Gay travel? Yes or no?

[LJay]

I can see your point, Iceblink, though my somewhat reserved notion of what is OK PDA would probably keep it from being an issue. That is, unless Chick-Fil-A starts franchising hotels. I can't imagine that it would be a problem in any of the reputable chains. Does anyone reading this have any experience of a major chain making an issue of it?

I did work in a hotel associated with a major chain for better than 6 years and never heard of an incident.

[Iceblink]

I've never had an experience of being denied service in a major chain, but I and another gay guy did once when trying to check into an independent hotel, but this was over 20 years ago. But...that is the point of staying at a major chain when you are not familiar with an area, you can then pretty much assure you will checking into a hotel that is gay friendly. Also, there is more than pda that can give it away. Two men or two women with hyphenated names and a shared credit card or bank account, two same-sex people choosing a honeymoon suite, or a person trying to make it clear while making reservations he or she is planning a special anniversary weekend. The longer you are a couple, the more things become "our," our home, our car, our dog, our life, our vacation, so even in ordinary, innocent conversation can lead people to believe you are a couple. Of course you can get around it by just letting employees think it is just your friend and taking care to not say anything that might lead the hotel to think otherwise or if you are a couple with kids you can instruct your children to call one of you Uncle while at the hotel, but if you have to take precautions that heterosexual couples do not in order to not be denied service or thrown out of a business, that is not really equality.

[LONDONER]

Just a small anecdote. Some years ago I was driving across France with a friend (with whom I was not in a relationship). In France it is quite difficult to find an hotel that doesn't close it's doors at 10pm, so, around about that time of night we started to look for an hotel. We went in to one and I asked for a room for two and the female Receptionist quite calmly asked: "One bed or two?" That's a gay friendly hotel.

[ShiftyNJ]

Just a small anecdote. Some years ago I was driving across France with a friend (with whom I was not in a relationship). In France it is quite difficult to find an hotel that doesn't close it's doors at 10pm, so, around about that time of night we started to look for an hotel. We went in to one and I asked for a room for two and the female Receptionist quite calmly asked: "One bed or two?" That's a gay friendly hotel.

I have a few times had front desk people make sure we knew a room had only one bed in it, but they didn't say it in a way that sounded judgmental.

For our tenth anniversary we went to Portland, Ore., and I told them it was a special occasion. There was a bottle of champagne and two glasses, and a card with our names on it from the management. This was an independent hotel but didn't promote itself as specificially targeting the gay market.

[LONDONER]

I have a few times had front desk people make sure we knew a room had only one bed in it, but they didn't say it in a way that sounded judgmental.

For our tenth anniversary we went to Portland, Ore., and I told them it was a special occasion. There was a bottle of champagne and two glasses, and a card with our names on it from the management. This was an independent hotel but didn't promote itself as specificially targeting the gay market.

So the good old US of A is making progress, slowly but surely.

[ShiftyNJ]

So the good old US of A is making progress, slowly but surely.

Our last trip to London we had one bed in an independent hotel, too, and they didn't blink an eye.

[LONDONER]

Our last trip to London we had one bed in an independent hotel, too, and they didn't blink an eye.

I would expect that. London is a a very liberal city.

[East]

My problem is that they provide too much. When I have checked them out and read about them it sounds like they might have a conga line every night...EEK

That is the turn off for me...it seems like they are always encouraging guests to meet each other and have group activities. It always sounds like the gay Miss Nancy and Adult Romper Room.

It is a good day for me when I don't met any new people though it rarely happens. I have never even had a passing thought in my life about "wanting to meet people". If you are the type who has a problem meeting people...hang out with me. I end up talking to people I don't know all the time and strangers end up telling me intimate stuff constantly. I don't mind...I like people...but I never seek it out so the idea that someone is gonna force it sounds like a nightmare to me....

I wouldn't, however, stay anyplace that has any connection to anti gay actions or has homophobic ties.

[EvenOlderButWiser]

As someone who is having to adjust to being single for the first time in like forever, I'm less bothered about the "gay" element of travel than the travel costs themselves.

Its the time of year when I usually book my summer vacation, and have always gone on a package type holiday (i.e. Something organised by a travel agency) This year its different, and Im pretty ticked off that the price for one person is pretty close to the same price for two people.

What do other single folks do for holidays? Do you take someone along for the ride, or do you travel as an independent traveller with your own itinerary?

Or is the answer to travel with specialist Gay Travel agency?

[LONDONER]

As someone who is having to adjust to being single for the first time in like forever, I'm less bothered about the "gay" element of travel than the travel costs themselves.

Its the time of year when I usually book my summer vacation, and have always gone on a package type holiday (i.e. Something organised by a travel agency) This year its different, and Im pretty ticked off that the price for one person is pretty close to the same price for two people.

What do other single folks do for holidays? Do you take someone along for the ride, or do you travel as an independent traveller with your own itinerary?

Or is the answer to travel with specialist Gay Travel agency?

The only time that I have participated in a package vacation was when I worked in the industry as a Tour Manager. I would never willingly go on a packaged tour. I wouldn't want to keep to a fixed itinerary and for that reason, when I travel, I travel independently and always have done. As far as gay friendly accommodation goes, I would use it if it were convenient but when I travel, as I'm not looking to hook up with anyone, the use of gay friendly accommodation wouldn't be a priority. I am more interested in accommodation being central and clean .