Hip, Gay-Friendly Hotel Chains
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Probably the most famous major chain among fans of chic designer accommodations is W Hotels, part of the much larger Starwood Group (which also runs Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, and Four Points). These sleek, futuristic properties have become famous for their uber-cool appearances and funky lounges and restaurants. The W is about to open see-and-be-seen branches in ultra-gay Fort Lauderdale and South Beach, as well as in Scottsdale and Vieques, Puerto Rico, and just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, in Hoboken, N.J. W Maldives just debuted on the ever-trendy island chain in the Indian Ocean, and W's will open soon in Barcelona, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Other members of the W Hotel group that have a particularly strong gay following include Chicago (especially the Lakeshore location), Dallas, Honolulu, Montreal, New Orleans (especially the French Quarter one), New York City (especially the Union Square and Times Square locations), San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Sydney, Australia . There are also Bliss-brand spas at the New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Los Angeles locales.

InterContinental Hotels (which also runs Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and several other brands) recently developed Hotel Indigo, thus far with two properties in Chicago, one in Atlanta's gay-popular Midtown area, one in downtown Dallas, and one by Houston's shopping-intensive Galleria. Indigos are planned for Sarasota, Fla., and Ottawa, in Ontario, Canada. These are relatively intimate properties with lots of cushy amenities (DVD and CD players), and in keeping with a common hip-hotel theme, pets are encouraged.

Sometimes a larger mainstream chain property that you wouldn't associate with trendy, intimate digs offers a slick sister hotel that fits the bill. And fortunately, if you're a guest in the smaller, boutique establishment, you're often free to use the facilities of the larger neighboring hotel. An excellent example is the Lofts in Columbus, Ohio, a snazzy and historic 44-room property right beside - and operated by - the much larger Crowne Plaza. Rooms here have high ceilings, Aveda bath products, exposed-brick walls, and luxe Frette linens, but guests can also cross the lobby motor court to reach the Crowne Plaza, with its extensive facilities and 24-hour staff.

Another favorite in this category is the 30-suite Enclave, a collection of deluxe, spacious suites that's adjacent to and operated by the trendy Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. Both of these are terrific properties, as the Hilton is quite snazzy and contemporary in its own right. But the loft-inspired Enclave captures the personalized, one-of-a-kind sensibility of a boutique hotel, with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows, beds with feather-down comforters, private concierge service, and huge whirlpool tubs. The Enclave even offers playful, gay-oriented "Frisky on Fifth" packages that include a two-nights' stay, evening cocktails in the bar, passes to the museums at Balboa Park, and welcome baskets with sensual massage oils and soaps.

Look for more chains to begin unveiling exclusive, boutique "wings" as they continue trying to distinguish themselves to savvy, discerning, independent travelers who demand style and one-on-one service. If history is any indication, this latest trend will resonate strongly with gay and lesbian travelers.

Andrew Collins is the author of Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA and as well as numerous other guidebooks.