While the country struggles with the issue of same-sex marriage, hotels in Boston, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and San Francisco are proclaiming themselves both gay and family-friendly.
Same-sex couples traveling with children will find a variety of offerings – gay, lesbian and straight – in most North American urban centers. “When we travel with our girls,” say a New York father and his partner, “we pick gay-friendly destinations, like a city where we can at least go visit the gay areas, but we don`t necessarily stay in gay-operated establishments.” Here’s a selection of the types of hotels where GLBT adults will be comfortable socially — and kids will be treated to amenities and special facilities — that gay and lesbian couples with children will discover more and more, over time.
Across the US
Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants (415/397-5572), originally from San Francisco, has turned its gay-friendly formula into a very successful boutique hotel concept welcoming all types of style-conscious travelers. Kimpton has taken many of their fresh ideas, such as providing goldfish to guests who miss their pets back home, to small, hip, upscale hotels around the country. With 14 of their 39 properties in and around San Francisco alone, families will enjoy perusing their website to select one with the glamour, wild fabrics, lavish mirrors, sleekly modern fixtures or a combination of looks for which the chain has become known.
Best yet, families will now find Kimpton Hotels in Silicon Valley; Portland, Oregon; Vanouver, BC; Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; Chicago, Illinois; Denver and Aspen, Colorado; New York City; New Orleans, Louisiana; Washington DC; Boston, Massachusetts; and the funky South Beach suburb of Coconut Grove, Florida. Many have seasonal packages in which tickets to local attractions, or other family perks, are bundled with room rates.
New to 2008, the gay-owned and operated Attitude Hotels boasts Premier, Comfort, and Value hotels along with a selection of Inns and B&B’s. Currently, Attitude can only be found in the United States in New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Springs. But their brand has already spread throughout Europe, Thailand, the Caribbean and plans for worldwide expansion. A twist on the norm, Attitude calls themselves “straight-friendly” with a focus on offering a welcoming environment to the gay and lesbian traveler.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston has a wide variety of LGBT-welcoming lodges, ranging from the Wyndham Boston (877/999-3223) where family packages include late check-out and an in-room pizza party, to six other Wyndham hotels, including two of their Summerfield Suites’ all-suite hotels.
There are seven Hilton-managed properties (800/HILTONS) in Boston, including four of the all-suite Doubletree hotels as well as the high-tech Hotel@MIT in Cambridge. For families interested in sightseeing, we recommend the Hilton Boston Back Bay (pool pictured at left), within walking distance of most attractions, or the Doubletree Guest Suites Boston, which is further away but on the shores of the scenic Charles River near Cambridge. This hotel of one-bedroom suites, with spacious living rooms with sofabeds and privacy for the kids, has free shuttle service to Harvard Yard, Faneuil Hall and Copley Square.
Dallas, Texas
Dallas, with its strong theatre base, art galleries, fine museums and the popular Oaklawn neighborhood for nightlife, has long been a gay stronghold. The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau is quick to remind an inquiring audience that Dallas has the sixth largest gay population in the United States, Texas’ largest gay nightclub and, in this conservative state, the largest LGBT church in the world. The ongoing Main Street Initiative, a downtown revitalization project aimed at boosting downtown shopping and dining, and the forthcoming Trinity River Project, a recreation oasis with two lakes, hike and bike trails, an 8,000-acre park and three bridges (including a 40-story suspension bridge designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava) are sure to increase the city’s appeal as a cultural destination.
The Adam’s Mark Dallas (214/922-8000; 800/444) represents a small chain of 13 city hotels that is gay and family-welcoming. Other popular hotels, each with business facilities, large swimming pools, fitness centers and a central location, include the Crowne Plaza Market Center, Hilton Lincoln Center, the Stoneleigh, the Westins of Dallas and the Wyndham Anatole, a property, like other Wyndhams, that goes out of its way to appeal to kids. The Kimpton Groups’ Hotel Palomar (214/520-7969) is a magnet for style-conscious travelers and cool kids.
New York, New York
In bustling New York City, the ideal neighborhood for same-sex couples and their kids might well be Chelsea, a casually fashionable quarter north of Greenwich Village, south of Times Square, on Manhattan’s West Side. It’s a lively walkable district of low-rise historic buildings and townhouses interspersed with the Flower Market, Garment District and galleries, not far from Macy’s or Madison Square Garden. The 20-story Hampton Inn Chelsea (212/414-1000) has 144 simple, clean and comfortable rooms, offering a coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, data port and WiFi Internet access, and free in-room movie channel. Families are entitled to free local calls and a free breakfast bar, as well as a complimentary newspaper.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is one of our favorite family destinations, a small, civilized and eminently walkable place filled with history, fascinating neighborhoods and gracious residents. The city’s tourism office claims the City of Brotherly Love (and location for the gay rights film, “Philadlephia”) as the “site of some of the nation’s earliest gay rights protests in the mid-1960s.” Gay-friendly, family-friendly, whatever. This is a terrific destination any time of year.
The Best Western Independence Park (215/922-4443) is in its own landmark building near the new Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Penn’s Landing and other historic attractions. It features a glass-enclosed courtyard where complimentary breakfast (including a “make your own waffle bar”) and afternoon Tea & Cookies are served, spacious rooms with VCRs, a guest laundry room, and a pets-welcome policy.
The Loews Philadelphia (215/627-1200) is located right on Market Street, near the Convention Center and City Hall, in the former PSFS bank dating from 1932. A National Historic Landmark, this luxurious 583-room hotel (including 37 suites) offers families Loews Loves Kids, Teens and Grandparents packages, plus rooms with business equipment and work desks, 3 phone lines (teens will love this!), coffee maker, ironing board and iron. Overall, there are a stylish lobby and public spaces marked by historic marble flooring, with classic Cartier clocks that used to adorn the bank. Facilities include a heated indoor pool, fitness center, good business facilities, and a pet-welcoming policy typical of al the Loews Hotels.
Alexander Inn (877/ALEX-.INN, 215/923-3535) is located near Rittenhouse Square in the city’s most walkable district. It’s gay-owned but welcomes everyone with its fairly-priced stylish rooms, artwork, complimentary food service including a breakfast buffet, fruit and snacks; in-room TVs with several movie channels. Some spacious corner rooms have two double beds.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, a city by any measure, has such a warm desert climate year-round that business is often conducted at the golf course, tennis club, or around the pool. Given their outstanding recreation facilities, most of the city’s top hotels would be considered resorts elsewhere. Imagine an urban getaway that promises a waterslide outside your room, a fascinating museum of Native American arts nearby, and terrific Mexican and Southwest cuisine at every corner.
We turned to Passport magazine for their pick of the top hotels for same-sex couples, and they came up with the Arizona Biltmore (800/950-0086), Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch (800/633-7313), Phoenician (800/888-8234), and the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort (800/947-9784), all top family choices. However, all but the Pointe Hilton are quite pricey, especially in the winter high season. Savings of up to 50% can be found in the broiling summer months. The heat is just bearable if you remember to spend the middle part of each day indoors — easy to do when you realize each of these properties has an excellent children’s program for the kids and a top-notch spa for adults.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco, the nation’s largest gay community, is one of its major family destinations. “Every hotel in San Francisco is gay-friendly,” notes a San Francisco C&VB spokesperson. “During the open period for same-sex unions, several hotels just refocused honeymoon packages and added family elements for the newlyweds who came with children.”
From dozens of excellent hotels, one local chain deserves special mention. Joie de Vivre Hospitality (800/738-7477) is a collection of boutique hotels that successfully markets to the LGBT crowd. Their 25 small properties in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Marin County welcome all travelers to “innovative and idiosyncratic niche hospitality products.” The elegant motel-style Hotel de Sol in the Marina district, the landmark Maxwell House on Union Square and the small studios at the Laurel Inn in Pacific Heights especially welcome gays with children and/or pets. In fact, their formula has proven so successful that they are consultants to The Indigo Hotels, a new brand of mid-priced, style-savvy hotels started in 2004 by the huge InterContinental Hotels corporation.
On a much smaller scale, the eight-room Inn on Castro (415/861-0321) sums up what the entire tourism industry should be aspiring to. This B&B welcomes singles, families – gay and straight – as well as grandparents, to its two-bedded rooms and three-person apartment. Muses innkeeper Frederick Schermer, “Though it is not always easy to predict how ‘gay’ and ‘sexual’ the inn in going to be, in general, there is not too much going on… but friendly people staying at our small B&B.”
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we really appreciate your comments and have just updated this story in response. Thanks for keeping us up to date! – editors
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Hello,
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There are so many great ranches that it is a fun challange to find the right one for you…but I have to say that the Dude Ranchers' Association website and directory are a very big help…you will find quality ranch vacations that will match what you are looking for. I recommend contacting the Association for more information.
Story tapes allow the driver to be amused and entertained along with the troops. The website Audible.com has a selection of stories for children and families and it allows you to preview a story to see if you like the reader.
A & J Aparments are no longer a vacation rental.
Sage Mountain Villas, the area code would be (284) not (809) we have not used that area code in many many years and is now used but the Dominican Republic.
Hello to all ! Great site. I am new here greetings to all from Poland.
Hello to all ! Great site. I am new here greetings to all from Poland.
These are all great options and sound like lots of fun. We've been planning to visit New Zealand and the Butterfield & Robinson vacations seem to be right up our alley.Thanks for the suggestion it sure beats me stressing over the details.
If you're looking for a place to stay try to have a look on http://www.rivierAds.com. Hope this helps.
For the bargain hunter, the beauty of Yosemite can still be enjoyed with an inexpensive stay at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging. The resort is now offering <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com">Yosemite lodging</a> starting at only $39 for two nights for a yurt that can accommodate up to five people. Yosemite cabins start at only $49 for two nights for a basic cabin that can accommodate four people. With the Yosemite National Park entrance fee of $20 per car for unlimited entries for seven days, a family can spend less than $100 for two days of Yosemite-area lodging and admission to the park. These special rates are available at http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-camping-specials.html during the fall and winter season. Some restrictions apply. Yosemite Pines (http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com) is an RV resort, campground, and lodge located near Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Pines offers <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-camping-rv-tent.html">Yosemite camping</a> near Yosemite National Park with full hook-up RV and campsites. Yosemite Pines also offers Yosemite lodging and <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-cabins-yurts.html">Yosemite cabin rentals</a> near Yosemite National Park with cabin and yurt rentals. Amenities include a clubhouse, gold mine, gold panning, petting zoo, swimming pool, hiking trail, general store, children’s playground, horseshoe pit, and volleyball.
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You can find information about the Caribean zone at http://www.Cahuita.cr
D.C. is incredible. I love going there for the cherry blossom festival and I have also been lucky enough to get a tour of the White House's West Wing.
The Verizon Center is a great place to see concerts, and the metro is such an easy and convenient way to get around.
I'm lucky to live just a couple hours away in Colonial Beach, a great little riverside resort town.
I always wanted to visit Jamaica with my kids (boys 7 & 12), but lots of people really discouraged me with horror stories about the safety and attitude of locals towards tourists. I was told if we decide to go just make sure we stay inside our resort. We love exploring and learning new things so this keeps me away.
Thanks,
busymom
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Hi Guys,
Just joined up, thought i would say Hi 🙂
Claire
You can contact this tour operator in South Africa that specializes in African Safari. http://www.journeyintoafrica.co.za/
Hi. I like your story. I'm here in Växjö on a study abroad semester from SFSU. I found a nice Miyata 12 speed and totally refurbished it, including a new free wheel and brake levers. My main question is how easy it is to get on Swedish highways? I giving serious thought to riding to Copenhagen via Malmo from Växjö. I'm sure I can make an average of 80 miles a day but I would really like to just hop on a highway and tread right to Malmo. Do you know if Swedes allow riding on larger roads? I had a some problems with this in the states.
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Thank you for the interesting piece about Provence, and for giving us the courage to consider a French holiday with OUR teenagers the coming summer! It sounds like it was a great time for all. Looking forward to following your further family holidays.
The Gaylord Resort is a great place, although it's a bit far from downtown Nashville. But if you don't mind driving a bit, it's an empire unto itself and older kids can amuse themselves for hours just exploring the place.
UNLESS ITS NOT A CROWDED DAY, I THINK THE CABLE CARS ARE A MAJOR PAIN WITH TODDLERS. I WOULD WAIT TIL KIDS ARE OLDER TO GO TO THE TROUBLE UNLESS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND JOSSLE FOR A SEAT.
I ALSO THINK CROSSING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IS FUN, BUT ALSO LOST ON TODDLERS, SO UNLESS YOU WANT TO DO IT, SKIP THAT ATTRACTION OR MAYBE JUST WALK OUT A LITTLE WAYS.
THE EXPLORATORIUM SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR A COLD, FOGGY OR RAINY DAY – IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE FOR LITTLE ONES TO RUN AROUND AND PUSH, PULL AND POKE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.
if you're in Scotland you have to try the national dish, haggis, just don't tell your children what it is! It's actually quite delicious. Scots often refer to dessert as pud or pudding, but they mean the entire gamut of dessert items, not just pudding.
I think it's important to get out of the city and go into the country if you get the time. Check the calendars to see where a Scottish game might be where there will be bagpipers, the tossing of the caber, and all kinds of interesting Highland games. They take place throughout the spring and summer throughout the country and are well worth a detour.
I'd skip Poble Espanyol in Barcelona — way too touristy — unless you want to take advantage of the kids crafts activities.
Kids adore Gaudi's crazy Sagrada Familia, the high-spired church that soars above the skyline. Pay to take the elevator up and then climb down the tight spiral staircase – your kids will be thrilled.
Barcelona;s beachfront was developed during the Olympics, it's now a relaxing way to spend an afternoon with the kids after too much busy city-touring.
Another great kid pleaser is the aerial tram ride up to Montjuic where older kids may enjoy the Olympics museum or a quick stop in the Miro museum.
Villa Cosmica
Villa Cosmica is located on the south side of Puerto Vallarta, far away from the noise, where only the sound of wild birds and the whispering of the waves colliding in the ocean will awaken you every morning. Enjoy this 5 bedroom house, where all bedrooms surround a beautiful swimming pool with a Jacuzzi for 10 people and the most marvellous view to the bay is just a glance away from you. All the bedrooms have air conditioning, also our T.V. room with a game table and SKY cable at your service. Our living room, in the center of the villa is open to the breeze, under a beautiful palapa roof with a small bar to pamper all your senses.
Bedrooms: 5 Sleeps: 10 Baths: 6
Floors: 2 Parking Space: 2 Year Built: 2007
Size of Unit: 450 sq. mts.
Period Nightly Weekly Monthly
Jan 6, 2009 – Apr 30, 2009 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
May 1, 2009 – Nov 15, 2009 $978.00 $6,846.00 N/A
Nov 16, 2009 – Dec 17, 2009 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
Dec 18, 2009 – Jan 5, 2010 $1,840.00 $12,880.00 N/A
Jan 6, 2010 – Apr 30, 2010 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
May 1, 2010 – Nov 15, 2010 $978.00 $6,846.00 N/A
Nov 16, 2010 – Dec 17, 2010 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
Dec 18, 2010 – Jan 5, 2011 $1,840.00 $12,880.00 N/A
http://www.pvrpv.com
Gay Friendly Puerto Vallarta
Nestled between the lush jungle greenery of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the sparkling waters of one of the world’s largest bays, The Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta has earned an international reputation as one of the best Gay tourist cities in the world.
Being a port city and a destination for many cruise lines including RSVP and Atlantis, Puerto Vallarta is tolerant and abundant with all things gay.
The center of the activity is the charming section of old town known as The Zona Romantica. Here you will find cobbled streets, red tiled roofs and lovely white washed buildings rich with Spanish architecture. Many gay owned and gay friendly businesses including restaurants, bars, shops and art galleries for every pallet and taste, fill the narrow streets of this splendid fishing village.
Coming Events
There are no scheduled events.
Most tourists spend their day on the gay beach. With its white sand and raging surf Playa Los Muertos is the place to be and be seen. Find a deck chair, sit back and relax and let the friendly servers indulge you with great cocktails and yummy food while you unwind and watch whales and dolphins frolic in the blue ocean waters. If beaching is not for you, Puerto Vallarta offers many gay tours to fill your days. Bay cruises, horseback riding through the jungle, bike rides along the Rio Cuale and canopy tours are just a few of the many activities available.
Late afternoon the roof top bars of the gay hotels offer entertainment and a place to enjoy and view spectacular sunsets. These lively spots are crowded with beautiful men and women drinking, laughing and sharing their stories. After the sun sinks into the ocean, it’s time for dinner. From internationally recognized 5 star restaurants to small local eateries Puerto Vallarta is a foody’s delight. At last count, Puerto Vallarta boosted over 1100 restaurants of every description. Haute cuisine to meatloaf, the list of places to dine is extensive and wonderful.
Being a top gay destination, Puerto Vallarta offers more gay bars and dance clubs than most mid-sized American cities. Cantinas, martini bars, stripper and drag shows and fabulous dance clubs await you. As some of the clubs serve until 6am, most are not busy until 1am, so it is advisable to take that all important ¨Disco nap¨ before heading out.
While the vast majority of gay travelers are from Canada and the United States, Vallarta, recently has seen an increase in gay tourists from Europe and as far away as Australia. Gay men and women world wide are discovering and falling in love with the little spot of paradise that is Puerto Vallarta, making it Mexico’s and perhaps the world’s, gay mecca.
It’s good to be gay and it’s great to travel to such a gay friendly resort town. Puerto Vallarta beckons and embraces its gay tourists and it will be a spot you will return to often.
Agree that the skiing is absolutely terrific – the tram to the top of the mountain makes this resort absolutely awesome top to bottom. But I think there is one level of skier/rider who would have trouble – the advanced beginner or beginning intermediate. There isn't as much terrain to select for this group. But it's a resort that you definitely have to experience at least once – and you might get hooked and never want to go anywhere else!
It's important to start 'em young! Of all the family vacations you can pick that can last through the decades, skiing is the very best. When the kids are little you get a break because they're having fun in ski school. When they're older and more accomplished you can ski together. When they're teens and are whizzing past you, you can still ride up the chairlift with them and have them to yourself in the condo. Then when they're in college, you get to spend quality time with them on the slopes and in the condo because you're buying your lift ticket. It's a family vacation that can continue on as a tradition until you're too old to strap on a pair of skis…
i think many accidents occur when new teen or young men (and sometimes women) who are not very experienced are out with their much-more experienced pals. They get talked into trying a part of the mountain that is too much for them and then they try to keep up. They get themselves into trouble that way and often are injured.
If you are looking into hostels and you are a family, call the hostel to get a sense of the character of the place. We went to a hostel once with our elementary age kids(not in a ski area) and it was filled with young 20 somethings and teens having lots of fun – smoking pot in the parking lot, partying, etc. Even though some hostels have family rooms, if the place is full of kids it can be uncomfortable. Some hostels do have older visitors and more families, so it pays to ask.
Don't forget to plan some time to see some of the other attractions in Monterey, like the aquarium, which has an amazing sea horse exhibition coming up and take a drive to Point Lobos to hike around and Big Sur to see some of California's most spectacular coastline. Have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur.
Great advice and some fun ideas for new places to try. thanks for sharing your family secrets!
All of Wyoming is a great destination with kids, but my family especially loved this place because it is really a unique bit of the Old West. Definitely worth a detour!
Hello People,
I Just joined up and am trying edit my profile but i can't see the button!! probably staring me in the face lol
thanks guys
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The 25-year-old tour company Wildland Tours has a family vacation package for 2009. It will be a great multi-generational adventure for folks who like whales, puffins, comfortable hotels, and the many wonders of Newfoundland.
Just stopping by to say that the fourm seems to be a great place so i thought that i would signup and join in on all the fun
Hello People,
Just joined! I'm liking it around here 🙂 hopefully i can contribute something to the forum in future.
G
Great article- I am a resident of oregon and my family and I enjoy the coast and central oregon. Oregon has some of the best fishing in the northwest and such a diverse climate to choose from year round. The weather is very tempermental and almost impossible to plan around so bring a rain coat and sunglasses. I think this article gave a pretty good overview of everything that Oregon has to offer.
Sunriver Resort is a quality organization with a great reputation in Oregon. I have been to sunriver probebly 10 times since moving to Oregon and we have used the resort 7 times to book vacation rental accomodations. I highly recomend them and also visiting Sunriver.
Good hotel in a great location.
I find it to be a good value hotel, breakfast facilities are one of the best i have seen. Room is great for people on a budget who want the amenities and cleanliness of a 5 star. I'm very happy with our choice.
Hello Cassiano!
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This is very interesting and helpful information.
Thank you,
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Very useful for me. Thanks!
This is a very good article. Thank you.
Just wanted to add that we're on Central Daylight Time and now open at 9:30 am (Holiday World) and 10:30 am (Splashin' Safari). In 2009, we're introducing the World's Tallest Water Ride, Pilgrims Plunge, plus the new (free) HoliWatch program which will help separated family members find each other during their visit.