The 6 Best Hotels Near Joshua Tree National Park in 2023

Best Budget: Pioneertown Motel

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A few miles north of Yucca, the Pioneertown Motel is not the closest hotel to Joshua Tree National Park. But visitors to the area continue to flock to the property, drawn by the authentic character and excellent budget rates. With the exterior constructed completely out of weathered local timbers, the building is reminiscent of an old western inn, an impression helped by the ‘hitching post’ barricades out front.

Guest rooms reflect the antiquity inside, with polished brass fittings in the bathroom, wood and iron furnishings in the rooms, and Native American textiles adorning the walls. One room has been converted to a common living space with books, card games, and coffee. Rooms are fronted by a shaded porch area with wooden seating for enjoying the native-landscaped gardens. The motel is also conveniently located next door to Pappy and Harriet’s, a former biker bar that has become a local legend for providing great American diner fare, cold drinks, and a lively rock ‘n roll scene.

Best Glamping: Kate's Lazy Desert Airstream Camping

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Located almost 30 miles from the national park, Kate's Lazy Desert Airstream Camping is not as convenient as some other options, but its remote, unspoiled location and classic accommodations create a unique and unforgettable glamping experience. Guests stay in Áirstream trailer caravans, painstakingly restored to their former glory so that they gleam like quicksilver under the blazing desert sunshine. Inside, each caravan has been uniquely decorated, using psychedelic shapes and colors to create a fun and vibrant design.

Though small, having been designed for just one or two people, each unit is space-efficient, containing a full bed, a kitchenette with basic cooking utensils, and coffee facilities in addition to a single bathroom. The caravan temperature can be controlled by air conditioning in the summer and a space heater during the winter months. Outside, each caravan has a shade sail attached, under which you will find tables, chairs, and a barbeque grill. An on-site swimming pool lets you cool off during the day, and a fire pit will keep you warm at night while gazing at the clear, star-filled desert skies. 

Best for Couples: Campbell Inn

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The Campbell Inn sits on a stately property centered around a historic former manor house, constructed in 1925 in a traditional local style of rough-cut stone, painted timbers, and cast-iron fittings. The 12 guest suites and cottages contain comfortable furnishings in a homey farmstead style; however, amenities such as air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi serve as modern luxuries.

The Campbell and Magnolia suites come with a fireplace-garnished living room, while the Pinto and Museum suites are pet-friendly. The wooden cottages scattered around the property have full kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas.

On the grounds, there is a courtyard filled with shaded tables and chairs, palm trees, a tiered fountain, and secluded gardens with padded couches and flower-filled shrubbery. A decent-sized lap pool and adjacent hot tub are set in a sunny stone terrace with ample sun loungers. The hotel also provides massage, reiki, and energy-balancing services, offered either in the private massage rooms or from the convenience of guest rooms.

For more options in California, take a look at some of the best romantic hotels in San Francisco.

Best for Families: Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa

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Located on the outskirts of Palm Springs, Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa is a sprawling resort complex with plenty of family-friendly activities. Large rooms and suites, some with dining areas, can house entire families and come with flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers.

The main pool is designed with a flowing freeform shape and features a giant water slide. Another quieter pool allows for more relaxed family time. A third is for adults only, with all pool areas having whirlpool spas and private cabanas. Two championship golf courses, with rolling greens studded with water traps and graceful trees, provide hours of enjoyment.

For parents wanting some alone time, the on-site kids’ club provides supervised activities and arcade games, and babysitting services are also available. A full-service spa harbors a steam room, salon, and exercise room. Several on-site restaurants serve café-style breakfasts and healthy American fare and Italian pizzeria dishes for lunch and dinner, and 24-hour room service provides snacks at any hour. 

See more reviews of the best family-friendly hotels in California.

Best Motel: Mojave Sands Motel

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Described as ‘an eco-chic Moroccan Desert Refuge, celebrating modern minimalism’, the Mojave Sands Motel evokes the tough, weather-beaten, romantic and soulful character of the area. Originally built in the 1950s, the building has been completely rebuilt using mostly recycled materials. Reclaimed timbers and rust-stained metals have been heavily used, giving the building and grounds an aged and quirky vibe. Other “junk” has been reworked by local artists into striking pieces of art.

Rooms are designed in a chic, minimalistic style and come with private bathrooms containing walk-in rainfall showers, private patios, and a record player with a selection of vinyl records to play. The two suites also come with living areas with cushioned furniture and a full kitchen, with one suite also housing an outdoor shower and bathtub. Guest accommodations are set around a sandy central courtyard, with a reflecting pool, native plant landscaping and a huge communal dining table made from polished wooden beams, lit up in the evenings by strings of warm yellow lights.