7 Springs Inn & Suites

The 7 Springs Inn & Suites stands out in style with a sleek, rectangular facade that calls to mind mid-century modern motels. It's finished with exposed stone accents and ovular space-age protrusions finished with bright orange pops of color. Inside, the lobby offers an on-theme pairing of a retro color palette and vintage-inspired furnishings, like a white, space-age ball chair with bright red upholstery. The lobby sets the tone for the hotel, but the real lounge space here is outside where a spacious courtyard and landscaped yard offer plenty of nooks for relaxing: poolside lounge chairs, faux wicker couches (sometimes surrounding a fire pit), and picnic areas near big, outdoor BBQ grills. For a budget property, it's impressively maintained, attracting vacationing couples and families who want to make use of the spacious guest rooms, self-service amenities, and proximity to downtown.

The hotel sits along a palm-tree studded main road facing the mountains, just one block from Palm Canyon Drive, the restaurant- and shopping-lined street that heads into the heart of downtown. There are plenty of dining and shopping options within a 10-minute walk, with more options about a five- to 10-minute stroll down the street. Popular regional attractions include Indian Canyons (20-minute drive), Coachella (40-minute drive), and Joshua Tree National Park (50-minute drive). Palm Springs International Airport is just a seven-minute drive, and Los Angeles will take about two hours by car. Free parking is offered in on-site parking lots.

Guests rooms are spacious with a range of functional amenities and playful, modern decor that employs bright pops of color. Some rooms can feel busy with swirling lime green and blue wall-to-wall carpeting, colorful striped accent walls, and bold purple furnishings, but the look comes together for a funky/kitsch feel. Updated rooms have pared down the look with dark wall-to-wall carpeting, white walls, and white bedding coupled with lime green and bright orange accents. Bathrooms are nice, pairing green walls with black-tiled walk-in showers, though bathrooms in entry-level rooms can be small with pedestal sinks. Upgraded rooms add counter space and extra perks like rainfall showers. Rooms are all air-conditioned and have mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, plus flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, though guests sometimes find it spotty. Upgraded rooms might add balconies furnished with faux wicker seating, Keurigs, sitting areas, or other extras. Suites add fully equipped kitchens and extra living and/or dining space. Rooms may face the mountains or courtyard. Be aware that guests sometimes complain of noise due to thin walls, so light sleepers may want to consider earplugs.

The highlight of this hotel is a spacious, landscaped courtyard packed with hangout areas. There's a small, functional pool and a whirlpool, plus a separate, larger whirlpool. Lounge chairs sit by the pool, couches are gathered into stylish sitting areas (some centered on a fire pit), and there are big BBQ grills for outdoor cooking. The hotel does lack some typical amenities: There's no gym, restaurant, or bar for example. No real breakfast is offered, though the hotel has free coffee, tea, and cookies in the morning, and free cucumber and lemon water throughout the day. Wi-Fi throughout is free, though guests occasionally complain service is spotty, and there's a computer and printer in the lobby for guest use. On-site parking is free, though the limited spaces can make parking challenging during peak times. The hotel also has coin-operated laundry. The front desk is opened late, but not 24 hours. Crib and extra bed rentals are charged extra.