Great Women-Owned Inns of the East
By Andrew Collins

You might think primarily of Provincetown when you consider where to find lesbian-owned and -operated accommodations in the eastern United States. Indeed, you'll find several lesbian-owned B&Bs and inns in that favorite gay getaway. But other popular GLBT vacation spots, including Rehoboth Beach and Key West, have women-owned inns, and you'll also find them in a number of surprisingly rural and remote communities, from Bethlehem, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, to Saratoga, in upstate New York. Here's a look at 10 of the more appealing women-owned accommodations east of the Mississippi River.

Battlefield B&B, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Whether you're a Civil War history buff or you're just looking for a romantic, secluded getaway in the country that's within an afternoon's drive of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., this 1809 farmhouse inn makes an excellent choice. This women-owned property sits on 30 acres of meadows and woodland just a mile from Gettysburg National Military Park. Accommodations are in six handsomely appointed rooms and suites, some with working fireplaces and rustic wood-beam ceilings. Some rooms can be connected, and other accommodate up to four guests, making this a great option for friends traveling together or parents with children. Rates include a hearty full breakfast, where you might dine on apricot French toast with kielbasa and farm potatoes. Clientele: Mixed gay/straight.

Bywater B&B, New Orleans, Louisiana
Set inside a rambling "double shotgun"-style 19th-century cottage in the Big Easy's up-and-coming Bywater neighborhood, this B&B operated by Marti Burt and Betty-Carol Sellen is also a gallery of folk and "outsider" art collected from throughout the South. The inn lies about a mile downriver from the French Quarter, in an intriguing residential historic district, and has four art-filled rooms with well-chosen country antiques. With rates starting at just $65 nightly, this is one of the best bargains in the city (as long as you don't mind that the four rooms share two baths). There's a terrific collection of Louisiana-music CDs in the cheery sitting room, which is where Continental breakfast is served each morning. Clientele: Mixed gay/straight.

Charles Street Inn, Boston, Massachusetts
One of Boston's swankiest and most luxurious small hotels, the Charles Street Inn is in the heart of regal Beacon Hill, a short walk from Boston Common and steps from countless boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. The nine guestrooms here are over-the-top sumptuous, with whirlpool tubs, antique European armoires, Turkish rugs, and cable TV with DVD players. Each is named for a local luminary, such as Henry James and Edith Wharton. This is the perfect urban oasis when you're planning a Boston getaway with someone special. Clientele: Mixed gay/straight.

Fairbanks Inn, Provincetown, Massachusetts
This atmospheric old house is one of the oldest in town, dating to 1776. Apart from the main house - which has several lovely old rooms with four-poster or canopy beds, Oriental rugs on wide-board floors, and antique furnishings - there are outbuildings containing larger and more modern units (some have fireplaces and kitchens). Bathrooms aren't especially large here, but they're in keeping with the home's history. On cool days (the inn is open year-round), you can relax inside the parlor, with its 18th-century wallpaper, and warm up by the fire. In summer, the sun porch, decorated with wicker furniture, is the perfect spot for complimentary breakfast and evening refreshments. The inn is centrally located, a short walk from many bars and restaurants. Clientele: Mostly mixed gay/lesbian.

Highlands Inn, Bethlehem, New Hampshire
New Hampshire's only lesbian-exclusive resort, the Highlands Inn also ranks among the most popular and well-operated women's inns in the country. It's been serving the community since 1983 and consists of a main inn (with 13 guest rooms), a farmhouse (with five guest rooms and a full kitchen), and a secluded cottage that can sleep up to four and has a sleeping loft, fridge, microwave, and dining area. The antiques-filled, pet-friendly Highlands is nestled in the woods with hiking and cross-country skiing trails, a huge outdoor heated pool, two hot tubs, and an inviting library-living room with a guest computer, WiFi, a fireplace, and extensive book and video collections (all guest rooms have TVs and VCRs). The Highlands is in quaint Bethlehem, and there's great downhill skiing in winter or scenic hiking in summer within a 20-minute drive. Clientele: Lesbian.
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