Victoria, Canada
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Victoria is by no means a major hub for gay nightlife, but it does have a couple of friendly, laid-back gay hangouts. There's the popular (at least on weekends) dance club, Hush, as well as Prism Lounge, a basement space with fun drag shows and karaoke nights. The two bars lie within a short walk of one another, on the north side of downtown. You might find the ambience and vibe a bit hipper and more upbeat at some of Victoria mainstream but perfectly gay-friendly social spots, such as the ornately decorated Temple Bar, known for its extensive lists of wines and martinis. Other good bets include Lucky Bar, a convivial beer hall set inside a historic building, and the Mint, a vaguely New Age-y space with Tibetan and Nepalese food, and DJ music and dancing many evenings.

In Victoria, there's no fancier lodging in town than the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This 1908 Edwardian hostelry is the most sumptuous grand dame on Vancouver Island, and its Empress Room is a superb restaurant. Newer rooms are larger than those in the original section but keep with the hotel's tradition. Celeb spotting is not uncommon. The hotel is also notable for its beautifully decorated Bengal Lounge, which serves traditional Indian cuisine in an old-world Colonial ambience. Abigail's Hotel is a great bet, in part for its enviable location - it's at the end of a quiet, residential lane, yet it's just three blocks from the Inner Harbour. The 23-room gay-friendly hotel consists of two Tudor-style buildings, one with more traditional decor, and the other with more modern-feeling units. Many of the accommodations have wood-burning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, and rates include an extensive full breakfast (enjoy it on the sunny patio, overlooking the English gardens, when the weather is cooperating).

Set inside a former warehouse near Victoria's Market Square and within walking distance of downtown attractions, Swans Hotel has been refitted into a distinctive all-suites accommodation. Groups of friends traveling together will find Swans a bargain - up to six people can easily fit into its huge rooms. Each has a dining nook, a patio or a terrace, and many have skylights. There's a microbrewery and an excellent restaurant, Wild Saffron Bistro, on the premises. Also worth consideration is the Magnolia Hotel and Spa, a snazzy and modern boutique hotel with a first-rate spa and a great location in the Inner Harbour neighborhood. Rooms receive plenty of sunlight, with their floor-to-ceiling windows and views of downtown and the waterfront.

If you'd rather stay out in the country, but still within striking distance of Victoria, consider booking into the swank yet low-keyed Sooke Harbour House, which is a 45-minute drive away. This is the ultimate luxury hideaway, complete with 28 imaginatively decorated rooms, many with views of Washington's Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There's also a splendid restaurant serving fantastic four- and seven-course dinners, complete with wine-pairing options. One signature dish is the trio of garden-inspired sorbets (which might include quince-lemon-verbena or rhubarb-fennel). Indeed, this perfectly tended inn is surrounded by some of Vancouver Island's most beautiful gardens - a night or two here will leave you totally refreshed and relaxed.

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