Trixie Motel

Santiago is where you go when the exhausting Palm Springs itinerary consists mainly of moving between a sun lounger, the pool and the spa. This long-established gay men’s resort sits behind private gates in the Tahquitz River Estates area, with mountain views adding to the feeling that the outside world can wait. The swimsuit-optional pool is the centre of things, backed up by a hot tub and comfortable landscaped grounds. Breakfast and lunch are included, removing two daily decisions from your holiday, while the atmosphere manages to be social without making participation compulsory. Rooms range from kings to larger suites, some with private patios. Downtown and Arenas Road are a short ride away, but there’s very little pressure to leave Santiago once you settle in. GayMapper tip: Excellent if your ideal gay resort is relaxed, polished and sociable rather than relentlessly party-focused – sunscreen remains non-negotiable.

There’s a little bit of fantasy-land energy behind the unassuming gate at Vista Grande Resort. What started with seven rooms in 1984 now spreads across more than an acre of lush Warm Sands gardens, waterfalls and secluded spaces – still very much a gay men’s, clothing-optional escape. The resort currently has three distinct pool areas, including a sociable party pool and a quieter Zen pool, plus an 18-man hot tub, large steam room and waterfall bathing lagoon. Breakfast is included, there’s free parking and WiFi, and some of the 31 rooms and apartments add kitchens for longer stays. Warm Sands has been synonymous with Palm Springs gay resort culture for decades, so this is less about being near the scene and more about staying inside one particular part of it. GayMapper tip: A classic Palm Springs gay-resort experience with enough space to switch between sociable and secluded depending on your mood.

Sometimes you want Palm Springs character; sometimes you want a big pool, a proper spa and a hotel where everything simply works. Hilton Palm Springs falls firmly into the second camp, with a central location that also happens to be very handy for going out. The large outdoor pool deck is the focal point, backed up by Elements Spa, a fitness centre and mountain views. Rooms are generously sized, and the complimentary airport shuttle is particularly useful if you’re doing Palm Springs without hiring a car. Palm Canyon Drive is a few blocks away and Arenas Road’s gay bars are easily walkable, so dinner, drinks and nightlife don’t require much planning. The Convention Center is also nearby. GayMapper tip: A dependable all-rounder if you want full hotel facilities and a proper resort-style pool without giving up the ability to wander into the gay nightlife on foot.

If your idea of desert relaxation involves an enormous swimming pool rather than an intimate courtyard, Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel has you covered. Its pool deck is one of the biggest in Downtown Palm Springs, with cabanas, mountain views and plenty of space to make an afternoon disappear. Rooms are bright and contemporary, Date handles all-day dining and Rocks is there for cocktails, while the hotel connects directly to the Convention Center. Another welcome detail: there’s no resort fee, increasingly something worth celebrating in California. Downtown restaurants and shops are walkable, with Arenas Road a little farther away but still easy when you want the gay nightlife. This is also one of the more practical choices for events, conferences or trips where you appreciate the resources of a large full-service hotel. GayMapper tip: Come for the big-resort pool without actually having to leave Downtown – and enjoy the rare pleasure of seeing “no resort fee” on the bill.

Ten rooms, one pool and a mountain backdrop: The Three Fifty Hotel understands that Palm Springs hotels don't necessarily improve by becoming bigger. Built in 1950 in the Historic Tennis Club neighbourhood, it still has the intimate courtyard layout that makes mid-century desert hotels so appealing. Every room faces the pool, which is heated year-round, and the adults-only setup keeps the atmosphere relaxed. Breakfast and parking are complimentary, bikes are available for exploring, and the hotel is now pet-friendly too. New independent ownership is promising further updates while keeping the property's original mid-century character. Palm Canyon Drive is only a few minutes away on foot, with Downtown restaurants and galleries close by and Arenas Road comfortably reachable when it’s time for a night out. GayMapper tip: Still one of our favourite little Palm Springs stays – especially if ten rooms sounds much more appealing than ten floors.

There are times when free breakfast and free parking are considerably sexier than designer toiletries, and Palm Springs can be one of them. Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel gets the practical stuff right while putting you almost ridiculously close to the action. The Mediterranean-style buildings wrap around gardens, terraces and a heated outdoor pool with hot tub and cabanas. Rooms come with mini-fridges and coffee makers, while the complimentary hot breakfast makes mornings painless. There’s also a fitness centre and poolside food and drink when leaving your lounger feels unnecessarily ambitious. The big advantage is location: Arenas Road, the heart of Palm Springs’ gay bar scene, is essentially around the corner, while Palm Canyon Drive, restaurants and shops are all walkable. GayMapper tip: Excellent value for a nightlife-heavy weekend – you can walk home from the gay bars and wake up to breakfast already included.