Freezing up north? Tired of shoveling snow? Ready for a sunny mid-winter gay getaway?

You could go anywhere. But Ft. Lauderdale has become the obvious destination for gay travelers seeking sun and fun. Why? Because not only is it beautiful, warm, and welcoming -- it's so easy and convenient to get to.

When you're enjoying The Royal Palms's lush garden oasis or lounging by the clothing-optional pool, you're totally "away from it all" -- without having to go thousands of miles from home or take chances on foreign shores. Vacationing in Ft Lauderdale means you're as close as you need to be -- to Sebastian Beach and other world-class gay beaches starting at just two blocks away. To the hot gay nightlife of Wilton Manors. To the clubs and shopping along bustling Las Olas. And did we mention gobs of men in a mood to party?

"This balmy southern Florida enclave is quietly edging ahead of San Francisco, Key West, and other locales in the ranks of America's most gay-friendly cities," notes the Washington Post. "Many rainbow travelers say they view the Fort Lauderdale scene as far more low-key, accessible, and inclusive than Miami's hip South Beach."

Fort Lauderdale makes it easy because it's the Mecca for gay vacations. There's no city with this range of sophisticated gay amenities because no place is a destination like this. Whatever your taste or flair, it's here. Whether it's martinis or strippers, top GLBT entertainers or gourmet world-dining. Boutiques galore dish up style without high resort prices and limited selection. Fancy leather or bears? Gay Fort Lauderdale has the furriest tropical fauna anywhere, and men decked in some of the slickest hides! And at night the action's hot as the noonday sun. "It's a kinder, gentler alternative to SoBe," says acclaimed gay travel writer Ed Salvato. "You don't have J-Lo or Madonna making a scene. There are no throbbing all-night skin clubs or a whole bling-bling thing. It's a good cross section of places where lots of regular guys hang out having a good time."

And Royal Palms was there first. Now celebrating its 20th year, Royal Palms was founded when Ft Lauderdale was just a twinkle in the eye of gay travel pioneers. A cluster of gay guesthouses, gay bed & breakfasts, and all-male resorts followed in its path. Some vacationers fell in love and set up gay households in the sunny beach city. It has never stopped polishing and transforming itself. Today it remains the center of it all, setting the bar for luxury and service among area all-male accommodations, Miami gay hotels, and Key West guesthouses. Next month it is is taking its signature luxury to a new level, expanding far beyond its roots as a luxury gay guesthouse and will become the largest luxury gay boutique hotel in the United States, opening a new chapter/ a new era -- and adding a younger, edgier demographic -- to Fort Lauderdale's gay travel mix.

That means more excitement than ever by the clothing-optional pool with our refashioned on-premises super trendy gay bar & grill plus the orchid themed luxury spa. But when you want to get out and explore all that gay Ft. Lauderdale has to offer, Royal Palms' staff are ready to help.

"We want our guests to have a wonderful destination experience as well," says Royal Palms founder and Director of Operations Richard Gray. "We like to recommend our favorite restaurants, bars, and shops. Our goal is to always exceed our guests' expectation in every way possible. This is my passion for this industry and this destination."

From wherever, you can fly right to Fort Lauderdale. Or if you're dipping your toes into the gay South Beach scene, then it's just a short trip up the coast to Fort Lauderdale. Whatever your path to paradise, Fort Lauderdale puts you in in the heart of gay South Florida without having to drive hours to get "Southernmost" (and then not find parking!) or wrestle with big-city nuisances.

In Ft. Lauderdale, everyone speaks your language and knows what you want. Your dream vacation is a click away at Royalpalms.com. And on Facebook at www.facebook.com/royalpalmsresort.