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You might find yourself intoxicated at the rooftop bar of Hotel Habita, located in Mexico City’s upscale Polanco neighborhood. And it wouldn’t be just because of the drinks, such as the tamarind margaritas. There’s also the splendid tapas, the sixth-floor view of the area, the terrace pool, the ambient music, the fire, maybe the fact that you’ve just enjoyed a spa treatment on-site, and of course the presence of a mover-and-shaker crowd. And that’s just the rooftop. Let’s not forget the 36 guest rooms, which have a cool, minimalist design (glass desks, white walls, grey couches, etc.) and ridiculously comfortable beds. Continuing down to the ground floor, try the menu at the hotel restaurant, Lobby, which holds its own in this famously food-centered district.At Habita, you’re within walking distance of some of the finest Mexican cuisine you’re ever likely to try, such as at Pujol (pujol.com.mx) or El Bajío. The hotel itself doesn’t feel especially gay, but it’s got gay-friendly management and sophisticated international guests who won’t blink at homo PDAs. For a luxurious stay amidst world-class eateries and classy shopping (and, of course, a taxi ride to gay nightspots), Hotel Habita is unsurpassed.
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Ed on the Radio: Picture-perfect Provincetown Honeymoon
THE RED TREE HOUSE: YOUR HOME IN MEXICO CITY
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Mexico City is a thrilling, if sometimes overwhelming, metropolis—a great destination on its own, or on the way to a beach resort elsewhere in the country. I’m pleased to report on The Red Tree House, a super-friendly, comfortable B&B that serves as an ideal base-camp for your excursions into the wider world. (Not for nothing is their tagline “Your home in Mexico City.”) The place exudes warmth—colorful décor, helpful and fully bilingual staff, and common areas for tasty breakfasts and evening drinks that encourage friendly interactions among guests (about 20% of whom are queer, estimates the manager).There are other hotels more convenient to gay nightlife, but the fact is, you’re bound to take taxis anyway; what’s more, the hotel—in the verdant, hip Condesa neighborhood—is a stone’s throw from a sake bar, a chocolate shop, a half-dozen restaurants of various sorts, and nightlife. The place will charm you, and for a reasonable price. (Rooms are $74/night and up for one person, or $89 and up for double-occupancy.)
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SAN FRANCISCO TREATS: UPCOMING STREET FAIRS
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Up Your Alley Street Fair, Sunday, July 31: Often called the step brother of the later Folsom Street Fair, this smaller annual South of Market street fair is not for the faint of heart, celebrating the Leather, BDSM and fetish Community with stages, demos, merchandise and information booths. Many locals find Up Your Alley more authentic and approachable, dating back to the origins of the SOMA leather scene on Dore Alley. Donations are collected at the gates for local charitable causes. Info: www.folsomstreetevents.org Folsom Street Fair, Sunday, Sept. 25: This is known to be the largest street fair in the world, encompassing 13 city blocks, numbering more than 400,000 people and welcoming a broad spectrum of South of Market lifestyles, including Leather, BDSM, uniforms, fetish and other alternatives. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. check out two live stages with 16 separate acts, more than 250 informational and retail booths, hot food and cold drinks, artists and more. Donations at the entrances benefit local charitable causes. Saturday night, Sept. 25, is Magnitude the no-holds-barred dance party at 525 Harrison St. from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. with DJs Ted Eiel and Joe Gauthreaux. |
New York Honeymoons: The Power of the Gay Dollar
Terrific article in the NY Times today about the steady procession of same-sex couples to get married in New York hints at the ability of marriage equality to boost a state’s bottom line.
But gay marriage festivities continued in some parts of the state on Monday. In Niagara Falls, where a lesbian couple married at midnight on Sunday, 46 other same-sex couples wed in a group ceremony on Monday that local tourism officials said was meant to kick off a campaign to make the city a wedding and honeymoon destination for gay couples.
More here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/nyregion/same-sex-marriages-begin-in-communities-statewide.html
PARIS NIGHTLIFE GETS A LITTLE SPYCE
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Either you completely dig the fact that most Parisians have “foutu le camp,” or you prefer to wait till September for “la grande rentrée” when the weather is still fine but school’s started up again and la belle France is back at work. Some of us fall into both camps. In July and August, it’s much easier to get reservations at restaurants. First-run movies are not usually sold out. And the subway is just a little easier to get through. Whenever you visit, there’s a fun little knot of gay bars to tour that are popular with visitors and locals (who like visitors) at the intersection of rue des Archives and rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie in the super gay-pouplar Marais section in Paris’ 4eme arrondissement.The usual suspects are the Open-Cafe at the intersection with its outdoor tables (and decent restaurant) andLe Cox Bar a few doors further south at 15, rue des Archives which attracts a more mature bear- and leather-friendly crowd.
Add to this tasty mix, the new Spyce Bar at 23, rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie. It’s a bar/club which is quite small but packed particularly on weekends. The crowd hasn’t seemed to sort itself out yet, but expect to find a mix of men and women (many straight women). The music is high energy. |
SUITE DREAMS: POOL PARTY AT DREAM HOTEL DOWNTOWN
The brand new and very hip Dream Hotel Downtown has opened and one of its coolest features is an outdoor pool and beach (with sand).
Well, would you know that the gays took one look at that space and thought, what a great place for a party!
And indeed it is. Promoted by Josh Wood and team, the party encourages guests to dance, swim, drink, and eat. The hotel is located at 355 W 16th Street at 9th Avenue and the party begins at 5:30 and goes till 9:30 on Sundays during the summer.
DEAL OF THE WEEK: FREE NYC HONEYMOON STAY
Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Chelsea Pines Inn, a gay-owned and gay-popular guesthouse in the heart of Chelsea (that’s celebrating 25 years in continuous operation), applauds the passing New York State’s Marriage Equality Act by offering a free honeymoon to the first same-sex couples to be married in New York City on July 24. But hurry, the offer ends soon!
This offer is for one night in a Honeymoon Suite, a bottle of champagne and wedding cupcakes. The stay also includes expanded continental breakfast and complimentary WiFi.The lucky couples need to contact the hotel directly at (212) 929-1023 or by email at reservations@chelseapinesinn.com. Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, July 20 and a drawing for the winner will be held at the weekly Owner’s Wine & Cheese Reception on Thursday, July 21.All entrants will be offered a special Honeymoon Rate of $199 a night for a Deluxe Room or higher category good throughout July or August. (Regular rate for the Honeymoon Suite is $399/nt).
A marriage certificate will be required to redeem the free night and the special offer. Honeymoon Rate is subject to availability.
TOUR OF THE WEEK: AFRICA WITH VENTURE OUT
If you haven’t been on safari in Africa, you haven’t traveled. Just sayin’
Here’s your golden opportunity. There are only two rooms left on Venture Out’s Southern Africa Trifecta: Cape Town + Botswana Wildlife Safari + Victoria Falls
Dates: September 7 to 15, 2011
Check after the jump for more info.
This tour offers an optional Extension to Hwange National Park from September 15 to 18, 2011In the words of Robert Driscoll, Venture Out’s founder and owner:
“This fantastic tour that blends a splendid sampling of African culture, incredible wildlife, other outdoor activities, great food and wine, and gorgeous scenery — beginning in Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The itinerary will cover a vast, majestic land, and this is sure to be a trip of a lifetime! A luxury “camp” in Botswana’s famed Okavango Delta complements the wildlife safari activities. And you’ll witness the majesty of Victoria Falls — the greatest show of its kind on the planet! For those who have a little more time and want a more in-depth safari experience, there’s a wonderful extension to nearby Hwange National Park — the size of Connecticut and one of Africa’s premier game viewing regions!”
Information: http://www.venture-out.com/africa.htm
AMSTERDAM GAY PRIDE TO BE AIRED LIVE ONLINE
If you can’t catch it live, don’t worry! You’ll get to see famous and fabulous Canal Parade (where floats actually, well, float) of Amsterdam Pride live online on Saturday August 6.
The Canal Parade in Amsterdam is one of the highlights of the Amsterdam Gay Pride festival. This year the Dutch public broadcasting company AVRO will provide an exclusive opportunity to make international online viewing possible.
On Saturday the 6th of August, the entire event will be broadcast live on amsterdamcanalparade.avro.nl. This will allow people from across the world to enjoy and be part of the greatest cultural gay event of the year.
Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com.
The LGBTQ Travel Expert. Educator. Speaker. Author. 