Lesbians (not) gone wild: The Palm Springs resorts for gay women.

December 16, 9:37 AMSF Gay Travel ExaminerEd Walsh

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 Joanna Funaro, left, with her partner, Denise Roberson,  at their resort, Casitas Laquita
(Photo by:   Ed Walsh)

One of the Bay Area's favorite gay getaways hasn't forgotten about women. With gas prices and airfares going south, it's never been more attractive to head south to Palm Springs, the West's undisputed gay resort capital.

The Casitas Laquita and the neighboring Queen of Hearts are rarities in the world of gay travel: they are resorts that cater to lesbians. The hotels also illustrate the differences between gay men and lesbians and men and women in general.

"Women are just different," summed up Joanna Funaro, who along with her partner, Denise Roberson, own Casitas Laquita, a 15-unit resort on 450 East Palm Canyon Drive.

"Women are just more reserved," nodded Roberson in agreement.

"Women tend to be nesters, " echoed Michelle Secor, who owns Queen of Hearts with her partner, Bernadette Montenegro.

Queen of Hearts is Palm Springs’ first lesbian-friendly hotel. It was established in 1969 by Eadie Adams and her partner, Pat McGrath, and was known as The Desert Knight for 30 years. The 9-unit property has been completely renovated and is impeccably maintained. Its sister property, the Desert Hearts Inn, is just across the street and has 3 units.

The women’s hotels all feature kitchens in the rooms. The owners say that at least 90 percent of the women regularly cook in the rooms. That’s in contrast to the men’s resorts, many of which have kitchens that are infrequently used.

Unlike most of the men’s resorts, Casitas Laquita is not clothing optional. Queen of Hearts allows women to sunbathe topless. There’s also another difference: the breakfast buffet. The women’s resorts serve breakfast individually to each guest’s room.

"If there was a buffet, they would just grab breakfast and go back to their room," explained Roberson, whose partner, Funaro, has developed a loyal following at Casitas Laquita for her homemade coffee cakes.

Casitas Laquita provides a unique place for women to socialize and be entertained: an underground wine cellar. And yes, it’s literally underground, in a basement under the property. The cellar showcases occasional concerts and special events.

Why are there more than three dozen resorts in the Palm Springs area that cater to gay men and only two for women?

Roberson, who formerly worked for Westin Hotels, said her biggest competition is from the mainstream hotels, from Motel 6 to the Ritz Carlton. She noted that most women feel comfortable checking into the same hotel room together whereas gay men may be made to feel uncomfortable doing so in a hotel that is not at least gay-friendly.

Another difference, the owners of Casitas Laquita explained, is that that only about five percent of their guests are single women. That contrasts with many of the gay male resorts where unattached men are in the majority. Another difference is that unlike virtually all the gay male resorts, Casitas Laquita does not have a communal hot tub.

"The difference between men and women is that men like to go into the hot tub together," explained Roberson.

Casitas Laquita does have an outdoor hot tub but it is part of a private patio in one of its suites. But for those women who want to try the communal hot tub thing, Queen of Hearts’ annex, Desert Hearts Inn, does provide one that’s available for guests staying at either property.

Casitas Laquita and Queen of Hearts are just a couple of blocks apart. Queen of Hearts is on 435 Avenida Olancha, a quiet culdesac that is home to several permanent lesbian residents. Secor quipped that she sometimes refers to it as "lesbian lane."

Secor encapsulated the attitude of the women running both resorts: "I’m in love and I love what I do. If you do what you love, things will work out."

Room rates start at $105 at the Queen of Hearts and $145 at Casitas Laquita.