The chic N9NE Steakhouse and ultra-cool Ghost Bar have made the Palms in Vegas synonymous with celebrity—it's the playground of everyone from Leo to Janet. Those spots have offshoots in the Morongo Resort now, with their own middle-of-nowhere vibe thats worlds apart from Vegas glam but close to its down-market heart.

Everyone knows that Palm Springs is trying to move away from its geriatric, er, old-school vibe. The Morongo is a valiant effort; while its not going to win any A-list endorsements, it does have its own unique charm. The 27-story building stands out on the 10 Highway promising decadence and sin within, but youre more likely to find tourists and bored Inland Empire kids with questionable IDs. However, when approached with the right spirit, Morongo can be loads of irony-fueled fun for celebrating Angelenos who cant quite make it to Vegas. In addition to the miles of slots and tables, there are two restaurants and three clubs filled with cheap drinks, friendly cocktail waitresses and DJs happy to oblige requests. Hotel guests should take note that all 310 rooms have plasma-screen TVs, and the pool has a water slide, two whirlpool spas and 16 private cabanas. There's also Sage, a luxury spa and salon. The hotel sits right next to the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, so those who win a bundle in the casino (one of the largest on the West Coast) have an easy time blowing it all. —Katherine Spiers