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Joshua Tree · Hotel shortlist

Hotels for families in the business district, Joshua Tree

Ellie Brandt

Ellie Brandt Southeast Asia

Updated 1 September 2026 · 18 Joshua Tree hotels assessed

These are my five favourites in Joshua Tree, out of the 18 that qualified. I read what other travellers scored them before I picked, so the order follows the guests, 4.7 down to 4.3.

Mojave Sands is the one I would book myself.

Mojave Sands

Highest rated of the five

Mojave Sands

★★★★★4.7 from 70 reviews

Mojave Sands comes out on top of this list, and not narrowly: 4.7 from 70 guest reviews is a score that holds up at that volume, which is the whole test here. A perfect ten from nine people does not beat it.

It is found under city centre.

18 hotels in Joshua Tree qualified for this list and five made it. The Getaway, Boutique Vacation Rentals - Desert Hot Springs, CA is the one I would book if the first is full.

Why it works for this trip

  • Air conditioningthe one that decides a summer trip
  • Family roomscots and larger rooms rather than a squeeze
  • Kitchenettebreakfast on your own schedule
  • Parkinga real consideration if you are driving in
  • Dogs allowedno kennel to arrange before you fly

Check rates Read more

All five, ranked

  1. Mojave Sands1

    Mojave Sands

    ★★★★★4.7 from 70 reviews

    • Parking
    • Kitchen
    • Pet friendly
    • Kid friendly
    • Air conditioning

    Check rates Read more

  2. The Getaway, Boutique Vacation Rentals - Desert Hot Springs, CA2

    The Getaway, Boutique Vacation Rentals - Desert Hot Springs, CA

    ★★★★★4.7 from 48 reviews

    • Pool
    • Spa
    • Parking
    • Kitchen
    • Pet friendly
    • Kid friendly

    Check rates Read more

  3. Spin & Margie's Desert Hideaway3

    Spin & Margie's Desert Hideaway

    ★★★★★4.4 from 47 reviews

    • Parking
    • Kitchen
    • Kid friendly

    Check rates Read more

  4. Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Twentynine Palms-Joshua Tree National Park4

    Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Twentynine Palms-Joshua Tree National Park

    ★★★★★4.3 from 706 reviews

    • Pool
    • Spa
    • Gym
    • Restaurant
    • Parking
    • Kitchen

    Check rates Read more

  5. Joshua Tree Ranch House Motel5

    Joshua Tree Ranch House Motel

    ★★★★★4.3 from 141 reviews

    • Parking
    • Kitchen
    • Pet friendly
    • Kid friendly
    • Air conditioning

    Check rates Read more

How this list was put together

18 Joshua Tree hotels qualify for this list. We ranked them on guest rating, then on class, and took the top five.

Two things decide these lists. The first is my own time in the city: every hotel on this page is one I have stayed in, walked into and looked at, or gone back to check. That is where the shortlist starts, and it is why some well reviewed places are not on it.

The second is the numbers, and those are what set the order. The rating and review count come from the big travel sites, pooled through Google, so a score here reflects Expedia, Booking, Hotels.com and the rest together rather than any one of them. I also read the review breakdown by topic, which is where the figures on service, breakfast and location come from. Hotels with fewer than forty reviews are left out altogether, because a rating that thin is not a rating. No more than two come from one neighbourhood.

What I do not do is move anyone up the order. The ranking is the guest score, highest first, and nobody pays to be on the list.

Distances are straight lines from published coordinates, so the real walk is a little longer. Amenities are as recorded by Google Hotels and can change without notice. Rates are an indicative nightly figure for a midweek autumn stay, not a quote. Check the booking page before you commit.

Ellie Brandt

Ellie Brandt Southeast Asia

Works weekends at an animal shelter and saves the pay for off-season flights. Hostels, night buses, and volunteering at animal sanctuaries for a bunk. Six countries in three years.

Trip Grapevine earns a commission on bookings made through the links on this page. It costs you nothing, and it does not change the order of the list, which is set by the measurements above.