Online Gay travel guide with vacations for gays and lesbians.

by Ed Salvato and Loann Halden

"Take care of the luxuries, and the necessities will take care of themselves." -- Dorothy Parker

With Ms. Parker's wise words in mind, we ask ourselves, why settle for run-of-the mill when there's an opportunity to be fabulous? That adage about the best things in life being free never took into account the opulent offerings that we've turned up for our Guide to Luxury Travel.

To whet the appetites of hedonistic gay and lesbian pleasure seekers (you know who you are; time to come out of your mink-lined closets!), we present some of our favorite high-end hotels, restaurants and spas in top gay-friendly destinations the world over, plus some jaw-dropping "accessories" that will ensure your ability to arrive in style.

Don't despair if you think that luxury means it's out of your price range. Although quality comes with a price, we've provided a wide range of choices. Take a lover to one of these destinations, and it's bound to be the gift that keeps on giving!

LUXURIOUS GAY GUESTHOUSES
1. Palm Springs, California
With a staff/guest ratio of 1 to 1, guests will feel completely pampered at The Hacienda at Warm Sands (586 Warm Sands Dr; Palm Spring, California; 760/327-8111 or 800/359-2007, fax 760/778-7890; www.thehacienda.com; $149-359). Its spacious grounds include two pools and a Jacuzzi, and a welcoming country-house atmosphere.
2. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
The Royal Palms (2901 Terramar St, Ft. Lauderdale Beach; 954/564-6444 or 800/237-PALM, fax 954/654-6443; www.royalpalms.com; $189-349; clientele: men/women) sets the standards for what a gay resort should be, from the Bose CD-radios and 320-threadcount Egyptian cotton sheets, to the lavender, chamomile and juniper-scented towels by the pool.

3. Toronto, Ontario
Escape the downtown bustle at Cawthra Square Inn and Spa (rooms C$119-299, suites C$279-549), a stately Edwardian "gentleman's home" in the gay village. The spa is a few doors away in the Jarvis Mansion, and offers massages, aromatherapy baths and a Dead Sea salt body exfoliation. Some services may also be performed in your room.

For more luxurious hotels in the U.S. and Canada, click here.

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Selected by the editors of Gay.com as one of the top 10 North American gay and lesbian guesthouses in 2004, Casa Cupula ($145-395) fuses modern design with the style of a traditional Mexican villa. It's conveniently located within walking distance of the Blue Chairs gay beach -- but gourmet breakfasts, in-room massages and cocktails on the poolside terrace make this casa hard to leave.

5. Tropical North Queensland, Australia
Thirty minutes north of Cairns is the Turtle Cove Resort (A$185-325), a self-contained gay and lesbian resort, with its own private beach surrounded by rainforest. It's a special place, with 27 beachfront and garden units, and perfect for those who want to be in an all-gay, tropical environment. The staff is friendly and the visitors a good mix of Aussies and foreigners.