Descanso Resort - A Gay Men's Resort — Hotel in Palm Springs

My partner Matthew and I made reservations at Descanso for Christmas. In the past we've stayed at their sister resort Santiago, so this was our very first visit to Descanso. We needed to escape the city, and it was a perfectly relaxing holiday getaway.

The location is fantastic. You really are in the cut here! We enjoyed walking to the shops, restaurants, and bars from the resort. It’s not as easy to walk from Santiago because that resort is located a bit further away. Descanso is right in the Uptown district. If you want to be further out of the hustle and bustle, it may be a bit quieter at Santiago. Some of the other guests pointed out the city ambiance (i.e. sirens, helicopters, etc.) However we were visiting from Los Angeles, so it still felt very peaceful here at the Descanso.

We had a lovely balcony suite upstairs! The room was very clean and equipped with TV, mini fridge, and automatic blinds. The suite is beautifully designed with that quintessential Palm Springs mid-century modern vibe. I prefer the aesthetics at Descanso over Santiago. The room decor really sets a wonderful tone for your entire stay. The cool greens and blues are very calming. There is an airiness and serenity to the room and whole resort. Lush green foliage envelopes the complex and makes you feel like you’ve escaped to a beautiful secret garden. The views of the San Jacinto mountains are breathtaking. Watching a crescent moon disappear over them in the evening was inspiring.

There’s a lovely heated pool and jacuzzi open 24 hours. My partner and I took advantage of that feature! We enjoyed a few late night swims under the stars. There’s a nice fire pit to warm up by as well. Then you can get a hot cocoa or chai latte in the Cantina. There is also fresh fruit, popcorn, cookies, and sodas if you have a late night craving.

In the mornings you can enjoy a wonderful breakfast. Emmanuel was working the Cantina. He is so kind and prepared everything for us, even recommended some hikes close by. Unfortunately we didn’t get to make it to those hikes because the weather was sublime. Sorry Emmanuel! It was 80 and all we wanted to do was lounge by the pool. :) We'll do them next time!

It’s amazing to have a male-only clothing-optional resort. You can comfortably enjoy a nude swim or work on your tan lines. We love staying here and at Santiago because you get the opportunity to meet other couples as well. Having that socialization with other guests and the staff enriches a vacation. That element is lacking when you just do an AirBnB.

Speaking of, the staff is so attentive! Even on Christmas Day, Holden was making sure we all enjoyed mimosas. The housekeeping staff is so friendly as well. Craig made sure we were all set with towels before he left for the day. We even received a lovely Christmas card and some delicious chocolates.

If you get the chance, definitely treat yourself to this relaxing oasis. We still have to visit Twin Palms Resort, but I’m sure we’ll be back to Descanso. Thank you to Kent, Holden, Emmanuel, Craig, and the entire team for letting Descanso be our home for Christmas. You all...

We just spent a week at Descanso. It was terrific! The property is beautiful, and extremely well maintained. Everything is kept neat, orderly, and clean. Someone is always taking care of the property, so the vegetation is beautiful, the lounges around the pool are always lined up, and stocked with a perfectly rolled green towel.

The staff is extremely friendly, and service conscious.

Breakfast is included. Not just a coffee and a doughnut. Croissants, fruits, overnight oats, granola, yogurts, bagels, egg, and more. Coffee, tea, waters, sodas are available around the clock, along with ice whenever you want in the "Cantina" by the pool.

There's also a convenient restroom, and a nice outdoor shower near the pool. WiFi is available throughout the property.

For those who need it, there's a small, fenced off smoking patio, separated from the pool plaza.

Lunch is also provided, which is very unusual in my experience. Lunches are ordered by text, and catered by a local deli. Nice sandwiches or salads are delivered poolside, where there are tables available under shade umbrellas.

If you're there over the weekend, there is a happy hour on Saturday, with wine, and mimosas on Sunday.

The place is beautiful, with lovely views of mountains and sky. There are beautiful palm trees on site to give you a sense that you've landed in an oasis. But the property is quite private, surrounded by plantings. The pool area is not visible from the street. There are parking spaces out front, which include EV charging stations.

Rooms are beautiful, and also meticulously kept.

Great staff all around.

The property is locked, and secure. The pool and hot tub are available all day and night, providing a nice relaxing, and social environment. Both serve as a nexus for social interaction at night. It was a little too hot in August to enjoy the hot tub during the day.

There are ample umbrellas around the pool to provide shade. Despite the hot temperature during the day, the pool was cool and refreshing. It has its own large umbrella providing a shady corner during the heat of the day, so you can get waterlogged without getting burned.

Descanso is located outside the downtown Palm Springs area, making for a quiet retreat. An uber costs only about $9 to get to downtown bars, restaurants, and attractions. Takes about 10 minutes to be in the center of town. Ubers always showed up within about 3 minutes.

There are also restaurants within easy walking distance of the property. Check with the staff for recommendations. Bicycles are available for use, too.

When we were there, guests were considerate (meaning quiet) around the pool, which is something I appreciated.

I ran out of sunblock during my stay, and was happy to find there is a repository at the front desk of abandoned bottles and sprays that helped get through the last days.

I've stayed at a number of resorts in Ft Lauderdale/Wilton Manors. The Descanso has them beat, hands down for a...

Perfect Poolside Palm Springs at Descanso

I’m by the sparkling blue pool, sipping an early morning complimentary Mimosa as I write this. The pink sunrise is reflected in the fluffy clouds, in the background the mountain is warming up for the day.

If you need a break from day-to-day, come stay a week at Descanso Resort. Sister property of the long-standing favourite, Santiago and with a third property, Twin Palms, opening in Fall 2022, you know you’re in trusted hands when you check in here.

Descanso means “rest” and a more perfect poolside escape is hard to find. Kent, Holden and their team run a tight ship. This resort changed hands in 2021, with over a million dollars invested in the property over the past few months, and it shows.

Many will remember the glory days of the East Canyon Resort before it fell on hard times under previous owners prior to 2021, and Kent’s new team have managed to reinvigorate the best of that property with a total makeover, while infusing the highest standards from his many years experience managing Santiago.

All 14 rooms have now been fully renovated, including new bathrooms, complete redecoration, silent and highly effective air-conditioning in a modern, Scandic minimalist interior vibe. Most rooms feature a sizeable sofa which can be made into a bed if you have a third friend “staying with”. The remote controlled blackout roller blind is a nice touch when you wake up to welcome the sunshine into your room. A new outdoor shower near the shaded sunbed structure is a great feature.

Special offers include the buy six nights, get one free deal. Rates include a generous breakfast with bagels, warm croissants, fruit skewers, boiled eggs and homemade granola with juices and plentiful all day Starbucks Coffee from an expensive-looking machine.

Sandwiches, wraps and salads are delivered to order as part of your room rate at lunchtime. You’re welcome to grab a soft drink from the well stocked fridge throughout the day, or a cookie from the jar overnight. Happy Hour wine or beer makes an appearance before sundown each afternoon. House-trained small dogs are welcomed.

It goes without saying, the property is spotlessly maintained from dawn till dusk with many staff keeping the sunbeds tidy, the surfaces scrubbed. Daily housekeeping in each room is faultless.

Whether in a large group, or for a restful retreat on your own, the real standout feature of this place is the friendliness of the other residents, everyone knowing each other’s name in short order and while respecting others’ space, happily engaging in a chat round the pool, meeting up for drinks or dinner nearby.

I cannot recommend the Descanso Resort enough, and I’m already looking forward to...