Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Palm Springs

For more than five decades, there has existed a gay haven in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. We’re talking about former Hollywood playground, mecca of modernism, and the golf capital of the world, the extremely gay-friendly Palm Springs. You’ll have to forgive us for gushing about this amazing SoCal destination, but Palm Springs is our all-time ride or die. It’s a place where poolside luxury and inclusion go hand-in-hand, like lime and tequila, making it pretty much the Disneyland of LGBTQ+ culture. What helps the cause is the many options for a gay hotel in Palm Springs. In fact, it’s one of the few places in the world where we’ve seen gay resort in the title for multiple places! If that isn’t LGBTQ-friendly, we don’t know what is.

Moreover, they ranged across budgets and vibes, so we had the choice of clothing-optional stays, adults-only luxurious ones, and even kitschy, kinky places that had us intrigued. Our detailed Palm Springs gay travel guide will not only list the best stays but also explain why we’re so in love with this desert hotspot. Read on.

Two Bunch Palms

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We were looking for an LGBTQ-friendly resort with a tranquil atmosphere, which is why we chose the Two Bunch Palms Resort. This place was adults-only, which meant that we had a wonderful place to spend some romantic time in the heart of Desert Hot Springs. Once rumored to be Al Capone’s hideout, this resort is a beautiful and serene escape from the bustle of Downtown Palm Springs.

We had the choice of 70 rooms, all of which boasted lovely views of the garden grounds, antique furnishings, mod-cons, plush beds, and luxurious bathrooms. However, we’d chosen the Capone suite, which, with its stone fireplace, heavy oak bar, and red velvet furniture, was as romantic as a stay could get.

That said, we loved the amenities at this massive property, starting with our favorite, the picturesque grotto with two heated mineral pools. What’s more, there was a spa with an extensive menu, and we chose individual gazebos to unwind and relax with a couple’s massage. A lap pool, an indoor fitness center, and two tennis courts wrap up the amenities here.

Descanso Resort

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Descanso Resort was the first men’s only resort to open in the town in more than a decade, and the 2021 renovation had us drooling. What’s more, it was right down the road from the gay scene in Palm Springs, and we could literally walk up and down to party.

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But the party scene wasn’t limited to outside the resort. Since we were staying the weekend, we got to enjoy the ‘Wine O’clock’ Happy Hour over the weekend, as well as the “Stay and Splash” poolside lunches. It was also where we got to mingle with some gorgeous men, so it was a win-win indeed. Moreover, the vibe was comfortable and non-fussy, which is exactly what we wanted. Besides the large swimming pool, the property even had a heated outdoor spa and an outdoor shower to get the pulse racing, if you know what we mean! Plus, there was also a fire pit and bikes that we could borrow to explore the neighborhood. Did we mention the cantina with its complimentary snacks and beverages? Yes!

16 well-appointed rooms and suites on two levels made staying here as exclusive as it felt intimate. There was green wallpaper and accents throughout, adding to the tropical vibe. Our room even had a spacious balcony with sweeping mountain views, but they all had comfy beds, modern bathrooms, and mod-cons, making for a relaxing and intimate oasis.

Trixie Motel

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We love everything pink, which is why we had to stay at The Trixie Motel. This masterpiece in pink is owned by Brian Firkus, better known by his drag persona and namesake Trixie Mattel, and her partner David. They bought the 1953-built Coral Sands Inn, transforming it into the bubblegum pink palace it is today. What’s more, the inn retains all of its original charm. We loved hanging out at the perfectly pink pool area with umbrellas, comfy loungers, and palm trees, feeling straight out of the Barbie Movie! There was also a hot tub, where the bubbling waters calmed our sore muscles. After a long day, we’d unwind in the lounge with cocktails and snacks as well.

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With just seven rooms and suites, staying here felt like we were living with friends in a large mansion. What’s more, room themes included our room, the Queen of Hearts, complete with a heart-shaped bed. If you want quirky, the Yeehaw Cowgirl suite had a fun accent wall and a custom-made velvet horseshoe bed. Other themes included Atomic Bombshell, Pink Flamingo, Flower Power, and Malibu Barbara. The ultimate is the “Oh Honeymoon Suite,” which is decked out in warm hues of orange and yellow, bright patterns, and bee motifs.

If you want to check out the Trixie Motel before heading here, check out the reality show “Trixie Motel,” which is available for streaming on Discovery+ and Max.

Santiago Resort

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Most romantic. We were spending our second honeymoon in Palm Springs, so we thought, why not stay at the gorgeous and utterly romantic Santiago Resort? Not only is this exclusively for gay men, but also but also every inch of this lushly landscaped mid-century modernist resort at the foot of the San Jacinto mountains breathed tranquility. One of our favorite places to unwind together was the heated outdoor pool, Palm Springs largest, complete with poolside daybeds, an outdoor mist cooling system, and an outdoor heated saline spa.

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The solitude was made all the better by the bevy of other amenities. For instance, we could borrow Townie bicycles to explore the neighborhood. If that wasn’t enough, there was even a complimentary breakfast included in our stay, as well as a “Stay n Splash” lunch with wraps, salads, and sandwiches. Plus, the Cantina would always be open for complimentary refreshments. Finally, we had the choice of 23 gorgeous rooms, and we chose the deluxe suite which came with a fireplace and a patio. So, it’s no surprise that Palm Springs Santiago Resort was our very own desert haven.

Triangle Inn

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Most historic. We’re suckers for historic properties, which is why we chose the Triangle Inn. It’s famous for being the Hugh Kaptur’s, one of the city’s notable mid-century modern architects, first commercial property. Formerly the 1958-built Impala Lodge, the resort is now a clothing optional gay haven for LGBTQ travelers like us seeking serenity and comfort in the heart of Palm Springs. Of course, the warm SoCal hospitality was the cherry on top, with hosts Michael and Stephen staying right on the property and providing an excellent and memorable staying experience.  

We had the choice of eight rooms and suites, most of which had dining rooms and full kitchens. If you’re a larger group, there’s even a four-bedroom house on the property, with its own jacuzzi and private pool. Our room even had a private reading library, flatscreen TV for entertainment, and luxe bathrooms. We’d begin our days with generous poolside breakfasts, followed by languorous time spent swimming in and lounging by the outdoor pool. In the afternoon, mixers followed, providing the perfect setting for meeting other people and making gorgeous new friends. The rest of the property, with lush tropical gardens, large sundecks, outdoor misting system, and stunning mountain views made this the perfect SoCal abode for exploring the desert haven. 

CCBC Resort Hotel – A Gay Men’s Resort

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How would you like to stay in a sexually charged playground? Behold the CCBC Resort Hotel – A Gay Men’s Resort, aptly sitting on a private street called “Gay Resort Drive” in Cathedral City. This clothing-optional place is possibly the largest of its kind in all of California, which is why we were so intrigued to stay here. And let us tell you, we were far from being disappointed! P.S.: The resort is very popular with the bearish set over 40 (wink wink).

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While the place wasn’t anything fancy, it certainly was a whole lot of fun. Palm Springs doesn’t have a gay sauna or bathhouse, which is what makes the hotel’s steam room and sauna so popular. What’s more, it even has dungeon-inspired, maze-like play areas, which was the perfect place to meet other interesting men. When steamy wasn’t on the agenda, we’d retreat to the large central outdoor pool with a waterfall, hot tub, and a “love grotto” with secluded coves and waterfalls — well, almost non-steamy. Did we mention that they even have “Danny’s Nude Beach” right on the property? Oof.

While we had the choices of nice rooms and suites with ensuite bathrooms and all comfortable amenities, one could also set up their own camps on the property and even rent tents. The best bit is that since it even gives out day passes, the resort is very popular for cruising.

INNdulge Palm Springs

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Best clothing-optional resort. If you’re looking for a naked, sun-kissed wonderland of men, then look no further than INNdulge Palm Springs. Our sun-soaked getaway here was as hot as it was chill, thanks to the fact that the resort is clothing-optional and full of gorgeous men. We got both the time and space to mingle and socialize at the chilled/heated saltwater pool and the 12-man Jacuzzi, both of which were open 24 hours a day. What more could we ask for?

But that’s not all. We even enjoyed complimentary breakfasts every morning as well as nightly BYOB social hour, where we could make new friends. If that wasn’t enough, they even had Thursday pizza time and weekend pool parties, which was the perfect way to socialize with Palm Springs’ LGBTQ+ crowd. Other amenities included free Wi-Fi, assistance with any bookings, laundry, complimentary access to the local fitness center.

“Did we mention that we could bring friends and guests from outside at this resort? That’s why we love INNdulge Palm Springs so much and keep coming back!”

WOW Travel

The icing on the cake was the recently remodeled rooms and suites, all with calming ocean-blue decor, comfy furnishings, and spa bathrooms.

Vista Grande Resort Palm Springs

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Vista Grande Resort is big in LGBTQ+ Palm Springs, thanks to the fact that it’s the city’s very first gay clothing-optional resort. However, there were a lot more things we loved about the resort which got our hearts racing.

For one, there was a steamy 16-man hot tub, which was just what we needed for unwinding and meeting new people for our amorous adventures. What also made the resort interesting was that it boasted not one but two outdoor pools and a waterfall lagoon, making it a wet fantasy — excuse the pun! Moreover, it even had a fire pit overlooking the pools, a steam room, and a sauna, which were also great places to relax and socialize. The best bit was that they even had a secret garden sanctuary for discerning gay travelers, which was a place to celebrate personal freedom, love, and life. That’s one of the reasons that made staying at Vista Grande Resort in Palm Springs so wonderful. Did we mention the continental included breakfasts? Yep.

We loved the reasonably priced rooms and suites that ranged from poolside studios to luxurious villas surrounding the waterfalls, many of them even with fully equipped kitchens. If the above amenities weren’t cheeky enough, they even showed adult films on the flatscreen TVs in the rooms! What more could we ask for?

The Hacienda at Warm Sands

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Most luxurious. “Dreamy luxury” perhaps best describes The Hacienda at Warm Sands, a massive gay male resort set among lush grounds in the heart of Palm Springs. We were enamored right off the bat; there was lush foliage, a multi-tiered gurgling fountain, walkways highlighted by Japanese water features, and 10,000 sq ft of Saltillo-tiled patios. Of course, the San Jacinto mountains as the backdrop was the cherry on top.

However, it was the amenities and hospitality here that blew us away. The staff to guest ratio was 1:1, which meant that we always had someone at our beck and call, whether it was for room service or cocktails by the pool. We’d spend our days by the two large swimming pools, swimming and lounging, followed by a session at the jetted inground spa. Evenings were reserved for the fireplace right next to the pool, with alfresco drinks and dinners. Our favorite amenity, though, was the fact that we were provided massages right in our suite, whether it was deep-tissue massages we wanted, or Swedish ones.

With just nine suites, staying here felt very intimate and exclusive. They offered not only swish mod-cons but also a pillow menu, with rooms including expanded continental breakfasts and artisan-inspired lunches. It’s no wonder that this resort was awarded the title of the “Best LGBTQ Resort Hotel in North America” by LUXlife Magazine.

Twin Palms

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Modern luxury and gorgeous guests is what the Twin Palms Resort is best known for, which is why we chose to stay here. Offering an intimate experience for travelers and local males alike, this gay men’s resort boasted a chic mid-century modern appeal which appealed immesnely to us. What got to us were the breathtaking mountain views that served as the backdrop, making for the perfect Palm Springs getaway. Since there were only 20 rooms on the property, we enjoyed a sense of privacy and exclusivity during our stay. What’s more, all rooms boasted luxe bathrooms and contemporary furnishings, offering us a “home away from home” vibe.

We loved exploring the rest of the resort too, which transported us back in time with 70s-inspired architecture and vintage vibes. That said, the best part of the resort was the crystal-clear pool, whirlpool, and spa. Oh, and let us tell you this; the resort is clothing-optional. Since we wanted to avoid those unsightly tan lines, we were thrilled!

Canyon Club Hotel

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Sitting at the top of this list is the clothing-optional gay men’s resort that is the Canyon Club Hotel. The Downtown Palm Springs location was perfect for us to explore the city’s gay scene, while also enjoying the clothing-optional, gay-friendly ethos of the place. We had the choice of 32 well-designed and immaculate rooms, 8 of them with full kitchens and 8 of them even boasting private patios. We chose the digs with the private patio, as we wanted to enjoy some quiet alone time as well.

Of course, we had to step out of our abode too, as the resort had a fantastic steam room and a dry sauna. So, we could mingle with other gorgeous fellow travelers. The vibe was excellent; it felt free-spirited, and we could let loose. Did we mention that they even offered day passes for merely USD 15 each? yes! The face that the resort offered beautiful sunset views of the San Jacinto mountains only made our staying experience all the better.

Our Verdict!

While all options for gay-friendly stays in Palm Springs are great, here are our favorite options.

• Most romantic: Santiago Resort
• Most historic: Triangle Inn
• Best clothing-optional resort: INNdulge Palm Springs
• Most luxurious: The Hacienda at Warm Sands

Get Some Culture in Palm Springs

• Palm Springs Pride – Held annually on a weekend every November, Palm Springs Pride is a vibrant celebration and expression of love, inclusion, and self-expression, and brings diverse LGBTQ+ communities together in a festive atmosphere of live music, parties, and more. In fact, Cathedral City has its own roster of pride festivities, including drag shows, a “bed race,” and even an LGBTQ+ film festival.
• White Party Palm Springs – Organized by Jeffrey Sanker, this annual gay dance music festival attracts more than 30,000 visitors and is all about music, world-class DJs, pool parties, and packed dance floors.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Palm Springs

• Oscar Café & Bar: We grooved to the “Tea Dance” music on Sundays from 4 to 8 pm at this gay-friendly disco right in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs. In fact this Sunday gay disco dance is the biggest event of its kind on the whole of West Coast!
• Streetbar: The first Arenas Road gay bar, Streetbar is more than 30 years old and is the longest-operating gay bar in the Coachella Valley. It’s all about karaoke nights on Sundays-Wednesdays, extended happy hours, daily top shelf specials, and heavy pour here.

Best Gay Saunas in Palm Springs

While Palm Springs is an extremely popular gay destination, there aren’t any out-and-out gay bathhouses here. However, some gay resorts, like CCBC and the All Worlds Resorts, do have saunas.