The BNP Paribas Open where to stay question has one complicating factor: Indian Wells Tennis Garden sits almost exactly between Palm Springs and Indio, which means both cities are reasonable bases. The tournament draws more than 450,000 attendees over two weeks in March and it's the largest combined ATP/WTA tennis event in the world. Accommodation in the entire valley books up months in advance.
The right choice between staying in Palm Springs versus Indio depends on what you want your non-tennis hours to look like. Here's the honest breakdown.
Indian Palms Country Club in Indio, about 10 minutes from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Many groups stay in this neighborhood during the tournament.
The Venue: Indian Wells Tennis Garden
The BNP Paribas Open is held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, a small city between Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage. The venue has multiple courts, with Stadium 1 being the main draw. The tournament runs for two weeks in March, typically the first two full weekends of the month.
Indian Wells as a city has limited accommodation on its own. Most attendees stay in Palm Springs to the west or Indio to the east and drive in. Both are reasonable choices with different trade-offs.
Staying in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is about 20 minutes west of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Staying here gives you access to walkable downtown, the main restaurant and bar scene, and more boutique hotel and rental options than anywhere else in the valley.
The advantages: after the tennis, you can walk to dinner. Palm Canyon Drive has restaurants, bars, and coffee shops within a short walk of most hotels and many rentals. If you're a first-time visitor to the area, staying in Palm Springs means you'll see more of the city.
Staying in Palm Springs means good coffee options within walking distance. Worth a morning before the matches start.
The trade-offs: Palm Springs accommodation during BNP Paribas is expensive. Rates spike significantly for the two-week tournament window. Properties near downtown are smaller on average than what you'd find in Indio, and private pools are less common at that price point. The drive to the venue is straightforward, about 20 minutes, but daily back-and-forth can feel repetitive over a full week.
Good for: couples, solo travelers, people who want a hotel or smaller rental and plan to spend evenings walking the city. The Sundune is our Palm Springs property, a 2BR/2BA with coastal-desert design steps from downtown.
Staying in Indio
Indio is about 20 minutes east of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It's the less glamorous option by reputation, but for a tennis trip with a group, it often makes more sense.
The advantages: more space for the money. Indio rentals in the 3-bedroom range typically run lower than equivalent Palm Springs properties during tournament week. Private pools and private yards are common. If you're traveling as a group of four to eight people, a house with a pool in Indio is often significantly better value than comparable Palm Springs options.
The Cozy Cactus patio in Indio. After a day in stadium seats, this is where the debrief happens.
Coming back to a private pool after a day at the tournament is a different experience than coming back to a hotel room. You can decompress on your own schedule, cook dinner if you don't want to spend $60 on stadium food again, and go to bed when you're ready without navigating a parking situation first.
The trade-offs: you need a car. Indio doesn't have the walkable restaurant density of Palm Springs downtown. The food scene is good if you know where to go (the Indio local gems guide covers the actual highlights), but it's not a stroll-out-the-door situation.
Good for: groups of 4 or more, families, people who want private outdoor space and a kitchen. The Cozy Cactus is a 3BR/2BA in Indio with a private pool, hot tub, and game room that holds up well for tournament groups. Terra Luz, opening May 2026, will be available for Stagecoach and future tournament seasons.
Families traveling to the tournament: a rental with dedicated bunk beds means the kids have their own space and everyone sleeps better.
What to Look for in a Rental During BNP Paribas
The tournament runs daily matches from late morning to evening, with night sessions. You'll likely be at the venue for 6-10 hours on match days. That means your rental needs to work well for early mornings and late evenings, not just daytime comfort.
A kitchen matters more than you'd think. Stadium food at major tennis events is priced for captive audiences. Being able to make breakfast, pack lunch, and come back to a real dinner at the end of the day adds up to real savings over a week. Stock the kitchen the first day and you'll use it every day after.
Outdoor space is worth prioritizing. March weather in the Coachella Valley is typically 75-85°F with low humidity and clear skies. You want somewhere to sit outside in the evening. A pool is a bonus, but even a covered patio with decent furniture is worth more than a premium interior.
Group-friendly layout: if you're traveling with more than two people, separate bedrooms and bathrooms reduce friction. Multiple bathrooms are underrated for tournament trips where everyone's trying to leave at the same time in the morning.
Palm Springs architecture is worth a morning walk between match days. The city has more midcentury modern homes per capita than anywhere in the country.
Booking Timing
Book early. BNP Paribas accommodation sells out months before the tournament. If you're planning to attend the second year in a row, start looking immediately after the current year's tournament ends. The best properties in both Palm Springs and Indio book up by November for the following March.
If you're reading this close to the tournament date and most properties are gone, look at the shoulder locations: Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and La Quinta all have properties within 20-30 minutes of the venue and often have more availability than Palm Springs or Indio proper.
For the general lay of the land between Palm Springs and Indio, the Palm Springs vs Indio comparison covers the trade-offs in detail, including restaurant options, vibe, and what each city does well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do people stay for the BNP Paribas Open?
Most attendees stay in Palm Springs (about 20 minutes west of the venue) or Indio (about 20 minutes east). Indian Wells itself has limited accommodation. Palm Springs offers a walkable downtown and restaurant scene. Indio offers more space, private pools, and lower rates for groups. Both work well with a car.
How far is Palm Springs from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden?
About 20 minutes by car, roughly 15 miles. The drive on Highway 111 is straightforward and runs through Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. Traffic is heavier on match days and can add 10-15 minutes during peak arrival and departure times.
How far is Indio from the BNP Paribas Open?
About 20 minutes east of the venue. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is in Indian Wells, between Palm Springs and Indio. Neighborhoods like Indian Palms Country Club in Indio are popular with tournament attendees for the proximity, space, and private pools.
When should I book accommodation for the BNP Paribas Open?
As early as possible. The tournament draws 450,000+ attendees and the valley's best properties book up by November or December for the following March. If you want a specific property or neighborhood, book the day your plans are confirmed. Waiting until January means significantly reduced options.
Whether you're watching Roger Federer's successors or following your favorite WTA players through the draw, the Coachella Valley makes a good backdrop for two weeks of tennis. The weather in March is nearly perfect, the venue is well-run, and having the right place to come back to each evening makes the whole trip work better. The Coachella Valley insider guide covers what else is worth doing while you're here.