USP The classiest out of 40 gay hotels in the area and offers a "dual therapist" massage.

AMBIENCE Treatment rooms are in a converted hotel room, so it’s very cosy. Built as apartments in the 1950s, the hotel has an intimate Melrose Place feel with plush but bland decor.

EXPERIENCE Big strong men with big strong hands and no messing about. Refreshingly non-sexual; you don’t need to look good as you lounge by, or in, the pool. There is no gym. Flirt if you want, but there’s no pounding dance music or fleshpot vibe.

FOOD Fruit drinks, but no alcohol.

IN CROWD Middle-class American gay men from Los Angeles waiting to retire.

WALLET WATCH Most treatments cost less than $150 (£86) but packages offer good value. The most popular one, “Revitalize”, costs $280 (£160). Those with more stress and more money opt for “Regenerate”, which includes reflexology and detox treatments. Save money on rooms by travelling in June when prices start at $109 (£62).

NEED TO KNOW Palm Springs, California (00 1 760 320 1928; www.eastcanyonps.com)

Times recommends

• 52 brilliant weekend breaks for 2010
• Why are UK airports so child unfriendly?
• Ditch the spas - most detox talk is nonsense