After a peaceful first week at Descanso, we checked into Santiago Resort for our second week in Palm Springs. While both resorts are part of the same gay-owned hospitality family, Santiago offered a livelier, more social atmosphere – without losing the relaxed, clothing-optional charm we had come to love. From the spacious grounds and large pool to sunset mountain views and friendly conversation with fellow guests, Santiago delivered a beautiful contrast to our first week: bigger, busier, yet just as welcoming. Enjoy our Couple of Men hotel review of the gay men-only, clothing-optional Santiago Resort in Palm Springs.
– in collaboration with Santiago Resort Palm Springs –
First impressions of Santiago Resort Palm Springs
Amazingly, one simple gate can separate paradise from the rest of the world, but that’s precisely what walking into Santiago Resort feels like: a private escape for gay men resting at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains. A long parking area along the street allowed us to leave our rental car safely.
Santiago is a place where the stillness and serenity of the desert infuse everything. Where the bubbling spa, rustling palms, and singing birds become your personal soundtrack. Where your only commute is the one from your room to the pool. And you look forward to it.
Santiago
Right. And in combination with Santiago’s professional staff, who were attentive while allowing us just the right degree of solitude, made the transition from the Descanso Resort to our new desert home smooth and effortless. So come step through our gate. As we settled into our ground-floor room, we realized we were just four literal steps away from the pool loungers. Yes, four. Just a few things to do: Exhale. Clothes off. Sunlotion on. And smile. We made it.
The heat in Palm Springs can be intense – up to 40°C and higher during our stay – but Santiago’s mist cooling system kept the air around the pool breezy and comfortable. A soft soundtrack played throughout the day. Everyone was nude or semi-nude, sunbathing, reading, or chatting. It was easy to melt into the rhythm of the place. Truly a gay garden paradise in California (USA), especially in these challenging times for the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.
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Pool time, new faces, and garden conversations
The heart of Santiago is its large saltwater pool. Bigger than at Descanso, it’s surrounded by lush palms and a garden area with tables, shaded corners, and even a fire pit that comes to life on cooler evenings. We spent most hot hours in the water or shaded on sun loungers, chatting with gay travelers from across the U.S. and beyond.
Something is refreshing about how easy conversations begin at places like Santiago. Maybe it’s the clothing-optional setting. Perhaps it’s the energy of a queer space designed for calm connection. Either way, we felt at home quickly. Floating in the pool under the bright desert sky or slipping into the bubbling hot tub at sunset, we found ourselves striking up long and meaningful conversations with fellow guests.
Throughout our stay, we connected with like-minded couples looking for a quiet escape, as well as solo travelers who were open to cuddles, stories, and spontaneous affection. Whether in the garden, in the water, or simply beside us on a sun lounger. These moments didn’t feel forced or awkward, but instead, they just happened. The Santiago Resort Palm Springs created the kind of space where that was possible: natural, respectful, and very much part of the desert magic.
Our Santiago Reel: That is how it looks at the pool of the Santiago Resort
Our room: poolside peace and easy access
We stayed in a ground-floor room with direct pool access, which was a dream in the 40-degree desert heat. The moment we opened the door, we were greeted by a space that was both functional and stylish. The room felt immediately welcoming, with natural light filtering in and a clean, modern design that aligned perfectly with the resort’s overall “grown-up, playful, and stylish” feel. It was quiet, peaceful, and perfectly suited to the rhythm of Californian poolside life.
The king-size bed was incredibly comfortable, and the room itself offered enough space to spread out without ever feeling cramped. It was the kind of setup where you could unpack, exhale, and truly settle in. The thoughtful layout allowed us to move easily from lounging indoors to stepping out onto the pool deck, ideal for slipping into the water for a quick cool-down or sunbathing in the morning light. And while the resort encourages guests to disconnect and unwind, the room was equipped with everything needed for comfort and practicality.
What we loved about our room at the Santiago Resort:
- Spacious and tastefully designed interior
- Comfortable king-size bed with premium linens
- Flat-screen TV and small refrigerator
- Bathroom with a walk-in shower and a small window for ventilation
- Quiet ground-floor location with just a few steps to the pool
- Stylish decor that matched the resort’s relaxing and refined vibe
Each room also comes with a safe, hairdryer, daily towel service, and luxury bath products from Gilchrist & Soames. The air conditioning was strong and efficient. A true necessity in the heat of the California desert. The design of the gay clothing-optional hotel room perfectly balances casual elegance with practical touches, giving us the freedom to unwind in comfort while feeling completely at ease.
Trip Planning: All room types, suites and offers >
10 days in Gay Palm Springs
Pack your Speedos and sunblock. We’re about to spill the tea on the ultimate gay getaway in California, USA! Consider our gay couple blog article your personal invitation to experience the magic of Palm Springs!
Breakfast, lunch delivery, a fire pit, & mountain light
Like its sister resort, the Descanso, Santiago serves a continental breakfast every morning with fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, bagels, juice, and coffee – simple, satisfying, and perfectly timed for poolside dining in a towel.
What stood out, though, was the complimentary “Stay n Splash” poolside lunch (specialty sandwiches, salads, wraps) served poolside. Just like at Descanso, the delicious light meal of your choice was delivered right to our sunbed. And on weekends, the resort hosted a mellow “Wine O’Clock” hour, encouraging guests to mingle before heading out into the evening.
The lush and green outdoor spaces at Santiago, featuring tall trees, cacti, and a water fountain, added something special – especially the communal fire pit. When temperatures dropped after sunset (especially during winter, early spring, and fall), we loved gathering around the flames with other guests, sharing stories under the desert stars.
Location & nightlife – close to the Palm Springs gay scene
Santiago Resort is located just a short drive from downtown Palm Springs and the city’s gay district. Within minutes, we reached iconic bars like the Tool Shed, shops, and other LGBTQ+ venues. It felt good to explore Palm Springs’ queer nightlife after a day of sun and serenity. And knowing we could return to the quiet of Santiago afterward made every night out feel balanced and grounded.
For hiking, nature, and culture tips, take a look at our whole Palm Springs Travel Journal here.
Connection, gay couples & the bear community
One of the aspects we appreciated most about the Santiago Resort in Palm Springs was how naturally it created a sense of connection. As a gay couple – and as a gay bear couple of men, really – we often find ourselves looking for spaces where we can feel both welcome, safe, free, and relaxed. Santiago delivered on all of those aspects. The atmosphere was never forced or performative. We didn’t feel pressured to be social, but opportunities to connect with others unfolded effortlessly throughout each day.
Whether it was a playful moment in the pool, a longer conversation over lunch, or a warm hug with some hairy kisses shared under the stars, Santiago gave us space to simply be. Other couples – many of them also bearded, tattooed, or simply delightfully themselves – mirrored our energy. The resort’s body-positive, non-judgmental vibe made it easy to be fully present with one another and with the new friends we met along the way.
If you’re looking for a gay men-only resort in Palm Springs that celebrates community, comfort, and confidence – Santiago might just be right for you. We hope you enjoyed our gay couple hotel review of the Santiago Resort. We can recommend this gay men’s clothing-optional resort in California.
The Santiago Resort is also part of a small family of gay men’s resorts in Palm Springs, including the equally welcoming Descanso Resort and Twin Palms Resort. Each hotel offers a distinguished vibe but the same attention to detail, comfort, and community.
Trip Planning: Palm Springs main LGBTQ+ events >
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Time for your trip to Palm Springs: Stay at the gay hotel, Santiago Resort in Palm Springs
Address:
650 E San Lorenzo Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92264
United States
Website: santiagoresort.com
You can book your stay directly on their website or via our affiliate link to TripAdvisor.
Do you want to know more about our gay travels around the world? Stay tuned on Facebook, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. See you again soon!
Karl & Daan.
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Please note: This trip was made possible in close collaboration with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Visit Palm Springs, and the Descanso Resort Palm Springs. Nevertheless, our photos, our videos, our opinions, and our writings are our own and authentic, as always.