Located in the quiet residential area of Warm Sands in the desert paradise of Palm Springs, InnDulge is just a 15 minute walk from the bars, restaurants and shops in the centre of this beautiful town.

With just 24 rooms this all male complex is a haven of tranquility set beneath the stunning San Jacinto mountains. Providing a clothing optional environment for men, the resort also has excellent facilities including a landscaped pool area and gardens, hot tub, gym and internet access which has won InnDulge numerous awards over the past few years.

We caught up with owners John and Jean-Guy to find out more about their award winning resort in sunny southern California.

What made you decide to open your B&B?
I had worked for 15 years in the hotel industry, working my way up from bellman to front desk, to sales and then to general manager. I worked in Las Vegas, San Francisco and Honolulu. My goal was always to own my own hotel. In 1995 my partner, Jean-Guy Lachance, and I sold our home in San Francisco and made the down payment on our hotel. It was the fulfilment of my long term dream!

Who runs it?
John Williams and Jean-Guy Lachance. We run our hotel and are very active in the operation.

In your opinion, what is its best feature?
The best feature of our hotel is the personal interaction that we have with our guests. We try to meet each guest personally and get to know them and their backgrounds. We’ve become very good at remembering first names! We become friends with our guests.

What’s been the most memorable moment for you while running the guesthouse?
The most memorable moment for us, I believe, was when we were awarded the Five Palm Award by Out and About (now Planet Out) in 2005. We had worked so very hard for 10 years to improve our hotel. It was rewarding to be honoured with the Five Palm Award!

And the worst?
The worst moment was the day we had a fire in our laundry room. Soiled rags self ignited and we were afraid the whole building was going up in smoke! Fortunately our fire department put it out in minutes. The rebuilding took over six months, however.

Is there a gay scene nearby?
Palm Springs has one of the most vibrant gay scenes of any small city in the world, I think. We are a four blocks from Arenas Road, home to four gay bars and several gay shops and restaurants. Other gay venues are a short drive away.

What is there to do in the local area?
There is so much to do in Palm Springs! The Palm Springs Ariel Tramway takes you up to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains where there is often snow in winter. Hiking in the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons and Joshua Tree National Park are unsurpassed. The Spa Casino is nearby for those who want to try their luck! Shopping abounds along Palm Canyon Drive in the nearby Premium Factory Outlets with shops like Armani, Gucci, Calvin Cline, Ralph Lauren and many more. But most people spend a great deal of time in the year-round sun. Palm Springs boasts 350 days of sun each year.

Is there an `average` gay traveller who uses your accommodation?
Our clientele is male and typically consists of half single guys and half couples. The age group is 30 to 55, with some younger and of course some older. We literally host guys from all over the world. Everyone is welcome!

What sort of clientele are you hoping to attract?
We attract exactly the type of guys noted above, and that is what we want. When we bought the hotel we asked the realtor what kind of guests to expect. His response was “look in the mirror.” That is so true. We were (and still are) a hard working gay couple concerned with health and fitness working within the system to get ahead. That is exactly our clientele.

What services and facilities do you offer?
InnDulge Palm Springs has 24 poolside rooms and suites around our 24 hour heated, clothing optional pool and 12-man Jacuzzi. Rooms have king beds and are decorated in a contemporary South West style. Continental Breakfast is included daily at no extra charge. We have a good sized gym and complimentary internet stations. Property wide wireless is also complimentary. Snacks are offered poolside. In the evening we host a social hour for our guests. This is probably our favourite time of the day as we stop our chores and mingle with our guests!

What are your cooked breakfasts and meals like and do you have a vegetarian option?
We serve a continental breakfast only, as that is what is allowed per city codes. The breakfast is expanded with pastries, boiled eggs, cereal, oatmeal in winter, fresh fruit and three kinds of juice. Of course we have freshly perked coffee, decaf and tea!

Where do you like to go when you go on holiday?
We very much like to travel to other gay destinations that are similar to Palm Springs and like to stay in gay resorts like ours. We have been to Fort Lauderdale, Provincetown, Sitges, Mykonos, Phuket and Ibiza, to name a few. We also like to travel to cities with large populations and have been to Sydney, Bangkok, London, Paris, Barcelona, San Francisco and West Hollywood. We like to travel!

Give us the big pitch! Why should people holiday in your guesthouse?
Our guesthouse/inn differs from the others, we feel, because we are personally involved and offer that attention to detail that today’s seasoned traveller desires. We strive to create a friendly atmosphere where gay guys meet and enjoy their holidays. The mix of singles vs. couples is just right. As we say, “it’s not a bathhouse, but it’s not a monastery either!” We have had many couples meet at our resort and most are still together! Many of our guests become great friends.

But we also pay attention to the details. The beds are comfy and the sheets are pressed. The towels are fluffy and plentiful. The pool is always spotless and the grounds maintained. The breakfast is on time and fresh. As a former General Manager of larger hotels in Honolulu and San Francisco, I strive to maintain the standards of a four star hotel. Our guests expect no less!

Accommodation Details:
Inndulge, 601 Grenfall Road, Palm Springs, CA, 92264, USA. Tel: +1 760-327-1408.

For more information email InnDuldge at johnwilliams@dc.rr.com or visit pridenation.com/inndulge.

If you own a gay hotel or B&B and would like to be featured in our next gay accommodation fact file click here and get in touch? Email travel@gaydarnation.com for more information. 

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