Long, Hot, and Deeply Satisfying: Experience a Week or More in Palm Springs!

Who says length doesn't matter?

When it comes to winter getaways in sunny Palm Springs, plenty of satisfied queer travelers are quick to agree that longer is always better.

And to service these snowbirds' insatiable cravings for sunshine, slacking, and same-sex socializing, Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels includes a selection of boutique properties that are uniquely accommodating to LGBTQ+ guests who book stays of seven nights or longer.

Ranging from clothing optional and men's only resorts, to chic woman-owned sanctuaries, to straight-friendly (but kid-free) mid-century modern quarters, these hotels offer rooms with kitchenettes and kitchens. They're favorites of long-stay visitors looking for a home-away-from-home experience.

Along with giving guests the opportunity to eat in (assuming they can resist the temptation to indulge in Palm Springs' booming restaurant scene!), many of these properties offer special incentives to stay for more than a week, from free nights to overall discounts.

Home is Where the Heat Is

Michael Green, who has owned the Triangle Inn along with his husband, Stephen Boyd, for 23 years says that with the rise in remote work over the past several years, longer stays have become more common. For digital nomads, there's no need to stick around in cold weather climes all winter long.

"Back in the 1950s," Green notes, "it wasn't uncommon for folks from colder climates to come to Palm Springs for the whole season."

Nowadays, two week stays are common, and Green says that some frequent guests will come for two or more long stays over the course of a single winter.

And while the Triangle has been repeatedly refreshed and updated since it was first constructed in 1958, one legacy of those bygone days is the fact that six of his inn's eight units include full kitchens.

"Some of our guests are gourmet cooks. To them, cooking and having friends over for dinner is an important part of a vacation."

While Green and Boyd keep their units stocked with basic cookware and silverware, they happily store specialty equipment for loyal guests who return year after year. So, even if you spend just a few weeks in Palm Springs each winter, your lucky Cuisinart and sous-vide machine can live in the desert all year round!

Impromptu Communities

Former Los Angelenos Jason Ball and Troy Jones had long contemplated slowing down their high-pressure careers at KTLA television and Ernst & Young to run a small Palm Springs resort when they bought and began renovations on the Old Ranch Inn in 2021.

"We thought we'd do this when we were in our 60s," says Ball, "But along came the pandemic and we decided to make the move in our 50s. And it's ended up being so rewarding that we now wish we'd done it in our 40s."

Part of what the couple enjoys about their new role as hosts in Palm Springs' popular tennis club neighborhood is the sense of community that's built up around the Old Ranch Inn over the years.

"About 25% of the guests during our first winter had stayed here with the previous owners," Ball explained. "And during their first stay with us, they booked again for this coming season. There are couples from places like Seattle, Canada, and Minneapolis who are used to coming for two or three weeks. Some of their stays overlap, and friendships are formed that can last from year to year."

Settle In or Run Around

Ball and Green both note that different long-stay guests have different styles of vacationing.

"Some guests arrive, take off their clothes, settle in around the pool, and pretty much stay there for their whole visit," says Green. "Others are off and running, getting into all sorts of activities in town and around the Coachella Valley."

From the Palm Springs art museum to busy gay nightlife, to nearby Joshua Tree National Park, there's no shortage of things to keep visitors busy over the course of two weeks or more.

Ball notes that European travelers often find a Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels rental to be the perfect home base for a trip that might also incorporate overnight stays in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and beyond.

Choices, Choices

Here's a quick rundown of the Palm Springs Preferred Hotels that offer ideal accommodations for guests staying for a week or more (in addition to their great options for visitors planning more typical two- and three-night stays).