At the base of Mt. San Jacinto in Palm Springs sits The Canyon Club Hotel, a clothing-optional, gay resort for men. Nothing is more relaxing than basking in the sun by the pool while sitting at the base of Mt. San Jacinto during these tough economic times.

The Gay & Lesbian Times recently took full advantage of the opportunity to talk with owners of The Canyon Club Hotel, Chris and John, about the reason their resort is the “stray-cation” destination.

Gay & Lesbian Times: How long have you both been coming to Palm Springs and what on earth made you decide to go into the hotel business?

Chris & John: We’ve been coming to Palm Springs together since 1995, however John first started coming to the desert in the early 1950s. John is not the type of guy who can sit at home with nothing to do. We were told that a hotel property was about to come on the market and while neither one of us were really interested in owning a hotel, we knew that buying the property would be a great investment down the road.

GLT: What do you see as the single biggest issue hotels are facing right now?

C & J: The economy by far is our biggest concern right now. Hotel occupancy rates are down approximately 20 percent across the valley. That’s why we’ve started offering $69 room rates when available. We want to give the guys from Southern California, who can’t necessarily afford to take off to New York or Miami right now but still want a great weekend, a great place to go, for a great price.

GLT: Can you tell me if the hotel owners in Palm Springs meet to discuss issues that are of universal concern to all the hotels and if not why?

C & J: I am aware that there are meetings that go on, and we get the updates via e-mail about once per month. I always thought it would be a great idea to have the gay hotels here on the north end of town get together and form sort of an alliance for marketing purposes. One hotel has been receptive, the others, well, not so much.

GLT: What do you look for in a great hotel when you travel?

C & J: Great housekeeping as well as a knowledgeable and friendly staff.

GLT: How helpful is the city of Palm Springs when it comes to promoting and marketing gay and lesbian hotels?

C & J: The Palm Springs Board of Tourism has been very helpful to us but, like any business or organization, there’s room for improvemen. If they ask us for specifics, we’d be happy to provide them with a detailed report of our ideas.

GLT: How did the new park you’ve recently completed come about?

C & J: It was John’s idea. Since purchasing the property and later the adjacent vacant lot, he had the idea of creating a park-like setting where men who have certain fantasies of having outdoor sex, can do so without fear of arrest or retribution. Nothing like sex in the great outdoors.

GLT: Are there any other additions in the works?

C & J: We’re going to add a second Jacuzzi and an area for horse-shoe pitching and a miniature golf green. We’ve also already installed a volley ball net and may do other games.

GLT: The Canyon Club Hotel hosts numerous groups that come to the desert for one reason or another. Tell readers who some of those groups are and why they choose the Canyon Club Hotel, year after year?

C & J: The Palm Springs Bears were the first group to book out our hotel, and after that we added several groups including the Palm Springs Pumpers Weekend, Big Bash, and the Blatino Oasis. I think the groups return every year because of a combination of things. We have the space to accommodate the large pool parties (day and night), yet we are small enough to be able to give the attention to details some groups require. Not to mention, we have the friendliest staff in town!

GLT: John you’re no stranger to the gay community, in fact you owned a night club in Laguna, is that correct? How different is it owning a hotel as opposed to owning a night club?

J: Yes, I owned the Boom Boom Room for several years. Owning a hotel is a lot more peaceful. Although there are stresses and always something that needs repairing, the atmosphere is much more relaxing.