The Best Gay Resorts in Palm Springs

Intimate, classy, and with finest personal attention of any gay resort in Palm Springs, the Hacienda at Warm Sands lies in the heart of the gay-resort district for which it is named. A well-trained, easygoing staff tends to guests every need, and the perks are many: beautiful complimentary breakfast and lunch spreads, a self-service laundry with free supplies, an extensive library with books and periodicals - there's even a pillow menu, so that you'll get a great night's sleep in your cushy room. Decor is posh yet casual enough for relaxation - think French doors with plantation shutters, Asian furniture, two-man showers (in top suites). The grounds are meticulously kept, with tile walkways, two pools, and a gurgling Spanish fountain.

Off on its own in a northern downtown residential neighborhood, away from most of the other gay resorts, East Canyon also stands out because it's the only men's property with a full-service spa - and this is no mere massage room but a small but complete spa with the finest equipment and trained technicians. East Canyon is elegant and low-keyed. It's not clothing-optional, and it eschews the cruisy-steamy vibe common in Palm Springs, making it a perfect place to quietly hide away for a weekend or come with a partner for a romantic getaway. Rooms are done in muted earth tones, with lots of space to back, and top-of-the-line amenities. It's one of the pricier options in PS, but the steady stream of happy repeat guests suggests its worth it.

A little different from the typical Palm Springs gay resort, this whimsically decorated, tranquil 1930s hacienda-style compound comprises just six suites and bungalows - it's the perfect roost for romantics seeking seclusion yet still preferring a gay-owned and gay-frequented accommodation with a central Palm Springs location. Knowledgeable owners Vic and Brian have created this upscale hideaway with common amenities that include a stocked guest kitchen, outside fireplace, and heated saltwater pool and hot tub. Rooms have top-of-the-line linens and bath products, distinctive artwork and furnishings, and private patios - some rooms are pet-friendly, too. This is a beautiful little compound with the perks of a much larger resort.

With a swanky Italian theme and some of the most substantial and beautiful grounds in PS, the 20-unit La Dolce Vita is a fine destination for social butterflies - there are myriad places to mingle, including two pools, two hot tubs, an outdoor gym, a steam room, and a variety of landscaped paths and walkways. Even better, in 2009 La Dolce Vita added a beautiful full-service spa offering a wide range of treatments. The resort is in a quiet residential area, a short walk from downtown restaurants and shops. There are two distinct hotel "wings", and many rooms have French doors leading out to a pool area. Private patios, Aveda bath products, and high-quality robes and linens are further enhancements. A terrific place, all-around.

Palm Springs has only a pair of women's resorts, and Casitas Laquita, thanks the dedication of its competent and caring ownership, offers the best overall experience. The Southwest-themed 15-casita compound sits on more than an acre on the south side of Palm Springs, just off busy (mind the noise) but convenient East Palm Canyon Drive. Towering palms and fragrant gardens give the grounds a secluded, luxuriant feel, and Laquita has one of the largest pools of any gay resort. A plus here is the wide range of room sizes and styles - many have fireplaces, and some come with full kitchens, and even the least expensive units are quite large and well-outfitted. Entertainment and small parties are offered in the cozy "wine cellar" lounge.

Opened in 2009 on the site of a fabulously tragic circa-1960s former Howard Johnson's, the unabashedly hip Ace Hotel has quickly earned a reputation as the most gay-popular mainstream lodging in Palm Springs. Part of a small but growing empire of retro-trendy, mid-priced hotels (there are sister properties in Portland, Seattle, and New York City), this sleek, eco-conscious, whimsically decorated property has 180 rooms (many with private patios and fireplaces), a cushy spa, glam swimming pool and sun deck, cool diner-style restaurant, and eclectic Amigo Room bar. Furnishings pay homage to the hotel's mid-century modern aesthetic. The clientele skews toward young revelers, and this well-located property is also pet-friendly.

A peaceful, contemporary compound at the end of San Lorenzo Road, the Triangle Inn nine cheery suites whose elegant, distinctive furnishings would suggest a much more expensive resort. In fact, the rates here are quite reasonable, especially when you factor in the many pluses, such as fully stocked kitchens or kitchenettes in each unit. Bathrooms are large and well-outfitted, and each units comes with games, magazines, and books - the entire property has a wonderfully personal feel about it. A sleek pool area acts as the resort's focal point, where breakfast and afternoon refreshments are served each day. Of the under-10-room gay properties in town, the Triangle is one of the best, and it's a terrific value.

Extremely friendly, welcoming owners have poured plenty of effort and care into turning this moderate-to-upscale resort just off East Palm Canyon Drive (on the south side of Palm Springs) a winner. There's just a great vibe here - the guests always appear to be having a blast, and the mood balances festive, relaxed, and playful. The 12 rooms are contemporary and unfussy, with a vaguely Southwestern look (including attractive Saltillo-tile floors); some have French doors opening to the pool area. A very good Continental breakfast is included (complete with espresso bar), and there's a nice little gym and a quite large pool. About the only drawback is some traffic noise from the busy road, but the resort is fully walled-in for privacy.

With conscientious, friendly owners who completely overhauled this circa-1930s resort in 2001, Warm Sands Villas is one of the larger and more impressive clothing-optional men's options in the city. Part of the draw is the Spanish Colonial-inspired architecture and meticulously kept grounds, which include an expansive pool and patio - plus a popular roof deck - with clear views toward San Jacinto Mountain. Rooms come in a wide range of configurations and are laid out with beautiful travertine-stone floors - top-of-the-line units have full kitchens and fireplaces as well as good-size sitting areas. Rates are about average among the upscale men's properties, and the location in the heart of Warm Sands couldn't be more central.

Among the several luxury mainstream resorts in Palm Springs, the 24-acre Riviera - which reopened in 2008 following a highly ambitious transformation - ranks among the most gay-popular. This visually arresting compound is perfect for scenesters and fashion plates. The uber-chic Circa 59 restaurant and swish Starlite Lounge afford visitors some of the wildest people-watching in Palm Springs, and booking an exclusive poolside cabana makes for a wonderfully relaxing afternoon. Rooms are dolled up with bold, often outrageous, mid-century modern furnishings - the look is a campy tribute to Old Hollywood in the desert. Up the glam factor by booking a treatment at the spectacular SpaTerre, which also has a first-rate fitness center.