Great Women-Owned Inns of the East
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Inn at Cook Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Friendly Connecticut transplants Lisa Feistel and Doreen Birdsell bought this wonderful B&B in winter 2006. It had been owned by a gay couple, who had sold it to a developer, who planned to convert it into condos (as has happened to many inns on the Cape in recent years). Lisa and Doreen stepped in at the last minute to keep it running as a B&B. They've not only done a good deed by keeping the Inn at Cook Street open, they've also improved the place with a beautiful makeover. The guest rooms in this 1836 Greek Revival house in which author Michael Cunningham wrote A Home at the End of the World are done with upscale antiques and contemporary pieces and have such cushy amenities as flat-screen TVs, high-thread-count linens, and handy reading lights. Some units have private entrances and fireplaces; two have decks. The house is surrounded by colorful gardens and a short walk from the many cafes and galleries in Provincetown's East End. Clientele: Mixed gay/straight.

Newnham Suncatcher Inn, Saugatuck, Michigan
Poised on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago and Detroit, the dapper town of Saugatuck has become one of the premier weekend getaways among gay travelers in the Midwest. On the edge of this attractive village of inviting restaurants and boutiques, you'll find the Newnham Suncatcher Inn, a courtly brown clapboard house with a wraparound porch. Everyone is welcome here, but hostesses Barb and Nancy make an especially strong effort to encourage lesbians and same-sex couples traveling with children. They treat guests like old friends, yet afford them plenty of privacy. The inn is decorated with whimsical touches, such as stuffed animals, toys, and trinkets, and comprises eight rooms and suites, including a two-bedroom cottage on a nearby street. Clientele: Mostly mixed gay/lesbian.

Pearl's Rainbow, Key West, Florida
This sprawling 38-room resort built around a former cigar factory is Key West's only lesbian-exclusive accommodation, and it's a beauty, following major renovations and improvements in recent years. The rooms have rattan and wicker furniture, freshly painted pastel-hued walls, large TVs, and refrigerators. Many configurations are available, from simple budget-oriented units set away from the noise of the pools and decks, to more spacious rooms closer to the action, some with kitchenettes or separate sitting areas. There are two heated pools, spacious sundecks, and lots of opportunities to chat with other guests. This is a wonderful hideaway, whether you're looking to make new friends or enjoy a little peace and quiet with your honey. Clientele: Lesbian.

Saratoga Farmstead, Saratoga, New York
Just outside the sophisticated, collegiate town of Saratoga Springs - long famous for mineral spas, the Saratoga Race Course, Skidmore College, and Saratoga Performing Arts Center - this rambling late-18th-century farmhouse inn is operated by Mariana DiToro and Rosemary Jensen. The airy rooms, some with canopy beds, provide guests with a mix of creature comforts - such as individually zoned heating and A/C - and fine art and antiques. Fragrant gardens, verdant meadows, and rustic farm buildings surround the inn. Clientele: Mixed gay/straight.

Sea Witch Manor Inn, Rehoboth, Delaware
This cheerful compound of three neighboring houses is in the famously gay resort town of Rehoboth Beach, a popular weekend destination with Washingtonians and Philadelphians. Each house is different, from a high-style Victorian manor to '60s retro-hip clapboard beach house. Rooms are named for characters from the campy sitcom Bewitched - you might stay in the Abner & Gladys Kravitz or Dr. Bombay room, for instance. Innkeepers Inez and Kathleen have clearly had a great time developing this whimsical property, and their enthusiasm is apparent, from the festive decor to the delicious breakfasts their staff serves each morning. Clientele: Mixed gay/straight.

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