Miracle Manor Boutique Hotel & Spa

What to expect

Miracle Manor is a nine-room spa hotel on Miracle Hill in Desert Hot Springs, the part of town where hot and cold mineral springs were found more than 100 years ago. The property dates back to around 1949 and the early 1950s, when it was one of the first spas in Desert Hot Springs. It has since been restored with a warm, simple style: reclaimed-wood furniture, organic linens, low lighting and a lot of open desert and mountain views.

It is a quiet place by design. The Michelin Guide, which lists the hotel, points out that it is not a party hotel, and the house enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Guests must be 21 or older. With so few rooms, the pool deck rarely feels busy, which is the main reason people choose it over larger resorts in town.

The pools

Miracle Manor pumps hot mineral water from the aquifer under Miracle Hill. The hotel says the water reaches the surface at about 155°F68°C and is then cooled for soaking:

• Swimming pool: about 90°F32°C, warm enough to float in for a long time.
• Soaking tub: about 104°F40°C.
• Jacuzzi and private hot and cold mineral tubs: included in day passes.

The hotel publishes a water analysis that shows sulfate, sodium, bicarbonate and chloride as the main dissolved minerals, plus silica and calcium. It describes the water as soft and odorless. Filtered mineral water is also available for drinking at refill stations and in the rooms. The pool is open 24 hours for hotel guests, with no lifeguard, and glass is not allowed anywhere near it (the hotel provides pool-safe cups).

Getting there

Miracle Manor is at 67621 Desert View Ave. in Desert Hot Springs (some listings use the side-street address, 12589 Reposo Way). Parking is free.

The hotel is about 12 miles from Palm Springs International Airport and about 20 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. From I-10, take Palm Drive north into Desert Hot Springs, then follow local streets east to Desert View Avenue. Joshua Tree National Park is roughly 40 minutes away. From Los Angeles, allow about 2 hours, and from San Diego about 2.5 hours.

Nearly everything around the hotel is a drive away rather than a walk, so bring a car.

When to go

The desert’s comfortable season runs from about November to April, with mild days and cold, clear nights that suit a 104°F40°C tub. Weekends in winter and spring book up first, and day passes are limited, so plan ahead. Summer is very hot, and the hotel notes that day-pass hours may change in summer. Wind is common in this part of the valley, so pack a warm layer for evenings.

Prices and booking

All day passes need a reservation, and they depend on how many hotel guests are in house. The day-pass page lists these options:

• Day pass: $49, Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Includes the pool, jacuzzi and private hot and cold tubs, coffee and tea, Wi-Fi, a locker and the mineral water refill station.
• Local’s day pass: $35 with a valid local ID, checked on arrival.
• Deluxe Day Pass: $74, Thursdays only. Includes the 8 AM yoga class and use of the waters from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Deluxe Spa Pass: $208, Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM, built around massage, facial or body treatments.

The operator’s own pages do not agree on the standard price. The FAQ gives $64 for a pool and tub day pass, and the policy page gives $75 for outside guests. Treat the day-pass page as the current offer, but confirm when you book by phone at 760-329-6641.

Spa treatments are offered daily from 9 AM to 6 PM and should be booked at least 24 hours ahead. Weekly yoga classes are held on site; the schedule has changed over time, so check the yoga page before you go.

For overnight stays, check-in is 3 PM and check-out is 11 AM. Half the payment is due when you book. Cancellations 14 or more days out get a full refund, inside 14 days there is a 50% fee, and within 2 days of arrival you pay for the full stay.

Rules and etiquette

• Adults only: 21 and over, for hotel guests and day visitors alike.
• Quiet hours: 10 PM to 7 AM.
• No smoking: anywhere on the property. There is a $500 charge for smoking in a room.
• No glass: in or around the pool. Breaking this rule brings a fine.
• No pets: the hotel stopped accepting them. Call about service animals.
• Check in first: outside guests must check in at the front desk before using the pools.

Where to stay nearby

The nine rooms are the obvious choice. They range from a petite queen and three standard queens to two queen rooms with full kitchens, a King Suite with mountain views and a balcony, the Manor Suite with a kitchen and patio, and a twin room in a separate annex. All rooms have heat and air conditioning, refrigerators and robes. Breakfast is served Thursday to Sunday from 8:30 to 10 AM for $14.99 per person.

Desert Hot Springs has many other small spa hotels if Miracle Manor is full, including Miracle Springs Resort and Spa on Palm Drive. Palm Springs has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants. Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, close by on Desert View Avenue, is worth a stop for the history of the town’s hot water.

Safety notes

• Heat: The 104°F40°C tub feels gentle at first but adds up. Keep soaks to 15 or 20 minutes, drink water and get out if you feel lightheaded.
• No lifeguard: The pool is open around the clock with no lifeguard on duty. Avoid soaking alone late at night after drinking.
• Sun and summer heat: Desert sun is strong in every season, and summer air temperatures can be dangerous. Use shade between soaks.
• Health claims: The hotel markets its water for a range of benefits. Talk to a doctor before soaking if you are pregnant or have heart or blood pressure problems.