Palm Springs Lived In

The Skyfall House

Palm Springs is often framed as a hotel town—pools lined with chaises, housekeeping services, and people watching. This stay reminded me how different the city feels when you experience it from a house.

I rented the Skyfall House through VRBO and used it as a base rather than a destination. What happened was not a checklist trip, but more of a slow-paced rhythm of mornings with coffee outside, looking at the mountains; days spent out in the desert and around town; evenings that felt unhurried and social. It was Palm Springs as a place to live, not just visit.

The House

Amazing pool, spa and views!

The Great Room has two steps down from the kitchen.

Skyfall is a modernized older home. It was built in 1963. The pool of the 2,790-square-foot home was built first, and the house was built around it. The unique layout features a split floor plan with two primary bedrooms (at opposite ends of the house), plus an additional third bedroom and four baths. Clean lines, terrific views, and a layout that encourages both solitude and gathering. The pool anchors the property, but the real luxury is space—space to read, to host friends, to come and go as you please.

Staying in a house changes the tone of the trip. There’s no lobby, no ambient music, no sense of being “on.” Mornings are quiet. Coffee happens outside, around a fire pit, in your pajamas if you like.

The Days

Most days followed a simple pattern: out early, back mid-afternoon, out again in the evening. I hiked, wandered neighborhoods, shopped, met up with family and friends, and ate out or did takeout.

What This Trip Taught Me

Palm Springs shines when you don’t overschedule it. A house stay like Skyfall is ideal for travelers who value flexibility, privacy, and a sense of place over constant service. It’s especially well-suited for trips that mix social time with personal downtime—family visits, long weekends with friends, or solo stays that still feel connected.

This isn’t the Palm Springs of pool parties and packed brunch patios. It’s quieter, more spacious, and more personal. And for me, it’s the version that lingers.

All opinions are my own. This stay was booked and paid for independently.