GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL STORIES

Gay For Stay

Home is where the heart is and a little kitsch and fabulousness if possible. But happily, the LGBT traveler can also enjoy a generous assortment of chi-chi, fun, and sassy lodging options to check into these days, from New York to Los Angeles and even some unlikely spots in between. Here we share five of those hotels/resorts, all of which fit the bill for getaways, romantic or otherwise. Most are queer-owned, all are queer-friendly, and none are chains (although we love the W brand!).

The Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Road,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Tel: (800) 543-9666 or (805) 543-3000
www.madonnainn.com
Rooms from $168 and up.

"Don't just stand there let's get to it, check on in there's nothing to it." OK, the Material Girl actually has nada to do with San Luis Obispo's world-famous Madonna Inn--which was founded by Mr. Alex Madonna in 1958 but Madge would love (and likely relate to) the many different identities embodied by its rooms. "You know, she probably would be happy with any of our rooms," muses Janet, a reservations specialist, adding that Paula Abdul lists amongst past guests. Several rooms/suites boast a Switzerland theme and decor, notably the "Swiss Belle," which includes a rock waterfall shower. For even more rocks (and a rock waterfall shower--the dozen rooms accompanied by this feature are Madonna Inn's most popular), the all-stone "Caveman Room" satisfies. The "Carin" rises beyond mere kitsch with its floating golden cherubs and pink color scheme, while "Just Heaven" does much the same in blues. And if you're en route to a "fishing trip," the cowboy-themed "Yahoo" sure beats a no-frills Brokeback tent.

Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel
5191 Rt. 28
Mt. Tremper, NY 12457
Tel: (845) 688-7200
www.lazymeadow.com
Rooms $150 and up.

Roam if you want to... To this sassy little boutique getaway owned by the B-52's out lesbian vocalist, Kate Pierson, and her partner of three years, Monica Coleman. Nestled in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, Kate's nine rooms and four Airstream trailerseach with a different theme and namelike "Tinkerbell," "Bubbles," and the brand new "Cowgirl" and "Indian Princess"are outfitted in psychedelic style with, as Pierson notes on Lazy Meadow's website, "to-die-for tchotchkes from [my] shopping sprees all around America!" Artists Philip Maybury and Scott Walker bring the same "Love Shack" vibe from the music video to many of the interiorsespecially the "Hairstream" trailer, a mock up of Kate's tour trailer decorated with B-52 posters and paraphernalia. Several rooms are pet friendly, so Pomeranian divas are welcome. Nearby Woodstock offers a handful of excellent eating choices, although the 1950s' style in-suite kitchens are all you need to dish up din-din for yourself. And an in-ground, natural hot salt spa and star-filled skies ensure that being Lazy can be romantic and stimulating! "The stargazing is gorgeous," Coleman notes. "And we have an incredible bonfire on the river so you can come on down and watch the sunset." Rusted tin roofs, however, may cost you extra.

Hotel Zaza
2332 Leonard Street
Dallas, TX
Tel: (214) 468-8399/(800) 597-8399
www.hotelzaza.com
Rooms from $259 and up.

Names, darling, names! The Hotel Zaza certainly boasts an impressive roster of celebrity check-ins Christina Aguilera, Todd Oldham, the Queer Eye's Fab 5, Hilary Duff, Zach Braff, Missy Elliott, Melissa Etheridge, the list goes on as well as gorgeously appointed "concept" suites. The Moulin Rouge-esque "Bohemian," swinging 60s' flavored "Shag-a-delic," and Italian Renaissance-ish "Medusa," while the "Magnificent Seven" suites take luxury to Texas-sized proportions: for example, the Asian-tinged, 2,100+ sq. foot "Crouching Tiger," and film noir-flavored "Raven." Amenities include feather pillows, complimentary T1 Internet, marble baths, and a turndown service with novelty candy/candles, while the ZaSpa provides relaxing, pampering services. Plus two hip, see-and-be-seen hotspots occupy Zaza's ground floor the poolside Urban Oasis lounge and Dragonfly fusion restaurant and you're within walking distance to the Goss Gallery, a must-visit contempo art haven owned by George Michael's partner, Kenny Goss (they own a house in Dallas!).

Holly's Place
1201 Rufus Allen Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151
Tel: (800) 745-7041
www.hollysplace.com
$165 and up.

If you want to truly get lost for a spell, Holly's Place fits the bill - even guests occasionally can't find this lesbian-owned oasis of peace and friendliness. "We're not easy to find at all," admits owner Holly Eimer. "Nobody knew I was here for years!" Happily, maps can currently be accessed on the website and printed out. Eimer and partner Marianne Preston opened their retreat in 1989, which is surrounded by the cobalt blues of Lake Tahoe. Chastity Bono is amongst the women to flock here for some R&R and 3 1/2 acres' worth of nature. Hiking, biking, golf and ski slopes are amongst the local lures, while the 8 cozy cabins are dubbed with tellingly queer names, including the "Streisand" and "Alice Walker." Women have raved about the friends made, the barbecues, and Holly's coffee (shipped from San Francisco's Castro Cheesery), and many become regulars. While Holly says she plans to host two women's events yearly starting with October 2006 gay men have also become part of the guest list in recent months. "I've got 2 guys coming and they're staying in the Streisand cabin," Eimer reports. "But I think they were considering the Martina."

Romeo's Holiday in P-Town
97 Bradford Street
Provincetown, MA 02657
Tel: (877) MY-ROMEO (697-6636)
www.romeosholiday.com
Rooms from $58 and up (off-season).

One of our favorite summer destinations, Provincetown lacks not for LGBT-friendly accommodations. But the gay-owned Romeo's Holiday is set apart by its reasonable rates ($95-178 during high season), a clothing-optional deck and hot tub (the only in P-town), and modern conveniences like free wireless internet. A 160-year-old Greek revival home owned by Stan Klein since 1998, and catering to a generally all-male clientele, Romeo's Holiday has operated as a guesthouse for over 40 years. Its basement used to house an after-hours club frequented by Judy Garland! Each of the eight rooms is titled after a Shakespearean work (the suggestion of a guest). Nicest is the top floor's "Taming of the Shrew" ("It's like your own oasis," remarks Klein), while "The Comedy of Errors" is one of the best priced rooms in all of P-town. Klein and his partner, Lenny Fratangelo a licensed massage therapist who offers discounted rates to Holiday guests - keep it gay even in wintertime. The house has won numerous Provincetown Business Guild honors for its holiday lighting decorations.