THEGAYUK

Tag: Hotel Review

Our writers explore new accommodations, hotels and B&Bs to bring you the latest reviews. Find out where’s gay-friendly and where they go the extra mile to make you feel welcome.

  • REVIEW | Vista Bonita Gran Canaria

    If you’re looking for a gay stay in Gran Canaria then Vista Bonita should be on your priority list.

    Gay-only vacations aren’t for everyone. The thought of staying in a gay hotel or gay apartment might not be to everyone’s taste – it wasn’t mine until I stayed at Vista Bonita near Maspalomas in Gran Canaria – and then my opinion changed. We ended up visiting twice – in one year.

    Vista Bonita is a set of simple but perfectly formed one bedroom apartments set around an outdoor pool on the outskirts of Maspalomas and around a 2-mile walk or 10-minute cab ride to the gay epicentre of Yumbo.

    Gran Canaria, which is located a hundred and fifty miles off the north-west coast of Africa, has long been accepted as one of the most gay-friendly holiday spots in the world, and with all-year round good weather it’s just a four and a half hour flight from the UK, you’re pretty much-guaranteed sunshine.

    English is widely spoken and the locals are incredibly friendly and accepting.

    Vista Bonita offers two styles of apartment, although they are all essentially the same floor plan. You have a standard duplex and the deluxe. They both offer a living room and equipped kitchenette as well as a first-floor bedroom. Each apartment has two toilets – and one which comes with a bath/shower. All have terraces overlooking the swimming pool or the lush gardens towards the back of the complex.

    The deluxe duplex offers the extras including a welcome fruit selection and alcohol. There are other extras as well.

    A word to the wise and an insider tip. Although a pool view might seem nice (in fact it can be at times very interesting – because some guests take full advantage of a clothing optional acceptance) it can be very noisy – especially at night when those who have partied at Yumbo for too long come back and think it’s a great idea to start a pool party at 3 AM. Although this is not permitted by hotel management, it did happen almost every night we stayed on our second visit. So ask for a room in the garden section – which is further away and offers a little more privacy.

    Flight time from the UK around 4 and half hours- with legacy and low fare carriers all serving the Island.

  • Solo in Sitges: 24 hours in the gay beach town capital of the world

    Sitges: A beautiful Mediterranean coastal town, only 35 minutes bus ride from Barcelona Airport (BCN) makes this town an easy accessible standalone destination.

    24 hours in Sitges

    With the generous offering of 22 beautiful beaches (including 3 gay beaches), the natural pull of the blue waters encouraged me to continue my exploration from the seafront promenade on to the mild sandy beaches. Each beach is separated by stone stretched pathways that resemble shallow piers and graceful huge rocks to sit on perhaps with a cold drink in hand, served from one of the many friendly quirky pop up beach bars.

    The pebbled and quaint Playa Del Muerto is publicised as an exclusive nude gay beach. It’s an hour walk from the town area and having spoken to a few solo gay travellers they all agreed that if you embark on that walk alone then make sure you have plenty of water, running shoes, emergency phone number, a working cell phone and a warning to be at arm’s reach of fatal accidents.

    To reach Playa Del Muerto will mean that part of your walk will be very near cliff edges and open railway tracks (train speeds at over 140km per hour). The thrill-seeking solo traveller will almost be in his element especially when he finds that the name of the beach translates to ‘Dead Man’s Beach’. I was extremely put off when I heard all this so, of course, I was even more intrigued to embark on the walk with the fear of many others that are ‘missing out’ on something that could just be an illusion that we create and fantasise about.

    The views from the high cliffs were breathtaking. The beach itself seemed very private and on that particular day, it resembled a pretentious open air nightclub – without the socialising, dancing and music. There is a small hut that sells refreshments – cash only and take lots of it! (May 17)

    Accommodation in Sitges is saturated with shared apartment options and travelling solo did not echo anything to do with sharing (other than conversations) so I retreated at Hotel Alenti a brand new 4*, 10 room boutique hotel located in the centre of downtown Sitges. My jacuzzi suite was tastefully designed and quietly encased with floor to ceiling large non-intrusive windows. Hotel Alenti offered slick luxurious comforts, while its location offered the opportunity to step in and out of the hustle bustle at the heartbeat of gay Sitges.

    Many gay men wouldn’t think about travelling solo because of fear of being alone. If this sounds like you then allow Sitges and hotelalenti.com to host that fear, you will notice how that illusion can fade. The numerous group activities you can join, the amazing weather, dining places, fresh food, cold drinks and most of all – people watching. Soon you realise you are watching others in groups – on their phones, struggling to make conversations, staring into the abyss, then you start to think – they may as well be travelling solo!

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham

    ★★★★★ | Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham

    If you’re looking for a gorgeous, sumptuous, sexy stay in the heart of Birmingham, make Hotel Du Vin your port of call.

    Deluxe suite

    Located in the centre of Birmingham, Hotel Du Vin is perfectly placed for access to the theatres, restaurants and shopping centres, including the City’s famous Bullring complex, which houses the ever-popular Selfridges. The hotel itself is actually situated in Birmingham’s financial district, in an old Victorian eye hospital, lovingly and rather expensively restored to excellent standards. A true icon in the heart of the hustle and bustle.

    Birmingham’s gay scene is just under a mile away and around a 20-minute walk, but don’t let that hold you back from booking one of their extraordinarily appointed and super cool rooms, which ooze continental European-style embellishments throughout, giving the overall vibe of French romance and Italian passion.

    There are 66 rooms in total and are all named after premiere wine houses and their products, because of the building’s heritage and its former usage as a hospital, the rooms are large, the ceilings are high and the huge windows look down onto the back streets of central Birmingham.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hdv-gallery/6910504499/in/album-72157629403657749/

    As standard, rooms are fitted with monsoon showers over its baths, Nespresso machines and Egyptian linens. The room we stayed in was Penfolds, which boasted the biggest bed we had ever seen.

    Lux is the first and last word at Hotel Du Vin, with every need perfectly executed. Here you’ll find all the standards of modern living, good strong WIFI, room service, laundry, fitness centre, sauna and steam room.

    Make sure you take a bite to eat in the Bistro for a truly superb meal, read our full review here.

    Staff were very friendly and very helpful and perfectly handled our check-in and check out and with prices from £89 your stay won’t make your eyes water.

    CHURCH STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B3 2NR UNITED KINGDOM 01217943005

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Santiago Resort

    HOTEL REVIEW | Santiago Resort

    ★★★★★ | Santiago Resort

    The Californian TREAT in RETREAT

    Located in a highly desirable neighbourhood in Palm Springs, California sits a quaint resort that is the recently refreshed Santiago. The friendly and attentive staff welcomes you to this gaysclusive 24 room – awe-inspiring resort. Most rooms boast landscape views of the towering mountains that surround this swim suit optional resort. The long list of amenities includes TV, DVD, fridge, microwave, king size beds, ceiling fans, housekeeping, WiFi, heated oversized pool, and Jacuzzi that are all a stone’s throw away from the tropical exotic surroundings that light up this resort. Santiago is one of the very few resorts that also offer both complimentary continental breakfast as well as a healthy light lunch that varies daily. As this resort sits proudly near downtown Palm Springs you will be neighbours with the bustling areas that will cater for your retail, wining, dining and dancing needs.

    Sometimes when we travel we think that we have to go out and explore or else we feel as though we are missing out on something and Santiago has this natural pull to the resort that even though the area is waiting to be explored…so are the hammocks, the fire pit and the views that come with both. OK so one might think that there is only so many views that one can take – I stayed here in January and back home in London it’s not very often you get to look at a backdrop of snow-capped mountains behind a canvas of clear blue skies whilst drinking English Breakfast tea (of course). When dusk starts to creep in and you are backstroking in the warm pool it’s difficult not to get carried away with a number of stars that twinkle away from any light pollution. I left thinking is Palm Springs closer to the moon – it seems that way.

    Santiago is the treat in retreat!

  • TRAVEL REVIEW | Glamping In Yorkshire

    A million stars looked down upon my boyfriend and me, as we gazed into the endless night sky. If you’re looking to get out into the wilderness and can’t quite pull off that Bear Grylls’ ruggedness, then perhaps Glamping should be your next holiday idea.

    Right in the middle of rural Yorkshire is the stunning Camp Kutur, miles from any city. The days are still and silent and the nights are awe inspiring. As you gaze into the night sky, with the fire’s embers glowing softly as you sit on your private decking, you’ll feel like you’re at one with nature, but not too at one. Set in hundreds of acres of private land of the Camp Hill estate, Camp Kutur has just a handful of different accommodation options including Teepees, Unidomes, Hobit Pods and Geodomes. We were lucky enough to stay in one of the gorgeous Geodomes for two nights at the tail end of September.

    The Geodomes are a spacious tented space, set on the forest’s edge, with a clear front overlooking the rest of the site. They are self-contained units, with a comfy double bed and seating area as well as a log burner. It’s all very very cosy. Outside there is a kitchenette and it’s own private toilet and shower. At the front of the Geodome is your own private decking area, complete with bar-b-que and a warming wood burner for those nights with a chill in the air.

    On the site, there’s also an eco spa and sauna, although these come at an extra cost.

    Glamping has almost become synonymous with hen parties, let’s face it. There probably isn’t a girlfriend of yours that hasn’t been on a glamping weekend and gone on and on about the rugs, the tea lights and the overall cosines of their yurt. Well, boys, I’m here to say it’s everything they said it was and we whole-heartedly approve.

    A quick word of warning, despite it being glamping and there are the comfort extras over and beyond an ordinary campsite, it is still back to basics where tech is concerned. There is no electricity and no WiFi. So if you’re a techno junkie, you won’t be able to charge your devices or log onto the web. You may want to check with your phone’s network provider to see if there is 3 or 4G in the area. But if you’re looking to cut off be truly DND (do not disturb) then this is your haven.

    Geodomes start at £80 (Oct/Nov) per night and a minimum of two nights booking is required.

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Art’Otel Berlin Mitte

    ★★★★ | Art’Otel Berlin Mitte

    Art’Otel Berlin Mitte Hotel review
    Art’Otel Berlin Mitte

    Earlier this year I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Hustlaball Gay Porn Awards at the Kitkat Club in Berlin. While staying in Berlin for the weekend, I had the pleasure of staying at the Art’Otel Berlin Mitte. The hotel is one of a chain of hotels around Europe that specialise in featuring a particular artist in the décor of the hotel building. The Berlin Mitte art’otel features German artist Georg Baselitz throughout and has been recently renovated giving the hotel a fresh contemporary feel.

    All 109 rooms and suites, as well as the entrance, lobby and reception, have received an inspiring new look, featuring new bathrooms, modern beds and bold furnishings, with the design encompassing Georg Baselitz’s use of wood with metallic, Gold and Copper themes. In addition, the grey walls in the public areas, combined with the famous Baselitz paintings provide a striking new feature, whilst the elegant furniture, such as the comfortable armchairs, alongside the seven-metre sculptural concrete seat, gives the hotel its very own unique touch.

    Since its original opening in 1997, art’otel berlin mitte has displayed a permanent exhibition with 328 works by Georg Baselitz. From large pictures to smaller charcoal drawings, each room includes a painting, an etching or a graphic of his work. Baselitz focused early on deformations, the power of the subject, and the liveliness of the colours, which has been brought to life within the hotel’s renovation.

    The hotel features a number of rooms of different sizes, from the spacious twin rooms through to XL Suites which have a king size beds, a two-seater sofa that pulls out into a double bed, and a few have access to the balcony that looks out towards the Berlin Cathedral and the Museum Island.

    Check in is a breeze with the numerous and friendly staff, and they are on hand to help you with whatever you need at any hour of day or night. Even if you come back from the club and realise you’ve left your key in the room at 3 am.

    Before getting your night started, you can enjoy a drink or dinner at the Upside Down Bar in the foyer, where every Friday night there is a live DJ playing from 6 – 10 pm. The Upside Down Bar is so named in reference to Baselitz’s painting style which was largely upside-down images, while the menu is inspired by various Mediterranean sources. Other than the Friday night events, on the 2nd Thursday of each month the DJ plays from 5-8 for after work drinks, and on the last Wednesday of each month you can come along and take in a cocktail making masterclass for 25€, or if you’re not like me, and are actually getting out of bed on Sunday morning instead of in it, you can go along for Sunday Funky Jazz Brunch from 11 am to 2 pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month for just 20€.

    Art’Otel Berlin Mitte is located next to the Märkisches Museum Ubahn station at Wallstrasse 70. It’s easy to find either by taxi or public transport as it is centrally located, and sits next to the Australian Embassy building. The Berlin Mitte art’otel features rooms starting at 134€ per night though readers of TheGayUK.com can save up to 20% by booking 30 days in advance through the following link: www.artotels.com/offers/5692590

    Aaron stayed in Berlin as a guest of Art’otel Berlin Mitte.

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Hilton Garden Inn Customs House

    HOTEL REVIEW | Hilton Garden Inn Customs House

    The newest Hilton Hotel in Dublin is the recently acquired Hilton Garden Inn at Customs House. Situated on the river, on the edge of the financial district, the hotel is easy to find from the airport as well as being conveniently situated for shopping and dining.

    Holiday Inn Dublin

    The hotel boasts 239 spacious rooms, each with a 40-inch TV screen and mini-bar. The minibar can be stocked easily from a large selection of items at the ‘pavilion pantry’ in the foyer 24 hours a day.
    The professional and helpful hotel staff are able to assist you with finding your way around town, though public transport choices are also easy to find near the hotel, with local buses stopping just outside the main door, and the tram system running along the street behind. To help you sort through the many dining options the city has to offer, there is a Dublin Dining magazine including all the restaurants in the city and a map showing their locations.

    The hotel itself is a short 20 – 30-minute walk from most of the inner city areas such as Temple Bar, Grafton Street (Dublin’s most famous shopping street), EPIC Ireland museum is within 5 minutes’ walk, and much of Dublin’s main shopping areas are within 20 minutes.

    The rooms themselves are spacious with a large comfortable bed, television screen with multiple channels from both Ireland and the UK. The bathrooms are bright and well appointed.

    Aaron_Holloway-GI_kingwithview_698x390_FitToBoxSmallDimension_Center

    The hotel is a short walk from the majority of Dublin’s gay bars, of which there are a few to choose from, with The George being the only one open past 12pm every night of the week with live drag acts, however it is simple enough to order an Uber and get there quicker for about 5 euro.

    It’s a quick cab ride to the area of Temple Bar, where you can find hundreds of restaurants of various styles and varieties. It’s a good idea to check the traffic situation as mid-to-late afternoon traffic runs peak hour right past the hotel, and it might actually be quicker to walk.

    To find out more about the hotel, or to make reservations, visit their website.

    Following Aaron Holloway on Twitter

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays

    HOTEL REVIEW | Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays

    A friendly welcome and smile awaits you at Portsmouth’s Holiday Inn Express Gunwharf Quays.

    Hotel Exterior

    Right in the heart of the newly redeveloped Gunwharf Quays, just in the shadow of the famous Spinnaker Tower, Holiday Inn Express Gunwharf Quays couldn’t be more in the thick of the action if it tried.

    The 130 room hotel offers the perfect base for exploring the harbour city of Portsmouth in the south of England. Using this hotel as your base you’ll be able to discover the rich maritime history of Portsmouth with the abundance of museums and exhibitions in the local area, including the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, just seven minutes walk from the hotel.

    The rooms look down on to the bustling pedestrian area of Gunwharf Quays, which is filled with restaurants and cafes. The hotel also managed to secure some brilliant discounts at some of the chain restaurants, including a personal favourite of Giraffe, where we were able to get a huge 30 per cent off our meal.

    Your receptionist will be able to help you out with the restaurants taking part.

    The hotel is a standard Holiday Inn Express, offering breakfast and WIFI in the price – and free parking for the first 24 hours – each subsequent day costing £2.00 – a great reduction in the normal parking costs for the Gunwharf Quay.

     

    Bedroom

     

    The hotel offers great sized, comfortable rooms, with two pillow options, hard and soft. It is slightly let down by its dispenser soaps and shower gels in the bathroom instead of individual soaps and shower gels, but it’s a minor gripe, when looking at over all value.

    The hotel is a short walk from Portsmouth’s only gay bar, the Hampshire Boulevard.

    It’s also the perfect place to stay if you’re planning to attend Portsmouth’s Pride, which is a stroll along the seafront to Southsea common.

    Portsmouth Pride takes place in June.

    Find out more about hotel on its website.

     

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Eccleston Square Hotel

    ★★★★ | Eccleston Square Hotel

    Eccleston Square Hotel

    I visited the Eccleston Square Hotel previously to review their restaurant, which I awarded five stars. Classed as London’s most hi-tech hotel, before arrival you’re encouraged to download their app from which you can request various items and drinks to be waiting in your room.

    Further to the app, your room comes with an Ipad 2. Again, you control everything using the iPad; from wake up call, free 3D movie requests (for your 46inch), to room service- and of course you still have the option to pick up the phone and speak with someone.

    Eccleston Square Hotel

    The bed was exquisitely comfy, and it wants to be with a price tag of 12k (literally sleeping on someone’s salary). The only thing it can’t do is make you climax, unless you’re super sensitive and switch that massage mode on full whack- it really goes for it!

    The bathrooms are kitted out palatially; a “rainfall” shower fit for four (channel Pamela Anderson in Barbwire when using the shower seat), a TV in the mirror, smart glass technology to frost the glass for privacy, and a lovely selection of L’occitane products.

    Upon request you can get the key for the Square’s shared private garden across the road, so we took our Cosmos and went for an evening walk around the gardens. Very pretty and peaceful.

    Due to birthday celebrations we took full advantage of the 24hr room service with a fair few bottles of fizz and post-prosecco paninis being brought to the room. So much so the next day we actually had to return a bottle of bubbles to the front desk as we had over ordered. I partly blame the iPad for making the process so easy & streamline.

    Breakfast was slightly unfortunate with pancakes cold and bacon hot for my friend, and everything was flavoursome in my full English, but the beans were beastly!

    Eccleston Square Hotel

    The experience altogether is a clever meeting of automated / hi-tech, and delivery with a smile from the kind and personable team that bring the real touch to your stay.

    Hi-tech, high spec , a stay you won’t forget.

  • TRAVEL | Going Gay In Thailand

    April 2016 marked a huge milestone for the new gay beach festival called TropOut, which debuted on the island of Phuket is southern Thailand. The event was masterminded by founder Aaron Zoanetti after finding a lack of diverse travel experiences designed with LGBT people in mind.

    CREDIT: Two Bad Tourists

    CREDIT: Two Bad Tourists

    Feeling comfortable in a new destination as an LGBT traveler is always an issue particularly for gay friends or couples traveling together. So with that goal in mind, Thailand was not surprisingly selected as the location for the first event. I attended the festival from April 3rd through 9th and was amazed by what came together.

    This wasn’t my first trip to Thailand but it was certainty my favourite. Having not been in Asia for nearly four years I had almost forgotten the attention to service and detail that one experiences and Thailand is no exception. I flew from London Heathrow via Bangkok to Phuket and was lucky enough to get an upgrade to business class. Somehow beyond my comprehension Thai Airways’ A380, the largest passenger aircraft on the planet, manages to transport more than 500 people on a single plane to the Thai capital in just under 12 hours. The ride was incredibly comfortable in fantastic lie-flat seats making the journey one I almost didn’t want to end. Still, my destination was Phuket and I had one last quick flight to catch in Bangkok before arriving.

    CREDIT: Two Bad TouristsCREDIT: Thai Airways / Two Bad Tourists

    Having traveled from London the day before, the hot and humid air hit my face suddenly. I wasn’t sure what was in store but I was pleasantly surprised to have already met four attendees at the airport and we shared a quick 20 minute transfer to the hotel. Some 30 minutes south of the bustling area of Patong sits the Laguna Phuket complex made up by several separate resorts. TropOut coordinated with two properties specifically to host guests depending on budget and the amenities they were looking for. The 4-star Cassia is brand new, trendy and hip and hosted most guests on the trip creating a hub where guests could meet and socialize throughout the week. Those wishing for a bit more luxury opted for the 5-star Angsana Resort just a five minute boat or bus ride away. I stayed all six nights at the Angansa Resort complete with numerous pools, bars and restaurants, indoor and outdoor activities and most importantly, a private beach and fabulous beach club just minutes away from my room.

    I wondered why Zoanetti was so motivated having spent the last year organizing for this event , but within less than a day his vision unraveled before my eyes. TropOut is exactly what most large gay festivals are not. The fact of the matter is that gay circuit parties have for years (and even decades) been a motivation for people to travel to an exotic destination. The likes of XLSIOR Mykonos, Circuit Barcelona and The White Party in Palm Springs may be successful events, but for some they leave something to be desired. Sure, TropOut understands that people love a good party. After all, their simple yet effective slogan Chill, Party and Explore makes clear the goal of the event. In fact, everyday of the program included a social gathering including a pool party, white party, a night out in Patong’s gay Paradise Complex, not to mention the opening party headlined by famous DJ Robin Schulz at Angsana’s Xana Beach Club.

    CREDIT: Two Bad TouristsCREDIT: Two Bad Tourists

    But even as the parties went on, TropOut did not lose sight of what they think is an important part of travel, which promotes experiencing the local scene, gastronomy, culture and natural landscapes of the destination. This is why more than half of the attendees booked an excursion like a Thai cooking class, Phuket city tour or one of two stunning boat tours to either Kho Phi Phi Islands or Phang Nga Bay. Not only were these excursions enjoyable for the guests but they provided an extra social atmosphere within the group beyond the daily parties and gatherings.

    The agenda was meticulously created but not in such detail that guests lost freedom. There was plenty of time for people to chill and relax by the beach or even sleep in through the afternoon for those that stayed out partying late the night before. But perhaps the most memorable part of the experience were the friendships that were created. Just as Aaron explained to me some months ago, the vision of TropOut was to create a more sophisticated gay travel experience with like-minded people. And the truth is that within just a couple days I had already formed friendships with people that I’m excited to meet again on future trips or maybe even the next TropOut event.

    CREDIT: Two Bad TouristsCREDIT: Two Bad Tourists

    And as luck has it, the TropOut team announced the dates and location for the next festival, which is already in the works. If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting the South Pacific this might be the perfect opportunity. From May 6 to 13 of 2017 the island of New Caledonia will host the next version of TropOut. Situated between Australia and Fiji and just a two hour’s flight from Brisbane, next year’s event in the beautiful French Overseas Territory is sure not to disappoint.

    CREDIT: Two Bad Tourists

    For more information on TropOut, you can visit their website here.

    By Guest Writer Auston Matta – Two Bad Tourists @twobadtourists

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Hilton Times Square

    HOTEL REVIEW | Hilton Times Square

    Gloriously central and fabulously touristic, the Hilton Time Square is the perfect place to book if you’re staying in New York for the first time.

    Hilton Times Square
    Right in the heart of it

    Overview | The Room | The People | The Location | The Gay Scene | The Verdict

    One of the things you’ll find if you’re staying in Manhattan is that hotel rooms come in two sizes. Small and extra small – that is unless you’re staying at the Hilton near Times Square.

    Some may argue that the location is too conventional and too safe and that the “real” New York happens several blocks away, but if you’re a Big Apple novice and you’re looking for a friendly place in a city of over 8 million people, the Hilton is a perfect choice.