HotelChatter

Kimpton, Thompson, Fairmont, Four Seasons have all made it onto the website's list of approved hotel brands, though there is some rigorous screening that goes into that approval.

In addition to being asked about their current involvement with the LGBT community, compliance with non-discrimination policies and same-sex worker benefits (all good things, we say), the hotels must also:

"undergo LGBT welcoming training and are required to put together their own information guide, known as Out & About, detailing the destination’s best clubs, restaurants, events and attractions on the gay and lesbian scene."

No small task! But then again, discerning hoteliers these days know all too well how lucrative the gay travel market can be, and are likely content to meet whatever criteria are necessary to be featured on sites like Out Escapes and World Rainbow Hotels.

A few clicks around WRH show that the site is relatively easy to navigate—users can even narrow down their hotel search by categories such as "Classic," "Historic," "Design," "LGBT Iconic," or even "Beach Hotels." An interactive map is also useful, as is the menu of "New Hotels," which doesn't necessarily show newly-opened hotels, but rather, properties that were recently added to WRH's list.

The tally currently stands at 850 gay-friendly hotels in 129 locations, but that number is sure to grow. Nicolas Wijnants, the brand's director, explained that the site's objective is "from the moment our guests make a reservation to the time they check out, they can just relax." Which, gay or not, is really all anyone wants to do when they're on vacation.

[Photo: World Rainbow Hotels]