Pampering Escapes for Gay Men

Gay-owned and -operated since 1999, the upscale Grand Resort and Spa is steps from the beach in a mid-century motel-style building centered around an oversized heated pool. The winner of Rupaul's Drag Race Season 9 premier walked away with a week in its Grand Penthouse, the most luxurious of the 33 rooms and suites. At the Grand, clothing is optional in the tropical courtyard. A 10-man jacuzzi and full-service day spa add to the relaxation. A complimentary happy hour in the Club Room begins at 5 pm Thursday to Saturday with a mimosa hour on Sunday.

Bear and Butterfly is a mountain escape for men that comes with massages, fresh organic breakfasts, an eight-man hot tub, outdoor clawfoot tub, home theater room, vegetable and flower gardens, outdoor fire pit and a professional gym with trainer. The four rooms, with names like Bear Americanus, General Morgan's Suite, Man Cave and The Blue Morpho Suite, are full of masculine country charm and comforts. Minutes from Asheville on top of Morgan Hill, it's a convenient launch point for hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains or exploring the local breweries.

Pineapple Point Guest House is tucked away on two lush acres in a quiet neighborhood close to the beach and shopping. Rooms, ranging from deluxe kings to a two-bedroom cottage, are spread across the property, which also features shaded hammocks, a well-equipped gym, lap pool, two Jacuzzis, massage studios, sun decks and a clothing optional pool area. Known for its pampering since it opened in 1999, it offers on-site personal training and massage by licensed staff, real estate services and a complementary evening cocktail hour. Day passes available for local guests or daytime visitors.

In the gay-popular Warm Springs neighborhood, The Hacienda is a clothing optional resort that prides itself on its staff-to-guestroom ratio and greeting each guest with a basket of goodies. The all-suite resort is in a lush tropical setting with two swimming pools, misting systems, a Japanese pond and a multi-tiered Spanish fountain. Guests gather poolside on for sunning, complimentary breakfast and lunch and a Monday night wine and snacks. It offers a three-night honeymoon package with rose petals.

The 32-room clothing-optional Canyon Club Hotel is a mid-century property with a 52-foot swimming pool, sun lounges, a hedge maze, indoor playroom and a koi pond. Its spa includes sauna, steam and a 20-man hot tub. Active military, students and airline personnel receive discounts. It also offers day passes. When a large women's event is in town - like the Dinah Shore - the hotel is turned over to the girls.

In the heart of Phnom Penh, Arthur and Paul (named after the French poet lovers) is men-only with 10 spacious rooms that also go by first name, a spa with sauna, massage and hot tub, a pool, tropical garden, bar and restaurant. Within easy reach or tuk tuk is the shopping and dining of Pasteur Street, the Central Market, National Museum and Royal Palace.

Near the beautiful village of Montclus, this men-only guest house is a short drive or day trip to South of France attractions like roman aqueducts, caves, medieval towns, gay beaches, vineyards and canoeing. The grounds and pool are secluded and clothing optional with sun lounges and hammocks, surrounded by an eight-acre (4 ha) garden of summer lavender, shade trees, colorful flowers and butterflies. Accommodations are housed in a country collection of stone-walled studios, a garden chalet and a main house with double rooms. Open from late spring to late summer, minimum stays apply during high season.

Alpha Gentlemen's Retreat is the first ever gay (hetero-friendly) resort on Thailand's Samui Island. Nestled on 1.5 acres (6,400 m2) of land surrounded by high bamboo fencing, it has been created as a private tropical paradise with chic modern rooms and villas, a spa, an activity park and a lush pool area that hosts either barbecues, chill outs or parties every day of the week. The infamous shopping, restaurants, bars, clubs and beaches of Chaweng are just a 15 minute walk away.

The canal-side Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa is clothing optional with 18 sophisticated guest rooms offering queen or king beds. Opened 1999, it has a full-service spa, heated salt-water pools, a romantic garden and a 10-person whirlpool with mini-waterfall. Bicycles and kayaks are available. A two-night minimum is encouraged.

Just a 10-minute drive from Stellenbosch and 30 minutes from Cape Town, the men-only Pink Rose Guesthouse & Spa has four stylish rooms, a sun terrace, sauna, Jacuzzi, clothing optional pool, relaxation area and professional masseur - all of which encourage relaxation. German hosts Lars and Detlef are more than happy to direct to area activities including wine tours, whale watching, world-class golf courses, shopping and sandy beaches.