Located about 114 miles due east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs, California is a desert oasis in the Coachella Valley region. Once a getaway for the Hollywood elite, Palm Springs, popular for its natural hot springs, has become a major vacation destination for the gay community. The Natural Trust for Historic Preservation called Palm Spring a Classic Gay Mecca due to its large number of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs geared to gays and lesbians.
This luxury resort for men only is located in the center of Palm Spring's Gay District, Warm Sands. The boutique resort has 10 suites and includes complimentary breakfast and lunch. This clothing-optional hotel offers guests a special pillow menu with seven types of high quality pillows to choose from. The Hacienda can also arrange tours of the surrounding desert, such as Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, which pays homage to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Nightlife entertainment nearby includes the Tool Shed, a gay bar that encourages leather wear, and Toucan's Tiki Lounge, a Hawaiian-themed gay bar. Nearby dining options include the gay-owned Blame It On Midnight Bar & Grill, which serves American cuisine.
The Hacienda at Warm Sands
586 Warm Sands Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760-327-8111
thehacienda.com
This women-only boutique resort caters exclusively to lesbian women. Each of the nine suites has a full kitchen and private patio area with views of the heated pool and the surrounding mountains. Topless sunbathing is allowed at the resort. Within walking distance, dining options include Davey's Hideaway Restaurant, a steakhouse, and Lyons English Grill, which serves authentic English food such as fish and chips. Just a short cab ride away are gay bars and nightclubs such as Hunter's Video Bar, which has a cyber cafe and video screens showing all the dance floor action, and Streetbar which hosts Karaoke several nights a week. Guests of the hotel can also rent bicycles to explore the area on their own.
Queen of Hearts Resort
435 Avenida Olancha
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760-322-5793
queenofheartsps.com
The Casa Ocotillo, a sprawling hacienda-style estate made up of five buildings, was once allegedly owned by Howard Hughes. This boutique hotel offers five brightly colored suites in two buildings on the property. A self-service guest kitchen provides continental breakfast that guests can enjoy outside by the pool. Clothing is optional at the pool and hot tub. Guests can walk the nearby Tahquitz Canyon trail to explore the surrounding nature, or walk to a popular gay-friendly restaurant El Mirasol, which serves authentic Mexican cuisine. The nearby nightclubs include Spurline, which has a weekly retro music video night and Elevations Nightclub, which offers bingo and pool in addition to a large dance floor.
Casa Ocotillio
240 E. Ocotillo
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760-327-6110
casaocotillo.com
