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BEST AIRLINE
American Airlines
4333 Amon Carter Blvd., Fort Worth
817-963-1234
AA.com/Rainbow
Yes, they know why we fly. (Main reason: Because driving to Europe is a hassle.) You can get away to exotic gAAy destinations all over the globe on the airline with the only LGBT-dedicated sales team in the industry. It’s also the largest airline, not just in DFW, but the world, making it easy to choose from hundreds of nonstop flights from DFW Airport to fabulous locales like San Francisco and New York — or international destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Paris if you need more travel time to catch up on in-flight movies and spend a little quality time curled up in First Class with a SkyMall catalog. The popular AAdvantage miles program makes earning free travel fast and easy and you can even book through their gay Web site, AA.com/rainbow. If only accruing more vacation days were that simple.
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BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY
Rainbow Ranch
1662 LCR 800, Groesbeck, TX.
888-875-7596
RainbowRanch.net
Rainbow Ranch isn’t just about hooking-up al fresco — that’s only part of the fun. It’s mostly about mixing with outdoorsy queers from all across Texas. Located between Dallas, Houston and Austin, Rainbow Ranch makes it easy for city types to ditch the business gear and kick it country-style. "It’s kinda like the Texas version of Provincetown … minus all the B&Bs and bars," says camp regular Jason Wood. "You provide your own munchies and booze here."
But you can expect live entertainment, as well as outdoor sports and themed events monthly. Camping options range from fully loaded cabins to primitive tenting sites (no water or electricity), and reservations start at only $20 a night. Sometimes, it’s fun to hang out where the bears congregate — and we mean that in every sense.
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| POLKING AROUND THE KITCHEN | Chef Michael Napier whips up gourmet meals as part of your stay at the Daisy Polk Inn. (Photo by Arnold Wayne Jones) |
BEST LGBT BED & BREAKFAST • TIE
Daisy Polk Inn
2917 Reagan St.
Call or visit Web site for reservations.
214-522-4692
DaisyPolkInn.com
Thee Hubbell House Bed & Breakfast Resort
307 W. Elm St., Winnsboro
Call or visit Web site for reservations.
903-342-5629 or 800-227-0639
TheeHubbellHouse.com
If you think the "breakfast" part of "bed and breakfast" means oatmeal and grapefruit with a side of Cheerios, you really need to plan a staycation and head for the Daisy Polk Inn. The "cook" there, Michael Napier, is actually an award-winning chef who cut his culinary teeth at Stephan Pyles’ AquaKnox and now whips up scrumptious meals for the residents of the cozy cottage, which recently celebrated its centennial standing on the corner of Regan and Dickason in the gayborhood. The house itself, a wistful, old-fashioned Victorian still reportedly haunted by Miss Daisy’s ghost, is almost as charming as Wayne Falcone, the proprietor who bought the moldering house in 1996 and turned it into a B&B a few years back. It’s an oasis of gentility in the heart of the Crossroads.
BEST CAR RENTAL
Enterprise
2820 Oak Lawn Ave.
(and additional locations)
Opens Monday-Friday at 7:30 a.m.,
Saturday at 9 a.m.
214-522-0395
Enterprise.com
BEST CRUISE LINE
Celebrity Cruises
800-647-2251
CelebrityCruises.com
BEST HOTEL CHAIN
Hilton
Multiple locations
800-445-8667
Hilton.com
BEST ONLINE TRAVEL SITE
Orbitz
LGBT travel options available.
Orbitz.com
BEST DAY TRIP
Austin
Austin.GayCities.com
BEST COUPLES
ROMANTIC GETAWAY
Eureka Springs, Ark.
EurekaPride.com
BEST SINGLES GET-LAID DESTINATION • TIE
New Orleans, La.
GayNewOrleans.com
Palm Springs, Calif.
PalmSpringsGay.com
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 19, 2010.
American Airlines won best airline? The same airline that constantly ranks near the bottom for on-time flights and customer satisfaction? The only reason I can think of for voting for American is that they advertise in the Voice heavily.
There is another Dallas-based airline that is always getting high recommendations, and that would be Southwest. It’s Love Field base means it’s a short drive, and the amenities there are tops. Southwest treats you like they appreciate your business-from the skycap who takes your bags to the cabin crew who take care of you during the flight. Not to mention the prices are great, and they are one of the few airlines that has resisted baggage fees-saving you substantial amounts on your flight.
American, you are SO not the best airline in Dallas!