treatment rooms, and services include massages, body scrubs, facial and more. 

Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells: Would I Stay Again?

As you’ve probably guessed, I’d happily stay at Sands Hotel in Indian Wells again. I’d love to return and visit the spa during my next stay, and of course, spend a bit more time relaxing by the pool and enjoying the drinks and bites at The Pink Cabana. 

If you’re planning on spending a lot of your vacation in nearby Palm Springs, I’d keep the drive between the two cities in mind before making your final decision to book. As a reminder, Palm Springs is about a half hour drive away. That said, if you’re trying to mix a little bit of Palm Springs exploration with laid-back time by the pool (or some time exploring some of the Palm Desert shopping and attractions), I’d say this hotel is a perfect fit. 

Sands Hotel shines in the landscape of Palm Desert hotels. I’d highly recommend it for anyone looking for a relaxing, beautifully designed stay for their vacation to the desert. 

Find the best rate for your stay at Sands Hotel and Spa by comparing prices on Booking, Expedia, and Hotels.com. 

Here are some travel guides for destinations in the surrounding area that you might like:

Posted In: California, Destinations, Southern California, USA

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Kyra is the founder of Sea to Sequoia, a site she launched in 2020. As a type A traveler who loves to extensively research destinations to create the perfect vacation itinerary, she’s here to help readers so that their travel planning process is as easy as possible. In addition to running this site, she is a professional content writer in the wellness and skincare spaces, and also works as an actress.

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