The Highlands Inn, a resort for lesbians

The Highlands Inn announces itself with a permanent "no vacancy" sign on a country road through the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

The Inn turns away potential guests, because this cozy country lodge does not want casual, walk-in patrons. It is a resort for lesbians, and it is one of only a handful in the United States and Canada.










"Straight women are welcome, too," said Highlands’ owner Grace Newman, "as long as they don’t bring their husbands or boyfriends. And children are welcome any time."

Newman has been in the forefront of gay women’s travel. She had the idea for an all-women’s inn when she was a student in Boston and opened Highlands Inn 27 years ago.

Highlands Inn is two kilometres from the village of Bethlehem on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. Situated down a long country lane, the inn is well away from any roads, noise or neighbours. It is a rambling cottage of weathered cedar singles at the heart of a 40-hectare private domain of woods and hills. A set of Adirondack chairs, painted to reflect the rainbow of colours , overlooks a serene valley and the mountains beyond.

Newman and friends have created a 75-kilometre trail system for mountain biking and hiking in summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.

The Inn has a 54 ft outdoor heated swimming pool with a wide cedar deck and surrounded by trees. And you can reserve the indoor hot tub.

On the inside, Highlands has a homespun Victorian look, with floral wallpaper, polished oak trim, comfy chintz sofas in the television lounge and wing chairs around the fireplace in the living room.

The inn has 19 quaint guest rooms in three buildings, the Main Lodge, the Farmhouse and the Cottage, all with antique furniture and combinations of fireplaces, double tubs with massaging jets and private decks.

Repeat guests from New England, brought their one-year-old son for their first family vacation. "We like the fact that we don’t have to hide who we are here at Highlands. We feel comfortable here and we love the area."

The inn’s live music series, with performances in the living room or lounge, will feature concerts, mainly by lesbian artists.

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From The Highland’s website:

"A day at The Highlands Inn begins with a healthy country breakfast served in the large, sunny breakfast room on the first floor of the Main Inn.

Guests enjoy the large, sunny breakfast room at The Highlands Inn, Bethlehem, NH

Our breakfast entree changes daily. Entrees include:

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scrambled eggs and home fries
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waffles
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fresh fruit salad and bagels
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quiche
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fried eggs with sausage & biscuit
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French toast
* pancakes

Assorted juices, granola, yogurt, award-winning Vermont cheddar, teas, and plenty of freshly brewed coffee are always available.

Many guests also enjoy a massage in the privacy of their room. Appointments must be made in advance.



And sunsets at the Inn are not to be missed! A walk down the road or a few quiet minutes sitting on the grassy hill near the Main Inn will often reward guests with a spectacular sunset over the mountains. In the fall, the same vistas are ablaze with the rich colors of nature’s autumn palette.

Evening activities center around the great old stone fireplace in the spacious, comfortably furnished living room. It’s here that guests congregate for conversation, a glass of wine before dinner, or a game of Scrabble on a snowy night. As many guests have mentioned, there’s always plenty to do at this very special women’s place.

The Inn has been offering hospitality to visitors for over 100 years. The main building was built as a farmhouse about 200 years ago. Then around 1900, the owners opened their home to summer visitors and began operating it as an inn.