Stay Gay Everyday at The Dunes Resort, Saugatuck Douglas, MI
Come Out and Play ...

For 30 years, The Dunes Resort has provided a simple, comfortable place for gays and lesbians to escape the doldrums of Middle America. Now crowned the largest gay resort and entertainment complex in the Midwest, The Dunes is heralded as Western Michigan’s premier gay and lesbian vacation destination and a pinnacle of the gay Saugatuck - Douglas community.

Owners Mike Jones, Danny Esterline and Greg Trzybinski purchased The Douglas Dunes in 1999 and renamed it, “The Dunes Resort.” Since then, the trio has worked tirelessly to perpetuate a gay safe haven while offering top-shelf lodging and entertainment. “When the previous owners started this in 1981, people came here and they fell in love. We wanted to enhance the Dunes experience, update it and continue its legacy,” says Jones.

This illustrious coming-of-age process has introduced a metropolitan standard to the quaint surroundings of Saugatuck and Douglas. Sprawling over 20 acres, the Dunes Resort features spacious double and king rooms, one bedroom cottages, king suites and a one bedroom Jacuzzi suite. Two bedroom fireplace cottages, a one bedroom kitchen suite and a small studio come complete with shared outdoor Jacuzzi access. Although The Dunes offers exceptional quality and amenities, budget travelers are never left out in the cold. Three types of dorm style sleeping rooms offer an amiable option for travelers requiring comfortable accommodations minus five-star pricing.

Renovations to the pool area, upgrades to the guest rooms and cottages (plus an additional motel building) and the main building exterior add cutting-edge flair to the resort’s timeless comforts. The interior of the main bar was renovated in 2006.

Poolside is the place to be seen on sunny afternoons, and the Tea Dance deck is a perennial favorite of the local who’s who. A Cabaret with fabulous live entertainment (Amy Armstrog & Freddy Alle, Kelly Carey & Rick SantaMaria) and a game room that overlooks the bar and deck allow guests to retreat even further from the daily grind.

Whether you prefer it progressive or hard, the beat from The Dunes’ on-site nightclub is uncompromising. Resident DJ Mark Vallese and an impressive guest DJ schedule featuring Tony Moran, Paulo, Lydia Prim, Joe Gauthreaux, Roland Belmares, Chi Chi LaRue and Brett Lacascio rivals that of any urban dance venue.

The Dunes is a rare and special place where people of all walks can find themselves, lose themselves and most importantly, be themselves. Circuit kids, scenesters, couples and retirees all blend with ease in a congenial, come-as-you-are atmosphere. “You get to leave the real world for a little bit. You can hear fantastic music or come to the cabaret for a great show. You can be gay, straight, old or young, and feel comfortable here. It doesn’t matter who you are, everybody is welcome,” says Jones.

The Dunes Resort is open seven days a week, twelve months a year. The summer season kicks off the first weekend in May with the Annual Black & White Anniversary Party and continues through Labor Day Weekend. Major events are held year-round.

Call 269.857.1401 or click here for schedule and reservation information.

Scroll down for images of the Dunes Resort & Saugatuck

Pati Sue Bekken Photographer Saugatuck Peninsula Photos email		Pati Sue Bekken Photographer Saugatuck Peninsula Photos email

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GOIN' ON @ THE DUNES SAUGATUCK, MICHIGAN

Summer 2012

5/26 DJ Randy Bettis
5/27 DJ John LePage
7/01 DJ Roland Belmares
7/04 DJ Tony Moran
7/06 DJ Ralphie Rosario
7/07 DJ Chi Chi LaRue (Pool)
7/07 DJ Paulo
9/01 DJ Drew G (Pool)
9/01 DJ Chris Cox
9/02 DJ Tracy Young

Coming up in May 2012

May 2012

31st Annual Black & White Anniversary Party 4/27 - 4/29
Masquerade Ball 4/28
Summer\'s First Tea Dance 4/29 4pm

DJ Mark Vallese Every Friday & Saturday
Tea Dance Every Sunday 4-9pm

MML Send Off Party, Burlesque Bingo May 5

Men of Manwatch Saturday May 12

Save a Horse/Ride a Cowboy Weekend 5/18 - 5/20

Memorial Day Weekend 5/25 - 5/28

Save a Horse/Ride a Cowboy Weekend

Save a Horse/Ride a Cowboy
May 18 - 20
Friday MIGRA
Saturday ILGRA
Sunday Tea "Charlies DJ" Michael B

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend May 25 - 28
Friday - DJ Mark Vallese, Men of Manwatch, Niah Whitely in the Cabaret
Saturday - Opening Day @ The Pool!  PM Gay Days DJ Randy Bettis, Kelly & Rick in the Cabaret
Sunday - Tea DJ Mark 4-7 & DJ/Producer John LePage 7-cl, Amy & Freddy in the Cabaret
Monday - Tea Dance 4-9pm

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan @ The Dunes Resort
Friday July 13 & Saturday July 14
8:30pm Showtime outside on the deck!
Tickets available @ www.reactionshows.com

Alison Arngrim

The Bitch is Back
Little House on the Prairie\'s
"Nellie Olsen" ALISON ARNGRIM
At the Dunes Resort
Friday August 3rd & Saturday August 4th
Showtime 8:30pm outside on the Deck
Tickets available @ www.reactionshows.com

July 4th Weekend

Friday June 29th DJ Mark Vallese, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Saturday June 30th 4th Pool Kick Off, PM DJ Joe Gauthreaux, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Sunday July 1st Tea Dance 4-7p DJ Mark Vallese, 7-close DJ Roland Belmares, Cabaret Niah Whitely

Monday July 2nd Pool Parties All Day!

Tuesday July 3rd DJ Mark Vallese, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Dunes Divas

Wednesday July 4th Tea Dance 4-7DJ Mark Vallese, 7-close DJ Tony Moran, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Thursday July 5th Pool DJ & Men of Manwatch 1-6pm, PM DJ Mark Vallese, Cabaret Karaoke

Friday July 6th Pistol Pete Pool Party, PM DJ Ralphie Rosario, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Niah Whitley

Saturday July 7th Porn at the Pool w/Chi Chi LaRue 1-6pm, PM DJ Paulo, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Sunday July 8th Tea Dance DJ Mark Vallese 4-midnight, Cabaret Dunes Divas