HOTELS GET GAY-FRIENDLY

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 1999

U.S. hotel chains have become kinder places for homosexual guests and employees, according to ratings by Out & About, a newsletter for gay and lesbian travelers. Half of those surveyed, for instance, offer domestic-partner benefits, and another 25 percent are considering implementing them.

Ratings are based on six criteria: inclusion of sexual orientation in Equal Employment Opportunity statements; transferability of frequent guest awards to same-sex partners; sensitivity training for front-line personnel regarding lesbian and gay guests (including health/HIV issues); gay-specific advertising and marketing campaigns; domestic-partner benefits for employees, and membership in the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.

Kimpton..... A
Joie de Vivre..... A
Four Seasons...... B+
Marriott .... B+
Orient Express.... B+
Outrigger .... B+
Starwood.... B+
Manhattan East.... B
Ritz-Carlton...... B
Sonesta..... B
Hilton...... B-
Swissôtel.... B-
Hyatt.... C+
Omni.... C+
Bass.... C
Loews.... C
Wyndham.... C

Source: Out & About