The two best options are Fedora 24 workstation or the Fedora 24 workstation net install. The latter will (if I remember right) let you install whatever configuration/DE you like from the installer.
I would try out stock workstation first (gnome has a lot of tweaks these days you can add as well) you might find you don't need to use a VM for daily use as it's pretty up to date.
If you want to go the base OS and dedicated vms route. The easiest option would be to use the net install (or a spin) and install a light weight desktop wince you won't use it much. And get virt-manager on their.
The main reason why I consider using VMs is that I could take snapshots. But if I the base system is really stable, I will probably use it as my daily driver... I didn't really like Gnome3 the last time I tried it, but I will give it another try. Do you have any experiences with the Xfce Fedora Spin?
As far as I'm aware it's pretty stable and has a small but dedicated team behind it. You can get the same thing installing XFCE from the netinstall or post install installing it from workstation.
I really did not like gnome 3 when it was released or for a good few releases.
I've been using GNOME as my primary DE since Fedora 23 was released and honestly find it works quite well now, one or two little niggles but really nothing major.
Considering I really didn't like gnome 3 and used KDE as my primary desktop for a good long while I didn't think id say i liked gnome.
I think its probably because its out of the way while also being pretty nice to use.
I found KDE 5 had different but similar issues to gnome, mainly in stability. This has also improved drastically in the last few releases, I think i just find it.. cluttered and like bits are left behind.. maybe i just cant be bothered xD
Ok, sound good! First Xfce didn't look like anything I would like to use, but after some customization it looks awesome (in my opinion). I will have to tests with both DEs. Now I have to go to sleep. I will report tomorrow again.