The Out Traveler names Fort Lauderdale top gay resort for 2007

Bolstering its reputation as a top destination for gay travelers, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been named Favorite Gay Resort Town in the 2007 Out Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in the November 2007 issue. In addition, one of Fort Lauderdale’s 30-plus gay guesthouses also took home individual gold honors: Royal Palms Resort was chosen as the Favorite Gay Resort/Guesthouse. This honor for Greater Fort Lauderdale and the Royal Palms Resort adds to a distinguished list of awards including the 2006 PlanetOut Members' Choice for Best Gay Resort Town and 2006 PlanetOut Editor’s Choice for Best Gay Accommodation.

“We are extremely proud that both Fort Lauderdale and the Royal Palms Resort have been recognized by thousands of Out Traveler readers as the best,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Bringing nearly 1 million gay travelers to Greater Fort Lauderdale last year was a remarkable achievement, and this award is another milestone as we continue to roll out the rainbow carpet for GLBT travelers. We see the 'gold' given to the Royal Palms Resorts as a reflection of its owner, Richard Gray, a valued member of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Tourist Development Council.”

Greater Fort Lauderdale has more than 150 gay-owned establishments including hotels, bars, clubs, and restaurants as well as three gay and lesbian publications and the largest Metropolitan Community Church congregation in the United States. W Hotels also received Readers Choice gold for Favorite Hotel Collection. The sleek and hip luxury hotel is scheduled to open on the beach in Fort Lauderdale in June 2008. Last year gay visitors contributed some $1.2 billion to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s economy. According to conservative statistics, the American gay and lesbian community drives an impressive $55 billion travel industry.

The Royal Palms Resort, a member of the Rainbow Alliance and the Superior Small Lodgings quality assurance program, offers travelers luxuriously appointed guest rooms with amenities such as flat-panel televisions, iPod docking stations, Frette linens, Judith Jackson spa products, and wireless Internet access. Guests also enjoy complimentary breakfasts, newspapers, and poolside cocktail hours at this “Five Palm” property, the top rating for any hotel and resort by PlanetOut.com.

“We’re honored to be named Favorite Gay Resort/Guesthouse by the readers of Out Traveler,” said Gray. “As Fort Lauderdale becomes increasingly chic, sophisticated, and even more welcoming to GLBT visitors, the Royal Palms Resort continues to look for new ways to stand out and distinguish itself.”

The Out Traveler is owned by PlanetOut Inc., parent company of The Advocate. (The Advocate)