This is the 4th time we have visited Miracle Springs Resort and Spa in Desert Hot Springs, CA. It is an older motel, and not very upscale in comparison with some of the newer resorts; but it has something special to offer, and it does that very well indeed. The charm is in the hot springs, and the way that this place manages its prime feature. There are two natural aquifers beneath Desert Hot Springs. One has hot water - 134 degrees Farenhiet, while the other is a cold water source. The hotel has one large pool and six smaller, spa like pools holding from two or three to perhaps ten people. By varying the hot/cold input, the temperature in each pool is set at a different level from the others; ranging from quite hot, to pleasantly tepid in the large pool. If you move back and forth between pools, you get the greatest benefit. Both my wife and I love this place for its hot springs. There is no aroma, and you feel very relaxed and luxuriously treated by the water.
We strongly recommend asking for one of the rooms facing the pool area on the ground floor. Rooms 101 through 119 on the north wing (odd number only) are expecially nice since you can walk directly out through a small patio into the pool area. There may be some similiar rooms on the west wing ground floor also. You should make your preference clear when reserving rooms. I expect it is easier to get what you want if you book a few months in advance, and avoid weekends. The entire Palm Springs general area is very quiet from May through September, since it is one of the hottest places in the United States (or the world for that matter), so staying here in that stretch of time is not such a grand idea. But things get a lot busier in the winter.
The hotel has a restaurant, the Capri. We did not eat here on this trip (see our review of the Trio Restaurant); but we have done so in the past, and it was quite good. Desk service is a little slow, but friendly, and maps of the area are provided. One has to ask for pool towels at the front desk, and they are just adequate, so if you have room to pack your own beach towels, that might be a good idea. It is a bit of a drive into Palm Springs proper, and the rush hour should be avoided; although the speed limits on local streets are fairly high, but should be followed since enforcement is evident.
This is a rather social establishment, since guests are sitting very near each other in small pools, so be prepared for converstaions with strangers. But as noted, this place offers a unique feature, and if you like hot spring pools, Miracle Springs is a great place.

I was there for Chrismas. And it was obvious that the hotel was understaffed.
But when you pay a premium BECAUSE it's Chrismas, there's a problem: price up, service down.
The result: glass bootle, empty cup and dirty towels in the pool area. And don't make me start on the restaurant.
Regarding pools, you have to check each one to find the good temperature for you and that can change during the day.

Good: - clean room

Bad: - dirty pool area
- no idea of the temperature of pools

Overall, it's was ok and it's familly friendly.

My girlfriend and I stayed at the end of Nov. 2012. This place needs some serious maintenance. Very outdated, dirty, dilapidated rooms. We had bugs on the ceiling and walls, the pink tile in the bathroom was missing all it's grout (how do you clean THAT between guests?), the bathroom fan was so loud that the people above were complaining, the room floor had ripples that crunched when you walked across the room. We were supposed to have wine and chocolate covered strawberries waiting in the room, but I had to go to the desk and remind them (because the phone didn't work) . The pools are old and also in need of resurfacing, a lot of tile and concrete missing. The hallways have the worst paint-wallpaper-carpet, the elevators have missing paneling inside, and the stairwell smelled of skunk...

The best part was the amazing massage from a tiny Hispanic woman, I am so sorry I forgot her name, starts with a "C"...SHE is BRILLIANT! Give her a raise now for enduring this cesspool of a hotel...if you can call it a hotel...

Miracle Springs Hotel and Spa went above and beyond to take care of my entire crew. We were in town for a movie shoot and stayed in two villas part of the resort. We had access to the beautiful amenities of the resort. We had an amazing view of the mountains and the town. The service from the resort staff was outstanding from top to bottom. Special mention to Bonnie, Ross, Stanley, Crystal.

Chef Tyrone Love is the reason we never wanted to leave! Chef Tyrone Love and his team (Ellen, Chris, Diana, Deb et al) spoiled us from check in to check out. Every meal was special and always with "love." When I look back on my time in DHS I will remember the food and the special attention to detail that Chef Tyrone Love gave to the vegetarians and gluten-free members of my crew.