The El Morocco Inn & Day Spa Story
The El Morocco Inn & Day Spa was built in the late 1950’s directly on top of a vein of mineral rich thermal hot waters in Desert Hot Springs, California. Our Inn and Day Spa began life as the “Caravan Spa-tel”.
Originally, the town was known as “California’s Spa City” because of the healing mineral-rich waters flowing beneath. The giant billboards along the highway pointed the way to over 120 inns which dotted the landscape. Due to the high cost of maintaining the hot mineral water wells, most of those inns closed and now there are fewer than 25 hot springs resorts.
Authentic Morocco Vibe
Purchased in 2001, the former Caravan Spa-tel was the perfect spot to carve out the El Morocco, a 13 guestroom “experience” with a Moroccan vibe. The innkeepers want to provide guests with an authentic experience of Morocco. You’ll find a giant chess board (along with hammocks and other gathering spots) in the Spa Garden. It’s a great place to play games and just chill.
Most furnishings in the Inn come directly from our buying trips to Morocco. The beautiful fabrics came from the women’s co-ops, located on the outskirts of major cities in Morocco. These are the places where women (who are single, widowed, or divorced) make the fabrics by hand. Many of the lamps and lighting fixtures throughout the inn and grounds also came from Morocco. These goatskin-wrapped lights and unique hanging lamps cast amazing geometrical designs.
Getting Better All the Time
Since opening, we have added several unique Spa Studios. We invite you to come and visit the El Morocco, where we continue to enhance our guests’ transporting experience!
El Morocco Inn & Day Spa Policies
These are general hotel policies.
Please visit our COVID-19 Page for any updates
Check-In: 3:00 PM
Check Out: 11:00 AM
Currency – USD ($)
All guests must be 18 years of age or older
Early Check In
We are unable to accommodate check-in prior to 3PM
Late Check Out
2:00PM – $50
Only available if the room has not been reserved. We cannot guarantee late check-outs, Please check at the front desk after 9AM the day of departure.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide later checkout times past 2PM without a reserved room
Note – Our check-in and reception desk hours are 9AM to 5PM
Cancellation Policy
7 Days for standard reservations
Cancel periods for third-party sites may vary but are never less than 14 days.
Policy Details
We have a 7-Day Cancellation Policy for most reservations made through our website. If you wish to cancel or modify a reservation, you must do so by 3PM 7 Days prior to your arrival date. We charge a non-refundable deposit of your first night’s room plus tax 6 days prior to your arrival. The Hotel is not responsible for guaranteeing the reservation if an invalid or expired credit card is provided. The name on the credit card used to check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. Government issued photo identification and a credit card are required in order to check-in.
Advance purchase non-refundable reservations are charged upon confirmation. Cancellations or changes are not permitted for these types of reservations.
Note: Our office hours are from 9:00 AM – 5 PM. Please call us if you are going to be checking in after hours to make late check-in arrangements
The El Morocco Inn & Day Spa is a 100% Non-Smoking Hotel.
General
The El Morocco Inn & Day Spa is located in Desert Hot Springs with easy access to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park.
Services
The El Morocco Inn & Day Spa offers a wide range of spa services such as massages and body treatments. We offer an expanded continental breakfast daily, available for pickup in the Kasbah Lounge from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Our warm mineral water pool and Jacuzzi are open 24 hours for your enjoyment, as are our 2 Far-Infrared Dry Saunas. Guests also enjoy our free Wi-Fi which is available throughout the property and in guest rooms.
Guest Parking
An ADA Parking Spot is available in front of the building.
Internet
Complimentary Wireless internet is available.
Extra Beds
All rooms have California King beds. Extra beds or cots are not available. Maximum occupancy is 2 adults per room.
Pets
ADA defined service animals are welcome at our property. Well behaved dogs are allows in some rooms with a pet cleaning fee of $30 per night. Limitation 1 per room. You will be asked to sign our Pet policy agreement or ADA service dog policy agreement.
Accepted Payment Methods
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover. This hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions, For More Info
Terms & Conditions
Following applies to all the guests staying at the property regardless of where the reservation was booked from. Third party booking sites may have different cancellation policy.
El Morocco is privately owned, and the management reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
We will not be responsible for accidents or injury to guests or for loss of money, jewelry or valuables of any kind.
All guests must be 18 years of age or older. Children are not permitted.
Unregistered guests not permitted.
Maximum Occupancy is 2 Adults per room.
Day visitors must pay the $60 Day Pass fee, including friends of registered guests. All visitors without a room reservation must be off the premises at 4 PM, when Day Spa ends. Unregistered guests are not permitted.
No Pets.
Changes or cancellations within 7 days prior to arrival result in forfeiture of room deposit. No-shows will be charged for the entire amount of stay.
Once checked in, no cancellations or refunds.
Any damages to hotel property will be charged an additional fee upon assessment including damage to furniture or linens.
This is a NON-SMOKING facility. Guest acknowledges that smoking is not allowed in guest rooms poolside or anywhere but the designated smoking area. If anyone in guest’s party smokes in the guest room, guest hereby expressly authorizes hotel management to charge credit card the amount of $250.00 to reimburse the property for the additional cost of cleaning guest room.
Failure to abide by our policies will result in expulsion from the property without refund.
What people are saying…
“Rich colors, abundant use of fabrics, a Sultan’s tent, the Spa’s spice bar with tagine containers, intricately hand-painted cabinetry and tables, lots of pillows and furnishings from Morocco lend exotic authenticity to El Morocco Inn in Desert Hot Springs.”
Palm Springs Life
“One of the most unique, spectacular luxurious spas that defies description…”
Paradise Shopper
“…the traditional Moroccan hand-washing ceremony, which entails much splashing water and many ornate silver vessels.”
Travel & Leisure
“If you’re tempted to see what the fuss is about…”
Los Angeles Times
“…all senses are engaged upon entering!”
Dune Magazine
“…a decidedly more exotic aesthetic!”
Travel & Leisure
“Jewel-toned sheers dance in the breeze…”
Palm Springs Life
