The Thompson Palm Springs has finally started accepting reservations for stays as of May 2024, only around eight years behind schedule. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about this property, starting with some background…
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The abandoned Andaz Palm Springs project
Back in 2015, it was announced that an Andaz would be coming to Palm Springs. At the time the plan was for the 150-room hotel to open in 2016. For those of you not familiar with Andaz, this is Hyatt’s luxury(ish) lifestyle hotel brand, with properties in popular destinations around the world.
The reality is that this property was already in the pipeline long before it was announced that it would be branded as a Hyatt, as the four acre plot of land has been under development in some form for roughly a decade.
For years the development seemed to be cursed in just about every way imaginable, with endless allegations of breach of contract, lack of payment to contractors, etc. In mid-2020, the hotel landed in bankruptcy court, with the controlling entity selling its stake in the property.
Fortunately there has been significant progress on this property recently, and there are still plans for it to be a Hyatt.
Basics of the Thompson Palm Springs
With the project under new ownership, the plan for the past three years or so has been for the property to become the Thompson Palm Springs. For those not familiar, Thompson is another one of Hyatt’s lifestyle brands, with a big emphasis on food & beverage outlets that are popular with locals.
Hyatt now claims that this hotel will open as of May 1, 2024. Not only that, but the hotel has started accepting reservations. The 168-room Thompson will be a Category 5 World of Hyatt property, so a free night award costs 17,000-23,000 points per night. Cash rates at the hotel are currently quite reasonable, and start at just over $300 per night.
The Thompson Palm Springs will feature some guest room bungalows, two outdoor pools, gardens, lounge areas, and winding walking paths. Guests can expect further amenities, including a signature restaurant, an indoor and outdoor bar and lounge, a spa, a fitness center, 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and 20,000 square feet of ground level retail.
As you’d expect, the design has changed somewhat compared to the original project. Below are some renderings of the Thompson Palm Springs, as opposed to the initial plans for the Andaz Palm Springs.
Another awesome California addition for Hyatt
A few general notes about this property specifically, and about Hyatt’s overall footprint in California. I like Palm Springs, though it’s not a place I visit often, simply because I live in Florida. There are a few reasons I’m excited about this property:
- Personally I probably wouldn’t travel cross country to visit Palm Springs as a standalone trip, though what I love so much about California is the geographic diversity, so this would be great as part of a bigger trip to California; this will also be awesome for those in SoCal who are looking for a weekend getaway
- Palm Springs is desperately lacking luxury points hotels; I still miss the Parker Palm Springs belonging to Starwood Preferred Guest; the hotel still exists, but it’s no longer affiliated with a major hotel points program
- While I’m generally excited about this development, I wish this were a more secluded resort with a bit more land, rather than a four acre development right in the heart of the city
- With Hyatt having acquired Dream Hotel Group, Hyatt will have another new property in Palm Springs, as there’s a Dream Palm Springs in the pipeline, though it’s a long ways from opening
On top of that, I can’t help but point out how beautifully Hyatt’s portfolio in California is developing:
- There are now three Alila properties in California, including the Alila Ventana Big Sur, Alila Marea Beach Encinitas, and Alila Napa Valley
- For Hyatt loyalists, you have luxury hotel options to enjoy the beaches in SoCal, the nature in Big Sur, and wine country in Napa Valley, plus this Palm Springs addition coming soon
- While Hyatt’s city footprint in California largely leaves a lot to be desired, it has at least been improving nicely in the Los Angeles area, between the Thompson Hollywood, the tommie Hollywood, Hotel Figueroa, and more (unfortunately the Park Hyatt Los Angeles project is still stalled)
Bottom line
The Thompson Palm Springs is expected to open in May 2024, and is now accepting reservations as a Category 5 World of Hyatt property.
This is the former Andaz Palm Springs project, which has now been under development for roughly a decade. Here’s to hoping that the hotel actually sticks to the timeline, though I certainly wouldn’t be holding my breath…
Are you excited about the Thompson Palm Springs?
Isn't Parker Part of Leading Hotels of the World? So what about the Leaders Club loyalty programme?
I've been saving a chunk of points for the LA Park Hyatt. The delays are so disappointing. I drove past it last month & it still looks like a ghost town.
A Palm Springs competitor would be Kimpton Rowan located downtown. This would be another option besides The Parker in PS.
A few miles away in Rancho Mirage is a Ritz-Carlton property on a hilltop for luxury.
Rancho Mirage also has an Omni property.
Other notable brand in the Coachella Valley include Hyatt Regency and JW Marriott.
Two Bunch Palms is a unique spa resort up in Desert Hot Springs on the San Andreas Fault with a natural hot spring.
Ha, it's interesting that Palm Springs isn't a place you'd go on a standalone trip. Recently booked a family vacation out there for the winter. I've never been and pretty pumped to go (staying in a rented house though for a more private/local experience).
So is Andaz basically dead as a brand for Hyatt now? It seems like there's a lot of overlap between Andaz/Thompson and they're investing massively in Thompson but haven't seen anything in the pipeline for Andaz.
Andaz is opening in Europe in a number of places over the last few years like Prague and Munich; maybe it's more for there?
As long as they don't play games with award nights like Hyatt Regency Indian Wells (impossible to book weekends using points), this will be a great way to spend Hyatt/UR points for those who live in Socal.
"There are now three Alila properties in California, including the Alila Ventana Big Sur, Alila Marea Beach Encinitas, and Alila Napa Valley"
I've reserved at Alilia Big Sur but for those more familiar with the three which would you rate as the must luxurious? Which is the best for a resort get-away?
Having been to all three (LA local), Big Sur is my favorite by far.
This property finally opening allows the Hyatt to finally renovate and not lose the business completely. They have Indian Wells and the Vacation Club at Desert Oasis for those wanting to be on the golf course.
Just booked for May this morning. Hope they remodel the Hyatt after it opens.