All of the "big" evenings are accounted for but here are some foodie ideas for evenings and lunches on either end of your visit:

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

SFOTRAVELER":
On my last visit, I was at a large, fun, queer-friendly Chinese / pan-Asian place...surely you guys know it...can't remember the name, though. christianj: could be Wangs, Thai Smiles, Peppers, etc.
--EDITOR: This is Wang's.)

christianj:
Here's a list of our favorites:
- Shame on the Moon - Rancho Mirage - Same owners as Blame it on Midnight in PS but with better food.
- Blame it on Midnight- PS - Great people watching with decent food.
- Kalura Trattoria - PS - Super italian food on S. Palm Canyon Dr. next to the theater.
- Zin American Bistro - PS - New Place with great food on S. Palm Canyon Dr.
- Sherman's Deli - PS - for the biggest sandwiches
- California Pizza Kitchen - PS- for a quick pizza or salad
- Hamburger Mary's - PS - for a fun time
- El Mirasol - PS - for the best mexican food and magaritas
- Wangs - PS - for chinese

Other places we have either tried or have received recommendations for:
- Spikes (EDITOR's NOTE: Probably is "Spike's Baja Cantina" (611 South Palm Canyon Drive) 760-864-9775 -Gay-owned Mexican restaurant located two doors away from Heaven, in the Sun Center Mall."
- Johannes
- Davey's Hideaway
- New Asian place in the casino in PS
- New Cheesecake Factory in Rancho Mirage


GoodKarmaGuy:
Isort of thought that Blame it onMidnight really looks like the inside of a drag queen's closet (I HEAR... never having actually SEEN the inside of a drag queen's closet )... all sorts of sparkly things hanging from the ceiling. If you are here before 8pm, the avaerage age is 90. It drops to 20-30-something after 8pm. The food is good. The menu layout reminds me of places like Wolfie's in Miami where you have to pay an extra 25 cents for an extra lemon slice. Then the menu throws in really interesting things like a shrimp ceviche! A very "Palm Springs" experience over all. Later this place is more of a bar than a restaurant.

Hamburger Mary's (always an OK chain experience) was a real hetero-touristy.

thetravelguru:
Wangs has a great happy hour on Friday nights. Usually starts round 6ish. Eat at Wangs or any of the other great restaurants in the area and then head to Hunters Nightclub.

From RBCal: Following are my favorite exclusively gay restaurants/bars in PSP:

Look
139 East Andreas Road
Palm Springs, CA
Phone: (760) 778-3520
Large outdoor patio, younger crowd, good food, walking distance to gay district of Arenas and shopping on Palm Canyon.

Plum
241 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760)322-0200
Very popular Sunday brunch, older crowd than Look.

Blame It On Midnight
777 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA
Phone: (760) 323-120
Large restaurant and bar, has been in PSP forever. In my opinion the food is just okay but it is very crowded. The food is much better than Rainbow Cactus which is also crowded but mostly with an older clientele.

Butterfield's Adobe at The Villa Resort
67670 Carey Rd.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Phone: (760) 328-7211
Excellent brunch/lunch seven days a week. The best new exclusively gay restaurant in PSP in my opinion.

Sidewinders (BAR)
67555 E. Palm Canyon, Above Upper Crust Pizza
Cathedral City, CA 92234
The bar I like best, since it has a friendly crowd and line dancing. I find the dancing cowboys interesting, even before I saw Brokeback Mountain.
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Hotels will be in several categories:

NOTED BY ILuvParis: People should be aware that many of the resorts may have a three or even four night minimum stay in March - since it will definitely be prime time in PSP.

MEN'S RESORTS
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WOMEN'S RESORTS
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"MIXED" RESORTS(men AND women, possibly str8)
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MILES AND POINTS RESORTS AND HOTELS
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SO..........

MEN'S RESORTS

First, general comments by FTers:

JGR01:
PSP has many many gay B&B complexes. Your choice will definately impact the what you want.

For example CCBC can be considered a bath house hotel for nudists! LOTS of play and minimal on the hotel facilities (nothing wrong with that as I had a GREAT time a the 'stable' house there one weekend). They tend to host 'group weekends' so you may find yourself with naked square dancers or drag-festa-val or ??

Santiago on the other hand is (hope still is as been 2+ years since was there) a more elegant place with great sunning and great mountain views and really a relaxed place. Its more a couples place with minimal play ....

Another place (I forget) has Saturday wet jockeyshorts contests and lets the locals into the grounds for a fee... real busy and real 'groups'... not relaxing.

The weekends tend to be very busy and the the week is much more relaxed and friendly. I know Sun/Mon nights many times I was one of three guests at some places.

The trouble is you need a current 'scope' of the place you are going to stay. They change names/ownership sometimes and what was an elegant couples type place (enjoyed Triangle Inn many years back that way) .. then boom new owners .. and you get the leather/bear crowd or the twinks or the lesbians.

All said, I like PSP because of the options and ability to do lots of things.

Rent a car .. go the the cable-car and drive to Joshua Tree area .. Go shopping.. do Shame on the Moon for a fabulous dinner (not gay but most friendly like all of PSP)... there is a kewl little fish/chips shop on the edge of downtwon by the start of Warm Sands. Am not a club/bar person so cannot make comments there.

aeneastwin:
The good thing about staying at Warm Sands all-male resorts is that the surrounding ones are within walking distance and have day passes that allow you to sample what each has to offer. Also, Warm Sands is a short driving distance (and even walkable) to the main strip in Palm Springs. A very nice IHOP and Duane Reade with a full selection of alcohol are nearby.

FROM THE EDITOR:
The following includes reviews of the men's resorts in Palm Springs (condensed from Out and About's Palm Springs guide by peteropny).
(Where a Fter name appears, that is THEIR review. Otherwise O & A's words are paraphrased. Not plaigarized, BTW. Generally, they are ordered from highly rated ones first down to lower rated ones (some similarly rated ones may be in alphabetical order). Most of the gay resorts are clustered in two areas, Warm Sands and San Lorenzo, and location are indicated as such. Rates are generally $100-150 per night for the basic room, otherwise any outside this range will be mentioned. Property size and "cruise" factor is included (some of the resorts can be extremely cruisy and we include this information as FYI as this is not for everyone. Some are more bath-house type facilities and these are included at the end. These are still hotels, though.). Note however, almost ALL the properties are clothing optional. Generally a continental breakfast and some sort of light lunch is provided for guests. It may be very simple. If we have not included a website, that means we didn't have one handy. Google it or call 411 if you need to. Check things out!

HIGHER RATED PROPERTIES (SOME LUXE):

Hacienda at Warm Sands - www.thehacienda.com - Smaller 10 room property in Warm Sands. Elegant and luxurious rooms and grounds. Somewhat higher rates. Service seems to be very high including pillow choice. "Cruise" factor - Low.

One of the nicest resorts in the Warm Sands area is The Hacienda. Pricey but very nice!
jefro
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East Canyon Hotel and Spa - www.eastcanyonps.com - 15 room top notch luxury property with very luxurious rooms and grounds. Only property with a full-service spa. Expensive rooms start at $139. Downtown Palm Springs location - just west of Warm Sands. Walk to some bars. "Cruise" factor - Low.
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Chestnutz - www.chestnutz.com - Smaller 12 room property in San Lorenzo. Full gym facilities and laundry facilities. Cozy property. "Cruise" factor - Medium to High.
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Desert Paradise Resort Hotel - www.desertparadise.com - Warm Sands property with 14 rooms. Property has been under renovations by the current owner. "Cruise" factor - Medium to High.
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El Mirasol Villas - www.elmirasol.com - 16 room Warm Sands property. Large rooms in property that was built by Howard Hughes. "Cruise" factor - Medium.
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Harlow Club Hotel - www.theharlow.com - Downtown Palm Springs, west of Warm Sands and San Lorenzo, property with 15 rooms. Massively renovated luxury property by the same owners as Santiago. Room rates start at $160. "Cruise" factor - Low.
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INNdulge - www.inndulge.com - Larger 24 room Warm Sands property that is well managed. Complete gym on property. "Cruise" factor - High.

When not staying with friends, I much prefer InnDulge. It's low key, sexually. You can swim, hot-tub, and sunbath nude and no one will jump you. You may get the once-over, and some come-hither looks, but nothing aggressive. The owners John and Jean Guy are very gracious hosts who see to it that their guests enjoy their stay. Guests come (no pun) from all over the world. They have a happy hour every evening with snacks, and many other social activities poolside. Coffee and juice by the pool every morning is my idea of paradise, next to watching meteor showers streaking overhead from the hot tub. GarySAN

Inn Dulge has a very low key atmosphere and the owners work hard to maintain the place. ILuvParis

I've stayed at InnDulge a couple of times and really liked it. It's "clothing optional" but not too sleazy (OK late nights in the jacuzzi can be...) Nice breakfast and social hour in the evening included.
myleguy
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Las Palmas Hotel - www.laspalmas-hotel.com - New North Palm Springs property with 17 rooms. 1950 property was totally renovated. Top-notch service. "Cruise" factor - Medium.

In October, we stayed at Las Palmas in the North end of town. Rooms were quite nice. Bathroom was awkward and cramped. Attentive and responsive ownership. Laid-back atmosphere.
peteropny
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La Posada de las Palmas - www.laposada.com - Small 10 room property located in a residential neighborhood. Relaxed atmosphere. "Cruise" factor - Low to Medium.
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La Posada East - www.laposada.com - 11 room Downtown Palm Springs property with the same ownership as the La Posada de las Palmas. Large pool and Jacuzzi. "Cruise" factor - Medium.

La Posada is very nice but it's a bit of a trek to the bar/downtown area if you don't plan to drive.rjque
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Santiago - www.santiagoresort.com - Larger 24 room San Lorenzo property. Larger immaculate rooms with many recent upgrades. One of the largest pools among the gay resorts. "Cruise" factor - Medium.

My favorite is Santiago - large nicely furnished rooms, great service.
(UPDATE: This property was recently (mid-late 2005) sold to new owners so not sure what changes are in the works.)
peteropny
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Terrazzo - www.terrazzo-ps.com - South Palm Springs property with 12 rooms. Eager to please attitude of the owners. Amenities and service positives are somewhat offset by smaller rooms and somewhat noisy location off South Palm Canyon. "Cruise" factor - Low.

One of the nicest resorts in the Warm Sands area is .... Terrazzo which is on South Palm Canyon. The owners are great and very hospitable.
jefro
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Totuga Del Sol - www.tortugadelsol.com - 12 room San Lorenzo property. Rates start at $80. Accent is on comfort and relaxation rather than luxury. "Cruise" factor - Low. I highly recommend "Tortuga del Sol". Right across form Santiago. Owned by a very nice gay couple. It's low key, clothing optional, no sex required.Nobbi
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Triangle Inn - www.triangle-inn.com - 13 total (including recently acquired house next door) unit San Lorenzo property. The house has 4 total rooms and can be rented as one large unit. Large rooms with small but romantic grounds. "Cruise" factor - Medium to High.
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Mid-Range Resorts:

All World's Resort - www.allworldsresort.com - Large 44 room Warm Sands property that was created by combining 3 smaller resorts. Ownership is the porno company All Worlds Entertainment. Rates start at $69. Ongoing renovations. "Cruise" factor - High.

If you are looking for a porno star sort of experience, you may wish to try All Worlds Resort, which has served as a location set for All Worlds Adult films. However, All Worlds Resort is rather stark, with a lot of concrete.aeneastwin

The Saturday lunch BBQ at All Worlds Resort is fun and they sell day pass for $5. ricepaddy

Read this trip report on ALL WORLD'S RESORT by apudme.

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Bacchanal - www.bacchanal.net - Small 7 room Warm Sands property undergoing significant renovation. "Cruise" factor - Medium.
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Indianola - www.indianola-tiki.com - 11 room North Palm Springs property. Polynesian themed with original furniture and artwork. "Cruise" factor - Medium.
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Inn Exile - www.innexile.com - 31 room Warm Sands property. Modern stark design appealing to hunky young Southern California types. Rates start at $80. "Cruise" Factor - High to Very High.

The grounds are very "high desert". Waterfalls, rocks, concrete formations and a few cool cacti. No shade. Incredibly simple, almost dowdy rooms with all southwest decor. The place is breathatkingly gorgeous at night. BVery cruisy with "gate-jumpers". GoodKarmaGuy
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Mirage/Vista Grande/Avalon/Atrium - www.mirage4men.com - Large 40 room, combined, Warm Sands properties. Rates start at $79. "Cruise" factor - Off the charts.

I highly recommend Vista Grande with its lush landscaping and expansive view of the surrounding mountains. Also, the tropical garden and steam room make for more adventures than an episode of Survivor! aeneastwin

I LOVED this place but found a few locals who looked down their noses at me when they found out where I was staying. I did not realize that it had that "bath house" rep. The management has changed their daily admissions policy and admit only locals during the day. No out-of-towners who are staying elsewhere. Also, noone but guests are admitted at night. The grounds and waterfalls are lush and beautiful and the rooms were kitschy, large and well appointed, though not very fancy. I stay there all the time.
GoodKarmaGuy

NOTES SPECIFICALLY ON THE ATRIUM SECTION OF THE VISTA GRANDE:

The Mirage and Vista Grande are adjoining interconnected resorts. The Atrium is across the street. All three have the same owner, but the Atrium is not as convenient because you have to cross the street to join the "action". ricepaddy2

Of all the gay resorts in the Palm Springs, this one is the best if you are looking for a combination of well-maintained digs and free-wheeling opportunities. One selling point about staying at the Atrium is that it does get awfully crowded during the day pass period in the Vista Grande section and you might prefer some peace and quiet in the Atrium (and you can always saunter over during the peak times in the steam room, which are from 3PM to 7PM) aeneastwin
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Warm Sands Villa - www.warmsandsvilla.com - 25 room Warm Sands property. Much improved and completely renovated property. "Cruise" factor - Medium.
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The Columns - www.pscolumns.com - Small 7 room Warm Sands property. Rooms in need of renovation. Decent grounds. Rates start at $79. "Cruise" factor - Medium to High.
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Desert Bear - www.thedesertbear.com - 11 room North Palm Springs property marketed to "bears" and their admirers. Basic rooms and grounds. Rates start at $65. "Cruise" factor - Medium to High.
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HOTELS FREQUENTLY BEING ACCUSED OF BATHHOUSES MASQUERADING AS HOTELS:

Camp Palm Springs - www.camp-palm-springs.com - 29 room North Palm Springs property. Mediocre rooms. Rates start at $69. "Cruise" factor - Very High.

Camp Palm Springs is one of the more active resorts in terms of wild sex. The range of guys will vary from one night to the next, but overall it has a pretty sleazy atmosphere--for better or worse. If your sexual tastes are a bit raunchier than the regular vanilla stuff this may be a place to check out. Of course I am only sharing what I have heard from others.. Seeksreal
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Canyon Boy's Club - www.canyonclub.com - Motelly 31 room North Palm Springs property. Rates start at $79. "Cruise" factor - Very High.
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Cathedral City Boy's Club (CCBC) - www.ccbc-gay-resort.com - 44 room Cathedral City property marketed as a frisky playground. "Cruise" factor - Very High.

CCBC is a bathhouse masquerading as a motel. Overall it's ok. The grounds are cruisy at all hours (including breakfast), the pool was fine; our room was only ok. This was my first trip so I have no point of reference, but I hope it gets better than this. I've already told ILP that I'd like to stay in the Warm Sands area in January. "
jockdAAdy
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RESORT THAT HAS RECENTLY CHANGED OWNERSHIP / MANAGEMENT W/O REVIEWS:
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La Dolce Vita www.ladolcevitaresort.com - 19 room South Palm Springs property. Recently acquired by new management so not sure what changes are in the works. The following comments are from when the place was called the Citadel - Front portion has been renovated but the rear part needs serious renovation. "Cruise" factor - Medium to High.
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WOMEN'S RESORTS(reviews condensed from the Out and About Guide by peteropny).

Queen of Hearts - www.queenofheartspsp.com - All women property with 12 rooms. Simple, well appointed, and cheerful rooms. "Cruise" factor - Low.
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Casitas Laquita (Women's) - www.casitaslaquita.com - 13 room property with women only clientele located in south end of Palm Springs. "Cruise" factor - Low.
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"MIXED" RESORTS(men AND women, usually str8)

HOTTEST new str8 hotel in a GREAT location: Hotel Zoso!

I thought it had the obligatory pale, overweights by the pool and the obligatory gorgeous gay-men employees, but I thought the cruise quotient was near ZERO. (Hotel has been open a month as of this writing, Jan. 15, 2006) GoodKarmaGuy

Pepper Tree Inn (look for it on Travelocity/Priceline):
My friends really liked it. They have originally booked into the Movie Colony hotel and were disappointed on arrival. They found this one from trip advisor and walking around. We took a tour around it last summer. It seems nice, neat and clean and the lady on the front desk was very nice. We thought the rooms were a bit basic and if we're going to PS, then we want to be gay (if you know what I mean). From a gay perspective, I'd choose something in the Warm Sands area myself over this one. But that's just my taste. LHRTim

The Spa Resort Casino in downtown PSP looks fun though I have never been in it. I will check it out in the future. www.sparesortcasino.com

Just gambled at the SPA Resort last week - the rooms in the hotel itself are dated. jan_az
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MILES AND POINTS RESORTS AND HOTELS

The Hilton is across the street [from the casino]. jan_az

I really liked the Hilton in Palm Springs. Average F and B, stupid resort fee, but a great location, especially if you come into town on Thursday and go to the street fair! Only 1 block away. Ask for a pool king on the first floor. They place the bed diagonally with back lighting and have big, wooden louvered french doors. Very cool and chi-chi. Walk to downtown and shops. $5 taxi from airport. The FD was more like a discount property, though. They "lost" a package sent to me. Then found it. Never told me that I had mail, etc., etc. But it sure was a gorgeous place! GoodKarmaGuy
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For mainstream hotels, I've only stayed at the Hyatt Grand Champions, very nice but kind of away from central Palm Springs.
peteropny

There is a another big beautiful Hyatt in Downtown PSP.
GoodKarmaGuy
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