Photos courtesy of Luxury Scotland: The Old Course Hotel (1), The Gleneagles Hotel (2), Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa (3, 4) Story by Olga Bas
Though the Scottish gay scene is liveliest in Edinburgh and Glasgow, it does benefit from the U.K.'s progressive attitude: same-sex couples received the right to register civil partnerships in 2005. If you've got romance on the brain, it's hard to find a more majestic setting than staying at a hotel that resembles a medieval castle or regal manor house, but has all the modern amenities. The following scenic Scottish properties are currently upping the romance factor even further with special spa packages:
• The Gleneagles Hotel, located in Auchterarder, in the heart of Scotland, has a new Spa Essence Package offer for those wishing to escape from the bustle of the city. The package includes accommodations in a classic room, full Scottish breakfast, prix fixe dinner, 55-minute spa treatment and full use of the club's leisure facilities. Available through September 30, the package price starts at $730 per night, valid Sunday-Thursday. The Spa by ESPA is modern marvel with crystal steam rooms, tropical showers, cooling ice rubs, and a two Michelin-starred restaurant, Andrew Fairlie -- serving French cuisine with a Scottish twist.
• The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa situated on 11 acres of wooded grounds in Aberdeen, has two specials for its visitors, which can be combined. The Sunday Suite offer comes with a full a la carte menu, including Russian King Crab, Bed and Breakfast in one of our Junior Suites with a bottle of Pommery Champagne in your suite upon arrival for $478 (based on double occupancy), inclusive of VAT and service charges. The hotel's Spa Offer gives guests 20 percent off all spa treatments every Monday and Tuesday. The spa boasts multiple treatment rooms and extensive services ranging from mani/pedis to the Baleno Therapy Room -- a hydrotherapy bath unique to Scotland that relieves muscular tension and arthritis. The hotel is minutes from Aberdeen's city center, and there are at least 50 castles and 30 malt whiskey distilleries in the vicinity.
• The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa of Northern Scotland overlooks the beautiful Scottish coastline at West Sands beach. This prestigious five-star hotel has 144 rooms including 35 suites. The hotel's Kohler Spa, with relaxation treatments based on the healing properties of the earth’s mineral-rich waters, is currently offering the 24-hour Spa Escape. The package includes a one-night stay, full Scottish breakfast, 25-minute Kohler Massage, 25-minute Burst of Radiance Facial, a two-course spa lunch and unlimited use of the Kohler Waters Spa facilities; cost is $441 per night. The offer is good until March 2010.
• The six-story Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is in a prime location for sightseeing and hitting the bars. It also features the ONE SPA health and fitness complex, which is one of only five spas in Scotland to offer the new Super Active treatment from ESPA. The 80-minute treatment works on calming and soothing while repairing and restoring skin – including aging, dehydration and environmental stress is tailored specifically to each client and costs $177. When you book two consecutive nights through July 31, you'll get the third night free; the daily rate is $280 based on double occupancy. The hotel also features an outdoor rooftop hydropool, Finnish sauna, thermal suites, and a state-of-the-art gym.
About: True to its name, Spirit Journeys strives to not only provide memorable trips to exotic locales, but also to create opportunities for mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. The company offers gay travel adventures lasting 12 to 16 days that are filled with visits to off-the-beaten-path parts of the destination, and weeklong retreats or workshops that focus on creating a community within the group, with the tour guides acting as teachers. In addition to soul searching and yoga, there are also ample opportunities for poolside tanning and shopping.
Price range: $995-4,095
Upcoming trips: "Together" is the first retreat for gay male couples, set for April 24-May 1, 2010 on beautiful, secluded Thatch Caye Island off the south-central coast of Belize. The goal of the 10-couple retreat is "to connect deeper with the man you love, as well as a chance for relaxation and play." Days are filled with outdoor activities such as fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking (daily and other trips included in package); there are also daily exploratory group sessions dealing with the subjects of unconditional love, acceptance, etc. You have the choice of staying in one of the five Thatch Cabanas or one of the five elevated Thatch Casitas (little homes); the group is taking over the island in its entirety.
Deals and steals: When you register early for any of the trips offered by Spirit Journeys, you will save $100. Deadlines vary by trip. Register for the featured couples retreat by November 1, 2009 and you'll pay as little as $1,595.
Twin Farms, a country estate spanning over 300 acres of green meadows in Barnard, Vermont, is celebrating the changing seasons with a Spring into Summer promotion. When you book two nights, the third night is free. Only have time for a one or two-night getaway? Then opt for a complimentary one-hour in-room massage or spa service each day instead. The promotion runs through September 12 and includes weekends.
The property's late 18th-century farmhouse and lodge is converted into six elegant guest suites ($1,300-1,500 based on double occupancy) plus a living room and dining room, and ten guest cottages ($2,000-3,000 based on double occupancy) dot the grounds. Rates include four meals a day and complimentary wine -- the Twin Farms cellar is stocked with 26,000 bottles of French and California vintages. Guests also have access to a pub, fitness center, spa treatment facility, lakeside cabana, and a Japanese-style sunken tub.
During the summer, activities range from hiking, biking, fly-fishing, and picnicking to canoeing, tennis, swimming, and croquet. In the winter, skiing, snowshoe hikes, sleigh rides, and ice skating keep guests active. The property is also available to rent for weddings, civil unions, and vow-renewal ceremonies.
Travel tip: If you're traveling with a tour, be sure to get the guide's cell phone number in case you get separated from the group and need to contact him or her.
Photos courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton (1, 2), GEM Chelsea (3) Story by Olga Bas
In honor of June Pride and the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, we've compiled a list of New York City hotels that are offering Pride-specific deals.
• All Marriott Hotels in the New York area are offering the new OUT in New York package. Five percent of the package room rate will be donated to GLAAD, and you will receive a detailed LGBT New York travel guide from Out Traveler as well as breakfast for two. Aside from convenient locations (like the heart of Times Square), the Marriott boasts marble bathrooms and state-of-the-art fitness centers with great views. Rates vary from hotel to hotel and room to room, but range from $224-659 per night. Valid through December 31. Use the promotional code VIQ when making your online reservation, or call 800-228-9290 in the U.S.
• The 39-story, 298-room Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park, which overlooks historic New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, has not one, but two Pride packages. The Gay Pride Dance on the Pier package is available June 27 or June 28 and starts at $545; it includes overnight luxury accommodations in a Club Level City View guest room and two VIP Access tickets to the official NYC LGBT Dance on the Pier with fireworks and the musical talents of Phillip Kimball, Jack Reina, and Corey Craig. The Gay Pride Splash package is available June 26 or June 27 and starts at $295; it includes an upgrade to a Deluxe Harbor View guest room at time of booking and two tickets to Splash Bar in Union Square for drinks and dancing.
• In celebration of Pride, the GEM Hotel Chelsea is offering guests 10% off its starting room rate ($189) June 26 through July 5. Although it's more affordable than the typical New York hotel, the GEM Chelsea doesn't sacrifice luxury. In addition to the standard LCD TVs and turndown service, it also offers high-end Gilchrist & Soames bath amenities, monogrammed bathrobes, and free shoeshine service. To receive the discount, use the promotional code TAG when making your online reservation, or call 212-675-1911.
Don't forget to check out our W vs. Kimpton post for hotel deals in NYC and beyond.
Money-saving tip: Inquire at your hotel or hostel about local entertainment that's not geared toward tourists. Usually there are inexpensive or free concerts available at the nearby cafes and bars or free movie screenings in the park.
Photos courtesy of Watershed Cabins Story by Olga Bas
Gay-owned Watershed Cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina feature luxury log cabin rentals for the savvy, outdoor-loving traveler. The property is currently offering an exclusive deal for OutTraveler.com and GPS readers: 15% off your stay (rates range from $120-490 per night), two free spa services, and a choice of either two free hiking or kayaking trips when you mention OT. Super-peak periods are blacked out (their highest rate class, usually holidays) and your stay must be completed before Oct. 1.
Located near Fontana Lake, Bryson City, the Cherokee Indian Reservation, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Watershed Cabins provide log homes, chalets, and cottages that range from one-bedroom units to five-bedroom handcrafted wood lodges that can house 15 people (or more). Amenities include stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, surround-sound systems, 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, and a hot tub in every cabin. Deluxe or super-deluxe cabins also offer entertainment that ranges from a foosball table or pool table to a karaoke machine.
If you can pry yourself out of the hot tub, outdoor activities abound -- horseback riding, whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and fly fishing for trout.
Travel tip: Bring a pair of earplugs when you hit the road. When you find yourself sitting next to a loud passenger on a plane, stuck in a train with a crying infant, or staying in a hotel with thin walls, they are an indispensable, affordable solution.
It's always hard to choose between a W Hotel or a Kimpton property: both have stellar service, offer personalized amenities, and are incredibly gay-friendly. Every chic W, like every cool Kimpton, is also unique, so there's a 'Try them all!' impulse that's hard to ignore.
Whichever way you swing on your next vacation, though, both W Hotels and Kimpton are showing their LGBT guests some substantial prizes, so you can't go wrong.
W Hotels has renewed their Pride 365 package for 2009, which means discounts and bonus amenities through February 2010 at any of their hotels (New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, Seattle...).
Rates vary by property, so inquire ahead, but amenities to look forward to wherever you stay include: a pair of complimentary cocktails, a flight amenity kit (every traveler's essential carry-on), a Bliss travel skin care kit, and a copy of the latest Big Trips: More Good Gay Travel Writing anthology to give you some ideas for the next trip!
Kimpton's third annual Summer of Pride package -- through September 29, 2009 -- is nothing to sneeze at, though. Booking two nights gifts you with a third free weekend night to add onto your trip, plus a $50 dining credit at the hotel's restaurant which are often among the top restaurants in town. Having scored a perfect 100 on the HRC's Equality Index since 2004, Kimpton's also added a new LGBT honor to its list in 2008: all its hotels are now members of IGLTA.
About:Sea Kayak Adventures has been going strong since 1993, offering sea kayaking trips and wildlife encounters for the outdoor-minded adventurer. The carbon-neutral, locally guided trips range from four- to ten-day stays in Baja, the Galapagos Islands, or Vancouver Island, B.C. Gourmet meals are served and all needed equipment is provided.
Price range: $895-3,690
Upcoming trips:The Johnstone Strait trip has start dates in July and August (some tours end early September) with four-day, five-day or six-day options. Prices range from $995-1,295; those under 18 receive a 10% discount (minimum age is 15). The Canadian expedition, which needs at least eight bookings to depart, leaves from Telegraph Cove in northeastern Vancouver Island, the heart of orca territory. Camps are made on the surrounding beaches, including a private island owned by the indigenous First Nations people. There are also opportunities for spotting humpback whales, Dall's porpoises, or harbor seals, as well as hiking, exploration of tide pools, and just lounging on the beach.
Deals and steals: Book by June 15 and mention Out Traveler to get $100 off on any of Sea Kayak Adventures' Vancouver Island summer tours. No prior kayak experience necessary. Orcas guaranteed in Johnstone Strait July 19-Aug. 30.
Images in Order (1,3, 4) Courtesy Getty Images, (2) Courtesy Andez Hotels (5) Courtesy W Hotels Story by Jason Nelson
Want to witness the celebrity meltdowns, insanity and hook-ups live and in person? Instead of just reading about them on Perez Hilton, do it the gay way at this year’s Los Angeles Pride festival. Running from June 12-14, you may find yourself close enough to actually smell Tara Reid’s cocktail.
The 39th annual L.A. PRIDE Parade is expected to gather over 400,000
people and will feature over 125 parade entries including
floats, bands, performances, community advocacy groups, proud
parents, and convertibles carrying honored guests. The procession will run west
along Santa Monica Blvd. from Crescent Heights to Robertson Blvds. on
Sunday, June 14, starting at 11:00 A.M.
For festival revelry Christopher Street West's launch of “PRIDE 365: Power. Passion. Purpose.” will treat the hundreds of thousands of attendees to world class entertainment in the heart of West Hollywood. This year’s confirmed guests include American Idol winner and Broadway star Fantasia, Deborah Cox, Expose, Terri Nunn, Blake Lewis, and many more. Also honored are those who have made contributions they have made to the LGBT community, including civil rights lawyer Therese Stewart, out California State Assembly member John A. Pérez and Chris Angel Murphy for his contributions to youth leadership, among others.
In addition to lively dance pavilions spun by hot DJ’s, a new layout of festival grounds boasts food, drink, community programming and vendors with unique activities and tzochkes to entice the entire LGBT family. The slew of great activities has scheduling forthcoming over the next few weeks.
If you’re wondering where to stay while you’re in LA, the fabulous Andaz has a “Be Proud” package which includes three nights accommodation with views of Hollywood Hills, an exclusive California wine reception held on Friday, June 12 and breakfast each morning in the RH restaurant. Guests also receive Los Angeles Pride welcome package with two general admission tickets into the festival, and late check-out on Monday for those returning to the hotel at sunrise. Additionally the W Los Angeles-Westood is featuring a PRIDE 365 Package, which includes a slew of free gifts such as Bliss Spa’s All-Around skincare line in travel-friendly sizes and two complimentary cocktails. Mondrian West Hollywood's Pride Package, which runs through the month of June, includes: two welcome cocktails, a spa credit worth up to $100 per day, preferred reservations in Asia de Cuba (with its fabulous views and often celebrity-studded people watching and (wowzer for LA) complimentary parking. Rates start at $295. Note: Booking Code: PKSTIM. For reservations call 800-606-6090.
The LA PRIDE Festival offers an opportunity for all who gather and be celebrated, entertained, and educated. Also if history has taught us anything the weather during the events will be clear, sunny with a strong chance of fabulous. Festival admission, inclusive of entertainment venues and dance pavilions, is still just $20 per day—or $15 per day with advance purchase from LAPRIDE.org.
Photos courtesy of Canadian Mountain Holidays Story by Olga Bas
The Canadian Mountain Holidays company, which conducts heli-skiing trips in -- you guessed it -- Canada, is introducing its first Gay Heli-Ski Trip for up to 33 adventurous snow bunnies. Though the trip is scheduled to run from February 11-14, 2010, booking is already under way. The package is $5,170, based on double/twin occupancy, but if you book by June 15, you'll receive a $400 lodge credit, which is good toward massage, alcohol, and retail purchases for the duration of your trip.
During the four-day holiday you will be able to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the Selkirks range of the Canadian Rockies where the peaks reach 57,000 feet. There are no lift lines -- hence the 'heli' part of the trip name; instead, you get a lift to the top from a helicopter and then take the run down the mountainside. The slopes are suited for beginners and seasoned skiers alike.
Once worn out from a day on the slopes, guests return to the Gothics Lodge, one of 12 operated by CMH. The 45-room lodge offers a picturesque view of the mountain range, and has a steam room, wood-fired sauna, outdoor whirlpool, and climbing wall on the premises. Another first for CMH: Friday night will feature a Long Johns & Lingerie theme party!
Money-saving tip: Bring a small first-aid kit that contains essentials such as Tylenol and cough syrup in case you get sick on your trip. Hotels are prone to overcharging for basic medications.
MedjetAssist ups the ante for travel insurance, offering domestic and international air transportation to any hospital of the member's choice. Individual annual membership is $250 and the family option is $385. When compared to the cost of an unsponsored medical evacuation from a foreign country -- transport from Asia, for example, can cost upwards of $100,000 -- the MedjetAssist membership fees seem tiny. What particularly sets the program apart is that domestic partnership is included in the description of family for every tier of membership.
Unlike travel insurance, MedjetAssist does not place a limit on the price of the airlift, even if it is $100,000, and members are transported to their hospital of choice even if the facility at which they are an inpatient is deemed to have adequate medical care.
Those wishing to stay closer to home and still get the benefit of emergency medical evacuation insurance can take advantage of the new MedjetAssist Domestic Membership Program. Membership is $175 per person and $305 for families (which also includes domestic partners) and provides air-medical transport back to a hospital of your choice in the contiguous 48 states if you are more than 150 miles from home.
Money-saving tip: Most developed countries include the airport tax in the price of the plane ticket, but some may not. Always carry extra cash for this purpose in case the tax collectors do not accept credit cards.
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!
Click on these icons to follow us on facebook or twitter or to receive GPS as an RSS feed.
Gay Tourists Cross the Finnish Line: Photos (top and bottom) courtesy Q Life; photo of Pride courtesy Visit Helsinki; photo of bartenders courtesy A21; story by Nif Leder and Ed Salvato You might not think of Finland as a gay hot spot, but its atmosphere is...
Girls do Toronto proud: Story by Aefa Mulholland. Photos by Aefa Mulholland (1, 2, 3) and Sian Davies (4). There are some places girls really come out on top during Pride. After last weekend, I can happily report that Toronto is up there with...
Doing Toronto Proud: Story and photos by Aefa Mulholland (Above: Ahmed and Evan on Church Street, Toronto's Gay Village) Without any doubt one of the world’s absolute top Pride celebrations, Pride Toronto celebrated its 29th thrilling year at the weekend with an astounding...
Air New Zealand's Naked Flight Attendants: Air New Zealand really wants you to pay attention to their air safety video. So they're shedding more than their shoes in their new onboard video. The flight crew drops trou’ to reveal their new “Bare Essentials” in-flight safety video....
New York Gay Pride 2009: Story and Photos by Joseph Alexiou The New York City Pride Parade this past Sunday was a spectacular flurry of bright colors, leather studs, drag queens, dykes on bikes, and muscular men in minuscule swimwear, to be brief. Just about...
Recent Comments