Savannah, Georgia
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The bar staff and regulars in Savannah's bars are friendly and forward. Although some locals shun the touristy and cavernous Club One, it's one of the most impressive clubs in the Southeast, and it can be fun when The Lady Chablis is performing. Other options include Chuck's, a friendly locals joint near the river that draws a mixed bunch; and Blaine's Back Door Bar, a casual cruise and dance lounge that also has a deli serving pretty tasty sandwiches and pizza. Not gay per se, Venus de Milo is a sexy and sophisticated wine bar with a welcoming, bohemian vibe - it's just west of City Market. Down along the riverfront, gay-friendly Kevin Barry's Irish Pub is popular early in the evening for Irish music, food, and drink.

With the recent rise in gay tourism, Savannah's grand old hotels have become increasingly hospitable to visiting same-sex couples. Among the city's many classic luxury inns, the Ballastone Inn is renowned for its gracious hospitality and over-the-top, lavish rooms. The four-story 1838 mansion sits along one of the prettiest streets in the city. A mid-19th-century inn with an expansive landscaped courtyard, the Eliza Thompson House and its grand guest rooms look much as you might imagine they did when cotton was king of Savannah. Original heart-pine floors and period antiques impart a romantic ambience, and yet rooms have comfortable, modern amenities, especially the bathrooms. Rooms at the Foley House Inn contain antiques and Oriental rugs; many overlook Chippewa Square and have massive two-person Jacuzzis. Of affordable chain properties, the Comfort Suites Historic District is clean, pleasantly furnished, and a short walk from City Market.

The only GLBT-exclusive B&B in Savannah, 912 Barnard is also one of the least expensive. This dramatic yellow turn-of-the-century house has been handsomely restored to its original splendor, with antiques and authentic colors that convey the ambience of the city. A fully restored 1889 sea captain's house that once belonged to one of Savannah's wealthiest merchants, the Azalea Inn is quite gay-friendly. All rooms are configured and decorated differently, and each has a gas fireplace; two have whirlpool tubs, and two have balconies.

For the most memorable accommodations, however, look to the gay-friendly Mansion on Forsyth Park, which offers some of finest digs in town. This stylish mini-resort beside verdant Forsyth Park contains 126 rooms with smart, contemporary furnishings, plus a top-notch spa, a cooking school, two cool bars, an art gallery, and the highly regarded 700 Drayton Restaurant. Opened in 2005, the hotel offers further evidence of Savannah's gradual shift from a bastion of Old South gentility to a beacon of New South panache and style.

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