Fab, u luxe!

The sweet retreats of dreams

By SARA GIZA

Tampa entrepreneur Robert Geller knows exactly what LGBTQ+ travelers go through when they are looking for a great vacation rental, while hoping that they will be both accepted and safe. As a prior Airbnb Superhost, Geller had a home share with travelers staying in his guest room. Every time he greeted a new guest, inevitably he would be asked what he did for a living.

“I owned a gay traveling company,” Geller said, adding “I found myself wondering what I should say. Is their jaw going to hit the floor? They’re in my home for the next three days.” He realized that he was reliving his coming out story over and over again. “I thought, how about removing that from the traveling experience,” he said. Geller did just that, becoming founder of FabStayz.com in 2019. The travel rental site is dedicated to LGBTQ+ travelers, with all hosts either being from the community or allies.

While FabStayz.com certainly has a wide variety of rentals at various price points that can meet any need in multiple countries, you will want to treat yourself to one of the many luxurious listings for a getaway that will surely make you want to stay.

Host Sean Parham, who identifies as a gay male, listed his property Casa Carranza with FabStayz.

Paradise Blu in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla

com early on in 2019. This 3 bed/2 bath gem is located just outside of Palm Springs. With colorful coastal vibes, the open floor plan accommodates six guests. It is just minutes from both Indian Wells Tennis Stadium and Coachella Festival. Hiking and biking in the Santa Rosa Mountains are just a short walk away. The private, heated saltwater pool is yours to play in day or night.

Riverwood Cottage in Ontario, Canada

“It was an opportunity to show our support for the community by marketing our rentals in a safe space,” Parham said. “FabStayz let’s our community feel comfortable when booking a vacation rental and know that they are working with hosts that support the LGBTQ+ community,” he said. Parham is proud that along with his husband, they were one of the first to host on FabStayz.com in Coachella Valley.

Ally Heather Bayer, who owns and operates "Cottage Blogger" the #1 resource for vacation rental information since 2005 and host of "Vacation Rental Success Podcast" the leading podcast featuring experts in the vacation rental industry, has listed her Ontario, Canada, property The Riverwood Cottage. The 4 bed/3.5 bath sleeps 10. The newly built property was completed in July 2021 and sits on the tip of a bay on Kennisis Lake. It features a large deck overlooking the lake, a fire pit and propane barbeque. Kayaks, a stand-up paddle board and a pedal boat are all available for use.

Claire Magalnick, is another host ally. Her property, Paradise Blu, is located in the Florida panhandle on Santa Rosa Beach. The 4 bed/4 bath townhome at Blue Mountain Beach, can accommodate up to ten guests. Here, you can relax to the sounds of ocean waves and enjoy the soft, white sand the gulf coast is known for. A standout feature not to miss, is the rooftop terrace.

Exterior of Wrigley Via in Chicago, Il

Wrigley Via in Chicago, Il

Kit Welch, who identifies as a lesbian and is married, chose to list their Wrigley Villa property in Chicago, shortly after FabStayz.com was founded. The 3-bedroom condo is located in a unique vintage building, with exposed brick walls and hardwood floors. The fully updated kitchen features quartz countertops and all stainless-steel appliances. Being half of a block from Wrigley Field, it would be hard to find a better location to explore all that the area has to offer including many shops and restaurants within walking distance. Concierge services such as stocking the fridge are available, as well as many other amenities upon request.

“I’m so excited to be part of the FabStayz family! Our vacation rental property is located in one of the oldest gayborhoods in the U.S.—that’s why my wife and I bought it,” Welch said. “We always hoped to stand out in the LGBTQ+ and ally community as a fabulous place for guests to stay when visiting Chicago, and FabStayz helps us do that with their fantastic, user-friendly website,” she said. “We fly our pride flags freely at our property. We love to share it with those from our community and our allies.”

Geller finds that each property works well, no matter who or how many you are traveling with. “Each property is wonderful, whether it’s for a family, a group of friends traveling together or even a couple on a romantic getaway,” he said. “These properties lend themselves so well to great gathering spaces. The locations are amazing. You might not want to leave.”

Casa Carranza in Palms Springs, CA

That would be a pretty good problem to have. For more information on these properties or any of the other fabulous offerings, visit FabStayz.com.