If it feels like everyone you know is planning their next group getaway around a pool, you’re not wrong. Searches for “pool hotels” have spiked, and the demand isn’t just about lounge chairs and cannonballs. Today’s pools are design statements, dinner party settings, and wellness sanctuaries all at once. Venue Report Pool Party dives into destinations where the water isn't just for swimming. It's for gathering. Case in point: Royal Sun Palm Springs, a desert property that rethinks the classic Palm Springs poolscape with a smarter, more flexible approach. The outdoor spaces are layered with options: fringe-lined cabanas for private hangs, daybeds built for group sprawl, shaded lounges suited for conversation, and a pool terrace that adapts easily for events; whether it’s a casual happy hour or something with RSVPs and a dress code. It’s the kind of setup that handles groups well without feeling like it’s built just for them.
Photography Credits: 1-2 by Iris Concept Media// 3-4 Samuel Di Leo
An Open-Air Design for Roaming Days and Spirited Nights
Royal Sun is a 66-room desert property that knows how to host. It’s equal parts laid-back and socially fluent. Mornings are mellow (especially if someone in your group insists on sunrise yoga), but the mood shifts easily by midday, especially near the pool where spicy prosecco and big plans start circulating. It’s the kind of place that makes group travel feel less like logistics and more like summer unfolding as it should.
The outdoor spaces are equally well-edited. The color story pulls from the surrounding terrain; warm sand, muted clay, and cactus greens. While the layout is built for movement: from group brunch to solo nap to back-in-the-pool. Fringed umbrellas give a nod to vintage Palm Springs without going full costume, and the pool terrace unfolds into a mix of daybeds, cabanas, and lounges that can flex from casual hangs to elaborate events. There’s even a gazebo for romantic ceremonies.
Photography Credit: Samuel Di Leo
Sound Baths, Frozen Drinks, and a Pool Worth Planning Around
Poolside programming at Royal Sun follows its own rhythm. One morning might feature a sound bath led by a local healer; by afternoon, a DJ’s easing into a weekend set as groups drift between lounge chairs and frozen drinks. For those not staying overnight, the Pool Day Pass is a smart way in. It offers access to the hotel’s outdoor spaces, including the pool, terrace, and on-site amenities, making it easy to slot into the scene without booking a room. Locals treat it as a mini escape; friends in town for a wedding or retreat use it to extend the weekend just a little longer. However you land there, the result is the same: a place that feels social without being overwhelming, and easygoing without ever being dull.
Photography Credit: Samuel Di Leo
From Poolside Cravings to Proper Plates: All-Day Dining, Desert-Style
Long days by the pool need fuel, and Royal Sun’s culinary lineup delivers accordingly. Breakfast starts with the Sunrise menu at High Moon, where the Coachella Valley Classic nods to the hotel’s festival-adjacent location and the ingredients lean local. By the time you've dried off from a mid-morning swim, the High Moon Pool Bar is the move. The Ensalada Nopal with charred cactus and heirloom tomatoes is an easy group favorite, often followed by chicken tacos and something crisp and cold to sip. The Poolside Cooler, made with gin and elderflower, suits the long-haul loungers, while zero-proof cocktails like the Spice of Life (spicy margarita dupe) make a strong case for skipping the hangover. It’s the kind of poolside setup that takes you back to long, family pool days when everyone picks at everything, someone always wants more chips, and juicy convos ensue. When the sun starts to soften, a quick reset leads into dinner and the Afterglow menu, where short ribs, seasonal produce, and a proper cocktail round out the day. I recommend Sweet Heat or North of the Border for a refreshingly spicy pool-day-decompressor.
Photography Credits: 1-3 by Iris Concept Media// 4-5 Samuel Di Leo
Weddings Made Seamless, Celebrations Made Memorable
Royal Sun takes the stress out of planning by offering couples flexible event spaces that fit every stage of a wedding weekend, from intimate poolside ceremonies to lively cocktail receptions under the desert sunset. The team works closely with you to tailor everything. Customizable catering menus from High Moon spotlight seasonal, local flavors, while craft cocktails keep spirits high well into the evening. With private patios, a romantic gazebo, and versatile indoor-outdoor venues, the setting adapts effortlessly to your vision, whether that’s a laid-back celebration or something more formal.
Beyond the event itself, Royal Sun makes group stays easy with exclusive room blocks and thoughtful amenities so your closest friends and family feel right at home. From pre-wedding brunches to post-ceremony poolside lounging, the property’s seamless flow encourages moments of connection without the usual wedding-day logistics. It’s a venue that lets you focus on what matters: celebrating love, surrounded by your people, with a desert backdrop that elevates every moment.
Bring Everyone Together. Royal Sun Will Handle the Rest!
Royal Sun Palm Springs earns its spot in our Pool Party collection not just for the pool, but for how well it brings people together. It’s ideal for hosting your wedding party, pulling off a stylish ceremony, or turning a group trip into something a little more eventful. The retro-desert aesthetic feels cool and effortless, and the mix of event spaces; from shaded patios with San Jacinto views to indoor lounges, restaurants, and poolside setups, makes it easy to plan something that looks good and runs smoothly. Whether you're organizing a company offsite, birthday dinner, or just corralling your friends during festival season, the pieces are already in place. Add in the day passes, rotating DJ sets, wellness workshops, and pet-friendly rooms, and you’ve got a hotel that doesn’t just accommodate group travel. It makes it fun to host.
Photography Credit: Samuel Di Leo
🏖️ This Summer’s Guide to Pool Parties
See the full collection of splash-worthy stays, each chosen for their style, group-ready layouts, and poolside hosting potential. [Right this way →]
🌴 Search more poolside venues built for gathering
Whether it’s a birthday weekend, welcome party, or just an excuse to dive in, find settings where the guest list feels right at home. [Right this way →]
🧃 Read more pool party guides, venue roundups, and editorial in RSVP Magazine
From frozen drinks to playlist picks, we’ve got ideas for every kind of water-adjacent gathering. [Right this way →]
🛎️ Room Service by Venue Report
Planning a pool-forward trip for a crew? We’ll match you with group-friendly stays that get the vibe right—plus we’ll block rooms, find deals, and help you host like a pro. Free of charge. [Right this way →]
