The Riviera Palm Springs is my go-to for a cheap boutique stay in the California desert

Book the Riviera Palm Springs for a glam desert escape that won't cost a fortune. It's a good mix of modern style with a fair price point.

It's not a five-star property, but a fun boutique resort with flair and gorgeous grounds. Consider a nominal upgrade to experience an elevated offering and avoid dated rooms, and save time for the pool and spa, which are spectacular.

Who stays here: Families, couples, and those attending on-site conventions and weddings. On weekends, there can be a younger crowd for bachelor/ette festivities, local concerts, and events.

We like: The junior suite for its upscale charm, super comfy bed, and lovely bathroom.

We love (don't miss this feature): The design overall, but especially the lobby and pool area. I'd gladly spend a week soaking up Palm Springs vibes from the pool, framed by mountain views.

We think you should know: There is a daily $35 resort fee to account for self-parking, Wi-Fi, fitness center, local calls, in-room coffee, newspaper, bicycles, golf bag storage, and more. It's not ideal, but highly common for Palm Springs resorts. Also, as noted, some rooms are in serious need of updates, and peak weekends attract a rowdy crowd.

We'd do this differently next time: I would ask for a premium suite that was recently updated to see if it better matched the top-tier branding. I might also try a free bicycle rental or taking the trolley into town, which stops outside the Riviera to cut back on driving and take advantage of the perks associated with the resort fee.

Reviews online for the Riviera are mixed. Some on Trip Advisor adore the property and praise it highly; others claim the opposite and lament dated rooms in disrepair. This can feel confusing and jarring as a prospective traveler.

If you're feeling unsure, consider my approach, which took some of this advice into consideration. I requested a quiet, updated room away from the pool noise and on the second floor with no one above me. The Junior Suite was a newer offering that only cost a small fraction more and avoided the older rooms which show significant wear and tear. I also avoid visiting on popular party weekends when added crowds could detract from my experience. And I had a fabulous time.

Palm Springs is teeming with innovative galleries, funky shopping, wonderful restaurants, and raw natural beauty. Every Thursday night, galleries open their doors for a fun art walk. Follow with dinner at favorites like Tropicale, Birba, Workshop, or Jake's.

And don't forget to savor stunning scenery with a hike at Indian Canyons, or learn about the desert landscape at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Joshua Tree National Park is breathtaking, and less than two hours away.

To get to town, fly into Palm Springs, or make the two-hour drive from Los Angeles, or one-hour drive from Ontario.

There are two pools: the large Soleil Pool and quieter Chiki Pool. DJs pump tunes at Soleil on weekends, attracting many bachelor and bachelorette parties. This can also make it feel a tad crowded, but I still preferred it to the tame Chiki. The music and people-watching were fun while still relaxing. I loved the plush lounge chairs, though be sure to find one early on weekends or rent a day bed or cabana. Things calmed down significantly midweek when most partiers exit. If your room faces the pool, you will hear some noise during the day.

Looking for an extra dose of relaxation, I booked a 60-minute Swedish massage at the Azure Spa and Salon, which was fantastic. The spa is deeply soothing and quite large with multiple treatment rooms, plunge pools, and steam and sauna facilities. While I had a great experience in the spa, a hair and makeup session in the salon was less than spectacular. I would skip it in favor of the spa.

Much like its public spaces, the restaurants are brightly styled. I am always parked poolside for a good portion of my stay and like to order a round of tacos and margaritas from the Soleil Pool & Bar straight to my sun lounger.

When you need a break, Cafe Palmetto serves tasty, albeit pricey, meals that you may also order to-go if you tire of the pool bar's menu.

For a whimsical cocktail, Gypsy Rose feels like an Art Deco speakeasy. They're all priced on the high end and can add up, so watch those room charges.

Additionally, my Junior Suite had a lovely marble bathroom with double sinks, walk-in shower, and deep soaking tub.

More recently, I stayed in the Premium One-Bedroom suite for my wedding. It is the hotel's highest tier, with an ample living room with fireplace, wet bar, spacious separate bedroom, large bathroom with a tub and shower, private outdoor jacuzzi, and large terrace with chaise lounges overlooking the pool area. It's the largest room in the hotel, but I was surprised to see that such a top-tier option showed such obvious signs of wear and tear.

There were scuff marks on furniture and walls with poor paint touch-ups. My frosted bathroom door was dirty, and the bathroom itself, while large, didn't seem as new as my Junior Suite with soaking tub. I paid a discounted rate as part of my wedding block and enjoyed the extra space, but I might have felt disappointed had I paid full price given that the room didn't feel new or updated, despite being the top luxury offering. Still, it is reasonably priced for groups and families looking for a large room, and a better option than booking two entry-level rooms.

I plan to return to the Riviera in the future and would continue to opt for a second-story Junior Suite (if I could remember the exact room number, I would even request it!) for the style, value, and quiet ambiance.

This past spring, I upgraded to a Junior Suite for a three-night stay. Dressed in shades of brown and white with splashes of teal, the look is minimal and clean. My suite was a step above standard offerings, with 465 square feet as opposed to the 300 to 350 found in Superior and Deluxe rooms. The living room was not separate but did offer ample seating with a pull-out couch and terrace. The plush king bed was exceptionally comfortable and I slept very well.

While some online reviews lamented dated rooms with significant wear and tear, the suite felt renovated and sophisticated. Heeding advice from Trip Advisor, I requested a room in a quiet location after reading negative feedback about noise. The Riviera does have a reputation for having a strong pool party scene, and many rooms center around it. The front desk gladly accommodated, placing me in a second-story room overlooking a manicured lawn instead, and I had no issues with noise.

The look is a not-so-subtle nod to the hotel's historic days when the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin performed, and partied, there. Peek into ballroom meeting rooms and you'll see dazzling chandeliers, the same exact ones Frank crooned underneath. Originally designed by architect Irwin Schuman, the Riviera was modeled after the splendor once associated with another desert oasis, Las Vegas.

The Riviera has since seen a multi-million dollar renovation to merge its vintage past with a modern boutique feel. During busier times, expect a brief queue at the front desk, though service was prompt, friendly, and attentive during my most recent visit. Situated within uptown Palm Springs, it's a quick walk, drive, or trolley ride to the city's main drag.

This is where the Riviera knocks it out of the park. A sweeping facade and glitzy entrance gives way to a hip, retro lobby decked in mint green and white hues with soaring ceilings. Past reception, a series of mid-century modern seating areas make for vignettes that feel lifted from the set of Mad Men.

Venture farther and walk past equally polished restaurants and a glam pool outfitted in contrasting pops of blue and orange. Set against a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains and swaying palms, it's hard not to feel wowed.