Indio's location in the Coachella Valley makes it an ideal vacation destination for singles, couples, families, and groups alike. You can take day trips to many surrounding cities and towns if you want, but you can also find plenty of things to do within the city limits. In fact, next to agriculture, tourism serves as the most significant source of revenue for Indio.
The city's name translates to Indian in Spanish, and Native American tribes have set up two resorts and casinos here, both of which drive tourist traffic. If you're a lover of the outdoors, you'll be happy to learn that more than 20 parks exist in Indio, each with its own aesthetic appeal and amenities. If you plan to bring your four-legged friend with you on vacation, you'll want to visit one of the three dog parks, which offer off-leash fun for all canines.
Regardless of your interests, you'll find something to do and love in Indio, but it starts with finding the right place to stay. Choosing an Indio hotel will help you plan your itinerary and make sure you stay within your vacation budget.
Best Time to Visit Indio, CA
Although Indio's tourist season peaks during the summer months, you won't want to visit between June and August if you don't tolerate heat well. The average highs hover around 106 degrees Fahrenheit, which increases the chances of heat exhaustion and other problems. In fact, the heat doesn't begin to taper off entirely until around October, when the average high sinks to around 77 degrees.
Additionally, because of the tourist traffic, you'll pay significantly more for your hotel room if you visit during the summer. You're better off taking a winter vacation to Indio. You'll enjoy highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s and 50s, which means you can stay comfortable throughout your trip. In March, the weather heats up to the high 80s, so this is the best time to visit if you're interested in taking a day trip to Palm Springs or other beachside towns and getting wet.
Tourists who want to attend the iconic Coachella Music Festival, however, should wait until mid-April. Over nine days, some of the world's hottest bands play to thousands of raving fans. Although it's a chaotic event, it's also a music lover's dream.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Indio, CA:
Indio by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean price trends by star rating class in Indio, CA. You can use these line graphs to evaluate the best time to book a room in Indio for your upcoming travels.
Best Luxury Hotel Options in Indio, CA
4 Star Average Prices: $196.97
You can't get much fancier than the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. It's an enormous venue that includes many different entertaining and dining options as well as its guest rooms The upscale rooms look more like spacious suites than simple hotel rooms and feature modern design and decor. The triple-sheeted beds are topped by plenty of fluffy pillows to keep you cozy at night, and some rooms have fireplaces. You can order room service at any hour, and you'll get free wireless internet access as well as premium cable channels on your flat-screen television.
There's an outdoor pool and spa, a concierge service, free valet parking, and in-room safes. You can always book a massage in your room or poolside if you're feeling a little tense, and there's a jacuzzi with tanning pool to amp up the luxury even further. You can gamble at the gaming center, have dinner at the hotel's restaurant, party into the night at the on-site club, or attend a live show.
Best Affordable Hotel Options in Indio, CA
3 Star Average Prices: $143.10
When you want to save money on your Indio vacation, finding an affordable hotel probably tops your priority list. For great nightly rates, consider staying at the Rodeway Inn & Suite. Despite the low price, you'll start your mornings with free newspapers, breakfast, and coffee so you don't have to visit a nearby bakery and splurge on your morning routine. This hotel has guest laundry facilities so you can make extra use of your wardrobe while you're in town.
There's an outdoor pool that offers a convenient way to cool down when you've been baking in the Indio sun. You can use the fax machine if you discover you forgot to transmit an important document to your office, and this hotel offers many accessible rooms for guests who need them. In your room, you'll find somewhat dated but comfortable decor, including a small dinette set, bed, dresser, and flat-screen television. The largest king room also comes with a whirlpool.
You could also stay at the Royal Plaza Inn if you're hunting for a great deal. It's a little more modern and sophisticated than the Rodeway Inn & Suite, but it features comparable prices. You can choose from a king room, two double room, or king with bar room depending on your preferences. All of them come with free wireless internet access, flat-screen televisions, work desks, refrigerators, microwaves, and comfortable linens.
This hotel features its own restaurant, the Cactus Jack, where you can dine on pastries or breakfast meats in the morning, sandwiches at lunch, or the venue's famous prime rib at dinner. After dark, it turns into a bar and lounge, so stick around for cocktails, dancing, and mingling. This hotel also has an outdoor pool and spa as well as meeting rooms for business travelers.
