Nicest Palm Springs Gay Resort

[dfw2sfo]

Wondering what the nicest gay Palm Springs resort might be. It seems there are a number of places that are pretty basic accommodations but is there anything in the four or five star kind of range? Thanks.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I saw this article a couple of years ago. Not sure how current it is, but it may help you start your search.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/billy-kolber/two-palm-springs-gay-resorts-receive-highest-rating_b_2944791.html

[Epigonos]

The response to this question is totally dependent, of course, on personal preference. I would agree, hands down, with the above mentioned article -- THE HACIENDA. I have stayed at both the East Canyon and the Ocotillo and though both are nice they don't, in my opinion, hold a candle to The Hacienda.

[TruthBTold]

I agree with The Hacienda, if only because it is where stay. Very small, very private. However, I think that there are some standards that the owners set about what can go on in common areas. Otherwise as long as you don't break anything it is pretty much "Katy, bar the door." As long as you don't keep out Tristan or Ace/Tyler. The two pool arrangement is really nice, as is the provided lunch for those who really don't want to venture out in PS (me).

[+ sf westcoaster]

I have stayed at four different gay resorts in PS and with out question The Hacienda is the closest you will come to four/five stars. Recently i have been staying at InnDulge which is significantly less costly than the Hacienda but probably fall more in the three/four star category. The Hacienda was used by the TV show, "Finding Prince Charming".

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

The response to this question is totally dependent, of course, on personal preference. I would agree, hands down, with the above mentioned article -- THE HACIENDA. I have stayed at both the East Canyon and the Ocotillo and though both are nice they don't, in my opinion, hold a candle to The Hacienda.

 

Epi is correct. For staying gay, it's the nicest place in Palm Springs.

 

However, Airbnb has some awesome homes for rent if you're looking for something a little more private.

[corymonroe]

The response to this question is totally dependent, of course, on personal preference.

"Nicest" sure is a relative adjective.

 

The Pura Vida hotel shared its coveted Five Palm rating with the Hacienda, but now that resort is closed. "Nice" doesn't necessarily mean smartly run or successful.

 

The "2013 Man About World" graph in the linked article seems kind of useless to me. 2013 was a long time ago, and nobody who understands the gay resort scene in the desert would ever judge a gay hotel by one visit. Experienced readers are free to tell me I'm wrong, but I think each gay resort in PS has a personality. Not only the personality provided by the owners and their staff, but also the clientele of each hotel. Personality can change on a dime from day to day, week to week, depending on who is checking in and checking out. The best advice about the gay hotel experience in Palm Springs probably comes from repeat visitors who return year after year, especially the visitors who have tried more than one hotel to determine their favorite.

 

The Hacienda Hotel is owned and operated by a successful PS realtor. Their team creates a special experience and they deserve a lot of credit. The Hacienda only has 10 rooms, but they are the best decorated rooms of any gay resort in PS, IMO. By best decorated, I mean the most luxurious and designed from a 1st class decorator's perspective.

 

The Hacienda is also the most expensive gay resort in PS. Their lowest priced room in high season is the Patio Room @ $260 a night. Some of their other rooms climb toward $400 a night. At these prices, the place is certainly no bathhouse, and the owners expect other guests to behave appropriately. I'm not saying the place has no sexual energy, but the limitations are set by default. I don't know what their policy is regarding outside visitors. When I was stayed there, I wasn't alone, and we weren't interested in outside companionship. We thought the resort was perfect for married couples or lovers.

 

The Hacienda is also a flat property, meaning all the rooms are ranch style, on the ground floor. Their view of the mountainscape is similar to many other properties in PS.

 

Also, the Hacienda has 2 pools, but with only 10 rooms, you can often find yourself alone at a pool, or asking yourself, "I wonder which pool will have more people today?" If you're looking for silence and seclusion, this can be a terrific resort. As a single guy who often travels alone, I prefer more eye candy.

[+ Kufrol]

I've heard wonderful things about Thirteen Palms and The Santiago Resort.

 

http://www.thirteenpalms.com/

 

www.santiagoresort.com/

Edited February 12, 2017 by Kufrol

[+ Topseed]

I've stayed at the Hacienda many times, with partners, with escorts, and by itself. Wonderfully attentive staff; nicely appointed rooms; grounds well maintained. I've never had an issue with a reasonably discreet escort visit.

[Beancounter]

I always enjoyed staying at the Vista Grande (Mirage). Usually rent one of their apartment suites in the back but there are more affordable rooms elsewhere on the property.

[+ Italiano]

"At these prices, the place is certainly no bathhouse, and the owners expect other guests to behave appropriately.

 

Are there resorts which "are" bathhouses or where "things" happen in common open spaces?...Just curious, never been to PS

[doya66]

Are there resorts which "are" bathhouses or where "things" happen in common open spaces?...Just curious, never been to PS

I haven't been to PS in a number of years, but the first time I went I stayed at CCBC. It fit my needs perfectly, so I never looked elsewhere. Clothing optional and as slutty as you want to be. Rooms were basic, but OK, and the pool & hot tub are great. The action tends to take place around the corner a bit, so if all you want is to socialize, it works, too. The crowd tends to be a bit older, so if you're looking for gym bunnies, go elsewhere, but it can be a lot of fun.

[corymonroe]

Are there resorts which "are" bathhouses or where "things" happen in common open spaces?...Just curious, never been to PS

Yes there are. Discretion varies from place to place.

 

I've watched and sometimes photographed full-on sex at Helios, CCBC, All Worlds, Vista Grande, Canyon Club, and Inn Exile. I've observed more discreet sex at other places that mostly ended up moving into a room. It's been a long time since I photographed or visited one of those resorts, so I can't speak to current policy. Many of the places have new owners or no longer are in business.

 

A simple email or phone call to any of the current clothing-optional resorts will yield answers to any questions. But honestly, if you simply compare websites, like CCBC to Hacienda, you can easily tell which hotel encourages open sex and which hotel does not. It's not that difficult to figure out.

 

CCBC is probably the most famous bathhouse style resort. It has survived several decades. They have all sorts of outdoor spaces to play. They even offer a map. Many guests leave their room doors open for visitors to come and go as they please, much like a bathhouse. CCBC was always much busier than the former bathhouse ever was.

[+ WhamIAm]

Heading to PS next weekend. I should have started this thread a while back, so thanks dfw

 

Good to hear a couple of positive mentions for Vista Grande! Will report back next week!

[TruthBTold]

Epi is correct. For staying gay, it's the nicest place in Palm Springs. However, Airbnb has some awesome homes for rent if you're looking for something a little more private.

 

I did this one year and it was really, really nice. 3 bedrooms with great bathrooms, good size kitchen, and large living room. It was extremely clean. There was a good size pool and a hot tub. Doing things this way can make the trip really reasonable if you have some friends that want to share expenses. However, I took the whole house by myself and it turned out costing the same as if I had stayed at one of the more costly hotels.

[Dave]

Damn, Wham - I'll miss you! I'll be flying out on Friday, back to Bali -

 

Heading to PS next weekend. I should have started this thread a while back, so thanks dfw

 

Good to hear a couple of positive mentions for Vista Grande! Will report back next week!

[TruthBTold]

"Nicest" sure is a relative adjective. . . . The Hacienda is also the most expensive gay resort in PS. Their lowest priced room in high season is the Patio Room @ $260 a night. Some of their other rooms climb toward $400 a night. At these prices, the place is certainly no bathhouse, and the owners expect other guests to behave appropriately. I'm not saying the place has no sexual energy, but the limitations are set by default. I don't know what their policy is regarding outside visitors. When I was stayed there, I wasn't alone, and we weren't interested in outside companionship. We thought the resort was perfect for married couples or lovers.

 

As stated above, if you are discreet you can probably have a visitor or two for some fun. You probably could not plan on having a multi-eve friend stay without paying the 2-person rate (it is not very much more). Actually, when I was there, there was some very discreet cruising from other guests at the hotel. And if you are into it it was fun to spend time with people just talking in the hot tub. I'm not sure how the staff would react if things got a little out of hand while several people were using the tub. I think if it started there and then promptly moved to a room for follow-up would not be punished. A lot of it stems from the fact that it is a very private place.

[+ WhamIAm]

Damn, Wham - I'll miss you! I'll be flying out on Friday, back to Bali -

 

I saw that, and it sucks. So to speak;)

FWIW, I just got a new client in Bali -- already lobbying for a trip to the home office. So, you never know!

 

Be well, my friend!

[Dave]

Wham- a visit to the home office? Yeah, you definitely have to work that selling of yourself – work it as if you were an escort! Hahaha.

 

I'll give you one more reason to come to Bali – and it's not just your home office or me. I'm not going to reveal that much here but – you know that project I've been working on for a year and a half now? Well, I'm going to be unveiling it in great detail at the Palm Springs weekend in April. For now, all I'll say is – take the subject of this thread – remove the words "Palm Springs" and replace it with the world - and work your first trip to Bali to be at the end of this year.

 

I guarantee you, between the island of Bali and the project itself, it'll be the trip of a lifetime!

 

Kisses,

Dave

[+ Italiano]

Yes there are. Discretion varies from place to place.

 

I've watched and sometimes photographed full-on sex at Helios, CCBC, All Worlds, Vista Grande, Canyon Club, and Inn Exile. I've observed more discreet sex at other places that mostly ended up moving into a room. It's been a long time since I photographed or visited one of those resorts, so I can't speak to current policy. Many of the places have new owners or no longer are in business.

 

A simple email or phone call to any of the current clothing-optional resorts will yield answers to any questions. But honestly, if you simply compare websites, like CCBC to Hacienda, you can easily tell which hotel encourages open sex and which hotel does not. It's not that difficult to figure out.

 

CCBC is probably the most famous bathhouse style resort. It has survived several decades. They have all sorts of outdoor spaces to play. They even offer a map. Many guests leave their room doors open for visitors to come and go as they please, much like a bathhouse. CCBC was always much busier than the former bathhouse ever was.

 

I will spend a month working in Phoenix but I will have 4 free days at beginning of April. I was thinking about driving to PS where I have never been and spend a couple of days with sun pool and fun. I like the idea to be surrounded by naked horny playful men

CCBC would the place?

[corymonroe]

I like the idea to be surrounded by naked horny playful men

CCBC would the place?

Someone may come along and offer a more current perspective, but I believe it is the largest resort of its kind. Plenty of men who prefer to be naked. Early April is very busy for PS. Rooms at CCBC used to sell out if you didn't reserve far enough in advance. I don't know what their business is like these days. Back in the early 80's, the age range of the guests varied fairly equally. The last time I visited, several years ago, the crowd had changed. CCBC is located in Cathedral City, which is PS's neighboring city. It's not quite the same vibe as the Warm Sands area of PS.

[+ Charlie]

I am outside the gay sex scene in PS, and I have never stayed at a gay resort here, so I can relay only hearsay. However, I was told a few years ago that one can buy a day pass to use CCBC, even if you are not actually staying there.

[Dave]

Xafnndapp, as long as you're not looking for 3.5 or 4 star accoms- then I'd say yes, go for CCBC. It's more of a 2.5 or 3 star accom – I'm talking about some rooms having cinderblock walls or outdated furniture – but it's clean and the management has really cleaned up their act over the last few years, in terms of hospitality.

 

As others have said here, it's amongst the most active, has a friendly vibe, very little "attitude", and fun, sun and pool.

 

And yes, they still have day passes.

 

I've brought clients from Daddy's Reviews there before – and they've always had good times. Although I'd like to chalk it up to the accompaniment there've been other places in PS that haven't been as accommodating to us seeking, er, outdoor fun. Then again, I might be analyzing this too much; I've been studying how All Male Resorts operate and the experiences guys have there for over a decade now.

[GayVaca]

I've stayed at Inndulge but would like to give a more playful resort a try. I did not like All Worlds much when I visited on a guest pass. Does anyone know anything about the new All Worlds Annex? I've heard it's smaller and cleaner than the large All Worlds and more in line with the vibe at Inndulge but guests can use the facilities at the larger resort. Thanks for any info.

[+ Snbrd]

This thread contains much helpful information. Two years ago I stayed at CCBC and completely agree with CoryMonroe's comments. Years ago I stayed at InnExile and it was very cruisy, especially at night. Then I heard it went straight, and now is part of All Worlds. Does anyone have any recent experience? Thanks