With Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in full swing, we ask the question... What does being a "gay-friendly" hotel actually mean?

Eight Hotels Australia, which owns The Kirketon Hotel Darlinghurst, Pensione Hotels, Hotel Altamant Sydney, Diamant Hotels and the Cosmopolitan Hotel Melbourne, identifies all its properties as gay-friendly. CEO Paul Fischman says their definition stems from the company's culture, people and history of their business. Eight Hotels has no written policy on being gay friendly: they feel it would suggest a need to explain, and therefore create difference, from one type of demographic to the other. Nor do they need to train their staff on gay sensitivity and knowledge of gay venues surrounding their hotels. As Paul explains at least half (the staff) are intimately aware of all the gay venues. The other half would be curious enough to keep in the know!

Regardless of whether or not a hotel promotes itself as gay-friendly, it's just good business sense to be aware of and respectful towards customers' needs. As one of Eight Hotels core principles illustrates... "Respect & Care - The hotel space belongs to our guests and we treat them accordingly". We like their attitude!

Regards
Matthew Lawson
Managing Director

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