Posted at 4:33 p.m. EDT Thursday, August 30, 2001

Gay-friendly lodging abounds in S. Florida

For gay and lesbian travelers, how to find a gay-friendly bed-and-breakfast, small resort or guesthouse can be challenging. The difficulty can be compounded by the assessment of gay-friendliness. There are ever-increasing numbers of these accommodations that market themselves specifically to gay and lesbian travelers. But gay-marketed properties -- especially the ones catering specifically or exclusively to gay women and men -- are often most difficult to evaluate in terms of quality since they are written about in so few travel resources.

For gay travelers, ascertaining the gay-friendliness of such hostelries becomes the challenge.

Guidebooks like the Damron Accommodations Guide (www.damron.com), available at many bookstores, offers helpful photos and descriptions of hundreds of gay-marketed properties. Although much of the book is paid advertising, it remains the best general reference source for gay accommodations.

In addition to printed media, you'll find extensive lists of gay and gay-friendly small accommodations online. PlanetOut (www.planetout.com), Gay.com (www.gay.com) and Gay Places 2 Stay (www.gayplaces2stay.com) are some good places to start.

The emergence of websites as a marketing tool has made the booking of most accommodations easier. Even many of the smallest and most remote accommodations now have Web sites offering a virtual tour of their properties. Although some sites may be misleading or out-of-date, the majority go a long way in conveying the look and feel of a place.

HELPFUL HINTS

The vast majority of mainstream small properties don't market themselves specifically to gay and lesbian travelers -- and even those that do may be more interested in bringing in more business than making gay travelers feel welcome. Still, advertising in gay media is usually a strong indication that a guesthouse or bed-and-breakfast will be welcoming. With or without such advertising, there's a simple three-step process you can use to best insure a positive experience at a small accommodation.

First start with a recommended property. Small accommodations are a popular topic for reputable magazines, newspapers and guidebooks.

Second, ask. Simply say you're a prospective traveler, and have a few questions. Here they are: Does your inn (bed and breakfast, guesthouse or resort) have experience with gay (or lesbian) travelers? Would you describe it as a comfortable, welcoming place for a gay woman (or man, or lesbian, or couple)? Are their any restaurants or attractions nearby that are particularly gay-friendly or popular?

It's best if your questions are being answered by an owner or manager, which is very likely to be the person answering the phone at a small property. But even a conversation with a desk clerk at larger property should give you a sense of how comfortable you would be staying there.

Don't forget to confirm your bedding preferences. If you're a couple, make sure both names are on the reservation -- Mr. and Mr. or Ms. and Ms. -- and that your request for a queen or king bed is confirmed or noted. As uncomfortable as this might be by phone, it's much easier than having to explain or correct the situation in person. And again, the comfort level on the other end of the phone should go a long way to put you at ease. If it doesn't, think about booking elsewhere.

A SAMPLING

The following small properties are a sampling of those that have received the OUT & ABOUT Editor's Choice award. They comprise a wide range of style, price, amenities and quality, but all offer a high level of gay comfort and welcome.

FLORIDA

Royal Palms Resort,
Fort Lauderdale, 800-237-7256;
www.royalpalms.com

Constant upgrading sets standards for small hotels, gay or straight.

Alexander's Guest House,
Key West, 800-654-9919;
www.alexghouse.com

Spotless, stylish and very comfortable.

Marquesa, Key West,
800-869-4631;
www.marquesa.com

Primarily straight, but one of the most glorious inns in the South.

South Beach Villas,
South Beach, 888-429-7623;
www.southbeachvillas.com

A solid choice though a mile from the beach: Class, luxe amenities and excellent service.

CALIFORNIA

San Vicente Inn,
Los Angeles, 310-854-6915;
www.sanvicenteinn.com

A perfect location and Key West-resort feel.

Bee Charmer,
Palm Springs, 888-321-5699;
www.beecharmer.com

A long-time women's favorite getting better every year.

East Canyon Hotel & Spa,
Palm Springs, 877-324-6835;
www.eastcanyonhotel.com

Four-Seasons-style, intimate gay environment.

Triangle Inn, Palm Springs,
800-732-7555;
www.triangle-inn.com

Warm, friendly owners; spacious rooms.

Parker House,
San Francisco, 888-520-7275;
www.parkerguesthouse.com

The Castro is an elegant guesthouse.

LOUISIANA

The Lafitte Guesthouse, New Orleans, 800-331-7971;
www.lafitteguesthouse.com

An elegant, ivy-covered retreat.

MARYLAND

Mr. Mole B&B, Baltimore,
410-728-1179;
www.mrmolebb.com

A fastidiously restored 1870s row house with fine decor.

MASSACHUSETTS

XV Beacon, Boston,
617-670-1500;
www.xvbeacon.com

A stunning hotel near Beacon Hill and Back Bay.

Martha's Place,
Martha's Vineyard,
508-693-0253;
www.marthasplace.com

Exquisite furnishings and unexpected amenities.

Anchor Inn, Provincetown,
800-858-2657;
www.anchorinnbeachhouse.com

Buffed-out rooms, great views.

Gabriel's, Provincetown,
800-969-2643;
www.gabriels.com

A mainstay of the women's community.

MICHIGAN

The Dunes Resort,
Saugatuck, 616-857-1401;
www.dunesresort.com

Comfortable accommodations, a friendly, fun pool area and full schedule of entertainment.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Highlands Inn, Bethlehem,
877-537-2466;
www.highlandsinn-nh.com

An ever-improving lesbian paradise in the country.

NEW MEXICO

Hacienda Antigua,
Albuquerque, 800-201-2986;
www.haciendantigua.com

The best gay-friendly lodging in town -- in a 200-year-old adobe hacienda.

Inn of the Turquoise Bear,
Santa Fe, 800-396-4104;
www.turquoisebear.net

Historic hospitality in the heart of town.

NEW YORK

Chelsea Pines,
New York City, 212-929-1023;
www.chelseapinesinn.com

Friendly service and attention to detail at remarkable prices.

The Colonial House,
New York City, 800-689-3779;
www.colonialhouseinn.com

Clean, affordable and brilliantly located.

PENNSYLVANIA

The Alexander Inn,
Philadelphia, 877-253-9466;
www.alexanderinn.com

Gay/lesbian-popular hotel and recent beneficiary of huge renovation.

TEXAS

Lovett Inn, Houston,
800-779-5224;
www.lovettinn.com

Grace, style and a great location.

VERMONT

Greenhope Farm,

East Hardwick, 802-533-7772;

www.greenhopefarm.com

Escape the hustle-bustle at this small, rustic, lesbian-owned inn and horse farm. Mostly lesbian clientele.

Moose Meadow Lodge,

Waterbury, 802-244-5378;

www.moosemeadowlodge.com

Luxury, privacy and a picture-perfect location for your gay civil union.

WASHINGTON

Gaslight Inn, Seattle,
206-325-3654;
www.gaslight-inn.com

A convenient and charming inn.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Brenton,
800-673-9042;
www.thebrenton.com

Our favorite guesthouse in town: a century-old Victorian, with nine rooms, near gay nightlife.

WISCONSIN

Mansion Hill Inn,
Madison, 800-798-9070;
www.mansionhillinn.com

University setting, intimate, gracious and chockfull of authentic antiques.