The Big Apple may now have it all: developers plan to open the city’s first gay boutique hotel in a $20 million renovation of the Travel Inn at 42nd St. and 10th Avenue.
Developers hope to open the city’s first gay boutique hotel – and a major new dance club – in Hell’s Kitchen n New York City, says the Daily News.
"In the old days there were straight hotels, and operators decided to make them gay- friendly," said Ian Reiser, head of Parkview Developers, the firm behind the plan. "I’m taking that concept and turning it upside down."
"It’s going to be called ‘The Out N.Y.C.’ Like, ‘Come out! Let’s go out and play!’" he said.
The 123-room hotel will also have a spa, a restaurant, a café and shops.
Travel experts say targeting a hotel to gays is a smart business move.
"This is a huge untapped market," said Tom Roth of Community Marketing, a gay and lesbian market-research company. "Gays and lesbians travel much more often than their straight counterparts, and New York City is the No. 1 destination for gay people in North America."
By David Wilkening
