About us: Married 15 years, ages 41 and 38, two school aged kids, we try to take an “us” trip without the kids at least once a year.

The Top 10 Things to Love About DSR:

1. The Grounds. As nice as the photos on the website are, the reality is actually far better. Flowers everywhere, mature fruit trees, butterflies, manicured lawns, hummingbirds, intricate firepits, fountains and water features. The grounds are immaculately kept and easily on par with any 5 star resort anywhere, bar none.

2. The Size. Although I heard the hotel and courtyard rooms were sold out for the Saturday we were there (the condos were not), it was always easy to get a lounge chair, a spot at the pool or anywhere else you wanted to be. It never felt crowded.

3. The Location. Many clothing optional properties are in the middle of nowhere. DSR is not, located right in Palm Springs, within a mile or so of the downtown core, casino, Villagefest, tramway turnoff, etc. It’s right where you want to be.

4. The 3 Pools / 2 Hot Tubs. Whether you are seeking privacy or looking to socialize, a quiet place to read a book or some music and social scene by the pool, one of the pools or hot tubs will likely meet your needs. It’s great to have options and choices, depending on what you’re looking for.

5. The Clientele. Good age range (mostly 30s – 60s), almost all hetero couples, all well adjusted "regular" folks. You won't feel out of place.

6. No Kids. We’re a married couple and have school age kids. We love kids. But that’s not why we come here. Great policy.

7. The Courtyard. Great spot to sit and eat breakfast in the morning at the outdoor patio tables, catch up on e-mail or websurfing (free wireless works great throughout DSR) or just relax outside.

8. The Alcohol Policy. Mini fridge in rooms, OK to bring your own alcohol (no glass) to the pools and outdoor public areas.

9. The Access. Some clothing optional properties make you parade by the front desk or ring a doorbell to get in every time you come or go. You feel like you’re being closely watched, which of course you are. DSR does a great job of not overtly doing this, allowing guests to come and go using gates (access codes provided at check-in) near conveniently distributed parking around the resort perimeter. They do check IDs at check-in of course, and do have cameras on the entrances (exterior only). It’s the right balance of security without intrusiveness.

10. The Nudity. Let’s be honest, there’s dozens of great resorts in Palm Springs, no one goes to DSR only because it’s a great resort (although it is). You go for the social nudity. It’s done very well, with no gawking, no judgment, or anyone made to feel uncomfortable. Be aware that while it is officially clothing optional (except for the pools and pool decks), most people (men and women both) chose to stay completely nude, more or less all of the time and everywhere, with the exception of the fitness room. It’s a safe and comfortable environment to be naked around others, whether it’s your 1st time or your 50th.

But the three things that hold DSR back from my 5 star rating:

1. The Breakfast Card. DSR provides a free “continental breakfast”, consisting entirely of a single straight-from-the-bulk plastic bag, grocery store bagel. To make matters worse, they give you a “breakfast card” informing of the “limit 1”, with extras charged at $2.50/ea. See the picture of the card posted with this review. Even the cheapest of cheap motels wouldn’t do this. You certainly can’t come across as this cheap and miserly if marketing yourself as a luxury resort. Judging from the parking lot full of luxury cars, I can’t imagine many guests absconding with loads of cheap bagels. This policy makes the “resort” feel economy instead of luxury, and can’t represent savings of more than $5/day (for the whole place) to their bottom line, a true pittance as compared to revenue and insulting given $200+/nt rooms. If I were resort management, I’d ditch this policy tomorrow.

2. The Linens. While clean, bedroom linens (sheets and bedspread) were strictly bottom-of-the-line economy, in sharp contrast to the furniture which was pretty nice quality, and certainly in sharp contrast to the grounds.

3. The Bathroom. The bathrooms in the courtyard rooms are original ~1940s vintage and very small. Just an old pedestal sink (no vanity), a very small shower and toilet. See the attached photo, it was hard to even get a picture, the bathroom is so small. The whole bathroom can’t be more than 30 square feet. Because the footprint is so small, it’s nothing that could be easily or inexpensively upgraded without knocking down walls, so it’s nothing I’m complaining about. Just the way it is, but luxury, the bathrooms are not.

While there are a few nits, on balance, the resort is awesome and by far the best stateside clothing optional property we’ve visited. The "Top 10" (and I could have added a few more) far outweigh any concerns that I also included for sake of completeness. While this was our first visit here, we’ll definitely be back again!

Spent 4 days at Desert Sun with friends from Washington and Colorado. Stayed in the courtyard rooms ( do not get #9 because of noisy air conditioner and TV is off to the side). Moved to #6 and room was nice and large. Rooms in the courtyard and the oldest but have a cool feel because of the age. What a great resort to just kick back and relax. Three pools and the staff was very nice and friendly. We especially like the conversation pits and the comfortable seating for just reading and talking with friends. Since it is close to downtown, we ate out everynight we got to enjoy the downtown Palm Springs atmosphere. Would definitly recommend this resort for any nudist who wants a comfortable and stress free time.

What a wonderful resort. My wife was super nervous, But with April on the phone, and Teresa and Michael when we arrived helped some with that, but the reality - less than 10 minutes after we went outside - she was totally at ease. We met several great couples over the weekend, We got some email addresses, and perhaps we'll meet up again. The grounds were fantastic, all the pools and hot tubs are so wonderful. We ended up sleeping early - really early some days and getting up early to see the sunrise. Just get up in the morning and walk outside naked. Awesome! Maria at the restaurant is terrific and the food was great, although limited hours - but that's understandable. The best part for us - no children allowed! Some have complained I hear but - seriously - We didn't want to hear kid voices, screaming, hollering, crying, ugh! We took this vacation to get away from kids and we would not have come here if there were kids. Most of the folks we met didn't even tell their their own kids - of various ages - where they were going and didn't want kids there at all. There's no "lifestyle" stuff at all and they made it clear that it was not acceptable. We met Chuck who had fantastic enthusiasm and runs the Karoke during various events. We had massages and sugar scrubs with Renska and Alex, very relaxing and they are very skilled at what they do. My wife was the first to ask when we were coming back. We stayed at the Chapparell rooms - people have said that they are small - no - they are great. Plenty of room for sleeping, showering and whatever. The room was clean. Nobody stays in their rooms anyway, mostly for sleep. We turned on the TV once - when we first got there. This was one of our best vacations ever!

We are a lifestyle couple thought we would try this place whilst in palm springs chaparell room are pathetic small and claustrophobic however pools excellent we realise that this place does not allow any sexual activity outdoors however we were also informed we couldnt even have bistors in our room!!! seriously its supposed to be a couples only nudist resort??? they are just a little bit rabid about this when they obviously are going to atract folks like us anyway dont think well be back on an evening wife and i were having a little shal we save amorous fun in the pool resort was empty and we felt like we were being watched by some creepy single guy????