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How To Enjoy Three Palm Springs Gay Resorts In One Week
How To Enjoy Three Palm Springs Gay Resorts In One Week
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Our Palm Springs adventure began as we stepped off our plane into the Palm Springs International Airport. The first thing we noticed was the aroma. The open air design of the airport means that passengers are immediately greeted by the fresh, clean Palm Springs air. After six hours on a plane, it is a simple pleasure.
During our Palm Springs visit, we were able to sample three gay, clothing optional accommodations.
From the airport, we made our way to our first lodging – Escape Resort.
This gay owned and operated, beautiful 1950's property is one of the longest running clothing optional resorts serving the gay community in Palm Springs. Owners Mark Hunter and Greg Kafka have spent the last eight years creating a relaxing, welcoming environment.
“We wanted to create a place that’s safe and comfortable and where our guests can make friends. We host a Friday Social Hour where our guests can get to know each other. We are laid back and clothing optional but we don’t offer day passes or play areas like some other resorts,” Hunter told us.
We found the courtyard, heated pool and hot tub to be perfect for meeting and talking to our fellow guests. Each room also had a nice front porch where we sat and spoke to other guests as they strolled by.
Escape Resort is a quality, clothing optional, gay resort with excellent amenities, a fantastic staff and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
UPDATE: ESCAPE RESORT IS NO LONGER IN OPERATION AS OF SEPT 27, 2019.
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Our Palm Springs adventure began as we stepped off our plane into the Palm Springs International Airport. The first thing we noticed was the aroma. The open air design of the airport means that passengers are immediately greeted by the fresh, clean Palm Springs air. After six hours on a plane, it is a simple pleasure.
During our Palm Springs visit, we were able to sample three gay, clothing optional accommodations.
From the airport, we made our way to our first lodging – Escape Resort.
This gay owned and operated, beautiful 1950's property is one of the longest running clothing optional resorts serving the gay community in Palm Springs. Owners Mark Hunter and Greg Kafka have spent the last eight years creating a relaxing, welcoming environment.
“We wanted to create a place that’s safe and comfortable and where our guests can make friends. We host a Friday Social Hour where our guests can get to know each other. We are laid back and clothing optional but we don’t offer day passes or play areas like some other resorts,” Hunter told us.
We found the courtyard, heated pool and hot tub to be perfect for meeting and talking to our fellow guests. Each room also had a nice front porch where we sat and spoke to other guests as they strolled by.
Escape Resort is a quality, clothing optional, gay resort with excellent amenities, a fantastic staff and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
UPDATE: ESCAPE RESORT IS NO LONGER IN OPERATION AS OF SEPT 27, 2019.
Our next gay, clothing optional resort was La Dolce Vita which offers the only professional men's spa in Palm Springs and eighteen guestrooms ranging from studios to spacious one-bedroom apartments for longer stays. We sampled a couples’ massage.
We enjoyed skinnydipping in the two heated outdoor pools and soaking in the hot tub.
La Dolce Vita also offers a steam room, an outdoor barbecue, complimentary daily continental breakfast, on-site parking, WiFi and weekend social hours.
“We are very excited about our refurbishment. Our goal is to respect the past and bring back the original glory but look to the future.,” General Manager Robert Aikens told us.
“A lot of our people come for a week or more and they say they feel like it is home. It’s not cruisy.”
We loved our luxurious Napoli two bedroom apartment with two king beds, full kitchen with full-size refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dining table and chairs, and cooking utensils. And, we had a wonderful view of one of the swimming pools and all the attractive man lounging nude around it!
We enjoyed skinnydipping in the two heated outdoor pools and soaking in the hot tub.
La Dolce Vita also offers a steam room, an outdoor barbecue, complimentary daily continental breakfast, on-site parking, WiFi and weekend social hours.
“We are very excited about our refurbishment. Our goal is to respect the past and bring back the original glory but look to the future.,” General Manager Robert Aikens told us.
“A lot of our people come for a week or more and they say they feel like it is home. It’s not cruisy.”
We loved our luxurious Napoli two bedroom apartment with two king beds, full kitchen with full-size refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dining table and chairs, and cooking utensils. And, we had a wonderful view of one of the swimming pools and all the attractive man lounging nude around it!
After meeting one of the owners of Tortuga Del Sol at an old Frank Sinatra hangout for dinner, we spent three incredibly relaxing days enjoying Tortuga Del Sol. It is one of the most beautiful clothing optional gay resorts we have ever experienced. The reason is probably that it has two of the most beautifully spirited owners we have ever met.
Life partners Robert Petro and Ricardo Gomez purchased Tortuga Del Sol almost twenty years ago. They have put their hearts and muscles into making it ideal for gay travelers.
"We created a lot of the furniture ourselves. We even learned how to sew. We wanted to create a special atmosphere here. We want our guests to feel at home," Ric told us.
"We designed and built the poolside cabanas so our guests can have a comfortable shaded place to lounge around the pool and be social. If they want a little privacy for a nap or to share a private moment with their partner, they can pull the curtains closed. We also designed and built the L-shaped sofa cabana. We even created the cushions. We wanted just the right feel and look. It is another great place to read a book, take a nap, socialize or pull the curtains for some private time. We wanted a fun place near the pool so we added a pavilion with a pool table, a hanging egg chair and the big, round egg where several people can get comfortable."
The heated pool with surrounding cabanas, tables and pool floats is perfect for swimming or floating any time of the day or night. The mountain views are spectacular.
The hot tub is a popular place for guests to meet and talk. Meeting new people is a big part of the joy of travel for us and Tortuga Del Sol makes it easy.
Since we always enjoying swimming nude, Tortuga Del Sol's clothing optional policy is perfect. If you don't want to, there is never a need to put on clothes at all!
Life partners Robert Petro and Ricardo Gomez purchased Tortuga Del Sol almost twenty years ago. They have put their hearts and muscles into making it ideal for gay travelers.
"We created a lot of the furniture ourselves. We even learned how to sew. We wanted to create a special atmosphere here. We want our guests to feel at home," Ric told us.
"We designed and built the poolside cabanas so our guests can have a comfortable shaded place to lounge around the pool and be social. If they want a little privacy for a nap or to share a private moment with their partner, they can pull the curtains closed. We also designed and built the L-shaped sofa cabana. We even created the cushions. We wanted just the right feel and look. It is another great place to read a book, take a nap, socialize or pull the curtains for some private time. We wanted a fun place near the pool so we added a pavilion with a pool table, a hanging egg chair and the big, round egg where several people can get comfortable."
The heated pool with surrounding cabanas, tables and pool floats is perfect for swimming or floating any time of the day or night. The mountain views are spectacular.
The hot tub is a popular place for guests to meet and talk. Meeting new people is a big part of the joy of travel for us and Tortuga Del Sol makes it easy.
Since we always enjoying swimming nude, Tortuga Del Sol's clothing optional policy is perfect. If you don't want to, there is never a need to put on clothes at all!
Michael Holmes’ The Purple Room in the Club Trinidad Hotel is a great place to feel that Palm Springs mid-century vibe. The Purple Room is “where Frank, Sammy, Dean, and their pals cavorted on and off the stage in the swinging 60's.” There are amazing stories of Sinatra’s exploits both onstage and in the speakeasy days.
Our dinners of Classic Shrimp Cocktail House, House Salad, Fulvio’s Homemade Italian Sausage Pappardelle pasta and Jidori Chicken were fantastic.
On stage, Rose Mallett entertained us with a wide variety of standards from many genres from Patsy Cline to Gloria Gaynor.
Our dinners of Classic Shrimp Cocktail House, House Salad, Fulvio’s Homemade Italian Sausage Pappardelle pasta and Jidori Chicken were fantastic.
On stage, Rose Mallett entertained us with a wide variety of standards from many genres from Patsy Cline to Gloria Gaynor.
Everyone who visits Palm Springs should experience The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It is the world’s largest rotating tram car that travels more than two-and-one-half miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon to the Mount San Jacinto State Park.
At the Mountain Station - elevation 8,516 feet – we found two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop and fifty miles of hiking trails. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and spectacular views.
Remember to bring a jacket because the temperature at the top is usually thirty degrees colder than in town.
At the Mountain Station - elevation 8,516 feet – we found two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop and fifty miles of hiking trails. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and spectacular views.
Remember to bring a jacket because the temperature at the top is usually thirty degrees colder than in town.
For a terrific dinner downtown, 849 is our choice. Co-Owner John Paschal showed us around the former Palm Springs’ Post Office. “The cavernous 1954 building has been elegantly transported into a minimalist modern space with striking crisp white interior punctuated with strategically-placed hot pink accents.”
Executive Chef Israel Jimenez and Pastry Chef Albert Gonzalez offer a large variety of delicious dishes of “created flair.”
We dined on Willa Jean's Fried Chicken and Beef Tenderloin while sipping the Eight4nine (Crater lake reserve vodka, chilled mionetto prosecco, limoncello, mandarin napolean, and fresh strawberry.)
Executive Chef Israel Jimenez and Pastry Chef Albert Gonzalez offer a large variety of delicious dishes of “created flair.”
We dined on Willa Jean's Fried Chicken and Beef Tenderloin while sipping the Eight4nine (Crater lake reserve vodka, chilled mionetto prosecco, limoncello, mandarin napolean, and fresh strawberry.)
For a people watching al fresco, upscale lunch, we visited ZIN. This downtown American Bistro offers patio dining, daily lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday brunch and nightly Happy Hour. Their XXX Adult Mac and Cheese is decadently delicious.
We met Kimberly Munkres of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels group and learned about the excellent lodging options they offer. Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels goal is to help visitors experience what no large hotel or home rental could possibly provide while being enveloped by authentic Palm Springs experiences.
“We have 75 to 80 hotels in our group. Because every hotel property is fundamentally unique, they each have a unique vibe. They mirror the owner’s vision. Our hotel owners are courageous people who followed their dreams here to open their own mid-century hotels.”
When we weren’t dining or lounging nude in the sun by the swimming pools, we also visited The Living Desert,Moorten Botanical Garden, Palm Springs Celebrity Tours, Pioneertown, Joshua Tree National Park and Indian Canyons.
If shopping is your thing, we loved Gaymart, BearWear and Peepas (owner / designer David Mason is a cutey).
For more information about things to see and do, go to Visit Palm Springs.
Gay travelers should also visit https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/play/special-interest/lgbt/
We met Kimberly Munkres of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels group and learned about the excellent lodging options they offer. Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels goal is to help visitors experience what no large hotel or home rental could possibly provide while being enveloped by authentic Palm Springs experiences.
“We have 75 to 80 hotels in our group. Because every hotel property is fundamentally unique, they each have a unique vibe. They mirror the owner’s vision. Our hotel owners are courageous people who followed their dreams here to open their own mid-century hotels.”
When we weren’t dining or lounging nude in the sun by the swimming pools, we also visited The Living Desert,Moorten Botanical Garden, Palm Springs Celebrity Tours, Pioneertown, Joshua Tree National Park and Indian Canyons.
If shopping is your thing, we loved Gaymart, BearWear and Peepas (owner / designer David Mason is a cutey).
For more information about things to see and do, go to Visit Palm Springs.
Gay travelers should also visit https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/play/special-interest/lgbt/
Article and photos by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Copyright 2018 Sunny Harbor Publishing Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956 Phone: 321-252-9874 Email: [email protected] Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org |
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Gay Travelers Magazine
the best cruise & travel news, tips & reviews for the sensible gay traveler
the best cruise & travel news, tips & reviews for the sensible gay traveler