Las Vegas opens first gay resort

Las Vegas will soon have its first hotel catering specifically to gays: The Blue Moon Resort, a 47-room facility three blocks from the Strip. While many of the city's hotels and casinos are gay-friendly, "none of the big hotels cater to gay clientele," co-owner John Hessling told the Los Angeles Times. "They call themselves gay-friendly, but they don't publicize it." Hessling is opening the Blue Moon with his life partner, Mike Torres. The new hotel, which features a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, waterfall, fitness area, steam room, and private cabanas, was formerly a Travelodge. Hessling hopes to expand into the building next door--also a Travelodge--and increase the resort's capacity to 150 rooms. The scheduled January opening has now been pushed back to February 14, Hessling told Advocate.com, to make sure everything is in perfect order before the first guest settles in. "We were just in Los Angeles yesterday looking at our furniture [for the resort]," Hessling said. "It's going to be beautiful."