mike

Relaxation is a relative term. A bunch of friends (early 40s) in Palm Springs for 4 nights in early August (yes, I know it will be hot)playing golf every morning, hanging by the pool and/or fun bars in the afternoons/evenings. I won't have any trouble finding a nice golf course, but I need your recommendations for 1) a great hotel centrally located with minimal kids and elderly folk (we're not looking for Club Med, but not a hideaway, either); 2)fun bars/pubs (ballgame on the big screen, Jimmy Buffett music on the stage/jukebox, patio, bar dice, shuffleboard and pool tables, and smart women who know how to flirt).
Also, is Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, etc. better for what we're looking for?

Linda

Avoid booking any hotels that have a triangle symbol in their ad. My boyfriend and I quickly found out that our hotel catered to a gay clientle.

seamus

Yes, Palm Springs is quite gay.

xxx

Cathedral City would also be too gay for a bunch of men looking to find women.

jazzowlz

Palm Desert is better for what you are looking for...younger crowd. The Beer Hunter is a big sports bar with pool tables,etc.

xxx

Desert Springs Marriott Resort in Palm Desert tends to have a pretty good singles crowd.

shakeyour

Now, wait a minute! Palm Springs can too be fun for the young, straight (or not) "40" crowd. My stay at the Best Western, Las Brisas, was very nice. I enjoyed relaxing by the pool & spa the indoor lounge, plus its close proximity to the main strip. Nice galleries, clothing shops, good food, and the "Village Pub," a great, casual corner dance pub made my weekend memorable!

John

Well I'm gay and have been to Palm Springs quite a few times but I would hardly say it is "quite gay". It is very predominantly heterosexual, aside from a 2 block strip of bars, a few restaurants, and maybe a dozen guesthouses. It is, however "quite golfer."

xxx

i'd book my t-times now. it will be so hot in august, unless you get early t-times it will be miserable.

DesertRat

Palm Springs offers plenty of options for the hetrosexual male who's looking for a fun party scene. There are a number of clubs and restaurants along Palm Canyon Drive.

mike

Thanks for the comments--I was hoping for a little more consensus, but it gives me some ideas. Keep 'em coming. Are the Palm Springs hotels walking distance from the restaurants, shops and bars? Do the other areas also have proximities to "downtown" areas?

xxx

Palm Desert really doesn't have a downtown area. There's El Paseo, but that's not necessarily an area that would appeal to a group of men on vacation. Look for a hotel along Palm Canyon in Palm Springs and you'll be within walking distance to bars and restaurants. Drunk driving is big problem in the desert area, so be sure to take a cab vs. driving if you've been out drinking.

The food's okay, but Las Casuelas in downtown Palm Springs is a popular bar. Muriel's is a also a popular dance place, though the age group varies depending on the evening.

tahquitz

My wife and I are 'hetero' and we live in PS. Is there a noticable gay element? Yes. Is it uncomfortable? No. This is a pretty tolerant, live-and let-live town. On any given weekend night, there is actually quite a good crowd mix downtown at the many eating and drinking establishments---gay, straight, single, married, divorced 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, geezerly---etc.

Good spots for an eclectic crowd and to people watch are Village Pub, Las Casuelas Terraza (but I don't recommend the food, have a drink instead), Peabody's, Starbucks, Ruby's/Del Rio's, Muriel's.

I agree with other posters that you might be suited to a bigger resort down valley as well, like the hyatt Grand Champions, Esmeralda, La Quinta. I think you would like the Beer Hunter. There are several in the desert, but the one in Cathedral City is the best facility.

And yes, you won't need your sweater in August. YOU will be the sweater. if you play golf or tennis, get out as early as you can and drink lots of water. Hey, a golf alternative where it would be about 20 degrees cooler and great golf for maybe $35-40 a round is Oak Valley. There is Oak Valley Golf Club and the new SCGA 36-hole facility. Oak Valley is west of the desert on I-10 about 40 min. You could do an outlet mall run on the way back. And stop at Hadley's to pick up a banana date shake. Then, poolside, in and out, all day until the sun creeps behind the Santa Rosas. No chance of dying of exposure if you fall asleep on the chaise lounge all night either. Have fun.

mike

The Wyndham PS, Hyatt Regency Suites, BW Las Brisa and PS Hilton Resort all seem to be walking distance from downtown. Anyone have any strong feelings one way or the other?

crystal

Not a 40 something guy, but my husband and I had fun at the Spa Hotel and Casino on Indian Canyon Drive, which is one block from Palm Canyon, the heart of downtown. I recommend the Blue Coyote for Mexican and agree that Casuelas is dreadful. Hyatt Regency also looked very luxurious.

tahquitz

1. Hyatt Regency
2. Wyndham
3. Hilton
4. Las Brisas

Agree that the Spa would be ok too.

Adam

For something relaxing. biut a bit differerent, you can try one of the many clothing optional properties in Palm Springs

ick

It ain't like Sports Illustrated, bub. More like George and Martha take a break from the fat farm to sun their (copious) buns in Palm Springs. Stick to the Penthouse Forum for your fantasies.

tahquitz

1. Hyatt Regency
2. Wyndham
3. Hilton
4. Las Brisas

Agree that the Spa would be ok too.

Adam

Ick,

You said.."Stick to the Penthouse Forum for your fantasies"

It appears that it is your fantasy and you are not well informed.

THere are several legitimate( belong to chamber of commerce, etc) clothing optional resorts....unlike you I am speaking from experience.

No fantasy....been there.