Recently refurbished, Pride Lodge is in the heart of Blackpool's famous gay scene and just a short walk from all that this legendary gay resort has to offer.

We caught up with Keith and Tony to find out more about the hotel and what makes living in the north’s most popular gay resort so interesting.

What made you decide to open your B&B?
We wanted to live in the gay area so having a nice home with an income seemed a sensible idea, whilst also being able to get to know lots of the people who visit us. We have both been in the travel and hotel industry for the whole of our working lives so we felt it would suit us fine.

Who runs it?
My partner Tony and I are able to cope with all the work as we only have six ensuite rooms. They are easy to clean because they are large and modern. Doing all the jobs ourselves means that we can be sure our standards are kept tip top and we don't need to check up on staff or rely on them turning up!

In your opinion, what is its best feature?
Our position we think is our best feature as there are nine gay bars within 200 yards, so there are no taxi fares for guests - or us! - and you're home and in bed very quickly after a night on the town.

What has been the most memorable moment whilst running the B&B?
It's the surprise on a guest's face when we show them one of our rooms and they realise the quality we offer for the price. Blackpool is a very inexpensive place to stay compared to other major gay centres.

And the worst?
Spending a load of time and money on the fabric for our rooms only to find we had to replace it all because it was not suitable as we had been sold a 'pup'. We have really nice fabrics now and the rooms look great.

Is there a gay scene nearby?
As well as the gay bars I mentioned before there are two saunas and the Flamingo club close by. Funny Girls is in the same complex which is just behind us on the next street. It's a fab show and worth going to see. I know people who don’t like drag but love the show!

What is there to do in the local area?
Blackpool has a wealth of entertainment and history including the famous Pleasure Beach, which is a 42 acre park with some of the latest and oldest roller coasters in the world. There is a 519' Victorian tower and a seven mile promenade, which is illuminated every autumn. We have 3 Victorian piers and lots of live theatre, great shops and a super large park with its own lake and zoo.

Is there an 'average' gay traveller who uses your accommodation?
We have a real mix of customers who are all gay - with the exception of the occasional straight ones who come along with our gay customers. With the cost of accommodation being moderate in Blackpool it means people can afford a short break. The gay venues tend to have reasonable admission charges so that helps too. People can stay over and don't have to worry about driving, whilst not having to break the bank.

What sort of clientele are you hoping to attract?
We seem to get the ones who like a quiet place after a night out pubbing and clubbing. We don't have a bar and are an end property tucked away from the other hotels, so our guests can sleep well. As it's our home the position suits us as well!

What services and facilities do you offer?
We do room only with optional breakfast served in the rooms, as each one is spacious enough for its own dining table. All the rooms are ensuite, which are heated. We thought heating in the shower rooms was so important and it's a thing lots of B&Bs forget. Little things like shelves, hooks and mirrors in the right place are also a real must. Each room has a LCD TV DVD and WIFI access, a king size bed (except the singles!) an Iron and board, hairdryer, clock radio, tea tray and safe. We even provide an umbrella - but hope it won't be needed!

These things can make such a difference. Why should you not have the simple things you have at home when you are away? We have just decided to do an evening snack menu so our guests can have a bite before going on the town. We will be doing things like jacket potatoes, salads and toasted sandwiches which are quick, easy and inexpensive. These will be available in the rooms like breakfast is.

What are your cooked breakfasts like and do you have a vegetarian option?
We serve the breakfast at a time to suit our guests until 10am. We do a continental (vegetarian) or a full English. If someone has a special request we can sort it out for them no problem. We avoid frying when we do our breakfast as we find it's better to poach the eggs and grill the bacon, sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes. Who needs the smell of all that fat in the morning?

The other thing is most of the guys prefer not to take breakfast, opting for coffee and biscuits from the room tray. Our attitude is why pay for something you don’t want, as most B&Bs include the charge for breakfast but we don't. The guests can decide on a day to day basis if they want it.

Where do you like to go when you go on holiday?
The last main holiday we had was in Key West at Island House. It was super. We do go to Amsterdam for short breaks when we get time. We need a break now as we have been refurbishing here since we moved in a year ago to get the B&B up to the high standard we wanted. We might get a little time off now it's all completed and get a much needed holiday.

Why should people holiday in your guesthouse?
We believe we offer super accommodation for our tariff as we provide the best value possible for the price we charge. It's hard sometimes to get the balance right as It's about adding the most value without having to charge ridiculous prices.

How much does it cost to stay with you?
We charge £22.50 per person per night and we also give a free night when you book four consecutive nights or more and two free nights when booking seven. We do have to charge a £5 supplement for guests who want to stay a Saturday night only.

Thanks for reading about us - we hope to see you soon!

Accommodation Details:
Pride Lodge, 12 High Street, Blackpool, FY1 2BL. Tel 01253 314752

For more information email Pride Lodge at mail@pridelodge.com or visit www.pridelodge.com

If you own a gay hotel or B&B and would like to be featured in our next gay accommodation fact file click here and get in touch? Email travel@gaydarnation.com for more information. 


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