Great Women-Owned Inns of the West
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Park Lane Guest House, Austin, Texas
If the hip, liberal capital city of Texas, the Park Lane is an intimate, warmly furnished spot close to downtown in historic Travis Heights, close to several great restaurants. Considering the generous size, top-notch amenities, and beautiful decorating of the three very different accommodations here, this is a great bargain. Options include a deco-inspired cottage with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, European stained glass, a fully equipped kitchen, and room for four guests; a two-person poolside suite with French doors that open onto a stone terrace; and a small but still attractive, light-filled bedroom in the 1940s main house of genial hosts Shakti and Dev Kirn Khalsa. Clientele: Mostly gay-lesbian.

Pond Mountain Lodge, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
High in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, the artsy village of Eureka Springs has become a diverse vacation destination over the years, developing a particularly strong gay and lesbian following. On the outskirts of town, set on a bluff affording 30-mile views of the verdant countryside, you'll find this 150-acre women-owned resort whose activities include fishing in stocked ponds, horseback riding, hiking, and soaking in a large heated pool. Accommodations include suites and cabins, all with Jacuzzi tubs, and many units have fireplaces. Clientele: Mixed gay-straight.

Queen of Hearts, Palm Springs, California
The smaller of the women's resorts in Palm Springs, the Queen of Hearts still offers nine pleasantly furnished rooms set around a pool and patio in a secluded, quiet residential neighborhood. Many of the rooms have kitchens, and all come equipped with hair dryers, irons, plush robes, TV/VCRs, and attractive furnishings. The owners also have three rooms available in the cozier Desert Hearts Inn, across the street. Clentele: Lesbian.

Sea Vue Motel, Yachats, Oregon
Coastal Oregon offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the West, from emerald-green forests to dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean. In the scenic, low-keyed town of Yachats - about 90 miles west of Eugene - you'll find this attractive motel, many of whose rooms have fireplaces and kitchens. The views are astounding from this rustic, pleasant property with wood-paneled walls and creatively decorated rooms. It's an ideal venue for getting away from it all - none of the rooms have TVs or phones, but there is free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Clientele: Mixed gay-straight.

Triangle Inn, Santa Fe, New Mexico
In the shadows of northern New Mexico's fabled Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just a short drive from Santa Fe's open-air opera house, you'll find this lovely compound comprising nine private casitas with enchanting Southwestern furnishings, kitchens or kitchenettes, TV/VCRs, CD stereos, and - in many cases - kiva-style fireplaces. Several units can sleep up to four guests. It's just a 15-minute drive to the many museums, galleries, and excellent restaurants of downtown Santa Fe. Afternoon cocktails are presented in a courtyard with an outdoor fireplace, and the property also has a hot tub. Clientele: Mostly gay-lesbian.

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