Lesbian Exclusive Exchange

 So, I decide I wanna do Vegas for my birthday this year. Without hesitating, my girlfriend starts the planning. She loves Las Vegas and therefore was quite pleased with my birthday trip decision. To celebrate my big day I like to have fun and to party but punctuated with periods of chill relaxation. I opted for a Cirque show and Mel booked us at the Vdara Hotel & Casino!  Perfect!  This hotel is part of the City Center and a bit off the strip affording a break from the nonstop go of Vegas while within a reasonable distance to walk when we felt the whim. Mel decided to double down on the relaxation and also booked us for a couples massage at the Vdara Spa & Salon. This was going to be splendid and I could barely wait!

When we arrived, we headed right over to the Market Cafe, conveniently located in the hotel lobby. We picked up water, beer, drink mixers and a tube of toothpaste. They had a good variety of items and we were lucky to have found the toothpaste there so we did not have to trip all over the strip for it! The Market Cafe also serves up fresh, seasonal and healthy meal options or you can be naughty and hit up a homemade treat like a tart or cookies.


With necessities in hand, we headed right up to our Executive Corner Suite - my babe is so good to me! This suite was humongous; no joke. It included a dining area, living area, kitchenette, bedroom, a large master bath and a half bath. At over 800 square feet, some of my friend's apartments aren't this big!

It was well appointed with modern, clean design and without useless decor. The kitchenette was equipped with the basics so we actually opted to cook a few meals to save us some expense. We playfully decided to number our bathrooms; one for number one and the two for number 2;) The master bath had a large porcelain spa style soaking tub with expansive city views that we took well advantage of on more than one occasion.The glass surround shower stall was separate which we appreciated when we needed to get ready and out the door in a hurry. From the living area, we enjoyed a view of the water shows at the Bellagio Fountains across the way.

The washer and dryer really came in handy as we packed light so as  to did not have to check in bags. A load of bras and undies had us ready to go! After we thoroughly checked out our room, it was time to head down for our couples massage. We figured it an ideal way to destress and get our weekend off to the right start!


We moseyed our way down to the Spa Vdara. Upon entering,  I instantly felt the friendly, unpretentious and relaxed vibe. This was my kind of spa. Don't get me wrong, the spa was beautiful and luxurious and we were perfectly pampered. We just did not have to deal with any uptight uppity up types to enjoy a VIP experience. We were whisked away to the waiting area, where we indulged ourselves in a variety of delicious fruit & nut mixes and cucumber infused water or our choice of a collection of hand crafted teas.

After a short time, we were escorted to the changing area to undress and put on warm and  fuzzy oversized robes and rubber slippers. We changed quickly and headed over to the saunas. We hit the wet one first, it was hot and foggy. I couldn't even see Mel and she was seated right next to me. The heat felt amazing on a cold December evening.  When we had our fill, we went to the dry sauna right next door. IThis one felt like an arid desert, apropos to Vegas I suppose!

Thoroughly dry now, we opted not to partake in the hot tub and walked over to what was called the "chat room." Here, Mel and I were able to speak to one another without disturbing anyone else. This was a brilliant idea and we had not known this to be the case in other spas we frequented. Seeing how we we like to try a bit of everything, we then decided to do the "mediation room" for a spell as well. The room had lounge beds as opposed to chairs which we actually preferred. They were amply spaced and we were able to truly relax prior to our rub down.


Some time later, I don't know how long as I sort of lost track of time, our masseuses arrived and took us to our private room. We immediately noticed how spacious the room was which meant plenty of room for both of our massueses to get around unencumbered. We eagerly climbed onto the massage beds as we heard the knock at the door. Needless to say, the massages were magnificent. I must point out some highlights though. The masseuse was very adept at keeping my private places private. She manipulated the sheets in an almost origami fashion throughout the massage so much so that I was completely comfortable despite only having panties on. Also, the table bent almost in the manner of a temperpedic mattress. Maybe it was! Either way it allowed for an exquisite experience. The masseuse also provided a warm scented eye mask which encouraged me to escape my visual senses and focus on feeling. The sheets were sufficiently warm and rolled towels were placed perfectly under my back, knees and neck to ensure optimal confort. She also placed a warm scented towel over my feet in order to further induce relaxation. Wow what an experience! This was truly a memorable massage! After finishing up we were brought to what I called the primping area. The Spa Vdara has created a mirrored area complete with hair spray, mouthwash, face and body lotion, combs,brushes, blow dryers and the like. Everything you might need to prepare yourself prior to leaving the spa. We appreciated that as we were headed out on the town after our massages!

We put ourselves back together and walked over to the Aria which is the sister Casino immediately next door and enjoyed a late evening of gambling and drinking. Good thing we left our do not disturb light on as we really needed to sleep in the next day. Sometime the middle of the next afternoon, housekeeping called just to make sure we didn't need anything. That really made us feel special! We lazed around in the tub for a while then glammed ourselves up and headed back out on the town again.  This time for a delightful dinner and a Cirque show. By the end of that second evening, I was expectantly exhausted but really relaxed and ready to head home! We packed up our stuff swiftly and said goodbye to the Vdara knowing without a doubt that we would return again for another wonderful weekend!

If you are looking for a modern sanctuary in the middle of bustling Waikiki on the island of Oahu, then we have found the perfect place for you. Hotel Renew, Honolulu's first designer boutique hotel, is a short 20 minute ride from the Honolulu airport. It is in a fabulous location that is close to everything the Waikiki strip has to offer including shopping, dining, sightseeing, the gay beach and more. This is one hotel that truly delivers on an intimate and personalized experience.

Upon arrival, the first thing we noticed was that the staff was extremely accommodating. We were barely inside the door when the bellman immediately took our luggage.When we got to the service desk, the smiley staff served us a glass of complimentary chilled pineapple juice along with refreshingly cold scented towels. Needless to say we were super pleased by the attention. Since we arrived before check in time our room wasn't quite ready. However, they checked us in anyway and then called when it was ready- well before the regularly scheduled check in time.
The lobby is tastefully decorated but with a flair. There is a comfy yet sophisticated seating area with overstuffed pillows where guests were sipping drinks and talking. Across the room there is a quaint little lounge area where there is a nightly happy hour for guests and their friends. We also loved the water feature with floating tropical flowers and the whimsical paintings that adorned the walls.

We took the elevator up to our room and were immediately met by the bellman with our luggage. He helped us inside and highlighted the room's features. We were very impressed by the eco-friendly nature of the room. This included a recycle program, dimmable lighting system, and water saving fixtures. The entire hotel is also a smoke free environment. It has all the amenities you might expect of a modern boutique hotel with a few additions we really appreciated. The in-room mini-cooler kept our Longboard Lagers cold and we enjoyed lounging around in the Kimono-style robes as we surfed the complimentary wireless internet. The bathroom was also well stocked with FACE toiletries. The dark wood furnishings were an elegant backdrop for the ease and comfort of the soft, bright fabrics. The decor somehow comes together in a successful balance of sexy chic and casual coastal.



Make sure to take advantage of the other hotel freebies during your stay. The staff truly makes you feel like a VIP with the complimentary use of beach gear. This includes  towels, mats, chairs, and boogie boards. And if you're lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday, hit the free mixer at Lounge Renew with weekly specialty drinks and delicious appetizers. We enjoyed sipping on Blue Hawaiis and mingling with the other guests and the very personable hotel staff from 5:30-6:30pm. Whether you're on a budget or not, the daily complimentary continental breakfast works out great. Choose from a delicious array of breakfast treats, teas, and gourmet Kona coffee. You can partake in a variety of fruits, yogurt, cereal, granola and even local pastries.

Hotel Renew,www.hotelrenew.com, is a proud member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). As Hawaii currently recognizes same-sex couples in civil unions, the hotel is offering a "Say I Do at Renew" Civil Union package which includes: deluxe accommodations, chilled beverages upon arrival, a bottle of champagne to celebrate, a champagne brunch at Hula’s (Honolulu’s infamous LGBT bar and restaurant), a catamaran excursion for two and complimentary mai tais. When booking this offer, mention Lesbianlush.com. Mahalo!!!

If you have never been the little isle of paradise known as Key West it's time for you to pack your bags and head south for the winter. My girlfriend introduced me to the mellow 4x2 mile island and I fell in love with it immediately. I know of nowhere else on earth where you can experience a laid back tropical vibe that is not just lesbian friendly, but lesbian welcoming. It's also very easy to get to as it is part of the US, just a puddle jump from the tip of Florida. This is an ideal getaway on a budget without feeling like you're on a budget. In fact, it doesn't even feel like the US other than everyone speaks English!

As my girl and I have an affinity for food, we decided this time around that we would sample some of the unique culinary offerings of the island and share them with you. There are so many quaint restaurants we had to narrow them down to a handful of satisfying stand outs.

To start with a fantastic appetizer head on over to Mangoe's Restaurant on the main drag, Duval,  for the Mushroom Martini. Relax on their gorgeous patio and enjoy a selection of wild mushrooms, sautéed in olive oil and soy sauce then garnished lightly with goat cheese, crisp croustinis and a green olive tapanade. This place is known on the island for their Floribbean and American food so feel free to stay for a main course of fresh fish or the local delicacy conch.

Make sure you also visit  the ocean side hot spot at the end of Duval where we have watched topless women frolic in the water while enjoying our lunch. The Southernmost Beach Cafe serves breakfast too but we're not early risers. We dined on the Tropical Grilled Chicken Sandwich with sweet pineapple slices, tangy jack cheese and creamy avo mayo. The sandwiches are served with your choice of sides. We were on vacation so we opted for the fries. I didn't ask but they must double fry those things because they were super crispy.

Another great spot for lunch is MargaritaVille. Yes, the chain restaurant. We were both pleasantly surprised by the quality of food. You have to try the Volcano Nachos, but bring a group of friends because this dish is monstrous! Also worthy of note were the perfectly battered and fried onion rings and the fact they have a tasty turkey burger. The menu is so varied, everyone at the table is bound to find something they will enjoy. Follow with a Margarita of course.

Once, your face is stuffed it's high time for another cocktail! Drinking is a staple on this island. We highly recommend you stroll over to Fogarty's and pull up a chair at their Flying Monkeys Saloon. Their frozen concoctions will not only cool you off but have you shit faced in no time. Their grain alcohol specialties are especially strong. There are too many good ones to pick a favorite, but we adore the Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada and the Dirty Monkey- a mix of their Chocoholic and Banana Daiquiri. Go ahead and buy the souvenir cup or squeeze bottle because you'll get a discount on refills on this trip and every other! Totally worth it ;)

For a nice seafood dinner, moped on down to Front Street and the A & B Lobster House. Make sure to sit on the wrap around patio facing the water. My girlfriend dined on the Sunset Surf and Turf. Generous portions of both the lobster and filet with red potatos. I had the Sauteed Jumbo Scallops served with braised shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and wonderful lemon garlic butter sauce. Fancy food without the snooty atmosphere.

For a fun family style dinner you have to hit Abbondanza Italian Restaurant. We were with a large group and everyone loved their dishes. From calamari to the tortellini, all the portions were large, and  we ate every last bite! Don't forget to order a round of the roasted garlic bullbs as well.  Make sure everyone has at least a taste so as not to offend one another later ;)

  For dessert we suggest Mangoe's Chocolate Pate. We have never experienced anything quite like it. It's a deep & dark  flourless confection served atop a delicious raspberry sauce. A rich & romantic dessert.  And order up one of  their mango specialties drinks to go with it, refreshing and perfectly fit for a tropical island. Another decadent dessert option is Mattheessens. OMG this place is simply insane. They bake up fresh cookies all day and leave them out on trays to cool. These treats are literally the size of your head and they are sinfully scrumptious. The peanut butter cookie was crisp on the outside yet tender and moist on the inside. Baked to perfection. They were so good that we just had to bring some home all the way across the country for our family!

For more information on these locations and the fabulous Key West, please visit www.fla-keys.com/gay and www.gaykeywestfl.com.