The Velvet Rope

The bartenders and live entertainment were top tier, and all the staff were so kind and made us feel right at home. They even gave us great dinner recommendations. The rooms are exquisite, with unique design touches everywhere from the bar to the pool. Such a charming, fun, welcoming place. We couldn’t have picked a better stay and can’t wait to go back!

David and Kevin were wonderful, fitting us in at the very last minute. The service and hospitality were incredible, and the whole place had impeccable vibes. I can’t wait to come back to Palm Springs and stay here again. The cocktails were delicious, the pool and hot tub were glorious, and the poolside chairs and daybeds were comfortable. The themed rooms are perfect, but it’ll be tough to choose between Elvis, Liberace, I Love Lucy, and the others. It’s about as luxurious as Palm Springs gets.

We had a girls’ evening together and booked a cabana while my best friend was visiting from out of town. The pool and jacuzzi changed colors, the daybeds were cozy, and the bartenders looked smoking hot. With the crafted drinks and old Hollywood atmosphere, the whole day felt magical. I’d book a bottle of champagne with the cabana in advance to set the mood and relax into Palm Springs at The Velvet Rope Hotel. It’s behind Denny's restaurant. This was a top-tier, glamorous Old Hollywood experience, and I can’t imagine finding another gem like it, with a lounge and bar and such a romantic view.

The pool and jacuzzi were clean, though plain and underwhelming, and the property looked like the photos. We arrived after 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving night to find the gate open and reception closed. We’d booked two nights through United Hotels, an affiliate of United Airlines, for a romantic Thanksgiving surprise. The listing promised an “Exclusive Suite” at a good price. I used miles worth $192.50 and paid $292.73 cash, $485.20 total. Instead, Room #6, also called the “Old Hollywood Suite,” was a cramped studio with glitter balls and ostrich feathers, two tiny chairs with no clear purpose, a mini fridge, and no closet, just a low bar with hangers. The decor reminded me of The Birdcage. Worst was the bathroom: only a curtain separated the bed from the toilet, about three feet away and right across from the coffee machine. The setup seemed to assume someone might drink coffee while on the toilet with a clear view of the bed. That wasn’t for me. Having no privacy for bathroom use wasn’t romantic or civilized, and it wasn’t what I paid for. I complained urgently and asked to change rooms. The woman representing the hotel dismissed me, asking how no door could be a problem and saying nobody had complained before. Kevin, a young man at the hotel, then stepped in. He was compassionate and apologetic, and tried to help. He offered to move us to Skylark Hotel and cover the $292.73 I’d paid, but said Skylark quoted $600 a night, so we’d owe another $300 ourselves. After we got home, I checked Skylark’s actual rates and found they were nowhere near that amount. Even if holiday rates rise, a 400% increase isn’t “dynamic pricing” to me. It’s exploitative surge pricing, bordering on gouging. Guests shouldn’t be stuck choosing between two bad options. My wife ultimately suggested staying, since it was dark, Thanksgiving night, and we had dinner reservations. The first night was miserable. There was no privacy, so I stepped outside when my wife used the bathroom, and she did the same for me. The wall-mounted air conditioner blew cold air right onto our heads. By morning I wanted to cancel the rest and go home, but my wife calmed me down and reminded me to smile and enjoy Palm Springs. She was right. We salvaged the trip with good meals and activities, and Kevin later adjusted the air conditioner, which made the second night easier. We enjoyed Palm Springs in the end, but not Velvet Rope. Kevin deserves credit for trying, and the location is quiet and secluded, good for lazy time by the pool. Still, Room #6, whether labeled “Exclusive Suite” or “Old Hollywood Suite,” should be kept off anyone’s itinerary. It was overpriced, misleading, and deeply uncomfortable. Then there was another problem: I tried to post this review through United Hotels, but they blocked it. They said they’d “call the hotel and solve it” instead of letting me share my experience. I insisted I had the right to publish it and warned I’d post elsewhere, but they still refused. So here it is. Velvet Rope failed us, and United Hotels, a branch of United Airlines, put up a wall to keep that failure hidden. Guests deserve transparency and protection from exploitative prices dressed up as “suites.” #VelverRope #VelvetRopeHotel #VelvetRopePalmSprings #hotels #unitedairlines #unitedhotels #hotels #palmsprings