Have you made your summer travel plans yet? Here are my favorite deals in some of the most popular summer travel destinations.
The OUT NYC
The new luxurious OUT NYC is the Big Apple’s newest hotel built for our community. This Hell’s Kitchen hotel and resort is a great value, super stylish and has among the friendliest staff in Manhattan.
The rooms are comfortable with either a quiet courtyard or city view. Each room is equipped with the latest in-room entertainment system that makes surfing the web, watching movies and ordering room service easy. An on-site restaurant will open soon.
There are a few great-value hotel packages that will save you lots of money. The “Play and Stay” hotel package is for one or more nights and includes VIP access to XL Nightclub, two drinks at XL (a good value because even beers are expensive), complimentary breakfast for two and free Wi-Fi. Once you make the reservation, it’s non-refundable and taxes and tips are not included. To book, go to www.theoutnyc.com.
Another hotel package is “Served With Pride.” Available year round, this package for our armed forces debuts at OUT NYC during New York’s famed Fleet Week, May 23-30. If you have military ID, you get 30 percent off the best available rate (that’s huge!) and a “Served With Pride” tank top or T-shirt. For information on events during Fleet Week New York, visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com.
Located on the first floor of the hotel is the XL Nightclub, Cabaret and Lounge (www.xlnightclub.com). XL has nightly entertainment (except Tuesdays). Bunny and Bianca’s “Hot Mess” drag show is a Wednesday-night must-do, while weekends are dedicated to some of the world’s best DJs.
Lords South Beach, Miami
South Beach is a great value off-season. The Lords South Beach Hotel is celebrating the end of the college season with a School’s Out College Weekend June 8-10. The weekend’s activities include a Summer Camp Underwear Party at Twist, a School’s Out T-Dance at Palace and free admission with a drink at Score. The fashionable hotel on Collins Avenue is a quick walk to the gay beach and these gay bars. For more information and to book your package, visit www.lordsouthbeach.com.
Grand View Inn, Provincetown
Romantic P-Town, Mass., is a perfect getaway in June. The season really kicks off July 4th weekend, but the weekends in June are busy and yet not packed. The restaurants are full but it’s not impossible to get a reservation and there are great deals still to be found at the B&Bs. One great find is the Grand View Inn, Provincetown (www.grandviewinn.com). The name says it all. The views from this historic property are amazing. This B&B is perfect for a group of friends who don’t want to rent a house but prefer to stay together. There are great gathering spaces in this B&B, from the sundeck to the living room. Even in summer, the daily rates are well under $200 per night. Of note, only three rooms offer private baths; all other rooms have a shared bath.
Jeff Guaracino is the vice-chair of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association and author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.”