Palm Springs’ hospitality market is preparing for a major lifestyle-focused upgrade as sbe Entertainment Group adds V Capri Palm Springs to its expanding HQ Hotels & Residences collection.
The 143-room desert property will undergo a phased, multi-million-dollar renovation covering accommodation, public spaces, dining venues and entertainment facilities. The programme will introduce new guest experiences while retaining the hotel’s established identity and retro-inspired Palm Springs character.
Owned by prominent attorney Mark Geragos, the property will continue operating as V Capri Palm Springs, a Dolce by Wyndham. Its existing Wyndham affiliation will remain in place, while sbe provides creative direction, hospitality expertise and entertainment-led concepts through its HQ platform.
The arrangement creates a hybrid operating model combining Wyndham’s distribution and loyalty network with sbe’s experience in lifestyle hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
For Palm Springs, the investment represents another important addition to a hospitality market built around design, resort culture, culinary tourism and experience-led stays.
Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation Targets Guest Spaces
The phased renovation will refresh all 143 guest rooms and suites alongside the hotel’s public areas.
Although the total investment value and final completion date have not been disclosed, the improvement programme has been described as a multi-million-dollar commitment to the property.
Accommodation upgrades are expected to build upon the hotel’s existing retro-chic style, mountain views and private outdoor spaces. The objective is to modernise the guest experience without removing the distinctive personality that has already attracted visitors.
Public spaces will also be repositioned to encourage greater interaction throughout the day. This approach reflects the broader development of lifestyle hospitality, where hotel lobbies, pools, restaurants and bars increasingly function as social destinations.
The hotel currently provides outdoor pools, a hot tub, fitness facilities and food and beverage venues beneath the San Jacinto Mountains. These existing assets offer a strong foundation for the planned transformation.
Its location approximately four miles from Palm Springs International Airport also supports convenient access for domestic and international travellers.
Guests can use the hotel as a base for exploring downtown Palm Springs, the region’s mid-century modern architecture and nearby desert attractions. Joshua Tree National Park, the San Andreas Fault and major Coachella Valley events further strengthen demand for distinctive accommodation.
Umami Pool Creates Day-to-Night Destination
One of the first major concepts planned for the property is Umami Pool, scheduled to open later in 2026.
The adults-only venue will combine food, cocktails, music and entertainment around the hotel’s pool environment. Rather than functioning only as a recreational facility, the area will become an active day-to-night lifestyle destination.
The concept is expected to appeal to hotel guests as well as visitors seeking a social Palm Springs experience. Daybeds, poolside dining and programmed entertainment could encourage guests to spend more time at the property while expanding food and beverage revenue.
Palm Springs has long been associated with pool culture, relaxed desert stays and entertainment-driven resorts. Umami Pool will build on that destination identity while introducing a recognisable sbe lifestyle concept.
The venue will also strengthen the hotel’s ability to serve couples, groups and adult leisure travellers seeking accommodation combined with dining and social experiences.
By creating activity from daytime through the evening, the concept could support longer guest stays and establish the property as a destination beyond its bedrooms.
Katsuya Ko Expands Palm Springs Dining
A second major phase is planned for early 2027, when the hotel’s existing Gigi’s restaurant will transition into Katsuya Ko.
The new restaurant will introduce sbe’s relaxed pan-Asian dining concept to Palm Springs. Katsuya Ko combines Japanese-inspired dishes with sushi, sashimi, robata cooking and a lively social atmosphere.
Its arrival will significantly reshape the hotel’s culinary offering and bring another established restaurant identity into the Coachella Valley.
Food and beverage operations will play a central role in the property’s repositioning. Dining will be integrated with entertainment, design and accommodation rather than treated as a supporting hotel service.
The combination of Katsuya Ko and Umami Pool will create a connected day-to-night model. Guests will be able to move between poolside relaxation, cocktails, dining and entertainment without leaving the property.
This integrated approach may also attract local residents, event visitors and travellers staying elsewhere in Palm Springs, expanding the hotel’s reach within the wider destination economy.
HQ Collection Advances Global Expansion
The addition of V Capri Palm Springs supports sbe’s wider growth plans for HQ Hotels & Residences.
The lifestyle platform was developed through a strategic alliance with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. It combines independently styled properties with access to Wyndham’s sales, technology, distribution and loyalty infrastructure.
sbe’s hospitality expansion is also supported by strategic partner and equity investor Marc Anthony and his company, Magnus.
The HQ portfolio has gained momentum through properties including The Monarch Hotel in New Orleans and Hodges Bay Resort & Spa in Antigua. Future developments include HQ Cas En Bas Resort & Residences in Saint Lucia and HQ Residences Edgewater in Miami.
The group is working towards a global portfolio of 50 hotels, supported by accommodation, residential, restaurant and entertainment concepts.
For Palm Springs, V Capri’s transformation will add another design-led and experience-focused property to the market. Once the renovation phases are completed, the hotel will combine Dolce by Wyndham affiliation, sbe’s lifestyle expertise and a locally rooted desert identity.
The result is expected to strengthen Palm Springs’ reputation as a leading California destination for resort stays, culinary experiences, entertainment and contemporary hospitality.
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