Chaps Inn caters to the gay leather and bear communities

Chaps Inn caters to the gay leather and bear communities

The Chaps Inn offers comfort and relaxation in a secluded environment.

Stuart and Ian have owned the resort for almost 20 years, coming to Palm Springs from the UK.

“We had nothing to do with the hotel business at all, we just went straight in cold turkey,” Ian said. “We woke up one morning and thought, ‘Now what?’ It’s been a very good experience.”

The Chaps Inn is a 10-room clothing-optional gay resort, with a saltwater pool and spa. Most rooms have kitchens or kitchenettes, some have private patios, and the hotel is within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs. It caters to the leather and bear communities, and sees a lot of return guests.

“They always tell us what a wonderful time they’ve had, and that they will be back,” Ian said.

When they purchased the property, it was a straight resort and not clothing optional, but Stuart and Ian quickly picked up a client base through word of mouth. The couple enjoys getting to meet their new guests and greet return ones, and they don’t mind when the temperature soars.

“The weather is fabulous,” Ian said. “We’re both from England, so we absolutely love the heat.”

A screenshot from the Boutiquely Palm Springs video tour of the Triangle Inn Palm Springs

Enjoy this video tour of the men’s clothing optional Triangle Inn Palm Springs with hotelier, Michael Green. This historical mid-century modern resort was originally the Impala Lodge designed by the legendary Hugh Kaptor.

Joel Martens, editor at Rage Monthly wrote this great piece about his recent Palm Springs visit. He stayed at the lovely Tortuga Del Sol, but also mentions several clothing optional resorts that are located within the city. 

Two red chairs in a room

If you’re seeking a unique, inviting getaway tailored to the gay male community, Palm Springs, California, has a vibrant scene that leaves no stone unturned. There’s truly nowhere else quite like Palm Springs for LGBTQIA+ vacationers to unwind and feel embraced, and at the heart of this welcoming culture lies a hidden gem of the hospitality scene: the Desert Paradise Resort Hotel.

Situated at 615 S. Warm Sands Drive, the Desert Paradise Resort Hotel stands as a charming oasis just for men, welcoming visitors from across the globe. As one of the longest-running gay resorts in Palm Springs, the Desert Paradise invites you to “escape to paradise” in a place where you can relax, be authentic, and feel wholeheartedly welcomed.

A bed with a patterned bedspread on it

The rooms at Desert Paradise are cozy and serene. Photo courtesy of Desert Paradise Resort Hotel

The resort’s mission is straightforward: to provide an atmosphere where gay men can escape the daily grind, unwind, and simply be themselves. That’s exactly how I felt during my recent overnight “staycation” at the resort. Nestled within its walls, you’ll find ground-level rooms overlooking the pool and gardens, a spacious heated saline swimming pool, and a hot tub. You can further indulge in the dry sauna, steam room, or the outdoor garden shower.

The outdoor shower. Photo by Gregory Douglass

All rooms come with central A/C and heat, California king beds, ceiling fans, mini-refrigerators, microwaves, and Keurig coffeemakers. Complimentary snacks, Beekman luxury bath and body products, free WiFi and high-speed internet, and a lovely continental breakfast are also part of your stay.

What sets Desert Paradise Resort Hotel apart from other clothing-optional resorts in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley is its cozy, unpretentious, and low-key vibe. The communal property fosters an easy camaraderie among guests, with a relaxed, friendly, and attitude-free atmosphere. The staff is so welcoming, you’d think you’ve stumbled upon a reunion of long-lost friends.

While the rooms offer all the essentials, the outdoor common area steals the show. It features art installations, water features, a clay pot collage flowing into a koi fish pond (sans the koi fish, but with a charming turtle named George), and even a permanent outdoor massage area.

A turtle in a pond

Meet George. Photo by Gregory Douglass

The intimate feel of the place has made it a favorite among repeat guests. Here, you’ll find folks from Seattle to San Diego, Tucson to Puerto Rico, all bonding over the shared love for this desert paradise. The outdoor landscaping, lush with tropical plants and trees, is as much a draw for the local birds as it is for the guests. And let’s not forget the breathtaking view of the San Jacinto Mountains directly behind the property.

Upon arrival, you’ll notice the attention to detail, including little modern vases filled with succulents mounted by each room number. It’s these small touches that make the Desert Paradise Resort Hotel an endearing and memorable experience.

The door to a room with a cactus on it

Welcome to your room at the Desert Paradise Resort Hotel. Photo by Gregory Douglass

Choosing to stay at independently-owned small boutique hotels like the Desert Paradise doesn’t just ensure a special vacation experience. It also supports local businesses and contributes to the unique culture and economy of Palm Springs. So why not make your next gaycation getaway to the Desert Paradise Resort Hotel?

A pool surrounded by blue umbrellas and chairs

The sparkling pool at Desert Paradise. Photo courtesy of Desert Paradise Resort Hotel

The Vista Grande Resort isn’t just a men’s clothing-optional boutique hotel in the heart of Warm Sands. It’s a philosophy and an opportunity for gay men from all over the world to gather and simply be who they are. “The Art of Being” is their adage, and it’s embedded in the guest experience as much as it is embedded in their logo.

Established in 1984, Vista Grande was the first gay clothing-optional hotel in Palm Springs. It’s also the longest running, and their mission remains steady: “To save the world one man at a time, providing discerning gay travelers with an unforgettable blend of comfort, fun, and pleasure in our secret garden sanctuary where we celebrate life, love, and personal freedom every day.”

The moment you arrive at Vista Grande, you enter a secret garden that feels like an endless oasis of pleasurable potential. The lush landscaping envelops the labyrinth-like property and is carefully curated by one of its founding fathers, Robert Fields. It almost feels like a tropical rainforest in the center of the low desert. With an ever-breathtaking view of the San Jacinto Mountains, Vista Grande invites you to explore your vigor for being alive. It also invites quite a few hummingbirds to the party as well!

The property’s gorgeous waterfall. Photo courtesy of Vista Grande Resort

What makes Vista Grande truly unique though is a commitment to their philosophy. You can feel a visceral surge of freedom in every aspect, from their inquisitive amenities to their communal sense of hospitality. The attentive staff’s comforting approach makes you feel more like family than the average resort as well. And since Vista Grande doesn’t “specify,” it makes for a popular, unpretentious mix of men of all types, ages, shapes, and sizes that seems to make everyone feel right at home.

The Avalon seating area. Photo credit: Gregory Douglass

Vista Grande is one of the only men’s clothing-optional resorts that offers extended stay opportunities. Their spacious garden apartments are fully equipped with all the comforts you would expect in a home, but with additional concierge hotel services, housekeeping, swimming pools, a spa, a steam room, waterfalls, and beautiful views of the gardens (and the neighbors)! What’s more, an extended stay at Vista Grande grants anyone the liberty to experience a prolonged sense of freedom rather than just a weekend of delight.

My husband Glen and I spent a pleasurable evening in one of their four Mirage Waterfall Suites, located in the beautiful enclave just steps from the steam room, 18-man spa, blue lagoon, and waterfall. It’s the perfect fairy tale setting for just about anything, and Mirage suites are elevated by concierge services like VIP parking, welcome gifts, and breakfast trays delivered to your room daily. We even had special burgundy towels specific to the Mirage suites experience to wear like badges of honor throughout the evening. At the end of our stay, the staff proudly proclaimed to us, “You are Mirage Men now!”

Breakfast in bed. Photo courtesy of Vista Grande Resort

Get cozy on the couch in one of the Mirage suites. Photo credit: Gregory Douglass

Another unique aspect of Vista Grande is the layout of amenities throughout the property. There are two swimming pools on the grounds, each equipped with a floating canopy covering about a third of the pool for shade. The Vista Grande Villa art deco-style pool serves as a quieter, non-smoking and no-music pool with a vintage Palm Springs vibe. The Avalon pool is a more expansive “party” area that is ripe for male adventure.

During our stay, I had the opportunity to connect with Robert Fields himself, and it didn’t take long for me to realize how deeply invested he is in the essence of Vista Grande. He compared his sprawling garden creations throughout the property as a “canvas to paint upon.” He also hinted at the magical relationship he had with his late husband Bob, and how together they created Vista Grande to serve as an extension of their mutual celebratory spirit for all others who visit the resort to benefit from. Robert is still very much the heart and soul of the place, and it’s apparent how much his employees appreciate him and his philosophy too — most have been working there for years.

After just 24 hours, I left the Vista Grande Resort feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and much freer than I had felt before checking in. I can only imagine what a longer stay would have revealed in “The Art of Being.”

All men are welcome at Vista Grande Resort. Photo credit: Gregory Douglass

By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong, Gay Travelers Magazine

Palm Springs, California is a wonderful place for anyone to visit but it is especially significant for gay travelers. Palm Springs has an inclusive, welcoming vibe, excellent entertainment and dining options, beautiful views and a variety of quality gay resorts to choose from.

The front entrance of Triangle Inn Palm Springs has a brick wall with its name in large black letters

For Michael Green, the past two decades feel like they’ve gone by in the blink of an eye.

Michael and his husband Stephen Boyd own The Triangle Inn (https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/stay/triangle-inn-palm-springs), a gay men’s clothing-optional resort, having purchased the property in January 2000. They bought the hotel after spending their careers in advertising, embracing the opportunity to try something new. Now, nearly 20 years later, Michael can’t believe they’ve been hoteliers for so long.

Michael and Stephen have created such a welcoming atmosphere that it’s inspired several guests to actually move to Palm Springs.

People often ask them if they’re tired of running their own business, or want to try something new. “To me, as long as we still enjoy it, we should keep doing it,” Michael says. “It’s great owning a small hotel. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a great lifestyle.”

The Triangle Inn was built in 1958, and Michael and Stephen are its fifth owners. They’ve been through renovations and upgrades, and are always doing something to enhance the property. Along the way, they’ve made tons of friends, and have created such a welcoming atmosphere that it’s inspired several guests to actually move to Palm Springs.

“It’s what happens when people come and fall in love with the hotel, fall in love with the city,” Michael says. “All of a sudden, they think, wow, we need to have a part-time place here, or retire here. That has really been a phenomenon that has fueled a lot of Palm Springs’ resurgence.”
 

Come for the movies, stay for the weekend.

Now in its 12th year, Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival will run from Thursday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 22, at the historic Camelot Theatres. Cinema Diverse celebrates LGBTQ movies, presenting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender films from around the world.

The opening night film, For They Know Not What They Do, will screen at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19, with special guests in attendance, including the Rev. Dr. Mel White, a Palm Springs clergyman and activist. For They Know Not What They Do is the latest film from Daniel Karslake, the director and producer of For the Bible Tells Me So. The movie focuses on families caught up in the campaign to limit the rights of LGBTQ citizens in the United States, and how the way to move forward is through love, acceptance, and reconciliation. 

Turn your trip to the film festival into a quick getaway by booking a room at one of our boutique hotels. All are gay friendly, and there are several men’s resorts (many clothing-optional!) catering to different communities, including leather and bear. The 32-room Canyon Club is within walking distance to the restaurants, shops, and museums in downtown Palm Springs, while Desert Paradise is in the center of Warm Sands, with 14 poolside rooms.

El Mirasol Villas is known for its spacious grounds, with two pools, an outdoor shower, a steam room, and a lanai with a fireplace, and the Hacienda at Warm Sands boasts unobstructed views of the gorgeous San Jacinto Mountains, a staff to guest room ratio of 1:1, and breakfast and lunch served daily.