Nov 22
Give the Gift of a Winter Gaycation: Celebrate the Season with a Palm Springs Getaway
Jim Gladstone READ TIME: 4 MIN. SPONSORED
Never mind the stockings, give a Speedo stuffer this holiday season!
A winter getaway to sunny Palm Springs will make the perfect gift for that naughty-and-nice special someone on your list.
Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels has a list of its own:
Over 75 boutique accommodations, from ultra-private hacienda hideouts (Feliz Navidad!) to super-social clothing optional resorts (Nutcracker suite, anyone?).
Whether you're looking for a lazy poolside Yuletide or want to party away the 12 nights of Christmas at the bars and clubs of the always festive Arenas district, Palm Springs is your Winter Wonderland.
From chic accommodations in the heart of the action to tucked-away oases in the desert foothills, Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels offer stays to suit your holiday mood.
Stylish Stays for the Holidays: You Sleigh, Gurl!
If you love dressing up in your holiday finery and want to stay at a hotel that meets your high style standards, check out some of the desert's most fashionably decorated accommodations:
Each of the 11 indoor-outdoor suites at Talavera Palm Springs is designed with its own elegant motif, from the Moorish tiled floors and richly embroidered bed linens of the Kasbah Hacienda to the traditional woven textiles and rattan furniture of the Puka Hacienda.
A lushly landscaped pool area provides guests and opportunity to gather and socialize, but each room features its own private patio with an open-air jacuzzi hot tub.
La Serena Villas in the exclusive Tennis Club area has a storied history. Originally built in 1933, the luxurious Mission style property-once a getaway for Hollywood royalty-is now one of the first American hotels to be granted a prestigious Michelin key in recognition of excellence in accommodation and service.
Stunning tilework, wrought iron accents and a rooftop bar with panoramic views lend this elegant enclave a sense of escapist romance. Whispers, a full-service spa, is located on site, as is Azucar restaurant, one of the hottest tables in town.
At Fleur Noire, an explosion of exotic blooms will melt away your post-holiday blues. The 21-room resort is highlighted by stunning floral murals by internationally renowned artist Louise Jones. You'll see the world through rose-colored glasses behind the inviting pink door to the on-site champagne bar, La Boisson.
No Rest, Ye Merry Gentlemen: Clothing Optional Men's Resorts
Palm Springs is recognized as one of the world's queer-friendliest vacation destinations, so it's no surprise that after spending the early part of their holiday season at buttoned-up family celebrations, many gay men make a beeline to Palm Springs so they can let down their hair and unwrap their, uh, gifts.
Clothing optional hotels abound here: If you're a sun worshipper or a bun worshipper, you'll find your tribe.
The sprawling pool decks and gardens at over half a dozen men's resorts including The Triangle Inn Palm Springs, INNdulge Palm Springs, and All World's Resort roll out their welcome mats to skinny dippers – and big bearish dippers, too! (Is that the North Pole, Santa, or are you just happy to see me?)
Some of the most popular spots, including the Hacienda at Warm Sands, Twin Palms, Santiago and Descanso Resorts, take the idea of catering to gay men quite literally, providing both breakfast and lunch free of charge, so there's no need for guests to leave the pool deck (or even get dressed!) from early morning to sundown.
Ho-ho-ho!
Reserve Your Holiday Getaway Today
Whether you're planning to celebrate Christmas or New Year's Eve
celebration in Palm Springs, or you're giving the gift of a getaway later this winter, you'll want to book your stay as soon as possible.
To get the most bang for your buck, consider a midweek stay, when rates at many Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels are lower than on weekends. And be sure to inquire about special pricing if you're planning to stay for four nights or more.
Explore dozens of unique accommodations and book your perfect winter getaway at www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com.
Jim Gladstone is a San Francisco-based writer and creative strategist.