Looking for Palm Springs hotel/resort recommendations

[hwic04]

Has anyone stayed at the Hacienda at Warm Springs in Palm Springs? Their website claims it’s gay friendly and within walking distance of downtown shops, restaurants, etc.  Comments requested, please.

Any forum members with recommendations for other similar resorts in PS?…….or things to do/places to see suggestions while there?

Thanks very much!

[+ azdr0710]

no expert here, but can offer some thoughts.....

by the way, it's the Warm Sands neighborhood, not Warm Springs.....about a mile to downtown

the Hacienda is very definitely "gay-friendly" and is clothing-optional around the pools there.....small, pricey, very nice.......several other gay-friendly "resorts" very nearby in varying price ranges, most being converted apartments......

for things to do if you've never been to Palm Springs......  https://visitpalmsprings.com/

Visit Palm Springs - Find the Best Hotels, Restaurants, Events & More

VISITPALMSPRINGS.COM

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Visit Palm Springs! Check out our site to find the best hotels, restaurants, events, and things to do in Palm Springs right now.

 

 

Edited April 20, 2024 by azdr0710

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

18 hours ago, hwic04 said:

Any forum members with recommendations for other similar resorts in PS?…….or things to do/places to see suggestions while there?

Using the Search function is very helpful.  I typed "Palm Springs" in the Search field for the Travel Desk forum and found these useful threads:

 

 

 

 

I have stayed at CCBC, Canyon Club, El Mirasol, and Desert Paradise, plus other Palm Springs gay hotels that are now closed.   Of these I mentioned, I can recommend El Mirasol and Desert Paradise.

Canyon Club is good for the cheap rate, but it's very hit or miss on whether you get an updated room.  Even if you get an updated room, it's miles below the quality of experience at any other gay clothing-optional hotel.

I wouldn't touch CCBC again; I've stayed overnight in bathhouses that were nicer.  Only visit CCBC on a day pass if you need to.

El Mirasol was very pleasant.  I stayed there last weekend.  There's a hot tub and two pools (one heated saltwater and one not-heated chlorine).  It was not crowded, but the men I met were frisky enough 😉.

I last stayed at Desert Paradise pre-pandemic, and the hotel has changed owners twice since then.  It was a decent property when I stayed there; and, it looks like they've continued to make improvements.

The two nicest gay hotels everyone talks about are Hacienda and INNdulge.  Unfortunately, I have never stayed at either because they are both above my budget.

Triangle Inn is on my list of gay hotels to try based on pleasant reviews and decent prices, but I haven't had the opportunity yet.  It is smaller than the other hotels mentioned.

Edited April 20, 2024 by Vegas_Millennial

[hwic04]

Thank you azdr0710 and Vegas_Millenial for your responses above. Both were very helpful. As I continue to look into resorts, I have additional questions. 

Any thoughts from you or others on Descanso? I’m looking at this resort and other somewhat (I guess) high end resorts.

info on Inndulge refers to “clothing optional resort” as to a clothing optional pool. Am I making too mischief of this distinction? (Clothing optional pool works just fine for me. Sorry if I’m being naive, but this experience in PS would be new to me.)

Any other comments/suggestions from others just now coming across this thread?

Thanks, again, to all who are contributing to this discussion. I appreciate it.

 

 

Edited April 20, 2024 by hwic04
Spell correction and amplify original post

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

On 4/20/2024 at 11:56 AM, hwic04 said:

info on Inndulge refers to “clothing optional resort” as to a clothing optional pool. Am I making too mischief of this distinction? (Clothing optional pool works just fine for me. Sorry if I’m being naive, but this experience in PS would be new to me.)

In my experience, only CCBC (Cathedral City Boys Club) and All Worlds have a sleezy atmosphere, complete with outdoor cruising areas, glory holes , and the option for rooms with slings.  Therefore, I won't book overnights at these places... It's just not relaxing to me.

All the other men clothing optional hotels in Palm Springs are pretty much naked just at the pool.  Yes, people meet up and play at the hot tub in the evening or take it back to their rooms; but, other than a naked pool, they could pass as ordinary relaxing hotels.  You may find someone you find attractive staying at your hotel, but you'll be just as likely meet someone on Grindr who is staying nearby.

Edited April 23, 2024 by Vegas_Millennial

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Just remember...

You go to the bathhouse to fuck.  You don't stay there to sleep.

The Hacienda at Warm Sands is always a quiet, well-run and comfortable place to go back to.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

On 4/20/2024 at 2:56 PM, hwic04 said:

info on Inndulge refers to “clothing optional resort” as to a clothing optional pool. Am I making too mischief of this distinction? (Clothing optional pool works just fine for me. Sorry if I’m being naive, but this experience in PS would be new to me.)

I think the reason that it is listed this way is the lobby area is largely windows and they do not permit nudity there.  But other than checking in and out of the resort, there is little use of the lobby unless walking through on your way out, in which case you would be clothed anyway.

[tony]

On 4/19/2024 at 7:44 PM, hwic04 said:

Has anyone stayed at the Hacienda at Warm Springs in Palm Springs? Their website claims it’s gay friendly and within walking distance of downtown shops, restaurants, etc.  Comments requested, please.

Any forum members with recommendations for other similar resorts in PS?…….or things to do/places to see suggestions while there?

Thanks very much!

I was recommended the Hacienda by a member here during the pandemic and will be going back for the 3rd time soon. Very well run, pricey, but we liked it very much. I don't know of any others, but very much liked this place.

[nate_sf]

On 4/20/2024 at 11:56 AM, hwic04 said:

Any thoughts from you or others on Descanso? I’m looking at this resort and other somewhat (I guess) high end resorts.

I've stayed at Descanso, as well as its sister resorts Santiago and Twin Palms. They're all owned by the same people, and they're all really good. Each has a bit of a different vibe. All very good quality and excellent service. All are clothing-optional. My favorite would be Santiago, followed by Twin Palms and then Descanso, but you can't go wrong with any of them. Sometimes it comes down to which has availability.

Hacienda is the gold standard for sure. I haven't stayed as a regular guest, but I've stayed as a guest of a guest and it's a really nice place. It's quieter, and I'm guessing less social than the other resorts. That may be to your liking, or not, depending on what you're looking for. Others who have spent more time there may be able to provide more insight.

[+ nycman]

9 hours ago, nate_sf said:

Hacienda is the gold standard for sure. I haven't stayed as a regular guest, but I've stayed as a guest of a guest and it's a really nice place. It's quieter, and I'm guessing less social than the other resorts. That may be to your liking, or not, depending on what you're looking for. Others who have spent more time there may be able to provide more insight.

I think you nailed it. Hacienda falls into the BbB category. "Beautiful but Boring". I tried to "make friends" there both at breakfast and in the pool. It was pointless. They all seemed painfully freighted that I dared to say "Hello". It was almost like they wanted to interact but lacked even the most basic social skills required to do so. 

But if all you want is a beautiful place to relax (with a stellar and friendly crew), it’s very nice. 

[Andy768]

7 hours ago, nycman said:

I think you nailed it. Hacienda falls into the BbB category. "Beautiful but Boring". I tried to "make friends" there both at breakfast and in the pool. It was pointless. They all seemed painfully freighted that I dared to say "Hello". It was almost like they wanted to interact but lacked even the most basic social skills required to do so. 

But if all you want is a beautiful place to relax (with a stellar and friendly crew), it’s very nice. 

Were your frightened would-be friends in the buff? I think I read someone's experience that it's maybe 50-50 in terms of guests who will opt for no clothes and those who will cover themselves - is this what others have experienced as well?

[+ nycman]

On 5/13/2024 at 6:18 PM, Andy768 said:

Were your frightened would-be friends in the buff? I think I read someone's experience that it's maybe 50-50 in terms of guests who will opt for no clothes and those who will cover themselves - is this what others have experienced as well?

I believe the only "in the buff" men I saw were in the hot tub. Nonetheless, I don’t think anyone really cares whether or not you’ve got clothes on. I know the breakfast gentleman was clothed because I complimented him on his shirt. As I’ve said elsewhere, gentlemen learn to take a fucking compliment. I’m not going to bend you over and fuck out on the pool chase lounge in front of your vapid boyfriend (unless you beg)  just because you said "thank you." I’ve seen people being mugged on the NYC subway who looked less frightened for Christ’s sake. 

I would say the Hacienda clothes to naked ratio was 80:20. Unlike those 20:80 whores over at Inndulge…..grin 

 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

3 hours ago, nycman said:

I would say the Hacienda clothes to naked ratio was 80:20. Unlike those 20:80 whores over at Inndulge

I've never been good at math, but these are ratios I understand.

Fuck, I'd have pulled a solid 1500 on my SATs if this was part of the math section.

[Simon Suraci]

I’m one of the InnDulge whores…

Nicely run, well kept. Not cheap, but less than Hacienda, and Hacienda is quite nice and you pay for it. As always, clothing is optional, meaning you don’t have to be nude all the time for it to be enjoyable. It’s quite a social atmosphere and easy to get into friendly conversations with other guests, both naked and clothed alike.

[+ Axiom2001]

Check out gaycities.com. There is some relevant information at that site for P.S. as well as for other cities of our world.

[Guest]

Twin Palms was thoroughly and may I add thoughtfully refreshed  post covid. Can't hear loud bottoms moaning loudly anymore at night - which is a plus when I am trying to sleep.  The resort has thoughtful gay touches a homosexual who enjoys men would appreciate.   Rooms and amenities good and clean. HVAC system handled palm springs weather with no probs. 

Service was very good ( but not Four Seasons / Aman level ), but more than hospitable / adequate for a Palm Springs place. 

Rates include breakfast and lunch. The lunch was from a nearby gourmet deli which was very decent.   I found it worth the quoted rate, which ran around 350-400 US a night  (all in) .  Crowd was good looking men, 45-50 and under, with a healthy contingent of 20s and 30s.  Mostly folks from west of the rockies. There was one token European. 

If I have any criticisms 

- The place is run by a bear daddy named "Boomer". Be sure to go though the rules with him carefully. I broke a rule I was not aware of, and got a "lecture" because I was naughty and broke a rule. Oops. Punish me boomer! 

- Be sure to get your breakfast order early, some muscle queen came in and ordered all the eggs for his protein quota, by the time I made to breakfast they ran out of eggs. 

I look forward to trying the other resorts. Who ever runs it - you're doing a good job, and its a nice place.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

1 hour ago, Alex93108 said:

- The place is run by a bear daddy named "Boomer". Be sure to go though the rules with him carefully. I broke a rule I was not aware of, and got a "lecture" because I was naughty and broke a rule. Oops. Punish me boomer! 

- Be sure to get your breakfast order early, some muscle queen came in and ordered all the eggs for his protein quota, by the time I made to breakfast they ran out of eggs. 

These two things are enough to make me never, ever stay there.

Again, why I like Hacienda.  They just leave you alone, unless you specifically ask for help/something.

1 hour ago, Alex93108 said:

Service was very good ( but not Four Seasons / Aman level )

Almost nothing out there is Aman-level service. 

I smiled that you mentioned them in the same post as a gay B&B in Palm Springs  

[oclatin92xxx]

Questions to the commenters for someone that’s only stayed in rented houses in Palm Springs. It looks like in all the Tripadvisor pictures that have been taken of most these mentioned gay resorts, except Twin Palms, have really dated decor and small pools. People keep mentioning Hacienda as the “gold standard” but in the pics online it does not look at all impressive. Plus the staff looks as aged as its design. Which resort is catered to someone in their mid twenties to early thirties and which resort has the most refreshed rooms (in terms of design and aesthetic)? I’m trying to avoid staying at a place with no offense a majority crowd of 50+ balding “daddies” and mid 2000s decor. 

 

 

Edited June 14, 2024 by oclatin92xxx

[+ Lucky]

14 hours ago, oclatin92xxx said:

 I’m trying to avoid staying at a place with no offense a majority crowd of 50+ balding “daddies” and mid 2000s decor. 

 

 

Palm Springs may not be for you!

[Andy768]

On 5/19/2024 at 2:00 PM, nycman said:

I believe the only "in the buff" men I saw were in the hot tub. Nonetheless, I don’t think anyone really cares whether or not you’ve got clothes on. I know the breakfast gentleman was clothed because I complimented him on his shirt. As I’ve said elsewhere, gentlemen learn to take a fucking compliment. I’m not going to bend you over and fuck out on the pool chase lounge in front of your vapid boyfriend (unless you beg)  just because you said "thank you." I’ve seen people being mugged on the NYC subway who looked less frightened for Christ’s sake. 

I would say the Hacienda clothes to naked ratio was 80:20. Unlike those 20:80 whores over at Inndulge…..grin 

 

 

On 5/13/2024 at 10:45 AM, nycman said:

I think you nailed it. Hacienda falls into the BbB category. "Beautiful but Boring". I tried to "make friends" there both at breakfast and in the pool. It was pointless. They all seemed painfully freighted that I dared to say "Hello". It was almost like they wanted to interact but lacked even the most basic social skills required to do so. 

But if all you want is a beautiful place to relax (with a stellar and friendly crew), it’s very nice. 

I took the plunge and totally get the "Beautiful but Boring" characterization. But it was great for me because I did indeed just want a beautiful place to relax with a stellar and friendly crew.

Also, I did my part to get that clothes:naked ratio closer to even. 😉

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

5 hours ago, Aintizzy said:

I haven’t stayed at the Hacienda at Warm Springs, but my friends say it is a great spot. For other similar resorts in Palm Springs, you might want to look into places with good reviews for their inclusivity and location. While you’re there, you might enjoy exploring the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the Living Desert Zoo, and the beautiful hiking trails in the area.
 

I'll second the Living Desert Zoo in Cathedral City, if you have a car.  I went this April and it was great.  If you go, turn right when you first enter the zoo.  It's newest expansion is to the right and that's where the most exhibits are.  If we had turned left first, we would have been tied and disappointed and might have given up and left before checking out the better right-side of the zoo. 

As for inclusivity, I look for hotels that cater to men-only.  Always had more fun that way.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

1 hour ago, Varkiel said:

I haven't stayed at the Hacienda at Warm Springs, but it sounds great! If you're looking for a recommendation from far away, I recently stayed at these resorts in Missouri: https://www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/missouri/branson/westgate-branson-woods-resort/
Trust me, it’s a blast, though it might not help with your Palm Springs needs Enjoy your trip and let us know how it goes!

Does the Westgate in Missouri have a clothing optional pool for men?

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

1 hour ago, Aintizzy said:

 Also, check if they offer something luxurious, like the amenities at www.fairmontresort.com.au.

Unfortunately, Fairmont resort does not cater to men-only.  There's no clothing optional pool.  I don't think @Aintizzy understands the allure of Palm Springs for gay men 

Edited August 21, 2024 by Vegas_Millennial