The Cactai

The virtual check-in caught me off guard. I’d booked through hotels.com and expected to go to a front desk, and the email instructions were tucked into one small section of the site. I wish that had been made much more obvious, especially since we arrived late. We also came in just before a playoff football game, not realizing the TV was Roku rather than basic cable, so it took us a while to work out how to watch. Neither was a big deal once we figured it out, but new guests might find those things annoying. After we got settled, we had a great time and I’ll be back. I stayed one night last weekend while my friends stayed two. We were in a suite, which had everything we needed and more, including nice drink options in the fridge. Marie and Antonia (I think that’s the pregnant girl’s name) were so sweet, and even took out our trash and recycling after the first night so we could start fresh. The hotel is clean and colorful, with a Palm Springs poolside feel, and we loved being able to walk downtown. It’s dog friendly, too. The couch wasn’t the best to sleep on, but for one night it was tolerable.

The pool was sparkling clean, with comfortable places to lounge, and the putting green was a fun activity. The fridge had a nice mix of drinks and snacks. Our room was roomy and clean, and we appreciated how quiet the hotel was. Monty was great, quick to respond and attentive throughout our stay. There’s no front desk, so you communicate with the concierge by text or phone. Staff were friendly and prompt whenever we needed something. We weren’t sure if daily housekeeping was meant to happen, since nobody came to our room during the stay. When we ran out of soap and needed fresh towels, the maids were happy to bring more. It would help to have instructions in the room for the A/C, coffee maker, and toilet/bidet. We worked them out, but anyone less comfortable with tech or contacting the concierge might prefer a place with someone on-site. If you’re comfortable with that setup, The Cactai is a nice, quiet place in northern Palm Springs.

The neighbors were so polite and quiet that it felt like we had the place to ourselves. There’s a nice pool and jacuzzi, and downtown is very close, with all kinds of restaurants and plenty of free parking. I also liked that our room had no carpet. The beds were nice and really comfortable. We know where we’ll stay next time we visit Palm Springs.

A private spot but still close to everything I needed. I had no problems during my stay and can’t wait to return. The rooms and facilities were clean, and I loved the decor. The owners clearly put a lot of thought into the retro feel. The pool area was great, too. This place is an absolute gem.