If you have never been the little isle of paradise known as Key West it's time for you to pack your bags and head south for the winter. My girlfriend introduced me to the mellow 4x2 mile island and I fell in love with it immediately. I know of nowhere else on earth where you can experience a laid back tropical vibe that is not just lesbian friendly, but lesbian welcoming. It's also very easy to get to as it is part of the US, just a puddle jump from the tip of Florida. This is an ideal getaway on a budget without feeling like you're on a budget. In fact, it doesn't even feel like the US other than everyone speaks English!
As my girl and I have an affinity for food, we decided this time around that we would sample some of the unique culinary offerings of the island and share them with you. There are so many quaint restaurants we had to narrow them down to a handful of satisfying stand outs.
To start with a fantastic appetizer head on over to Mangoe's Restaurant on the main drag, Duval,  for the Mushroom Martini. Relax on their gorgeous patio and enjoy a selection of wild mushrooms, sautéed in olive oil and soy sauce then garnished lightly with goat cheese, crisp croustinis and a green olive tapanade. This place is known on the island for their Floribbean and American food so feel free to stay for a main course of fresh fish or the local delicacy conch.

Make sure you also visit  the ocean side hot spot at the end of Duval where we have watched topless women frolic in the water while enjoying our lunch. The Southernmost Beach Cafe serves breakfast too but we're not early risers. We dined on the Tropical Grilled Chicken Sandwich with sweet pineapple slices, tangy jack cheese and creamy avo mayo. The sandwiches are served with your choice of sides. We were on vacation so we opted for the fries. I didn't ask but they must double fry those things because they were super crispy.

Another great spot for lunch is MargaritaVille. Yes, the chain restaurant. We were both pleasantly surprised by the quality of food. You have to try the Volcano Nachos, but bring a group of friends because this dish is monstrous! Also worthy of note were the perfectly battered and fried onion rings and the fact they have a tasty turkey burger. The menu is so varied, everyone at the table is bound to find something they will enjoy. Follow with a Margarita of course.
Once, your face is stuffed it's high time for another cocktail! Drinking is a staple on this island. We highly recommend you stroll over to Fogarty's and pull up a chair at their Flying Monkeys Saloon. Their frozen concoctions will not only cool you off but have you shit faced in no time. Their grain alcohol specialties are especially strong. There are too many good ones to pick a favorite, but we adore the Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada and the Dirty Monkey- a mix of their Chocoholic and Banana Daiquiri. Go ahead and buy the souvenir cup or squeeze bottle because you'll get a discount on refills on this trip and every other! Totally worth it;)

For a nice seafood dinner, moped on down to Front Street and the A & B Lobster House. Make sure to sit on the wrap around patio facing the water. My girlfriend dined on the Sunset Surf and Turf. Generous portions of both the lobster and filet with red potatos. I had the Sauteed Jumbo Scallops served with braised shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and wonderful lemon garlic butter sauce. Fancy food without the snooty atmosphere.
For a fun family style dinner you have to hit Abbondanza Italian Restaurant. We were with a large group and everyone loved their dishes. From calamari to the tortellini, all the portions were large, and  we ate every last bite! Don't forget to order a round of the roasted garlic bullbs as well.  Make sure everyone has at least a taste so as not to offend one another later;)
  For dessert we suggest Mangoe's Chocolate Pate. We have never experienced anything quite like it. It's a deep & dark  flourless confection served atop a delicious raspberry sauce. A rich & romantic dessert.  And order up one of  their mango specialties drinks to go with it, refreshing and perfectly fit for a tropical island. Another decadent dessert option is Mattheessens. OMG this place is simply insane. They bake up fresh cookies all day and leave them out on trays to cool. These treats are literally the size of your head and they are sinfully scrumptious. The peanut butter cookie was crisp on the outside yet tender and moist on the inside. Baked to perfection. They were so good that we just had to bring some home all the way across the country for our family!

For more information on these locations and the fabulous Key West, please visit www.fla-keys.com/gay and www.gaykeywestfl.com.
 

For years I have driven up and down the popular La Cienega stretch from Wilshire to Santa Monica.  On these trips I have stopped to enjoy Morton's Steak House, Benihanna's, the Stinking Rose, The Beverly Center, Jerry's Deli, and many other popular restaurants and shops in this hip and happening area of Los Angeles, CA. The SLS Hotel, completed in 2008 and owned by the SBE Group, is one of the newer additions along this strip. Being an out and proud lesbian who frequents West Hollywood regularly, I’m very familiar with the LA landscape with its collection of premier restaurants and nightlife destinations. Naturally my girlfriend Anna and I were curious if this Beverly Hills hotel was in fact as extraordinary as it boasts, and more importantly if it would maintain a similar air of “friendliness” as it’s partner the Abbey voted the “Best Gay Bar in the World”  by Logo/MTV. Anna and I were ready for a vacation, so we booked our 2 night stay and headed north to Beverly Hills.

We arrived late on a Thursday evening to be greeted and treated like royalty by a valet attendant dressed to the nines.  Our luggage was out of the Jeep and onto a gold trimmed bell cart in less time than it took me to reach for a tip.  Our bell hop’s name was Bobby and he was extremely friendly and efficient.  He waited for us as we promptly checked in at the front desk and then accompanied us on our elevator ride to the 4th floor where our room was awaiting us.  As we exited the elevator Bobby kindly pointed out the pool table area which is located adjacent to the elevators on every floor for guest use. We were delighted and amused by the unique decorations that accompanied this area.

  

We proceeded to our suite where Bobby patiently and informatively went over how to work everything in the room. He also ran down the huge list of hotel amenities including 24 hour room service, 24 hour shoe shine, laundry, press and dry cleaning service, in-room massage treatments, available laptops and i-mac desktops, high speed Internet access, the SLS iPhone app (yes, they have their own app for your convenience) and much more.  We listened intently and were very impressed by the plethora of amenities both the hotel and room offered.  Not until he left, did we fully appreciate the splendor and luxury of the suite.  We got wide eyed as we began reveling in our surroundings .  Seriously the suite was HOT! 

Anna moseyed over to pose in the most exquisite white leather office chair I have ever seen. The piece was designed by Philippe Starck and produced by Cassina Contract exclusively for SLS Hotels. We actually liked it so much we went online to see if we could purchase one. To our dismay, they are not available for retail sale. 

There was also a sexy mirrored sliding wall that separated the sleeping area from the bathroom and a mirrored dividing wall between the sleeping area and lounge area. We were intrigued by the flat screen tv's embedded in both sides of this wall.  The wall to wall, floor to ceiling mirrors in the bathroom were a carnival like touch. 

The soft lit tones throughout the suite lent to a stunning and chic, yet fun ambiance. After thanking our lucky stars, we grabbed a cocktail from the fully stocked bar and cuddled up in the plush pillow-top mattress.

       

The next day we spent sometime at the Altitude pool deck where we found many private cabanas each offering a tv, mp3 dock, dvd player, mini bar and ceiling fan. Perfection for entertaining or throwing a party for any occasion.  The entire pool deck is funky yet sexy with an elegant reflecting pool and a revitalizing plunge pool. We enjoyed lounging in the sun as the team of valets catered to our every want and need.

Later we visited the spa and contemplated a couples in-room massage.  We were hungry so opted to venture out of the hotel to eat lunch instead.  Besides, we were planning on visiting the world renown Baazar for dinner.  Unfortunately, we had failed to make our reservation. We rushed down and were pleasantly surprised to find they have their own LGBT Concierge Team in the lobby. They were very helpful and accommodating.  They made our reservation at the popular Baazar and ensured we had preferred seating for the evening. When we inquired about getting to the Abbey, they then quickly secured the house car. The Mercedes swept us away to the Abbey where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch and cocktails on the patio.   It was so relaxing to be in the comforts of an LGBT friendly environment when on vacation.  The concierge also informed us that the SLS offers a Pride Package year round. Definitely something to take advantage of on a future visit.

THE BAZAAR by Jose Andres

     

I’m a bit of a self proclaimed foodie, so another huge draw to this hotel was the well known Bazaar by Jose Andres.  The tapas style dining with a mad flare is known for satisfying even the most seasoned food critic. We were struck by the variety of the tapas, from the decadent appetizers to sizzling shrimp delights to fabulously strong, yet magically tasty and innovative cocktails.

We started with the olives, both modern and traditional. The helpful hostess recommended they be paired with the Manzanilla La Gitana Sherry. The modern version was a truly textural experience unlike anything you have ever experienced before. Put it on your bucket list ladies. Next came the sweet potato chips accompanied by a tamarind and star anise spiked yogurt. The chips were delicately thin and crispy and the sauce an explosion of licorice. A very unique combination. Anna's favorite was the Jicama wrapped guacamole with micro cilantro and corn chips. This dish is very difficult to explain. The wrap was silky and dainty, yet it contained the minute shreds of corn chips. Quite a culinary feat of deliciousness. 

We then ordered the Sauteed Shrimp with garlic and guindilla peppers. The shrimp were filleted in a manner that resembled elephant heads. You must see it to believe it. They were absolutely decadent and spiced perfectly. The pepper builds up on you a bit and doesn't hit a crescendo for a few minutes. Totally a thrill.  We cooled it down by ordering the Caipirinha cocktail. This was fixed table side and instantly chilled into a slush with liquid nitrogen. Super strong and so perfect a cocktail.

Once our taste buds had been tickled by Jose Andres' refreshingly creative approach to traditional and avant-garde cuisine, and tamed by the Caipirinha, we were ready for dessert.  Prepare yourself as you move into the the Patisserie.

We tingled with excitement as we walked into this pink, cleverly lit and curious setting, the aroma of coffee and chocolate overwhelming our senses.  It was the ideal conclusion to dinner as we pampered ourselves with delightfully sinful bon bons, candies, and cookies that melt in your mouth and resonate with all five senses. You can truly satisfy your every sugary desire, trying as many as you wish, as they are bite size morsels. We narrowed it down to the lemon ginger, rice krispy, and coffee bon bons, the coconut cookie, and the lemon poppy seed cupcake. Each one left us giddy with it's intense flavor. The most memorable bites being the roasted marshmallow cream of the cupcake and the concentrated ginger goodness of the lemon ginger bon bon. Thank you, Jose!

The Bazaar by Jose Andres and The SLS Hotel should be on every lesbian's must do list whether you live in or are just visiting LA.  If you are not able to spring for an extravagant weekend on a whim, then definitely plan it for a special occasion. This place is absolutely perfect for an anniversary, romantic getaway, honeymoon, or even a wedding. If you're looking for a hot spot for LA Pride weekend or a girls night out in LA, this is the place.

We recently had the pleasure of spending a couple days at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Before you gasp in disapproval, we are proud to announce that Doug Manchester, notorious pro Prop 8 contributor, is no longer associated with the hotel and has recently sold 100% of his ownership stake. The Hyatt also currently support Mama's Kitchen, San Diego Pride, PFLAG and the HRC and employs many LGBT staff. Upon hearing this, we thought we should head down south and give the hotel a chance. We were surprised to see that despite being situated in an urban area, this hotel is more like a luxury resort on the waterfront of the San Diego Bay. It is mere minutes from the airport, Petco Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Zoo and our favorite, the Hillcrest District! When we checked in, we were delighted to see that our Junior Suite overlooked the San Diego Bay and the USS Midway Museum.

Being our nosy selves, we decided to peruse the grounds before heading out to eat. We went up to the pool deck and were blown away by the views. Along with the huge pool, there were several secluded in-ground whirlpools and a cozy fire pit area perfect for sipping cocktails in the evening. Absolutely gorgeous at sunset!

By this point, we were hungry and decided to walk over to the Seaport Village area. We were amazed at how close it was to the hotel. We literally walked out of the rear of the hotel and were steps away from all the restaurants and shopping we could handle. Plenty of options, from casual to elegant. We had a bite and window shopped at all the sweet shops! If only we weren't watching our girlish figures;) Speaking of which, we took advantage of the hotel's 24 hour gym and tennis courts, rare for this area.
The next morning we rose late and made a beeline for Lael's breakfast buffet. We had heard a lot of buzz about this prior to our visit and being aspiring foodies so we had some high expectations for this experience. We were not disappointed. I am partial to sweet and my partner to savory. We both had an abundance of delicious and decadent options. My eyes feasted upon displays of fresh pastries, bagels, fruits, waffles and artisan breads. While Melissa piled her plate high with potatoes & bacon and headed over to the custom omelet bar. We ate our breakfast while enjoying excellent service and unlimited beverages. The views of the marina & garden were magnificent. You truly cannot miss this on your next visit to San Diego. The breakfast buffet is huge and offered every single morning so there's no excuse!

Later that afternoon, we decided to head over to the Gas Lamp District. The hotel staff kindly lined up a taxi out front and we hopped in. Minutes later we were dropped off in the heart of the Gas Lamp. We felt a little silly taking a taxi after we realized just how close we were! In our defense, we were on vacation;) Choices abounded us and we headed over to an upbeat Mexican place, Rockin Baja,  for cocktails and a bite. The margaritas were mouth watering. I highly recommend the Strawberry Mint. Just the right amount of sweet to tart. The fish tacos were seasoned perfectly and not to heavy on the stomach.

After all that exertion, we figured we'd go back to the hotel and check out the Kin Spa. It was nestled away and we probably would never have found it if we weren't directed right to it! It was like a haven away from everything and everyone else. The spa area included it's own adult only pool overlooking the beautiful bay. You can even get a couples massage right there on the pool deck or in a private room if you prefer. Their services include body treatments, hair/nail service, facials, waxing and reflexology.We were particularly drawn to the hot stone massage and the baja & beyond body wrap with mandarin orange and lemongrass. Lively and invigorating!

Wow, what a weekend! I could go on forever about the "new" Grand Hyatt as there are just so many great things about it, but there is simply not enough space here.  Check out manchestergrand.hyatt.com for more about the resort and manchestergrand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/ for more on the spa. Oh, AND they have Pure Rooms and a whole pet friendly floor of the hotel!
See you at San Diego Pride lovelies!

My beautiful girlfriend Anna and I recently took a trip to South Beach Miami and wanted to share a bit of why we loved it so much!  Part of what makes a vacation amazing is the accommodations.  So where does a lesbian couple stay on vacation if they want to be in the heart of everything and have an ocean view suite with a romantic Jacuzzi tub?  Well I’m sure there are tons of great hotels, but what we found in the Colony Hotel Miami South Beach was exactly what we were looking for on this vacation.  

When we arrived we found the art deco lobby and bar a fun setting with an old school elevator that was a total trip!  It had the accordion type metal bars inside this gigantic heavy metal door. Almost like a flash back to 1930's upon entry! 

 
We stayed in the Paradiso, an Ocean Front Suite with an amazing view.  When we walked into the room we literally cheered!  I ran around giggling and pointing like a little girl who just found out that barbie was actually a lesbian! 

The modern room was decorated in whites and chocolates, just how I like it.  The floor-plan was open with the perfect ocean view from both the bedroom and the front sittingroom.   Flat screen tv’s are always a nice touch, as were the French doors separating the two rooms. 

The bathroom had a nice sized Jacuzzi tub with jets galore!  ;)  The only thing that didn’t work was the mini-fridge…but we are creative and figured out a work around. 

We stayed at the Colony for two nights and literally only left the room to eat.  We slept, took baths in the wonderful Jacuzzi tub, enjoyed people watching from our kick-ass view (women playing volleyball on the beach in bikinis was a plus) while sipping coffee in our huge California king bed.

It was so nice to really feel on vacation. 

I loved that the hotel was remodeled with an Art Deco feel yet still kept some of the incredibly charming touches like the elevator and the famous blue neon sign. A nice reminder of the original 1930’s hotel. 

The Colony Hotel Miami South Beach was perfect for us. 

 Alexander’s Guesthouse, proudly gay owned and operated, is one of Key West’s premiere Gay & Lesbian resorts. We love that it is an adult only bed and breakfast that primarily serves the gay and lesbian community.

Guests enjoy complete freedom in a little piece of paradise. Each of the 17 guest rooms is uniquely decorated in a contemporary style with comfortable beds and crisp white linens. Alexander’s also offers deluxe rooms, including a suite and even a full apartment for more discerning visitors. The grounds delight with lush tropical gardens and historic charm mixed with modern accents and an intimate atmosphere.  A refreshing pool serves as a social hub of the guesthouse and the jacuzzi spa is a perfect way to relax after a day of shopping and strolling. Two clothing optional sundecks are also available for your sunbathing adventure.

The staff takes every care to craft a tranquil environment in which guests are encouraged to relax, decompress and unwind. The friendly concierge staff will even assist with arrangements for bicycles, taxis, & mopeds, as well as nightlife and restaurant recommendations and reservations. Whatever your heart desire! 

Located in the heart of Old Town, Key West’s famous Historic District, it is only a short distance from gourmet restaurants, theaters, galleries, fine shops and nightlife.  All rates include a delicious expanded continental breakfast served poolside and an afternoon Happy Hour where guests are invited to mix and mingle at the Pink Monkey Bar with complimentary cocktails in hand.

Alexander’s is an escape for the soul. Prepare to ease into comfort and melt your cares away.  

www.AlexandersKeyWest.com

Looking for a tropical island for a romantic get-away, or hoping to make new friends in a throbbing nightclub scene jammed with sexy women dancing the night away, or seeking an opportunity to snorkel a living reef, parasail, or watch the dolphins at sunset?  Look no further than Womenfest Key West, the southernmost party for lesbians and their friends. 

Key West, which typically ranks among the world’s top gay and lesbian resort destinations, has been hosting Womenfest for the last twenty four years.  “One Human Family,” the official motto of Key West, is proudly practiced as mainstream and LGBT businesses work together to create a great island party for women who travel from throughout the world to attend Womenfest.

Headlining Womenfest 2010 is one of the leading funny women in the business, Suzanne Westenhoefer who began her career on a dare, delivering gay-themed material to straight audiences in mainstream comedy clubs in New York City. She became the first openly lesbian comic ever to perform on television (in a stereotype breaking episode of Sally Jesse Raphael), and she was the first openly gay comic to host her own HBO Comedy Special which earned her a Cable Ace Award nomination.  Her current national tour is entitled Totally Inappropriate.  Find out why Womenfest calls her Hilarious & Totally Inappropriate. 

Womenfest 2010 also features a very special performance by a very special woman, Emily Saliers.  You know her as one half of the Indigo Girls, but this talented musician is an independent artistic force! She composes, sings, and plays a variety of instruments. She's co-written a book, composed a film score, and is a political and environmental activist.  She’s also an avid wine collector and a business entrepreneur!  Spend An Evening with Emily Saliers at Womenfest, then join us at our annual Womenfest Luncheon to hear her talk about her life when Womenfest honors Emily Saliers.

Of course the night life will sizzle with the return of the dancing sensation, Lori Michaels.  Lori first appeared at Womenfest in 2006 and since then she has carved out a niche for her music and her sexy style.  From her new show on HERE! TV to her BRAVO debut of the girl-on-girl duet, Real Close, with Danielle Staub, Lori Michaels is on the move and she’s taking us all along for the ride!  Lori Michaels ‘Me & the Girls’ will be featured at Aqua Nightclub as well as the Womenfest Street Fair’s Dancing on Duval!

Of course that’s only the beginning of the live music scene at Womenfest.  Jennifer Corday, an award-winning original artist who was named one of "L.A.'s Hottest 100 Artists" by Music Connection Magazine, returns to rock-out Pearl’s Rainbow throughout the Womenfest week.  Sister Funk, Christina Martucci, Julie Clark, Lenore Troia, Michelle Dravis, Sister Speak, and more promise to keep the week moving.

Want to swing an iron?  Join in the 1st Annual Leslie Leonelli Memorial Women’s Golf Classic to benefit WomanKind, Key West’s local healthcare provider.  Of course, no Womenfest would be complete without hitting the water!  Key West water excursions are unfurling the rainbow flag and offering women-only sails and snorkeling adventures, while women-only pool parties at Key West resorts, like the Southernmost Hotel Collection,  promise a different kind of wet and watery fun.

Make your travel plans for Womenfest Key West 2010, Sept 7-12.  Check out the details of the WF event schedule, purchase tickets online, and find out where to stay, at womenfest.com.  Most events are All Welcome.  All events are uniquely Key West. 

 There are quite a few great hotels in West Hollywood, so when Anna and I were planning for LA Pride 2010 we wanted a great hotel that was also right smack dab in the middle of everything.  We have friends that have stayed at the Ramada West Hollywood. So, of course it came to mind.  Since neither of us had stayed there we decided to check it out online.  Now, as I am an extremely visual person, I went to Ramada’s website looking for pics of their West Hollywood location. I almost didn’t book a room! The website simply has no pictures of any of the rooms and only a couple, very small, hard to view pictures of what looks like the pool and bar area.  Truthfully, I was a bit turned off by this. Thankfully a very good friend of mine swore up and down the hotel was great and that I would adore it.  We went ahead and booked on Carey's high recommendations... hoping for the best. 

Only valet parking was available when we pulled up. But it may have just been the fact that everyone and their wife was there so they were out of self-parking.  The hotel was absolutely packed with members of the LGBT family so I didn’t mind it a bit.  Valet me please!  ;)  When we walked in, I instantly noticed the front lobby area decorated with these cool indoor palm trees. They lead around the corner to the lobby bar/lounge area which was a nice touch.   If you are as visual as I am, you'll enjoy all the pics I took of this place:)

It gets pretty warm in WeHo, so you're probably wondering if the Ramada West Hollywood has a pool.  Yes, they definitely do!  Hotties were enjoying themselves in the cool water. To avoid looking liking a creepy peeper, I instead snapped a picture of the poolside lounge chairs and seating area.  As you can see this area is very comfy, clean & well maintained, as was the pool.

 The Ramada West Hollywood’s Loft Suites ROCK!  Seriously amazing.  I couldn’t believe how nice it was when we walked in.  Since I don’t like to be disappointed and there were no room photos on their site, I literally was expecting a small, bland room. You know, probably a combo of beige and pastel pink paint and bedspreads, with paisley carpet, push dial tv and possibly a coffee maker.  WRONG!!!  Totally modern, sleek, and well, bad ass!  Anna and I opened the door to the room, and our jaws dropped! We immediately checked out the rest of the room and ran up and down the loft stairs.  The dark hard wood floor throughout the 1st floor was one of my favorite design touches.  So sexy.  Downstairs included the amply sized bathroom, closet, a full wet bar with sink, mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker, as well as a small living room type sitting area with desk, love seat, area rug and a 42 inch flat screen. 

 Our particular room did not have a balcony overlooking Santa Monica Blvd, but they do have those rooms available too if you are interested.

The bed was super cush and the loft area decor very contemporary.  Shades of gray, white, and black with another wall-mounted 42 inch flat screen tv, mirrors artistically placed along the bedside wall, and a very industrial looking ceiling fan stretched down from the high vaulted ceiling.

The view from the window in the living area depends of course on what room you are in, but as you can see from the photo on your left, our window faced Santa Monica Blvd.  It was perfect for people watching and viewing of the LA Pride Parade which takes place right in front of the Ramada.  The picture on the right gives a better idea of how incredibly perfect the Ramada West Hollywood's location is in relation to all the LA Pride festivities and the entire West Hollywood strip.  The Abbey, GirlBar, Here, Haute, East West, Eleven and more lesbian hot spots are all about 0.5 miles from the Ramada or less, that's walking distance ladies!  Even in your pumps;) Not to mention it's directly across the street from The Palms Bar, a West Hollywood staple for nearly 40 years, which has seen the likes of celesbians such as Melissa Etheridge and Ellen Degeneres. 

So come stay at the Ramada WeHo next time you are visiting the West Hollywood area.  Not only is it in the perfect location for just about any LGBT event, it's also a sweet, unassuming hotel. 

Ramada West Hollywood Loft Suite is officially LesbianLush Approved!!  

Anna and I recently moved about 30-40 miles from the West Hollywood/Hollywood area, so “traveling” back up to WeHo or Hollywood to attend lesbian events has become quite the chore, especially since we don’t drink and drive (neither should you).  With the traffic in LA and the countless reckless drivers with horrendous entitlement issues, you’re lucky to drive 20 miles without it ending in a wreck. But there are so many amazing events and venues to choose from that you have to do it!  So when my girlfriend and I planned to attend the PYTea Party and Mad Hatter event at the H. Wood last Friday, we decided to book a room at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa to avoid the before and after club commute.  I am so glad we did because let me tell you ladies, this place ROCKS! 

The first thing I noticed when entering the hotel after valet parking my truck (self-parking available), was the Café Fama that serves both Starbucks Coffee and Stella on tap.  My two favorite drinks, coffee and beer!  I couldn’t help but giggle a little as I already had a great feeling about this hotel.  At check in, they had a gorgeous display of yummy fruit water decorated with floating orchids that was a nice touch.   

Our spacious Executive Suite was located on the 18th floor with an outstanding view of the Hollywood Hills and the famous Hollywood sign. The fabulous Spa Luce (Hotel Spa) mural was a decidely LA touch.

The room was great!  I especially appreciated the super comfy king size bed, the iPod player/alarm clock, convenient plugs on nightstand lamps for phone chargers (I hate it when hotels don’t have enough outlets for my electronics!), huge flat screen TV, pc doc for the laptop enthusiasts, and the cool contemporary desk that could be easily moved anywhere in the room (on wheels) to accommodate any tech geek.  The bathroom had its own changing room with full vanity area with two sinks separate from the shower. The green toilet (not the color, the environmentally friendly kind) was a bonus. The layout was ideal for anyone who's getting prepped for a night out on the town. 

For me, the best hotel amenity would be a tossup between the delicious breakfast we enjoyed at Twist – the hotel restaurant and bar, and the rooftop pool with cabanas, pool bar, and plenty of privacy provided by bamboo borders.

   I'm a total foodie, so I was in heaven with the cinnamon roll French toast, Spanish omelet, and mixed berry Belgian waffles. No, I did not eat all of that! We shared between the two of us ;)

But you have to love the rooftop poolside bar with servers bringing you Cadillac Margaritas and Poolside Lemonades as you relax sitting under the shade of a cabana, and feel the slight breeze high above the bustle of Hollywood Blvd…can you say relaxing!!  We didn’t want to leave.

The hotel also has a Hertz rental car office in the hotel, a club lounge exclusively for hotel guests only, tons of conference/meeting rooms, fitness area, and of course the ultra luxe Spa Luce.

Location is ideal!  The Renaissance actually has a direct enclosed pathway from the hotel’s Mezzanine level to the Hollywood & Highland Center that houses endless dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities and the world-famous Kodak Theatre.  Most importantly to us lesbians, H. Wood- the current venue for the hot PYT Friday night events, is right there too.  It literally took us under 5 minutes to get from our hotel room on the 18th floor to the front door of H. Wood.  You can’t beat that, especially at the end of a long night.  It’s also only a short cab ride away from the West Hollywood strip (perfect for LA Pride), Universal Studios, the Hollywood Bowl, Downtown LA and much more! 

 I’m guessing a number of you still have not booked a room for LA Pride 2010 this weekend, or are possibly planning a trip to West Hollywood, Hollywood, or LA this summer.  If so, you really need to check out the Renaissance Hollywood.  I highly recommend it and will stay again!  Do it ladies, you'll love it! ;)

My girlfriend and I met in West Hollywood, CA, so when we were deciding what to do for our 2 year anniversary, a weekend of tom-foolery in WeHo was a must!  We had such a fabulous time everywhere we went that I have to tell everyone about it!  I figure with LA Pride 2010 coming up in June that I would start by highly recommending the hotel we stayed in on our little lesbian getaway.   Seriously if you are coming to WeHo for Pride or any other occasion and need to stay overnight, Petit Ermitage is the perfect place!  The roof top pool and cabana area is amazing, with views of the Hollywood Hills, downtown LA, and of course West Hollywood.  Location is ideal as it's literally a block away from the Santa Monica Blvd WeHo strip, tucked away in a completely residential area of West Hollywood.  

 This French boutique hotel has an almost artistic bohemian circus feel throughout, with eclectic paintings and suggestive artwork on every wall.  My favorite was the art design painted on the upright piano found in the sitting room just inside the roof deck. 

The rooms have super comfy beds with down comforters and pillows, Flatscreen TV’s, iPod docking stations, free Wi-Fi, In-Suite Spa Services, Fireplaces, Kitchenettes with sinks and fully stocked mini bars (literally patron, grey goose, corona, red bull, juice, the works), and complimentary Petit Ermitage slippers that I LOVE!  

Every morning we ate like royalty at the hotel restaurant tucked away in the northeast corner of the roof deck.  The  garden atmosphere was calm and peaceful with little water fountains and gazebo seating.  

Our favorites dishes were the Lemon Chiffon Pancakes and the Chile-a-quiles.  SO good!  We are both avid coffee drinkers so were in heaven when they served each of us fresh coffee in individual French presses.  

 The staff were incredibly accommodating and their outfits were superb.  I felt like I was in the movie Moulin Rouge surrounded by little bohemian performers waiting on me hand and foot.  I highly recommend the Petit Ermitage if you’re ever vacationing in West Hollywood.  We will be back very soon!  Hope to see you there ;) 

www.PetitErmitage.com

Lush Ladies
Although Denver is not necessarily known as a lesbian hotspot, Denver is home to “First Fridays”, a monthly lesbian nightclub event expertly produced by Babes Around Denver (BAD). Started about 15 years ago by Dede Frain, the event packs in up to 1,500 women ranging in age from 21-75 each & every month. The club caters to the diversity in the lesbian community by opening early at 6pm and utilizing 3 DJs in 3 rooms. Early birds listen to Country, Disco and 80’s music. Later in the evening the tunes morph into Top 40 & Urban beats with headliner DJ Trina. They also offer VIP and bottle service. First Friday received a 2009  “Best of Denver” award from Westword for ‘Best Club Night – Reader’s Choice and boasts they are now the largest monthly women's party in the nation. First Friday offers a “Stay and Play” Package with special rates to girls who wanna go out to Denver and play their way;)

Dede likes to encourage women to come out and mingle by keeping the cover charge low at only $5. She also donates a portion of the monthly proceeds to charity and DJ Trina donates all 100% of her DJ fees to various Humane Societies and shelters across the country. To find out more about these lush ladies go to babesaroundenver.com

Overall, Sweet provided so many activities that my mind was constantly filled with things I could do as opposed to thngs I could not. There were movies, comedy shows, speed dating and so much more. I have to give credit to the staff of NCL and the ladies of Sweet as they made my cruise one to remember even with my disability. I would definitely go on another Sweet adventure and I recommend them to all women.

When the inaugural SWEET Caribbean cruise set sail in November, no one aboard could have imagined the unforgettable experience they were about to embark upon. The week started off with a jolting journey through a hurricane followed by girl parties, life-changing experiences and even more adventure.

Twelve hundred bikini-clad lesbians packed around the huge pool during the day. Then, nightclub events with world class DJs from around the country went off until the wee hours of the morning, sporting themes like “Sweet & Sassy” & “80’s”.  As the week progressed, stateroom doors became adorned with remembrances of parties past; things like nametags, stickers, and even pink feathered boas. Club Skirts sponsored a rockin’ pool party with DJ Kathy, go-go dancers and a wet T-shirt contest. All-you-can-eat buffets and restaurants on board were scrumptious, especially on “Chocoholic” night. Celesbians  Susanne Westenhoefer, Dani Campbell, singers Jen Foster and Edie Carey, and rising comediennes Erin Foley and Sandra Valls not only performed nightly, they attended and socialized with the cruisers at daily events.At ports in Costa Maya, Belize, Honduras, and Cozumel, ‘Sweeties’ partook in snorkeling, zip line, and ancient ruin excursions or simply lounged on private beaches.

Unlike other lesbian cruises, only SWEET gives back to the communities they visit. By partnering with local charitable organizations, SWEET offered cruisers the opportunity to participate in specially designed community service projects. It was a tremendous success!  In just one week ‘Sweeties’ volunteered their time to accomplish the following:

 Planted 600 new grasses in a New Orleans marsh devastated by Hurricane Katrina

Pulled over 200 giant bags of garbage from Uvero Beach in Costa Maya, Mexico

Pulled 1,500 pieces of plastic off the beach, planted 25 mangroves in a swamp devastated by Hurricane Hugo, & painted benches & planted trees in a park in Cozumel, Mexico

Painted bright cartoon characters on the walls of a children’s hospital ward & made donations of toys and clothes in Belize City, Belize

Donated over 1,000 children’s books (plus loads of school supplies) and painted to create a library for an elementary school in Belize City , Belize

In Roatan, Honduras Sweeties repainted a children’s e-learning center and donated 2 new computers

Women on the SWEET cruise were an eclectic group, ranging from femme to butch, and young to ‘older’. They came from every corner of America , plus Europe, Canada and Australia . Together, we made the world a bit brighter in between partying like rock stars. Check out the SWEET website to find out how to be a part of the next big adventure! www.discoversweet.com

1. Pick a Winner

Think about the type of vacation you want before you choose your destination, instead of the other way around. If you wanna lie on a beach & unwind, Waikiki is probably not the best destination for that. Pick a different island, like Kauai which is much more laid back.

2. Girl Spy

Cruise lesbian specific websites for great travel destinations and events for our kind. Go where the girls are.

3. Baggage a Go-Go

Buy some luggage that works for the way you travel. If you don’t like carrying your stuff, get a bag with wheels or a shoulder strap. Convenience is key when you travel

4. Custom Courtesy

Not all cities are as lesbo friendly as say WeHo. Know before you go & do your best to abide by local customs. Remember you are the visitor. Think of yourself as a guest in someone else’s home & you’ll do just fine regardless of where you are in the world.

5. Cash Strapped

No time or money. You don’t have to go far to go on vacation. Check out your hometown hotels & restaurants. When you leave your house & check into your room, stay in the trip mindset for the weekend & don’t return until your vacation is over.

6. Do as the Natives

The locals know the best lesbian spots in town so why not follow them. Ask around & you shall find. Oh, and remember to pick up the local lgbt rag paper.

7. Diversify

Do many different things on your vacation. Think outside of the proverbial box and be willing to go outside of you usual comfort zone. Enjoy new experiences for the simple fact that they are new to you.

8. Rear Arrears

Stay away from questionable menu items. Ask what it is before you order it. You want to be daring & bold not stupid. Besides, we wouldn’t want you to end up with cow balls on your plate, or even worse, a parasitic worm in your brain.

9. Relax Regardless

Inevitably, things will not go as you had imagined or planned. That’s ok, really it is. You have other options. Be willing to be flexible and go wherever the wind blows you.

10. Carry On

Before departing from your destination, pick up some local edibles for the trip home. That way you still feel like you’re on a vacation & you don’t have to eat that atrocious airline food.

1. Cheap Skate
Lesbians have a reputation, like it or not, for being penny pinchers. Loosen up your grip girls! Spend enough to make yourselves happy & don’t expect to get more than you pay for.
2. High Maintenance
It’s too hot, it’s too cold, there are too many people here, there are not enough people here. Shit, you girls are hard to please. Try to go with the flow more & don’t let little things bother you so much.
3. Planning A to Z
Leave some stuff to chance. Be spontaneous and make decisions on the fly based on how you feel. Go with the flow & don’t expect so much all the time. Slow down girl, after all, that’s what a vacation is for.
4. Closed Off
Open yourself to the possibilities of trying new things from food & drink to skinny dipping & snorkeling. Go ahead and meet new people by striking up a conversation with the locals. Make it an adventure.
5. Pack Rat
You know who you are. You packed so much crap that it drags you down & becomes a burden. Look at it this way, if worse comes to worse & you didn’t bring something you need, go out & buy it. You’re on vacation dammit.

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On the Sweet Caribbean Cruise Nov. 8-15, philanthropy is a leisure activity ."Being serenaded while you paint a children's ward in a hospital in Belize hardly feels like work," says Sweet CEO and founder Shannon Wentworth, when talking about one of the many volunteer opportunities aboard the inaugural Sweet Caribbean Cruise.Travelers can also choose to participate in a reef cleanup dive, dedicate a Sweet children's library at an underprivileged school, preserve a sea turtle habitat or rebeautify a community park with the local rotary club."You don't have to join the Peace Corps to make a difference," Wentworth said. "I think a lot of people are looking for vacations that are a little more meaningful than sitting on the beach for seven days. With us you can take a catamaran party cruise one day, abuild a children's library the next, then sit on the beach with a cool drink the day after that. "Each of the projects is about three to four hours long and is followed by something fun, like an open-bar party at a nearby beach club after picking up trash on the beach in Costa Maya, Mexico. "It's going to be so much more than a vacation. We have found a way to make all these projects fun and meaningful in small amounts of time," Wentworth said. "It's the fast food equivalent of volunteering, except it's good for you."As an added bonus, there is a pre-cruise excursion in New Orleans Nov. 5-8 that includes a four-hour wetlands restoration project with Bayou Rebirth to help protect New Orleans from future flooding. The rest of the time in the Big Easy will be spent enjoying a Creole cooking demonstration, a gay and lesbian tour of the French Quarter and an exclusive Sweet send-off party the night before the cruise sets sail. And if you don't feel like volunteering at all? "You don't have to," said Wentworth. "You can feel good knowing that good is being done, and that you're a part of something bigger just because you're there. It's a guilt-free experience."

"Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled Friday (October 10th, 2008) that gay couples have the right to marry, making the state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions. The ruling comes just weeks before Californians go to the polls on a historic gay-marriage ballot question, the first time the issue will be put before voters in a state where same-sex couples are legally wed."

 Well we all know how the California ruling went but I was so excited to see other states embracing and accepting, no matter their sexual orientation.  I was proud of CT for being one of the first of many to take such a big step forward.  So as you can imagine, I was thrilled to find out my domestic partner had family in CT and we were headed there on vacation.  Of course I was excited to meet the fam, but I can't deny that I was also quite determined to hit up lesbian scene while there!   We arrived at the Hartford airport, picked up our rental car and were off to meet the fam. 

Greeted with open arms and the good ol' Italian family greetings, I felt at ease and the anxiety turned to comfort almost instantly.  We spent a good portion of our week visiting the family but had made sure to dedicate some of our own time to go out and see what the local lesbian community had to offer.  Even though we live in West Hollywood, CA who's gay population is up to something like 50% (but don't quote me on that), I really just wanted to feel what it would be like to visit a state who has legally recognized that all are equal to marry.  

So finally our day, our "date" in CT had arrived and we headed out.  With no specific direction in mind, we got in the rental and were off to find some local lesbians!  I was nothing was smiles.  As we were driving down the green freeways, or highways, or whatever they call them ;) I had my trustie blackberry in hand and googled local lesbian bars and clubs.  Immediately I found an LGBT directory site for the area and found what we were looking for!  Both of us were jumping out of our seats and as directed, we headed to the theater district of New Haven!  Lesbians here we come!

Now call me idealistic or maybe a bit naive, but I truly envisioned something a bit different then what we found.  Maybe streamers and rainbow flags on every street corner.  Well...maybe not every corner, but at least in the "LGBT" areas.  I wanted to see lesbian couples out and proud to announce their love and claim their newly earned right to marry.  I mean at the time it was only about 6 months or so after the court ruling, so I was ready to join in their celebration.  Instead we found a Dunkin' Donuts on every corner.  LOL

I can't lie when I say we were both a bit let down when we drove by the first place which claimed to be "THE" place to be if you are gay.  It was a white concrete building with no name and just one big white door at the entrance.  I repeat, no name, no rainbow flags, no lines, nothing.  It literally looked like it subbed as a sweat shop during the day, gay bar at night.  I remember wondering why in a state that just legalized same-sex marriage it appeared to be so hush hush still.  =(   We decided to check it out anyways, so found parking and headed back.  Sadly we were turned away as this venue is only open at night and it was only about 4pm in the afternoon.  Realizing that we come from a very "happy hour" oriented city, maybe this was not and maybe this was establishment was just a nightclub, so decided to move on.  I consulted my navigation device and we were off, on foot, to the next location. 

Although "The Bar" had no outwardly significations it was LGBT friendly in any way, it was open so we happily pranced right in.  At this point we are ready to order a drink.  To our dismay we were quickly greeted and turned away again saying they were not open.  I was starting to feel that the website I had stumbled on may be a hoax.  I mean in California, or at least where we are from in West Hollywood, they know that our community likes to have an early afternoon cocktail or two, so you can always find a handful of places open at just about any legal hour.  But I was getting the impression that this was not the case in New Haven.  As we exited "The Bar" I finally noticed the first sign of gaydom that I had seen since arriving in CT.  At the exit there was a small section of LGBT publications displayed out for the public to pick up at will.  I lean over the table and notice "The Advocate" and sigh in relief.  There ARE lesbians in CT!  YAY!  

Now we are both pumped and ready to hit up the next stop, The Gotham City Cafe.  This establishment has got to open and ready for us.  I mean after all, they had been mentioned in LGBT publications as one of the best locations to hit in the area.  I was certain with "Cafe" in the name, they would surely be open for grub and a beverage.   Well again, they were not open.  Apparently this venue is geared for late night partiers, as they are open from 9pm to 4am.  This may be a place to hit if you are up one late night in New Haven, but definitely not if you are looking for bite to eat.  lol 

Again we're starved and head to one last destination before we give up.  Also not open even though it was now 5pm.  At this point with all the walking and disappointment, we gave up and hit up a local Irish pub. 

Stella and a club sandwich!  Both went down nice and smooth, even through the stares of the onlookers obviously not comfy with our sexuality.  But hey, at least we finally got to eat and have a couple beverages.  When we finished up we decided to just head back and give up on our quest to find lesbians in CT.  =(

So I know this article sounds a bit down on New Haven, but that's not the intention at all.  I mean I was discouraged that in a state that legalized same-sex marriage, I personally could not find any pride. But maybe we are a bit different in California, so I will gladly try again.  Honestly I am writing this in an effort to reach out to the lesbian community of New Haven (I know you're there) in an attempt to map out my next family vacation...a little more successfully.  So PLEASE!!  Help a lesbo and her dp out!  Where do we go and what are the hours of operation?  I will gladly help you in return if you're planning a trip to California.  Let's share some pride, west coast to east coast and back!

The stars will literally come out for Womenfest this year, when Top Gun actress Kelly McGillis is honored at a Womenfest Luncheon for her contributions to the arts, the LGBT community, and Key West.  Sharon Gless, of Cagney & Lacey fame, will speak along with the director of the film at an artists reception following the showing of her most recent release, Hannah Free at Women(Film)Fest. 

Headlining Womenfest 2009 is one of the fastest rising stars on the comedy circuit today, Dana Goldberg.  In fact, Curve Magazine recently ranked her as one of the Top Five Funniest Women in the United States, alongside Ellen DeGeneres, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Bridget McManus, and Kate Clinton.  Tickets are already on sale at www.womenfest.com.  

Keeping the nightlife sizzling is DJ Pride, one of the hottest young DJs in the nation.  Having already played most of the major clubs and refusing to be pigeon holed, this club chameleon will command the dance floor at Fury’s Floating Tea Dance and Aqua’s Saturday Night Dance Party.  

Also performing throughout Womenfest is Jennifer Corday, an award-winning original artist who was named one of "L.A.'s Hottest 100 Artists" by Music Connection Magazine.  Corday will be performing the internationally renowned women’s resort Pearl’s Rainbow.

Of course, no Womenfest would be complete without hitting the water!  The fun includes women-only pool parties at resorts like the Southernmost Hotel.  Many mainstream water excursions are unfurling the rainbow flag and offering women-only sails, snorkeling adventures, and other water adventures. 

Make your travel plans now to join the fun.  Womenfest Key West 2009 will be held Sept 8-13.  Check out details about WF events, tickets for the comedy show, information on hotels and travel discounts, all of which can be found at www.womenfest.com.

Most travel guides list any accommodation or attraction that pays an advertising fee. But TAG wanted to take it a step further: they launched an all-out effort to qualify travel businesses based not only on their desire for gay travel revenues, but on their employment policies, services, and support returned to the gay community. TAG Approved® Accomodations and Attractions qualify by agreeing to not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in their employment practices, actively outreach to the gay & lesbian community, and strive to create a gay-friendly experience for their guests. You can search listings by U.S., Canada, Europe and other destinations. Listings include information on glbt policies and benefits, and community involvement. Check it out at tagapproved.com.

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