A Blue Moon Over Vegas
In February of 2003, John Hessling left a cush job as director of leisure sales at Mandalay Bay and, with his partner Mike Torres, opened the doors to a 47-room resort for gay men — a first of its size in Las Vegas — The Blue Moon. The former Travelodge three blocks off the Strip was completely remodeled over several years to include a steam room, video room, a massive waterfall that pours over the hot tub into the large pool, private cabanas and a coffee house. The pair hoped to be in the black in the first year and to purchase the sister building next door, expanding to 150 rooms.
In the seven years since, Hessling and Torres split and plans for the adjacent property were scrapped as Vegas suffered hard in the bad economy.
Though the plans may have ended up being too pie in the sky for the moment, the resort draws great crowds, especially in the warmer months when Vegas visitors can lay poolside in the lush, clothing optional compound.
The rooms underwent a second wave of renovation, designed by Hessling, and now feature king-sized pedestal beds, pillow-top mattresses, 300 thread-count linens and flat-panel televisions. Hessling said he designed the rooms specifically for the tastes of his gay male clientele. The furnishings are dark, rich wood with a grand tufted-leather headboard to match the leather furnishings. The earth-tone color scheme is masculine and zen-like.
A continental breakfast is included with the room and is served in the coffee shop near the pool. Weekly barbecues are also held poolside on Sundays.
Average room rates vary from $59–110 for a standard room (higher on weekends of course) to $119–170 for a suite. A master suite with every bell and whistle Vegas has to offer is $340 a night.
My tip of the issue: follow @BlueMoonResort on Twitter for last-minute room rates.
Day passes are available for locals and those staying at other properties for $25.
I found Hessling to be very personable (and not too hard to look at) and was impressed that he worked shifts during the week at the front desk greeting newcomers. The staff was very professional (and not too hard to look at) as well.
The little touches are not forgotten as well — soft music going as you enter the room, toothpaste and headache-remedy samples in the bathrooms, etc.
The resort is definitely well-suited for a frisky, single gay man, or frisky gay couples, for that matter. I believe it is also well-suited for more conservative gay men as well, as long as you avoid the steam and video rooms and, perhaps, the hot tub very late at night.
Three million gay people are estimated to go to Vegas in a year, most of whom will stay at the larger resorts. I think there is definitely room for a 47-room, well-run gay resort on top of that. I, personally, will be going to the Vegas just to stay there and bask in the sun. I may even drag myself away from the pool long enough to take in a show. Or not. I’ll play it by ear.