The evolution of Palm Springs' gayest neighborhood

Lush grounds of Vista Grande Resorts. (photo by: Ed Walsh)

If Warm Sands had its own mayor it would be Bob Mellen. Along with his partner, Robert Fields, Mellen is the owner of the four-in-one resort: the Vista Grande, Atrium, Mirage, and Avalon. It's one of 12 resort complexes in the neighborhood along Warm Sands Drive, about a half mile east of downtown Palm Springs.

Twenty-five years ago, Mellen, then a Los Angeles aerospace engineer, bought the Vista Grande resort. At the time it was a rundown mainstream hotel. He purchased it with a former partner who has since died. They intended it to be strictly a weekend place for guests who wanted a quick getaway from the city rat race. But Mellen found that the weekends weren't enough for some people.

"People wouldn't leave," he explained.

Back in 1984, there was only one other gay resort in the area, the El Marisol, a small bungalow-style hotel at the entrance to Warm Sands Drive. The popularity of both resorts fed on each other. Mellen found that he would often have overflow crowds that he had to refer to the surrounding straight resorts. Far from being resentful, those resorts welcomed the gay business. Eventually Mellen bought three more resorts in the area and along the way, others bought the remaining hotels and converted them to gay resorts. Although there are 12 resort complexes, there are 17 distinctive resorts.

Another hotel, the All Worlds Resort, is also a combination of four interconnected resorts. Mellen explained that he's helped many of the other gay hotels in the area get started and that has been good for his business. Despite the weak economy, the neighborhood is holding its own.   The area's newest resort, the Desert Eclipse, opened over the fall replacing the Columns resort.  The new owners spent a ton of money to transform the old property into a first-class resort.
 
The Hacienda at Warm Sands is one of the most upscale of all gay resorts and is popular with couples. The top-drawer property is constantly upgrading.

The oldest gay resort in the neighborhood, El Marisol, is also popular with couples and has a rich history. It was built by Howard Hughes in 1947 as a getaway for his Hollywood pals. Originally it had 10 bungalows, now it has 15 units.

INNdulge is a great example of a Warm Sands resort that does it all right. Its hosts, life and business partners Jean-Guy and John, maintain a family atmosphere that has won them a loyal following with their staff and guests. Their complementary evening cocktail hour is a great opportunity to meet people.   They are offering a great bargain now.     Through January 31, Wednesday nights are free for a two-night minimum stay.

Another Inn, InnExile, also has a loyal following.   The mega modern resort has four pools, including a striking wading pool that is situated in the middle of a row of rooms.  It also has two hot tubs and a big and well-equipped gym.   Like almost all the gay resorts in Palm Springs, a continental breakfast is included.  But at InnExile, they also throw in a free lunch.   The cruise quotient is high here, so the property is particularly popular with singles.   

The Century resort is a work of art to itself. It showcases Mid-Century Modern Architecture throughout its nine units and impeccably decorated grounds. It's worth a tour even if you're not staying there.

The luxurious Desert Paradise Resort is the property with a chandelier strung high between two palm trees. DP is also known for its many fountains.  This is another property that has set the bar very high in the neighborhood.

For more information, visit the site www.visitpalmsprings.com.
 Ed Walsh's multimedia blog is http://www.gaypstravel.blogspot.com/