Palm Springs has long been one of the most recognizable LGBTQ+ destinations in the United States. The desert city attracts travelers with its relaxed atmosphere, mid-century architecture, pool culture, and an unusually visible queer community. During our Southern California road trip, Palm Springs was also our final stop after exploring the mountains around Big Bear Lake, the desert landscapes of Yucca Valley, and the Wild West movie-set atmosphere of Pioneertown. Created by drag superstar Trixie Mattel (the drag persona of Brian Firkus), the small boutique motel quickly became a pop culture landmark. Instead of desert minimalism, guests find bold colors, playful design, and themed suites that feel like part hotel, part art installation. Our honest review of the cowboy room, “Yeehaw Cowgirl Suite,” at Trixie Motel in Palm Springs.
– in paid partnership with Trixie Motel & Visit Greater Palm Springs –
Trixie Mattel’s Trixie Motel in Palm Springs
When we finally arrived at the famous pink Trixie Motel, our first impression was immediate and unforgettable.
It felt like stepping into a Trixie Motel drag queen dream in the middle of the desert: pink, playful, and unapologetically queer.
Karl.
During Palm Springs Leather Pride weekend in autumn 2025, we finally had the chance to stay here ourselves. After watching the renovation series Trixie Motel before our California trip, visiting the property in real life felt surreal. We booked the Cowboy Suite, packed our boots and hats, and checked in curious to see what it would actually feel like to spend the night in one of the most photographed motels in California.
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Trixie Motel: A Queer Pop Culture Icon
When drag artist Trixie Mattel purchased a small mid-century roadside motel in Palm Springs, the goal was never to create just another boutique hotel. Instead, the project became a colorful tribute to drag culture, pop art, and playful hospitality.
Many people first discovered the renovation through the television series Trixie Motel. The show follows Trixie Mattel and David Silver during the complete transformation of the property. Watching the show before our trip made the experience even more exciting. When we walked through the pink entrance in Palm Springs, it felt like stepping directly into a place we already knew from television.
The finished motel feels closer to an art installation than a traditional accommodation. Each suite has its own theme, ranging from retro desert aesthetics to bold fantasy interiors. Bright colors, playful wallpaper patterns, and humorous details appear everywhere.
Despite the strong visual identity, the motel remains surprisingly intimate. With only a small number of suites, the atmosphere is relaxed and personal rather than busy or overwhelming. The result is a boutique hotel that celebrates queer creativity in a way that feels joyful, welcoming, and authentic.
Location: Staying at the Trixie Motel in Palm Springs
The Trixie Motel sits just a few minutes from downtown Palm Springs. This location makes it easy to reach many of the city’s restaurants, bars, and LGBTQ+ venues. Palm Canyon Drive, the central street of the city, is only a short drive away.
For travelers visiting during Pride events, the location is particularly convenient. Both Palm Springs Pride and Palm Springs Leather Pride take place within easy reach of the motel. The city has a long-standing reputation as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations in the United States of America, and that welcoming atmosphere can be felt everywhere.
For us, Palm Springs was a stop on a longer desert journey through Southern California. Before arriving here, we had spent time in West Hollywood, gone hiking in the mountains around Big Bear Lake, explored the desert landscapes near Yucca Valley, and walked the dusty streets of Pioneertown.
Arriving in Palm Springs felt like stepping into a colorful oasis after days of quiet desert nature again. The Trixie Motel fits perfectly into this contrast. While the surrounding desert offers vast open landscapes and muted colors, the motel bursts with bright pink tones, playful design, and a very distinctive personality.
Inside the Yeehaw Cowgirl Suite at Trixie Motel
For our stay, we chose the Yeehaw Cowgirl Suite, one of the motel’s themed rooms inspired by classic Western imagery. The design combines warm desert tones, cowhide textures, and playful decorative details that reference vintage cowboy movies. When we entered the suite, a small welcome surprise awaited us. On the table stood a personal welcome card from the motel, together with a Trixie Motel candle and two pink Trixie Motel keychains neatly packed in a bright pink gift bag. It immediately set a warm and personal tone for the stay.
The suite itself is spacious and thoughtfully designed. A small bar-style kitchen area includes a refrigerator and coffee machine, making it easy to prepare a drink or coffee in the room. A comfortable king-size bed forms the center of the suite, surrounded by chairs and furniture that match the Western-inspired interior design.
One of our favorite details was a pastel-blue Fender acoustic guitar placed casually in the room. The guitar fits perfectly into the playful cowboy atmosphere and quickly became part of our photoshoot setup when we changed into our cowboy outfits.
The bathroom continues the strong design concept. Decorative leaded glass elements add a stylish touch, while the space includes all the amenities needed to get ready between events during a busy Pride weekend. Despite the playful design, the room never feels gimmicky. Instead, it offers the comfort and calm atmosphere of a boutique hotel suite while still celebrating the motel’s bold personality.
Breakfast at the Barbara Bar
Breakfast at the Trixie Motel comes with its own charming ritual. Each morning, we picked up a small breakfast basket at the Barbara Bar, the motel’s colorful bar and lounge area. The basket included croissants, yogurt, butter, jam, fresh orange juice, and hot filter coffee. Guests can enjoy breakfast in the bar itself, outside by the pool, or back in their suite.
While sitting at the bar or carrying our basket outside, we had another chance to admire the playful design details. Pink interiors, funny photographs, and bold decorations make the Barbara Bar feel like an extension of the motel’s colorful personality. It is a simple breakfast, but the setting makes it memorable.
Pool Life at the Trixie Motel
After breakfast, we usually moved straight to the pool area. Like the rest of the motel, the pool space is filled with signature pink design elements. White and pink umbrellas provide shade from the desert sun, while large inflatable swim rings float in the pool, waiting for guests to jump in. The motel provides its own Trixie Motel towels, which quickly became part of our daily routine, together with sunscreen and sunglasses.
Soft chill music played in the background, creating a relaxed atmosphere rather than a party scene. Because the motel only has a few rooms, the pool never felt crowded. On one day, there were only three other guests; on another, perhaps four. This created a calm, social environment where conversations with other travelers occurred naturally between swims. It was the perfect place to relax and recharge before heading into the colorful chaos of Palm Springs events later in the day.
Trixie Motel During Palm Springs Leather Pride
Our visit fell during Palm Springs Leather Pride week, which added an extra layer of atmosphere to the stay. Leather Pride takes place shortly before Palm Springs Pride and attracts visitors from across the United States and beyond. The city changes noticeably during this time. Bars host themed events, hotels welcome leather travelers, and the streets fill with visitors wearing boots, harnesses, and leather jackets.
Before heading out for the evening events, we prepared our leather outfits at the motel and captured a few photos around the property. The colorful pink setting created a striking contrast with the darker leather aesthetic, which made the photos even more fun. Palm Springs has long embraced many expressions of queer culture, and that openness is part of what makes the city so special. Staying at the Trixie Motel during Leather Pride felt like being in a playful, welcoming environment where individuality is simply part of everyday life.
Good to know: Our sexy black leather outfits are sponsored by Mr. Riegillio, a Dutch fetish brand that we love. Of course, we are curious about your Leather Pride outfits or plans to attend a gay bear event this year!
What Makes the Trixie Motel LGBTQ+ Friendly
Although the Trixie Motel is strongly connected to drag culture and queer visibility, the atmosphere does not feel exclusive. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the staff, and it immediately felt open and genuinely welcoming. The team working at the motel reflects the same inclusive and creative spirit that the property celebrates.
For LGBTQ+ travelers, this kind of environment creates a sense of ease that is sometimes missing in more traditional hotels. Being a gay couple checking in felt completely natural. At the same time, the motel does not label itself as a strictly gay hotel. Instead, it feels like a queer-inclusive space where everyone who appreciates creativity, individuality, and humor is welcome.
Design, Atmosphere, and Guest Experience
The design of the Trixie Motel is its most recognizable feature. From the bright pink exterior to the themed suites, every detail feels carefully curated for visual impact. The pool area, the Barbara Bar, and even small decorative details throughout the property contribute to an experience that feels both playful and thoughtfully designed.
Many visitors arrive because they discovered the motel through social media or a television show. Yet once guests settle in, the place functions just like any comfortable boutique hotel. People relax by the pool, explore Palm Springs during the day, and return in the evening to enjoy the warm desert air. The balance between visual spectacle and genuine hospitality is what makes the Trixie Motel stand out among the many boutique hotels in Palm Springs.
Is the Trixie Motel Worth It?
Staying at the Trixie Motel is not the same experience as booking a standard hotel in Palm Springs. The property is smaller, more design-focused, and built around a very distinctive concept. Prices are usually higher than those of typical motels in the area, reflecting the boutique character and the motel’s popularity. Guests are not only paying for a room but also for the atmosphere, the design, and the chance to experience one of Palm Springs’ most recognizable hotels. Travelers who enjoy creative boutique hotels, photography, and playful design will likely love the experience. Those looking for a quiet, minimalist retreat might prefer one of the many classic desert resorts instead.
Trixie Motel in Palm Springs: Our Review of the Iconic Hotel of Trixie Mattel
After spending a night in the Cowboy Suite during Palm Springs Leather Pride, we left with the feeling that the Trixie Motel successfully combines several things at once.
It is playful without feeling superficial, visually bold without sacrificing comfort, and proudly queer without excluding other travelers. For our Southern California road trip, the motel became one of the most memorable places we stayed.
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The colorful atmosphere provided a striking contrast to the desert landscapes we had explored earlier in the trip. Travelers visiting Palm Springs who enjoy design, drag culture, and creative hospitality will likely find the Trixie Motel a joyful and unforgettable place to stay.
If you are looking for a gay hotel in Palm Springs, we can also recommend the Santiago Resort and the Descanso Resort. Both clothing-optional accommodations are a very popular choice for gay travelers. The Descanso Resort, in particular, is one of our favorite hotels in Palm Springs.
Continue Your LGBTQ+ Friendly Road Trip Through Southern California
If you’re planning your own road trip through Southern California, you’ll find plenty of tips on our website for LGBTQ+ friendly destinations, hikes, accommodations, and gay events. Interested in queer outdoor experiences, ski weeks, or other mountain destinations? Then browse through our guides or write to us directly for personal recommendations. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. We are excited to connect! Karl & Daan.
Important note: Our gay trip to California was made possible in close collaboration with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Visit California, and the team from Trixie Motel. Nevertheless, our opinions and texts – as always – are based entirely on our own personal experiences. We took all the photos and videos in this article.