Running a Clothing Optional Resort – Gay Star News

InnDulge Palm Springs

‘It’s a relaxed, welcoming, free environment. It makes people comfortable to be who they are. If that’s someone comfortable with their clothes on, great, or with their clothes off, also great. It’s about being in a safe, queer space.’

Jon Jackson and his husband Sandy Miller thought twice before buying Palm Springs’ gay, clothing-optional resort INNdulge in 2010. But little did they know what an amazing experience running the 31-room hotel would be.

Think midnight pool parties, making new friends from around the world, and spending their days in one of the US’s most amazing cities. Palm Springs is of course known for its huge LGBTI population, super cool art deco stylings and 300 days of sunshine a year.

InnDulge Palm Springs

‘We had this bad taste in our mouths,’ says Sandy, over Skype from the South California town now he calls home (both Jon and Sandy are originally from North Carolina). ‘We’d previously moved to San Francisco to save this restaurant we’d invested in. We ended up there for 18 months. It was miserable. Running a restaurant is a horrible business! When we came to purchase the hotel, there was this nagging doubt.’

By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News

Palm Springs Gay Travel Resources

Photos: Franz Rodriguez via INNdulge Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – Traveling in Our Fabulous Gay World

Palm Springs aerial tram car

If you have never been on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway you have certainly missed a very exciting experience. Thousands of visitors visit the city but have no idea what an educational experience it is take the Aerial Tramway.

Palm Springs has an altitude of only 479 feet however when you drive 15 minutes to the base of the Tramway Valley Station, you at 2,643 feet. Then you take the Tramway up to over 8,500 feet and the temperatures are 30 degrees cooler so be and proper clothing with you.

Palm Springs aerial tram car

It is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world and opened in September, 1963.  It goes from the Coachella Valley to near the top of San Jacinto Peak. In 1998, the Tramway said that they were embarking on news cars and update its facilities.

In September of 2000, passengers first rode the world’s largest rotating tramcars.

Once you are at the top station, you have a large variety of things to see and do. They have a very upscale restaurant, Peaks Restaurant where we had a great lunch while overlooking the valley below. Ryan was our server and he did an outstanding job.They also have a Pines Cafe which is more informal and cafeteria style. They also have the Lookout Lounge for drinks and appetizers and a great gift shop.

You can walk outside on the Long Valley deck and view the beautiful Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

For those you like to ‘rough it’ you can a Guided Nature Walk or hike on your own in the over 50 miles of trails. They have three different hiking trails for novice, experienced as well as expert hikers. We chose not to take those hikes. Plus if you are very adventurous you can even go camping overnight!

In the downstairs Valley station they have a documentary movie showing the building of the Aerial Tramway. Visiting the Palm Springs Aerial Tram is one of the World’s greatest wonders and something that you remember for a lifetime.

As we travel around the country we are so fortunate to meet a lot of professional people. Greg Purdy, Vice President of Marketing and Public Affair or the Tramway  is one such person. We first met Greg when he was the Director of Marketing for the Palm Springs Follies. He is extremely professional. Thanks Greg for doing things the right way!

aerial tram ray and greg

For more information on the Aerial Tram; 888-515-8726 or email them at pstramway@pstramway.com and their website is www.pstramway.com

Don and RayAlways remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

Las Vegas Gay Travel Resources

Palm Springs Private Home – Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs Private Home

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Palm Springs Private Home is located on a quiet cul de sac.

It has two bedrooms, master has a king with ensuite, and the second has a queen bed. There is a study with pull out queen sofa complete with fax and copy machine and house wide wifi and free calling long distance Canada and USA.

The living room has a smart tv with satellite service. The dining room seats 8. The kitchen is completely set up for home dining.

The patio set seats 4 and has a gas bbq. The salt water pool also has a spa. There is an adjoining casita with two bedrooms and two bathrooms but we would like to rent the house on its own.

If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Palm Springs, visit us at the Palm Springs Private Home.

See the PROPERTY Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in AREA

La Dolce Vita Resort & Spa – Palm Springs

La Dolce Vita Resort & SpaPeriodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: La Dolce Vita Resort & Spa is an elegant, upscale, gay owned clothing optional resort in Palm Springs. We offer 28 guest rooms, accented with Italian touches, on just under an acre of land. The Resort features cabanas where you can relax away from the heat of the desert, enjoy our two heated pools, soak away your cares in one of our two hot tubs, relax in our twelve man steam room, or work out in our outdoor exercise area. We foster a friendly, no attitude atmosphere. Pamper yourself at our day spa with massages, facials, waxing and luxurious body treatments designed for men and performed only by male therapists. The entire resort is clothing optional – enjoy the warmth of the Palm Springs sun on your naked skin. The property is blanketed with micro misters, which spray a fine water mist into the air and cool the ambient temperature as much as ten degrees. We also offer many opportunities for our guests to meet each other, including breakfast & social hours in the evening. You can enjoy beautiful sunsets over the San Jacinto Mountains, and stroll through our gardens – fruit trees, palms, cacti, stone sculptures and fountains Our gay resort is close to all the gay bars, restaurants, and shops in Palm Springs. Palm Springs hosts some of the largest gay events in the country, including Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party, Palm Springs Gay Pride and Palm Springs Gay Leather Pride. Palm Springs has one of the largest gay and lesbian populations per capita in the country, and is also one of the top 2 destinations for gay travel. We also offer free wifi internet access, and a computer internet station for guest use. There’s a safe in each room that’s big enough to hold a laptop computer. Each of our rooms has AVEDA bath products for gay men who expect the best, as well as spa bath robes. By the end of the evening, as you stare up at the stars, you’ll have arrived at La Dolce Vita, “The Sweet Life”.

See the La Dolce Vita Resort & Spa Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Palm Springs

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Casa Ocotillo – Gay Palm Springs Resort

Casa Ocotillo Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Welcome to Palm Springs’ Finest gay place to stay…Casa Ocotillo, a luxury vacation accommodation for gay men in a 1934 Mexican Hacienda tucked away behind gates on over one-half acre of lushly landscaped grounds. Nestled at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains in old Palm Springs, this property offers you all of the best features for your Palm Springs vacation. From the moment that you arrive, you’ll realize that you have entered a special place that you can call “home” while visiting Palm Springs. This gated compound offers you the ultimate in luxury and privacy. The wonderful grounds will envelope you in an oasis setting with lush tropical plantings, gardens and even a citrus grove where you can pick your own morning fruit (when in season). The spectacular mountain views are breathtakingly beautiful as the mountains soar thousands of feet above you. Each suite has been uniquely designed to provide you a warm, welcoming hospitality. The wonderful Hacienda style setting makes Casa Ocotillo the perfect place to invite the out-of-doors into your living space and fully enjoy the beautiful climate. Our guests experience unparalleled resort-like accommodations and services designed especially for gay men in a personal hideaway you can call your very own. This is truly your own private resort in the desert, away from the hustle and bustle, and yet minutes from the excitement of downtown Palm Springs. Uniquely decorated Bungalows & Suites individually designed with your personal comfort and privacy in mind

  • Private in-suite Baths
  • Oversized showers with Rain Heads & Seats
  • Outside Entrances
  • Private Porches/Patios
  • Heated Salt Water Pool and Spa with outside Fireplace
  • TV/CD/DVD/VHS/Cable in each bedroom
  • King Size Beds with Luxury Linens
  • Judith Jackson Spa Products
  • Expanded Continental Breakfast
  • Plush Robes, Hair Dryers, Iron and Ironing Board
  • Ceiling Fans
  • High Speed Internet-Wireless and plug-in
  • Guest Computer, Fax and copying service
  • Pet Friendly rooms available (ask for pet policies)
  • Walking Distance to Downtown Palm Springs Village
  • Guest Service Kitchen
  • Laundry facilities
  • Smoke-free indoor environment (Smoking permitted anywhere outside)
  • Clothing Optional Sunbathing around Pool and Hot Tub
  • Secure Motor Court Parking Behind Remote Controlled Gate
  • Complimentary Hollywood Video Library with over 1000 titles
  • Come visit us in Gay Palm Springs and stay at this beautiful, upscale men’s resort.

See the Casa Ocotillo Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Palm Springs

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TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD – Melvyn's Restaurant, Palm Springs

melvyn's to use outside When we travel from coast to coast we usually do not know where to dine to have a memorable dining experience. Once we find a fabulous place, we go back again and again and again. We have been traveling to Palm Springs, California for 15 years and from the first time we went there we found one of our favorite restaurants in the entire country. Melvyn’s Restaurant which is located in the Ingleside Inn in downtown Palm Springs. We first heard about the restaurant on the television program, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”. melvyns to use interiorWe knew that we had to try it out which we did 15 years ago and since then we have been back dozens of times. Mel Haber, the owner is a tremendously good looking gentleman and has owned the restaurant for 41 years. The decor and menu has not changed in all those years. If something is perfect, then why change it? It is like stepping back in 1950 and 1960’s Hollywood ! Large photos of Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and all of the glorious Movie stars from the past are on the walls. Usually while we are dining there, we always see a celebrity or two. Brian Ellis, the Maitre d’ has been there since day one. He has won numerous awards as being one of the finest Maitre d’s in the country. He knows how to do things right and to make every guest have a most memorable dining experience. He has made friends with many of his thousands of diners including us. Travelers to Palm Springs always return again and again to Melvyn’s. Owner Mel Haber is one of the nicest gentleman that we have ever met. He has contributed back to the community in so many ways. He has written two books on his personal experiences in operating his Inn and restaurant. He is a celebrity in his own right and has a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. mel haberMelvyn’s Restaurant is located in the Ingleside Inn which Mel has also owned for 41 years. Over the years, the Inn has become a magnet for Hollywood’s elite, U.S. Presidents, royalty, aristocrats, captains of industry and celebrities visiting Palm Springs. According to Wikipedia, his guests have included Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Marlon Brando, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Marie Shriver, Sylvester Stallone, Liza Minnelli, Liberace, Jerry Lewis, Barry Manilow, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Rita Hayworth, Pat Boone, Debbie Reynolds, Larry King, John Travolta, Sidney Sheldon, David Hasselhoff, President Gerald Ford, George Hamilton and celebrity travel columnists, Donald Pile and Ray Williams and dozens and dozens of other celebrities. Check out Melvyn’s Restaurant at www.inglesideinn.com. They are located at 200 West Ramon Road. Their phone number is 800-772-6655 and the direct number to the restaurant is 760-325.2323. For those readers who have never been to Palm Springs or are not going to be there in the immediate future, Mel Haber has given us one of his favorite recipes to share with our readers that he has on the menu. VEAL INGLESIDE – for Two people- 3 ounces of veal cutlet pounded until thin. Put in pan 2 ounces of peanut oil until hot. Flip both sides of veal into flour until lightly dusted. Whip one egg in a bowl, dip veal into egg batter, saute veal on each side 20 seconds until light brown. Remove veal from pan and throw oil out. Put veal back into the same pan. Use 2 ounces of sherry wine. Reduce for 1 minute. Add 2 ounces of demi-glaze. Cut 1/4 of an avocado fanned and put on top of veal. Cover with 2 ounces of mousseline sauce. Mousseline sauce is made with 8 ounces of heavy whipped cream combined with 4 ounces of hollandaise sauce (all whipped together). Preparation time: 6 minutes. ENJOY ! Don and RayAlways remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married). Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

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The Dinah Was Awesome This Year (With Pics)

The Dinah WELCOME to The Dinah — the world’s biggest lesbian festival where more than 20,000 women meet every year for pool parties alongside celebs like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. These outrageous pictures from inside the Palm Springs party show thousands of bikini clad revellers enjoying the Florida sun, booze and debauchery. Almost everyone at the party — where ‘flashing is normal’ — is female. The five-day mega event, Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend, is the largest female festival in the world attracts celebrity fans and performances by Katy Perry and The Pussycat Dolls.

Full Story at the Sun

Palm Springs Gay Travel Resources

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Palm Springs Not As Popular With Lesbian Travelers?

Photo: Taya Gray Photo: Taya Gray[/caption] What’s abundantly obvious is Palm Springs is a popular destination for gay male tourists. What’s maybe less well known is the region is not so sought out by lesbians. In fact, Palm Springs tied with New Orleans and Miami for the No. 15 spot for top gay male travel destinations in the United States and Canada, ranking ahead of Denver, Portland, Oregon and Toronto, according to a November 2015 survey conducted by Community Marketing & Insights, a gay and lesbian marketing research firm. The survey polled 3,772 self-identified members of the LGBT community and 412 respondents said they had come to Palm Springs for leisure travel. While among lesbians, Palm Springs barely ranked in the top 20 with only 7 percent of gay women reported having visited Palm Springs for an overnight trip in the last 12 months. “Women are more likely to be traveling in rural America and national park America,” David Paisley, senior research director at CMI, told the Desert Business Association recently. “They tend to not be so urban focused.”

By Skip Descant – Full Story at Desert Sun

California Gay Travel Resources

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Casitas Laquita, Lesbian-Owned Resort in Palm Springs

Casitas Laquita Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great places to stay.

Casitas Laquita is a private retreat that offers women a unique, fun and comfortable environment where they can totally be themselves. There is as much or as little to do here as you want — sightseeing, great shopping, recreational sports, Happy Hour socializing and BBQs….or just simply relaxing in a chaise lounge by the pool. Casitas Laquita Resort provides guests with an atmosphere of rustic tranquility and dramatic mountain views. The property features handcrafted furnishings accented with tribal indian artifacts, and an old mission charm on 1.2 acres of private spiritual grounds. The interior design pays homage to the desert’s native Indian heritage by incorporating unique, handcrafted furnishings with authentic Indian/Southwestern influences. All rooms feature private bathrooms, full kitchens, televisions, telephones with guest voice mail and in-room Internet access. Some units are equipped with Southwestern style fireplaces.

See the Casitas Laquita Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Palm Springs

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