‘Preferred Pride’ resource for LGBT-friendly hotels worldwide

With destinations ranging from San Francisco to far-flung Mossel Bay in South Africa, the Preferred Hotel Group has launched “Preferred Pride,” a resource to find LGBT-friendly hotels and resorts, with a special focus on the season of Pride celebrations.

Every Preferred Pride partner is either certified by Community Marketing’s Travel Alternative Group (TAG) or a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).

More than 90 hotels and resorts (33 newly added this year) are on the roster of accommodations offering a package that includes “best available rate” and a special “property-specific amenity,” among other benefits (check each hotel for specifics).

Here are a few recent additions to the Preferred Pride program:

• Il Salviatino — Florence, Italy: Set in the city that defined the Renaissance, this restored hillside villa combines modern conveniences and indulgences with Old World charm. Gay hotspots are a quick drive away.
• Miramar Hotel by Windsor — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: With butler service and rooftop terrace, this retrofitted hotel is a glamorous getaway close to a variety of attractions, including Copacabana Beach, where the annual Pride parade happens.
• Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa — Manalapan (Palm Beach), Florida, US: Based at this modern, five-star resort, guests can enjoy daytime spa treatments and sunbathing on the private beach and nighttime excursions to various popular LGBT clubs and bars.
• Hesperia Madrid — Madrid, Spain: A 15-minutes walk from Chueca, where the Pride festivities take place, this hotel boasts memorable opportunities, from enjoying drinks on the rooftop terrace to dining at the two-Michelin-starred Santceloni. Read our travel feature on Madrid.
• Buddha Bar Hotel Paris — Paris, France: This historically rich 18th-century townhouse offers 56 rooms and private transportation to Place de la Bastille, where a dance party will conclude this year’s Pride march.

Here’s a selection of upcoming parades and festivals in locations with Preferred Pride hotels:

Tokyo Rainbow Week
Wed, April 26–Tues, May 6
Tokyo, Japan
Capitol Tokyu Hotel

Capital Pride
Sun, June 1–Sun, June 8
Washington DC, US
The Jefferson

Vienna Pride
Wed, June 11–Sun, June 15
Vienna, Austria
The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel

Dublin Pride
Sat, June 14–Sun, June 29
Dublin, Ireland
Dylan
The Fitzwilliam Dublin

Gay Pride New Orleans
Fri, June 20–Sun, June 22
New Orleans, US
Windsor Court Hotel

Chicago Pride Fest
Sat, June 21–Sun, June 22 and Sun, June 29 (parade)
Chicago, US
The Talbott Hotel

Pride in London
Sun, June 22–Sun, June 29
London, UK
Draycott Hotel
ME London

San Francisco Pride
Sat, June 28–Sun, June 29
San Franciso, US
Cavallo Point, Pier 2620 Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf
Hotel Nikko San Francisco

New York City Pride
Tues, June 24–Sun, June 29
New York, US
The Mark
The Michelangelo

Montreal Pride
Mon, Aug 11–Sun, Aug 17
Montreal, Canada
Hotel Gault

Austin Pride
Sun, Sept 14–Sat, Sept 20
Austin, US
Travaasa Austin
Lakeway Resort and Spa

For more information on hotels listed above and a complete list of participating members, visit Preferred Pride. For travel and news tidbits, check out Preferred Pride’s blog.