Brand Name advice needed!

[greatwestern]

Not sure if anyone on here is gay or has experience with the gay market; but basically We are a hotel partnership and marketing company and we are about the launch Britains only brand that gay and bi people can trust to find gay owned or gay friendly accomodation in Great Britain. There is a US brand that promotes a few British hotels and a European one, but they only have 3 British hotels listed. Our consortium is launching with just two and will launch with a PR campaign and adwords marketing specifically for hotels in the area that they are in "Gay hotels in Blackpool".

Anyway, so we need a name for the brand, which will represent these hotels! There is already a consortium called "Attitude Hotels" which is a good name, but we don't want it too "gay".

If anyone has any ideas please throw them in the pot....

Any help is appreciated!...

You could be helping us create a very large consortium!

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Not sure if anyone on here is gay or has experience with the gay market; but basically We are a hotel partnership and marketing company and we are about the launch Britains only brand that gay and bi people can trust to find gay owned or gay friendly accomodation in Great Britain. There is a US brand that promotes a few British hotels and a European one, but they only have 3 British hotels listed. Our consortium is launching with just two and will launch with a PR campaign and adwords marketing specifically for hotels in the area that they are in "Gay hotels in Blackpool".

Anyway, so we need a name for the brand, which will represent these hotels! There is already a consortium called "Attitude Hotels" which is a good name, but we don't want it too "gay".

If anyone has any ideas please throw them in the pot....

Any help is appreciated!...

You could be helping us create a very large consortium!

What an earth is a gay hotel? What difference does it make if a hotel is owned by a gay person? What is 'gay friendly accommodation'?

To me this just seems like completely unnecessary self-discrimination. You may as well set up a website promoting 'black friendly hotels'. We're not in the 1950's anymore.

 

[greatwestern]

What an earth is a gay hotel? What difference does it make if a hotel is owned by a gay person? What is 'gay friendly accommodation'?

To me this just seems like completely unnecessary self-discrimination. You may as well set up a website promoting 'black friendly hotels'. We're not in the 1950's anymore.

Obviously you wouldn't realise the discrimination that still exists within hotels that couples have to face.

A gay hotel in our case is simply gay owned mainly. Some hotels are not gay friendly, so ones that are openly gay friendly are promoted too. Hotels don't have to be gay friendly, they have to accept gay people but don't have to like it. Such discrimination exists.

 

[greatwestern]

Plus there is a market for gay owned hotels-we are simply providing an source for that.

 

[cmcp]

What an earth is a gay hotel? What difference does it make if a hotel is owned by a gay person? What is 'gay friendly accommodation'?

To me this just seems like completely unnecessary self-discrimination. You may as well set up a website promoting 'black friendly hotels'. We're not in the 1950's anymore.

I think the idea is that a lot of places aren't gay-friendly by default. In fact I think there are a lot of services tailored to the pink pound, DIY, garages etc.

I don't think it's discrimination, any more than you'd target a segment by age gender or location.

 

[greatwestern]

I think the idea is that a lot of places aren't gay-friendly by default. In fact I think there are a lot of services tailored to the pink pound, DIY, garages etc.

I don't think it's discrimination, any more than you'd target a segment by age gender or location.

Thank you for understanding, as a gay man myself I found it difficult to understand why these brand exist but after business experience I understand that people are simply targeting a specific segment; now hence the creation of a gay hotel brand in Britain.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Obviously you wouldn't realise the discrimination that still exists within hotels that couples have to face.

A gay hotel in our case is simply gay owned mainly. Some hotels are not gay friendly, so ones that are openly gay friendly are promoted too. Hotels don't have to be gay friendly, they have to accept gay people but don't have to like it. Such discrimination exists.

I obviously wouldn't. Could you enlighten me? What's the difference between gay-friendly and gay-unfriendly hotels? Do gay people get refused access or something?

I just think this self-discrimination doesn't do the world any favours these days, especially when you're using the term 'gay hotel'. It's a building which contains rooms that you sleep in. It makes no difference whether you're gay, straight or bisexual.

 

[greatwestern]

I obviously wouldn't. Could you enlighten me? What's the difference between gay-friendly and gay-unfriendly hotels? Do gay people get refused access or something?

I just think this self-discrimination doesn't do the world any favours these days, especially when you're using the term 'gay hotel'. It's a building which contains rooms that you sleep in. It makes no difference whether you're gay, straight or bisexual.

I don't feel this thread is an appropriate place for you to take out your feelings on such matter. Some people reply on websites and consortiums like ours so they know they are safe within that building.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

I don't feel this thread is an appropriate place for you to take out your feelings on such matter. Some people reply on websites and consortiums like ours so they know they are safe within that building.

Don't get me wrong, I hate discrimination of any kind. I have many gay friends and I think discrimination against such people is a terrible thing.

However, I'd be amazed if this country still contains that many homophobic people and homophobic hotel owners to the point where gay people can fear for their own safety whilst they stay there.

I'd like to see everyone seen equally and everyone treated equally. That involves the eradication of all kind of discrimination, including self-discrimination. The problem will never go away if people continue to segregate themselves in certain ways.

Mind you, I'm not gay, so perhaps I simply don't understand what it's like.

Anyway, on a more helpful note, I'd be careful about how this is approached. Using the term 'gay hotel' can very easily imply that the hotel is for gay people only. You have to choose your words carefully or non-gay people may begin to feel discriminated against and less welcome in such a hotel.

 

[greatwestern]

Don't get me wrong, I hate discrimination of any kind. I have many gay friends and I think discrimination against such people is a terrible thing.

However, I'd be amazed if this country still contains that many homophobic people and homophobic hotel owners to the point where gay people can fear for their own safety whilst they stay there.

I'd like to see everyone seen equally and everyone treated equally. That involves the eradication of all kind of discrimination, including self-discrimination. The problem will never go away if people continue to segregate themselves in certain ways.

Mind you, I'm not gay, so perhaps I simply don't understand what it's like.

Anyway, on a more helpful note, I'd be careful about how this is approached. Using the term 'gay hotel' can very easily imply that the hotel is for gay people only. You have to choose your words carefully or non-gay people may begin to feel discriminated against and less welcome in such a hotel.

Don't worry we have an advisor which has advised us to advertise as straight friendly. And one of the hotels listed on our website was only added to the consortium because they told us they accept anyone not just gay people unlike some small gay owned hotels.

 

[Be Known PR]

I currently represent a tour operator that positions itself as a gay tour operator and essentially it just means that it works closely with gay friendly hotels, the gay and lesbian travel association and the gay communities in the destinations it features. It is not about self-discrimination, but about making one target market feel compfortable.

One of the biggest complaints that gay travellers have is that most hotels don't give them double rooms because despite requesting a double room when booking, when rooms are allocated a receptionist sees that a booking is for a same sex couple and automatically assigns them a twin room. If the couple want that changed they then have to go back to reception and make a fuss and explain that they want a double because they are in a relationship.

The unfortunate truth is that there is still al ot of prejudice out there and gay couples do not necessarily feel comfortable sitting in a hotel bar holding hands and acting in the way that hetrosexual couples might.

People want to feel able to relax and be themselves whilst on holiday.

Really it is no different from when my wife and I wetre looking for hotels to stay last summer and we found ourselves rejecting our normal choice of hotels because we now had a 7 month old child. We instead looked for child friendly hotels, not because he was old enough to need activities, but because we didn't want to go to a small, quiet hotel where we would feel that we had to continually stop our son making any sort of a noise because the other people around us wouldn't approve.

I sent a gay journalist out to Tel Aviv recently and he reported that the best thing about the city was not that it has lots of gay clubs and bars etc, but that he felt more comfortable holding his husbands hand out in public there than anywhere else he has ever visited.

Anyway, back to your original question of branding and names.....IMHO the best gay friendly hotels are those that are subtly friendly - ie. no rainbow flags etc, but make a point of working with gay tour operators and reach a cosmpolotian crowd that are more accepting than the majority. A big chain hotel attracts a whole spectrum of clients and therefore a whole spectrum of opinions, however a small boutique property can position itself to reach a more select group of society where gay and straight couples mix socially in their day to day lives, meaning that everyone is comfortable.

How about something like Fresh Hotels, Life Hotels, Sound Hotels.

Hope that clears a few things up.

 

[patientlady]

What an earth is a gay hotel? What difference does it make if a hotel is owned by a gay person? What is 'gay friendly accommodation'?

Not been to a gay bar then! Well its not possible to print on here what gay friendly accomodation is.

 

[woozel010503]

"Gay friendly" is.....Brighton on Pride weekend.

And I believe the term you are looking for bestwestern is "LGBT friendly".

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Not been to a gay bar then! Well its not possible to print on here what gay friendly accomodation is.

A gay bar is a place where many gay people can meet, dance, drink and flirt. Gay people are in the minority so a place where they can all meet is preferred.

A hotel is a place where you go into a room and sleep. A hotel room is completely private and what you do in there is no one else's business. If a hotel does not allow same-sex couples to stay in the same room together, then it's owned by a homophobic bigot, never mind being 'not gay friendly'. I hope such hotels are extremely rare these days.

But hey, there could be a great need for gay friendly hotels. I really don't know for sure.

 

[3cellhosting]

I am Torquay based and we have quite a few LGBT friendly hotels (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual for those not familiar with LGBT). Here is one local site aimed at gays http://www.keywesttorquay.co.uk/index.php

They have been a bit crafty as there is a Quay West Resort in Torquay and it is a family friendly beach and swimming baths with flumes etc.

Key West in Florida is also a popular gay area so I guess it could be argued they had no intention for people to get confused

Whatever name you choose it will offend someone - regardless of their orientation and preferences

Regards

David

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

I am Torquay based and we have quite a few LGBT friendly hotels (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual for those not familiar with LGBT). Here is one local site aimed at gays http://www.keywesttorquay.co.uk/index.php

I really don't understand why the whole site has to be so sexual just because it's for gay people. It's such a stereotype and that site makes me quite uncomfortable to be honest. It has pictures of blokes kissing, one guy undoing his trousers with another man waiting on a bed, and by the looks of it, two guys having sex on a bed.

If there was a run-of-the-mill resort for mixed-sex couples, you wouldn't see any images like that. Completely unnecessary.

 

[cmcp]

Come on Scott - are you the only gay in the village?

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Come on Scott - are you the only gay in the village?

Have you looked through the pages? Deary me.

 

I obviously wouldn't. Could you enlighten me? What's the difference between gay-friendly and gay-unfriendly hotels? Do gay people get refused access or something?

I just think this self-discrimination doesn't do the world any favours these days, especially when you're using the term 'gay hotel'. It's a building which contains rooms that you sleep in. It makes no difference whether you're gay, straight or bisexual.

Oh come on Scott get real.

Predudice against gay,black,yellow,short,fat, bald,old,young people exists.no amount of legislation can rid the world of it.

I personally would not pick a gay hotel to stay at.

But would be quite happy at a hotel for SEO Guru's.

Earl

 

[3cellhosting]

Funny you should say that Scott

I have a client who also runs a business letting holiday apartments nearby and her words to me this week were "The site is almost pornographic!"

I'm not a prude and have produced many sites with adult content, especially gay sites in Italy, and few S&M sites in UK, and I still feel that the more obvious you make a gay site the harder you make it to receive the pink pound.

LGBTs are as discerning as anybody else. Those with money will go where they feel comfortable, usually an overtly straight hotel, while those with a chip on their shoulder or who feel insecure about their sexuality will go to a 'gay' hotel.

As one poster said - it depends which market you are aiming at. Nothing more or less than sensible business practice.

Regards

David

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Oh come on Scott get real.

Predudice against gay,black,yellow,short,fat, bald,old,young people exists.no amount of legislation can rid the world of it.

I personally would not pick a gay hotel to stay at.

But would be quite happy at a hotel for SEO Guru's.

Earl

I am real thanks very much.

I know fine well there's prejudice out there against many different types and races of people. However, self-discrimination doesn't do anyone any favours and shouldn't be used unless absolutely necessary. Is the prejudice against gay people that bad in the hotel industry that 'gay friendly' hotels are required and promoted? I don't know.

Funny you should say that Scott

I have a client who also runs a business letting holiday apartments nearby and her words to me this week were "The site is almost pornographic!"

I'm not a prude and have produced many sites with adult content, especially gay sites in Italy, and few S&M sites in UK, and I still feel that the more obvious you make a gay site the harder you make it to receive the pink pound.

LGBTs are as discerning as anybody else. Those with money will go where they feel comfortable, usually an overtly straight hotel, while those with a chip on their shoulder or who feel insecure about their sexuality will go to a 'gay' hotel.

As one poster said - it depends which market you are aiming at. Nothing more or less than sensible business practice.

Regards

David

It is almost pornographic in many respects.

Unfortunately all of the images seem to be focused towards sex which is a real shame. Gay relationships are about spending time together and enjoying each others company just as much as mixed-sex relationships, so I don't know why they feel the need to make the site like that. On a normal resorts website you wouldn't see an image of a man undoing his trousers whilst a woman is waiting on a bed.

The actual copy seems perfectly normal and friendly too. It's only the images.