Story by Sean Timberlake Photos: Courtesy Hotel Max The 7 Reasons I Love the Hotel Max, Seattle, Washington
1. Art to art. Staying at the Max is like a night at the museum -- the Museum of Modern Art, that is. The art of 39 Northwestern artists covers not only the walls of the rooms and halls, but each room's door and even the occasional window as well. So rich is the collection, no two rooms are adorned alike. If you're an art aficionado, you'll simply have to keep coming back until you've enjoyed each room's offerings. Pity.
2. Chic to chic. All art needs a good canvas, and the Max provides that in spades. Cool grey walls and strategic lighting let the art do the talking. From the minute you enter the lobby, the eye is drawn immediately to the pupil-popping high-gloss red lacquer panels of the reception desk. Pumpkin orange and hot pink accents pepper the décor and keep the eyes dancing in every room. With rooms from just $129, that's a lot of beauty for the buck.
3. You've been served. The Max's ever-smiling staff is unfailingly courteous, possibly a result of being surrounded by such gorgeous environs all day every day. No matter what your whim, they're at your beck and call -- literally: There's a "You Got It" button on the phone.
4. Move over, Gideon. Lots of hotels (the Max included) have a pillow menu, but the Max is concerned with the comfort of your spirit as well as your body. Whenever you're ready for a meditative moment, the Max's Spiritual Menu offers everything from the Bhagavad Gita to the Book of Mormon. They even have the Book of Scientology, so celebrity-spotting is not out of the question.
5. Pup with people. The Max is pet-friendly: For a $45 non-refundable fee, your best friend gets a pet bed, two bowls, treats, toy, bags, bottled water and dog food. Good boy! 6. Midnight sushi. Let's just say you've been out to Capitol Hill and need a little, um, absorption food. No problem! The Max offers 24-hour room services from Red Fin, their equally hip Asian-fusion restaurant below. They have sake, too. Just saying.
7. Gaycation! The Max is an equal-opportunity enabler of passion. Request their Gaycation! package and get a Climax Box has pink fuzzy handcuffs, pink blindfold, glow in the dark naughty dice, a tickling feather, lubricant and a mini max vibrator. Additionally, boys get an O Boy Kit; women receive a Tongue Dinger and O’My Clitoral Stimulating Gel. Cigarettes sold separately.
Recently, one of Out Traveler's own took a trip to the beautiful countryside surrounding Burlington, VT. Strikingly beautiful, Vermont is unique in that despite its farm-country appeal (and the freshness of its food), it's also extremely gay friendly, to the point that folks can barely distinguish between gay and straight couples.
A great place to get married, or go on a honeymoon, the Burlington area is a font of culture, with art exhibitions and plenty of adorable New England towns to explore—and maple candy to sample. It's also home to dozens of gay-owned or friendly B&Bs; there's great hiking, country estates, beautiful waterfalls, sugar shacks, and gourmet restaurants—including possibly some of the best haute cuisine, gay-owned, home-smoked barbecue ever invented!
Check it out in our nifty slideshow and look out for the full story to come out soon!
Illustration by Scott McPherson; Photos in order: Aefa Mulholland; Courtesy Hotel Victor; Laura Pavey Story by Aefa Mulholland
There are an increasing number of pet-friendly
hotel and motel chains. But we want them to be gay-friendly and
pet-friendly. To save you barking up the wrong tree next time you’re
in Miami, check out our recommendations and you won’t be chasing your
tail next time you want to know where to stay, play, eat, and meet when
traveling with four-legged friends.
Where to Hang Your Leash
Most rooms at the dramatic, Jacques
Garcia-designed Hotel Victor (1144 Ocean Drive; 305-428-1234; $319+) have ocean or pool views and half
have private terraces; even the standard rooms make good use of space
thanks to an open plan with curtains to divide bed and bath. The pool
is small but pretty, and flanked by a comfortable patio café. Small
pets are allowed for a cost of $150 and they have a Sunday evening yappy
hour from 5-7 in the Lobby Garden. Let the mutts romp as you order another
Salty Dawg or Dalmation.
The Tides (1220 Ocean Drive;
305-604-5070 or 866-438-4337; $475+) has been
meticulously restored into an elegant hotel of choice. Rooms are large
(the 45 units were created from 150 original rooms), and the decor is
stylish and inviting. Dogs up to 35 pounds are allowed to accompany
you for $50 a day. You can arrange to have dogs walked by the bellman.
Cats are welcome, too, and litter boxes can be provided.
The stylish, affordable Aqua Hotel
and Lounge (1530 Collins Ave.; 305-538-4361;
$135) is only a block away from the beach in a fabulous location, and
has a very friendly staff and a relatively low-key atmosphere. It’s
within easy walking distance of a slew of dog-friendly open-air cafés
on Lincoln Road, as well as SoBe’s Dog Bar, a 24-hour
pet department store. Book the pet-friendly package ($135). The price
includes gourmet dry food, a chewy bone, and bottled water.
Chow… dog-friendly spots to grab
some kibble
China Grill (404 Washington Ave,
at 5th Street; 305-534-2211;
$28-79) is an epicenter of the straight celebrity dining scene. Like
its Manhattan sibling, it serves Pacific Rim modern cuisine, and manages
to be intimate despite its enormousness. The dress and atmosphere tend
to be dark New York chic. There are doggie menus, play areas, and a
puppy lounge at Dogs Gone Wild
on Sundays from 5-10p.m.
The always-open News Café (800
Ocean Drive; 305-538-6397; $11-27) is a good see-and-be-seen
place when you and your pet are looking fit.
When craving Japanese or Thai, the gay
crowd with pets in tow heads to World Resource Café (719 Lincoln
Rd; 305-535-8987; $10-14). Both have ample
outside dining for people watching.
Van Dyke Café (846 Lincoln Rd;
305-534-3600; $16-26), from the owners of News
Café, has a similar menu without the chaos of the Ocean Drive location.
Dogs are welcome on the patio.
Run, Dog RunFlamingo Bark Park
(999 11th St.) is one of three designated dog parks
within Miami Beach. There are two gated dog runs, as well as running
water and training equipment.
You can't visit Miami and not head to
its beautiful beaches. Visit Rickenbacker Causeway Beach -- it
extends the length of the Rickenbacker Causeway from downtown Miami
to Key Biscayne. Your furry buddy is allowed along the entire stretch.
Located at Kennedy Park, Dog Chow
Dog Park’s (2400 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove; 954-570-9507)
off-leash areas include a separate section for small dogs.
Let your four-legged friend frolic with
other pets or just take in the rays at Amelia Earhart Bark Park
(401 East 65th St.; 305-755-7800).
Illustration by Scott McPherson Photos in order: Kyra Thomson (1); Getty Images (2) Story by Aefa Mulholland
There are an increasing number of pet-friendly hotel and motel chains. But we want them to be gay-friendly and pet-friendly. To save you barking up the wrong tree next time you’re in Chicago, check out our recommendations and you won’t be chasing your tail next time you want to know where to stay, play, eat, and meet when traveling with four-legged friends.
Where to Hang Your Leash Peninsula Chicago has been rated by Condé Nast Traveler as the top luxury property in the world -- and yes, this is where celebrities like Madonna and Jennifer Aniston stay. If your pet (of any sort up to 20lbs) deserves the same sort of star treatment, book them in and they’ll enjoy creature room service and pet beds.
If you’ve got a bigger beast, Hotel Allegro is the hotel for you. Allegro welcomes pets up to 200lbs, and as many of them as you care to travel with, no deposit required. The hotel provides treats, feeding bowls, mats, bottled water, beds, pick-up bags, and list of local pet services. Pet packages include pet “swag bags,” with snacks, water, and a leash. It also includes a 20-minute dog walk. It’s not just good for you and your pet -- $5 of the room charge is donated to the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society.
The most dramatic Kimpton property is Hotel Burnham in the spectacularly renovated 1885 Reliance Building. All pets are welcome and receive a bowl and bed for the evening. Partial proceeds from your stay go to PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving).
Chow…dog-friendly spots to grab some kibble Parisian delights star at downtown’s Brasserie Jo, where there are rumors that despite city ordinances forbidding pets to be fed at restaurants, more than one mutt has tucked into a plate of steak tartare.
The patio at Gold Coast gem Oak Street Beachstro is popular with dogs and humans. Check ahead that no special events are happening on the patio.
Lincoln Park neighborhood watering hole Joe’s Sports Bar donates 10% of patio profits to PAWS during Wednesday evening Doggie Happy Hours (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Red Dog House provides treats, toys, and T-shirts.
Run Dog, Run If it's raining and your four-legged friend has cabin fever, join Of Mutts and Men (773-477-7171) in Roscoe Village and enjoy pool tables, chessboards, free coffee, and a TV area. Dogs may roam off-leash inside.
During summer, Mercury Skyline Cruise Line offers a dog-friendly cruise. Take a 90-minute drift past downtown’s riverfront on the Chicago River.
If your dog likes playing catch, take him to a Major League Baseball game to see the White Sox play. This annual event, usually held in April, gives the two of you left field seats at Comiskey Park.
Illustration by Scott McPherson; Photos: Getty Images (2) Story by Aefa Mulholland
There are an increasing number of pet-friendly hotel and motel chains. But we want them to be gay-friendly and pet-friendly. To save you barking up the wrong tree next time you’re in San Francisco, check out our recommendations and you won’t be chasing you tail next time you want to know where to stay, play, eat, and meet when traveling with four-legged friends.
Where to Hang Your Leash
The Prescott the crown jewel of the Kimpton Group, offers four-star quality, room service from Postrio, and a spectacular suite with baby grand piano. Pets are welcome at no additional charge and are provided with food/water bowls, bottled water, faux sheepskin pet bed, treats, leash, and pick-up bags.
Hotel Monaco is just two blocks from Union Square. All pets are welcome at no additional cost, but, as with all pet-friendly hotels, notify the hotel ahead of time. This 201-room property will stock your room with pet goodies including a copy of the book "A Dog Lover’s Guide to the Bay Area," a luxury pet bed, designer bowls, pick-up bags, and a souvenir dog/cat toy. The hotel even has a “Director of Pet Relations,” a chocolate lab called Monaco Maverick.
Chow… dog-friendly spots to grab some kibble Cole Valley’s French bistro Zazie Café (941 Cole St; 415-564-5332; $12-19) hosts Doggy Nights on Mondays on the heated outside patio, with a $10 discount on Ruff Red Zinfandel plus doggy treats.
Perched on the corner of Dolores Park, lesbian-owned Dolores Park Café draws a mixed crowd of locals. The park-side location and density of canines ensure a lively afternoon of people (and pet) watching.
Ti Couz (3108 16th St; 415-252-7373; $7-15) is an authentic Breton crèperie, serving savory and sweet crèpes. Try the powerful and tasty hard cider, served in shallow earthenware bowls. No reservations, so expect to wait on weekends for their inexpensive fare. Dogs are welcome at the outside patio.
Run Dog, Run Corona Heights (16th and Roosevelt; 415-831-2084) offers unique views of the city and is a favorite among local dog parents. Just be prepared for a steep climb.
Buena Vista Off Lead Dog Park (Buena Vista West at Central Avenue; 415-831-2084), the city's oldest park, offers breathtaking views. A popular destination because of its size, the off-leash area is located in a lower area, along the Western side of the park near Central Avenue.
As travelers have become savvier and vacation costs have skyrocketed, 'affordable luxury' has become the key phrase. A handful of Las Vegas resorts have tried one tactic -- essentially paying for guests' gas -- but a new luxury hotel brand has tried a more direct route: slashing room rates.
Recently launched with outposts in Montréal, California, Arizona and Massachussettes, aloft Hotels is a brainchild of the same team that gave life to the very gay-friendly W Hotels design-chic megabrand.
With the same attention to detail and decadence for guests -- W Hotels' Whatever/Whenever service has become aloft Hotels' anything/anytime -- aloft is aimed at a younger jet set.
This ideal, equally well-heeled and design-conscious customer, the new brand hopes, will be seduced by nifty tech perks (self-service check-in by touch-screen, including a room choice option not unlike that for choosing seats on an airplane; wireless everywhere; flatscreens and iPod docks; and E-room keys that can be downloaded to Blackberrys); luxury eco-friendliness; 9-foot ceilings and huge windows; and state-of-the-art spas and gyms for about $150 a night.
Illustration: Scott McPherson Photos: Getty Images Story by Aefa Mulholland
There are an increasing number of pet-friendly hotel and motel chains. But we want them to be gay-friendly and pet-friendly. To save you barking up the wrong tree next time you’re in Seattle, check out our recommendations and you won’t be chasing your tail next time you want to know where to stay, play, eat, and meet when traveling with four-legged friends.
Where to Hang Your Leash The Alexis Hotel (1007 First Ave., Downtown; 206-624-4844 or 800-426-7033; $249+) is an intimate, European-style hotel in a restored historic 1901 building. The pet-friendly property offers a "Doggie In-Room Dining Service Menu" and pet massages, while the hotel's Etherea Spa spoils human guests. All pets from hamsters to ostriches are welcome at no additional charge and receive a designer doggie bed, water bowl, bottled water, and treats. Pet-sitting services can be arranged. The art-filled hotel is within easy ambling distance of Pike Place Market and the waterfront.
Hotel Monaco (1101 Fourth Ave., Downtown; 206-621-1770 or 800-945-2240; $195+) offers a flotilla of treats for your four-legged traveling companion including, but not limited to, Cheese Hound Rounds, Slobber Gobbler Meat Loaf, and Boxer Brownies. If a quick scan of their appetizers and entrees doesn’t culminate in a booking, the deal is sure to be cemented by the prospect of a full wash and blow dry, pet massage, and a list of nearby dog parks. All pets are welcome at no additional charge. At check-in Very Important Pets receive complimentary food and water bowls and pick-up bags. Pet sitting and personalized pet itineraries can be arranged. There are monogrammed dog coats available to keep your pooch dry in the Seattle rain, with partial proceeds to the local Humane Society. Cat litter boxes are also provided. Lonesome travelers can borrow a goldfish for their room, or for more animated company, check out the nightly wine reception in the lobby featuring Northwestern wines.
Chow…dog-friendly spots to grab some kibble Pub lovers and their dogs will find a friendly welcome at Norm’s Eatery & Ale House (460 N. 36th St, Fremont; 206-547-1417; $10+). Dogs are even allowed inside to keep out of the Seattle rain. Four legged guests get fresh water bowls. Their human companions get excellent pub food, including impressive vegetarian selections.
Lombardi’s Cucina (2200 NW Market St, Ballard; 206-783-0055; $15-20), in hip Ballard, is a classic neighborhood Italian restaurant where dogs are allowed at outside tables.
It’s a bit further out of town, but The Dining Dog Café & Bakery (9635 Firdale Ave N, Edmonds; 425-314-4612 or 206-542-6249; $10+) is the perfect place to dine out with your dog! A full service menu includes Doggie Cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and a dessert tray including homemade doggie doughnuts. Show up at Yappy Hour for a Chowtini or call ahead if you need a doggie birthday cake or party. Owners get to snack on food from the Colonial Pantry upstairs.
Run Dog, Run San Point Magnuson Park (7400 Sand Point Way NE), seven miles from downtown, is the city’s only off-leash area with access to a beach. There’s running water to clean your pup after romps in the surf.
With over 500 acres and more than two miles of hiking trails, Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way) is the largest public park in the city. There are no off-leash areas, but there are impressive views of the Olympic peaks and the Puget Sound.
For more on Seattle area dog parks, and local rules and regulations, check here and for more pet-friendly city guides, including New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and more, look here!
For all of us not yet ready to retire our rainbow flags for the season, Dallas celebrates its Gay Pride this year on September 21st. If you’re still not sure whether or not you should jump on the gay Texas bandwagon, the Dallas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is offering a free trip for the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
The winner plus one guest receive round trip airfare, hotel stays, and breakfast for three nights at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center Hotel, along with two tickets to Gay Day at Six Flags (a gift from the Dallas Voice) and a lovely gift basket.
If any friends want to tag along but worried about needing a pet-sitter to get away can easily bring Fifi along, thanks to our guide to pet-friendly stays in Dallas.
You never know just who might be in the next room when you stay at a Kimpton Hotel. The array of exotic animals that has checked into their pet-friendly properties around the country makes up quite the menagerie.
The most exotic guests to check into Washington, D.C.’s Hotel Rouge? A penguin, a bear, an aardvark, and a variety of snakes!
The most exotic guests to check into Washington, D.C.’s Topaz Hotel? A flamingo, an anteater, a baby cougar, and a kangaroo!
Kimpton’s Washington D.C. hotels have hosted Sea World stars including Arusha the warthog, Cypress the anteater, Roswell the armadillo, and Penelope and Ruby the ibises.
If you happen to be traveling with some non-human allies in the near future, check out our past Pet-Friendly Guides for New York, San Diego, San Francisco and more!
Out Traveler G.P.S offers dispatches from the ever-expanding field of gay and lesbian travel -- as soon as we know, you know. Check back frequently for updates, insider information, advice, and offers brought to you by our ever-roving band of gay travel experts and by readers just like you.
OutTraveler.com Editor in Chief Ed Salvato and his team travel the world for you. Occasionally we miss something. If you don’t see your favorite destination, tip or deal featured here, tell us about it!
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