If you like ESXi and have a windows box to run the client, why not use the free version?
Under the original use case where I had to use the desktop to work also, I couldn't.
In any case I would probably use a 'native' remote access method (freenx/NX for linux, VNC or remote desktop for windows) instead of the client console once everything is installed. Or for occasional use, VMware player is OK - again using native remote access methods since it ties the client console to the host.
I'm comfortable doing everything I need to via ssh into the esxi server so I don't need the client really. All the Linux guests are console based, and for the windows guests I certainly use rdp if need be.
The kvm option proposed earlier is surely a backup.
Thanks! jlc