Spring 2007 | P.S. Where to Stay

La Posada West (120 W. Vereda Sur, 760-323-1402 or 888-411-4949, fax 760-416-3842, $119-$239)
The owners (who also own the nearby Helios) at this elegant resort have kept both the style and the standards top-notch, describing their property, quite correctly, as "upscale … not uptight." In Palm Springs' exclusive Las Palmas neighborhood, the resort also includes a large pool, spectacular décor is vibrant, colorful and stylish, with French movie and travel posters and custom-made beds. Down comforters and pillows and 100% cotton sheets and waffle robes deliver high-quality and comfortable slumber; plush robes are available in each room. Other amenities include free gym passes, high-end showerheads, Aveda bath products, WiFi, cordless phones, TV/VCR/CD and fresh-ground coffee in each room. Nude sunbathing is allowed, but the atmosphere is generally more relaxed than sexually charged, although depending on the crowd during any particular weekend, the cruisy energy can sometimes heat up. (Rooms: 10; Nude sunbathing: yes; Sexual Temperature: med; Clientele: men; Meals: ECB, weekend C)

Terrazzo (1600 E. Palm Canyon Drive, 760-778-5883 or 866/837-7996, fax 760-416-2200, $119-$209)
The friendly owners have continued to work wonders with this former women's resort, creating an intimate men's property. The Terrazzo caters largely to couples and professionals looking for a low-key resort experience, although a little late-night action around the hot tub is not unheard of. Breakfast and lunch are made to order; Terrazzo also offers complimentary suntan lotion, soft drinks, fresh-baked cookies, espresso-based drinks--a rarity in the area--and snacks, as well as weekend cocktails. Among the other amenities are feather beds, wet bars, free local calls, airport shuttle, guest-use bicycles and a small but well-equipped gym. There's also a 40-foot pool, 10-man Jacuzzi and WiFi (loaner laptops available). The owners also rent out a fully stocked and furnished one-bedroom condo about a mile from the resort, and renters there may also use the grounds at the Terrazzo. (Rooms: 12; Nude sunbathing: yes; Sexual temperature: med-low; Clientele: men; Meals: ECB/L, snacks and beverages; special requests honored)

Tortuga del Sol (715 E. San Lorenzo Rd, 760-416-3111 or 888/541-3777, fax: 760-416-6460, $99-$259; guest house $275-$350)
The accent at this laid-back, friendly resort is on comfort and relaxation rather than super-fancy appointments or steamy liaisons. Homey rooms feature high-beamed ceilings, tile floors, VCRs, and a welcome basket; most rooms have fully equipped kitchenettes, and some have private patios. All beds have pillow-top mattresses. The Southwestern motif, with rustic furniture and bright, bold colors, is charming and not overdone, and the pool (lined by a painted desert mural), hot tub and grounds--which include a grassy lawn, large hammock, and a covered Ping-Pong table--are lush and attractiveThere's also a house a few blocks away with two master suites that's available by the night or week; it's a luxurious and beautifully furnished mid-century modern ranch house, and guests there can use Tortuga's facilities during the day. (Rooms: 12; Nude sunbathing: yes; Sexual temperature: low; Clientele: men; Meals: ECB, C)

Triangle Inn (555 San Lorenzo Rd, 760-322-7993 or 800/732-7555, $115-$195, house $495)
The Triangle Inn offers large, recently renovated, rooms featuring TV, VCR and CD player. The grounds are small but romantic, with lush foliage and lovely night lighting. Former apartments, the property was built in 1958 and is now on the city’s historic site survey. Rooms feature first-rate mattresses with Ralph Lauren pillows, high-speed Internet, large bathrooms with skylights and high-quality towels and Pro Terra bath amenities and full kitchens. The owners also rent out a house next door; the "Desert Dream" offers four bedrooms and two bathrooms, a large, well-equipped kitchen and spacious, beautifully furnished common areas; there's also a private sundeck and swimming pool with hot tub. The house can sleep eight and be rented out as a whole, or by individual rooms; guests have access to the Triangle Inn's grounds. This is a good choice, particularly for couples or groups traveling together – although the temperature can get frisky when the owners host frequent naked parties. (Rooms: nine, plus four in Desert Dream; Nude sunbathing: yes; Sexual temperature: med-high; Clientele: men; Meals: ECB, afternoon mixers

The Villa (67-670 Carey Rd., CC, 760-328-7211 or 877-778-4552, fax 760-321-1463, $99-$179)
Over the years, this sprawling five-acre property has seen more facelifts than Elizabeth Arden herself (who owned the property in the 1950s as a "beauty farm"). Finally, however, the place seems to have come into its own, as new management gave the place a huge--and very ambitious--makeover in 2004-2005. Rooms have tile floors and atriums and have been decorated with hip, retro-'50s themes that include low-slung, angular furniture and funky lamps; amenities include TVs with VCR/DVDs, phones with voicemail, hair dryers, and robes. Rooms are very attractive, and some have private patios. Butterfield's Adobe restaurant and the V Lounge (see Dining and Nightlife) have been expanded and continue to attract customers from throughout the area, and there's also a Starbucks coffee bar. The Villa attracts a mixed crowd, and is one of the few places where gay men and women can travel together. (Rooms: 45; Nude sunbathing: no; Sexual temperature: low; Clientele: gay/lesbian; Meals: CP)

Bacchanal (589 Grenfall Rd., 760-323-0760 or 800-806-9059, fax 760-416-4107, $119-$225)
New owners have worked hard to upgrade this small Warm Sands resort, giving the rooms new carpets, bedspreads and other upgrades. The place has an elegant, slightly Asian-inspired theme--rooms have such decorative touches as Oriental rugs, boldly colored fabrics, ceiling fans, and black and white leather sofas. Rooms have phone, huge flat-screen TVs with two adult channels, VCR and CD player, and microwaves and refrigerators (except in one unit); all open onto the well-landscaped courtyard with its pool and nine-man hot tub; six rooms have kitchenettes and all have patios. Guests are free to borrow bikes to pedal around town. This is a good choice for a group of friends looking for a low-key getaway--the owners will work out a nice deal if you're interested in renting the entire place. (Rooms: eight; Nude sunbathing: yes; Sexual temperature: med; Clientele: men; Meals: ECB/snacks and sodas)

All Worlds Resort (526 Warm Sands Drive, 760-323-7505 or 800-798-8781, fax 760-323-1055, $89-$250)
This property has combined the former Inntrigue, Inntimate and 550 Resort to create a sprawling complex dedicated to porn actors and their admirers. Management has put the property through massive renovations; as a result, many of the rooms are quite lovely, with warm, masculine appointments--just be sure to ask for a newly redone room. The former 550 retains a strong cowboy motif and décor and is especially popular with bears and leather guys, although the whole property is quite bear- and leather-friendly. A whole section of the property is named Another World, which is gated and more subdued and can only be accessed by guests staying there, although anyone staying at Another World has access to the entire grounds. A small gym, a grotto hot tub with waterfall, an outdoor sling and horse saddle, and a glory hole structure complete the XXX with mirrors and pornos running on TVs; there are three swimming pools and three Jacuzzis. Guests receive a porn video upon arrival, compliments of All Worlds Entertainment. Call in advance to find out when All Worlds porn movies are being filmed on location. (Rooms: 44; Nude sunbathing: hell, yes; Sexual temperature: off the charts; Clientele: men; Meals: CB/evening wine & cheese, occasional BBQs)

Desert Moon (2150 N. Palm Canyon Drive, 760-325-8038 or 800/506-1899, $69-$149)
On the north side of town, right next to the longtime favorite gay bar Toucans, you'll find Palm Springs' newest gay resort, which opened in January 2006. The owners were still making some decor changes to the property as of this writing, but this hotel has loads of potential and already looked nice the day it opened. Its 24 large rooms and suites have Saltillo-tile floors and private patios, and a long lanai lined with towering palm trees leading down to an Olympic-size pool and 10-person hot tub. This pet-friendly property is far from the other gay resorts in town but still within easy striking distance of downtown restaurants, and it's the first gay accommodation you'll come to as you enter Palm Springs from the north. (Rooms: 24; Nude sunbathing: yes; Sexual temperature: low-med; Clientele: men; Meals: CB)

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