The (slow) rise of the gay hotel chain.

At last count, over 20 major mainstream hotel chains are now enticing gay travelers through marketing efforts. But when are gay hotels going to become "major chains" in their own right? The gradual formation of gay-only hotel groups is a stealth trend that has gained momentum this year. The Man Around Group, Europe's largest gay tour operator, now operates three all-gay bungalow properties in the Canary Islands, and this year acquired the historic 84-bedroom Abbadetta hotel on the east central coast of Italy. Man Around is dumping an unheard-of $1.2 million into its refurbishment, which should be completed in April. This makes it the world's largest gay hotelier. Second place goes to Big Ruby's, with properties in Paris; the south of France (L'Orangerie, pictured); Key West, Fla.; and Costa Rica. Barcelona's Hotel Axel also has plans to branch out with a gay property in Buenos Aires, slated to open by the end of 2006. Visit OutTraveler.com for links to sites.