Totally tropical ... Skinny Dips resort in Cairns, Australia
This week, the US-based gay and lesbian travel website Pink Choice announced its 2007 awards for gay friendly inns and hotels based on ratings and reviews by its readers. Below is a selection of this year's winners and highly commended accommodation.
You'll notice, if you go to the the website for the full list of winners, that the majority are concentrated in the US, and specifically in the gay havens of Provincetown and Key West - understandable, given that it's an American website. So, maybe we should let our American brothers and sisters in on the best pink places to stay in the rest of the world. Tell us about your favourite gay- and lesbian-friendly hotels, resorts, guesthouses, or villas.
Carpe Diem Guesthouse, Provincetown, Massachusetts
European charm and luxury amenities make this guesthouse and spa resort an escape out of the ordinary. Quietly located in the center of Provincetown, guestrooms offer private baths, some feature fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, private entrance and/or private patios or balconies. The gardens and patios are a green oasis far away from all the excitement of Commercial Street. The spa features massage services, Finnish sauna, a steam room and a hotspring hydrojet spa tub.
·Rooms start at £48 off-season, £99 in-season
Villa la Pinède, Provence, France
Gay-owned and run, this villa (which was highly commended) offers a wide choice of catered and self-catered options to gays, lesbians and their gay-friendly friends. Right near gay naturist beaches of the Camargue, the new villa has a total of five bedrooms all en-suite with UK satellite TV/DVD and a balcony overlooking the large pool. Guests can unwind in the snooker-room, at the poolside bar or in the gym, all set in two acres of private woodlands. This makes for a beautiful, quiet location that is still just a short walk to the village centre of Maussane.
·Rooms start at £40 off-season, £55 in-season
The Highlands Inn, Bethlehem, New Hampshire
Heading into its 25th year, the Highlands Inn gets its fair share of praise as one of very few resorts or inns that cater to a women-only clientele. The Inn was named by gay online community PlanetOut as "one of the most romantic lesbian destinations on the planet." It doesn't disappoint. Located in New Hampshire's White Mountains, the inn has 19 rooms in three buildings. Several of the rooms have a fireplace, private deck, or two-person spa. All of the White Mountains' four-season sports and recreational activities are available within minutes. In addition, the Highlands sponsors a year-round series of women's music concerts during the year. Concerts are free to guests; other popular events include the annual Murder Mystery Weekend.
·Rooms start at £56
Skinny Dips Resort and Spa, Cairns, Australia
Skinny Dips is a secluded, intimate retreat set in tropical Cairns. The resort is ideal for couples and singles and offers 21 air conditioned rooms overlooking the pool and spa. There's a bar and bistro and a complimentary tropical breakfast is served daily.
·Rooms start at £48 off season, £56 in-season
Alexander's Guesthouse, Key West, Florida
A cozy and friendly gay and lesbian resort located in the heart of Key West's famous Historic District. Guests can relax in the Jacuzzi spa and around the pool - complete with waterfall - or make the short walk to gourmet restaurants, theatres, galleries, shops and beaches
·Rooms start at £61 off-season, £89 in-season
