Resorts Palm Springs’ “Brother” Properties: Santiago, Descanso, Twin Palms
Palm Springs Pride (Nov 6th – 8th) & Palm Springs Leather Pride (Oct 29th – Nov 1st) Adults-Only Clothing-Optional Getaways
Words by Kenshi Westover | Resort photography by John Ellis & Lifestyle photography by Hannes Van Der Merwe
If you are desert-bound for one of the very last, but not the very least, major Pride events of the year, Palm Springs has not one, but two Prides that happen ass-to-ass . . . I mean, front-to-back: Leather Pride and Pride-Pride (with Halloween sandwiched in between).
Which can lead to a very peculiar malady known as “dress-up overload.” Dress-up
overload is a medical condition gay men are particularly susceptible to and it happens when we are required to come up with on-theme, on-vibe, on-brand outfits too many nights in a row. Jumping from leather harnesses and ass-less chaps one day to bras stuffed with panty-hose “balloons” filled with rice (yes, it’s a thing, especially if you’re a baby drag queen with no money just starting out — you’re welcome), rainbow tutus and kitten heels the next, your head is liable to spin so much you overtwirl right into dreaded dress-up overload land.
So what’s a girl to do?
Fear not, little grasshopper. The solution is simple. In Palm Springs, you can stay in one of the many clothing-optional resorts where the only costume you’ll need to pack is your birthday suit. (Oh, and maybe a pair of sunglasses. That desert heat is no joke. And don’t forget the sunscreen, and non-chafing lube . . . )
All joking aside, there is a sense of freedom that comes with not having to put on society’s shame uniform (aka clothes) and just let it all hang out. And, believe it or not, there are places besides bathhouses where you can free willy and freeball to your heart’s content!
But unlike a bathhouse, when your privates are ready for a little privacy, you don’t have to retreat to a room that is the size of a broom-closet postage stamp with rubber sheets that look like a Jackson Pollock painting.
So if you want to go to a dress-up overload-free place that also won’t make your eyes bleed (and your pee burn) by just looking at the room, do yourself a favor and check out one of the three “brother” properties the hospitality group Resorts Palm Springs have been quietly curating and cutely color-blocking for over 30 years now.
“Big Brother”: SANTIAGO
Each brother, of course, has his own personality, style and flair. The eldest brother of the three is Santiago, born in 1995 and got a major makeover in 2015 when he came under new ownership (we love a great stylist). Ever since, Santiago has updated his look with refreshing regularity. On the outside, he is currently decked out in colorfully striped pool umbrellas with towels of the brightest orange to contrast the baby blue water and lush greenery flanking the pool.
On the inside of his 24 beautifully-appointed rooms and suites, Santiago sports pillow-top King beds, modern baths with walk-in rain showers, blazing fast Wi-Fi, and many special touches. Every room is just steps away from Santiago’s centerpiece, the largest climate-controlled swimming pool at any men’s resort in Palm Springs. Guests also enjoy a sparkling spa, an Instagram-worthy outdoor shower, and a brand-new sun deck with lots of cooling misters. And because guests enjoy spending as much time around the pool as possible, he even offers complimentary continental breakfast and poolside lunch. What a good big bro.
Visit santiagoresort.com to learn more & book your room
“The Middle Son”: DESCANSO
The middle child. The people pleaser. The peacemaker. (Mom’s favorite, but don’t tell the others.) Descanso lives up to that archetype and more.
An oasis in the desert, Descanso is no mirage. The open-air lobby sets a luxurious tone, with provocative contemporary artwork and a fresh color scheme that echoes the verdant courtyard garden beyond. Plantings include California natives, Mexican flame bushes, giant Birds of Paradise, and several types of palm trees. At the center of the resort, guests enjoy a sparkling salt water pool and spa, a mist-cooling system, and outdoor shower. Almost every spot in his courtyard boasts stunning views of Coachella Valley’s iconic San Jacinto mountains.
Descanso’s fifteen bright and airy guest rooms feature custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, deluxe linens, and bespoke materials and finishes. Rooms on the resort’s upper level include large picture windows framing panoramic views of the San Jacinto mountains. One special suite even boasts a free-standing bathtub. Rooms on the ground level are just steps from the pool, perfect for enjoying the gardens day or night.
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a destination for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, the middle son offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that time.
Visit descansoresort.Com to learn more & book your room
“The Baby Brother”: TWIN PALMS
The youngest child has the reputation of being spoiled rotten and that’s exactly how you’ll feel when you stay at the baby of the family, the Twin Palms.
Born in November of 2022, the all- new Twin Palms Resort embraces modern luxury, timeless style, and thoughtful hospitality in a completely revitalized mid-century modern
property in Palm Springs’ historic Twin Palms neighborhood.
The completely renovated mid-
century modern building on Camino Real Drive was originally developed to seamlessly blend with its
neighbors, ninety modernist tract homes designed by architect William Krisel. According to a December 1958 article in the Desert Sun, the
Brentwood Apartments featured ten one-bedroom units clustered around a communal patio and swimming pool. To facilitate
seamless indoor-outdoor living, many of the apartments also featured glass slider walls
opening to private garden patios.
Described as “deluxe in every detail,” apartments were furnished in the “latest of contemporary modern” and included wall-to-wall carpeting, state-of-the-art appliances, sound-proofed walls,and automatic climate control. The architecture and vibe of the Brentwood was a perfect match for Palm Springs’ first modernist neighborhood, Twin Palms Estates.
Over sixty years later, the original Brentwood buildings and grounds have been completely
renovated and reimagined. Behind the bold yellow entry door at the all-new Twin Palms Resort guests will find an exclusive private getaway for gay men. Under the gaze of the San Jacinto mountains, twenty beautifully-appointed guest rooms and suites open to an absolutely show-stopping new swimming pool, twelve-man spa, and luxurious patio space. Many of the bright and spacious guest rooms feature grand bathrooms and private outdoor spaces.
Custom-designed furniture, luxury linens, and bespoke materials come together to create
inviting spaces that offer a soothing respite from the desert sun.
A sleek, open-air Clubhouse features stylish places for guests to relax, grab a bite, or work. True to the spirit of the Brentwood before it, the new Twin Palms Resort is deluxe in every detail.
“What a magical place! The large rooms, crystal clear pool and landscaped grounds are all absolutely beautiful. Every detail has been so thoughtfully designed. Truly one of the most delightful boutique hotels my husband and I have ever experienced. You lose track of time and days at this place. We had a lot of plans for Palm Springs but ended up spending most of our time here.”
Visit twinpalmsresort.Com to learn more & book your room