Gay Pride 2007

After a rainy month of July we were not

so optimistic for a sunny Gay Pride 2007.

But the weekend of August 4 and 5 was fantastic. Sunny and warm and temperatures around 25C. So ideal for the traditional Canal Parade, for the 12th time already. The Golden Bear Hotel sponsored the boat of the Amsterdam gay and lesbian line dance club called the Amsterdam Stetsons. See http://www.stetsons.nl/ for more info about this dance club.

About 400.000 people were gathered on the sides of the canals to watch this unique parade. It took about three hours to see the whole parade. For more pictures visit:

http://picasaweb.google.nl/pouwkraan/GayPride2007?authkey=EnIG2WZ7_r8

On one boat the world's first true bearband Bearforce1 was presented. See http://www.bearforce1.nl/ where you can download wallpapers, their new single and DVD!!

After the parade the guests of the hotel were invited for coffee or tea with Pride cake. It was a cosy gathering to relax a little, talk about the Pride with the other guests and enjoy a wonderful piece of cake. In the warm night that followed one could dance in one of the street parties, the white party and of course, Furball, the party for hairy men.

The Sunday morning all guests enjoyed the traditional ham and eggs breakfast and then everybody went into town again to enjoy another beautiful day.

Next events to come:

August 18/19: Hartjesdagen (heartsdays) on the Zeedijk. Streetacts songcontestfestival, opera and of course on Sunday the spectacular

Hartjesparade. In this parade men dress up as women and women dress up as men.

Another event for our furry friends to look forward to is the Mr. Furball election on September 21.

Visit http://www.furball.nl/ for info and tickets ordering.

Reserve your hotelroom in time as September is a busy month and especially this Furball weekend. Go to http://www.goldenbear.nl/ and make a direct reservation.

Enjoy the summer and see you maybe at the Hartjesdagen or at the Mr. Furball election.

Bearhugs

Theo

Spring and Fridges

Spring is here and this weekend we change to daylight saving hours, so in the evenings it will get dark later and later. Temperatures are rising and nature is blooming. Daffodils, hyacinths and soon the tulips. People take off their winteroutfits and drink something on the sunny terraces.
Now the days are getting warmer, it is a good thing to have the possibility of having a cool drink when back in the hotel after a long day strolling through the city. So the coming weeks we will install small fridges in each of the rooms, which can be filled with cans and bottled water of your choice. Softdrinks and water is available at the reception for modest prices.

Room 30 is newly decorated; one of the walls in stunning blue, new LCD screen, dvd-player and desk. And a flaming painting of red poppies. Red velvet curtains, a strategic mirror and some other little changes complete the new look. Check out our website www.goldenbear.nl for new pictures of the rooms.
Next on the list is room 29; we are thinking of a soft Italian look. Light yellow walls, new bigger bed, new LCD-screen etc.

High season is starting and the hotel is fully booked now most of the times.
So if you are thinking of spending some days in beautiful Amsterdam, remember to book in time. The Golden Bear is the most popular gay hotel of Amsterdam; we excel in service!

Tonight Furball again, Amsterdam's most popular party. In a new location, a bit smaller so only 500 men, but the next party will be held in a different location with room for many more hot men! Mr. Furball 2007 will be elected at the next party on May 26th.
Check out www.furball.com and order your tickets in time as it is always sold out very quickly.

Only gay hotel in Amsterdam

Recently a number of gay hotels changed ownership and are now managed by hetero couples.
First hotel Aero was sold and closed for renovation. Up till now they have not reopened yet as they have problems with the licence. New owner is not gay and this hotel will no longer have the typical gay atmosphere.
Then ITC hotel was sold recently to a Chinese business man and is no longer gay. Most of the staff is gone and replaced by non gay people. Also this hotel is lost for the gay community.
And last but not least hotel Orfeo changed hands too. And is no longer gay.
Above hotels are just gay friendly like many others who promote themselves on gay sites. These hotels are only interested in the pink dollar or euro.

This leaves only The Golden Bear as strictly gay hotel with its typical gay atmosphere. It is gay owned and the staff.....members of the family. I still find it important to create a place in Amsterdam where gays and lesbians can be themselves. As in many countries gays and lesbians cannot live the life they would like to live and feel safe in The Golden Bear and can get the information about gay places, where to go for kinky stuff or jack off parties, which parties are taking place, etc. Information you would not dream of asking the receptionist in other hotels, even the gay friendly ones.
An other advantage of staying in a gay hotel is the fact that you have the chance to meet other gays from all over the world and make new friends. Also exchange of information about where to go and which are the most interesting bars, saunas etc. New friends explore the city together and each other :)

Now spring is coming. Winter has not been very cold and we only had a little snow. The effects of the climate change are noticable. Every month had shown a new record of high temperatures.
But it also means that the spring flowers are blooming earlier. Already now snowdrops and daffodils show their colours. And the busy tulip season is starting and bookings are coming in very regularly. It means that we will be fully booked every weekend from now on and we are already fully booked for Queensday April 30, the biggest gay happening of the year.
Also bookings are already made for Gay Pride, the first weekend of August, so if you want to be in Amsterdam that time, make your reservations very soon.

And do not forget the Furball parties. A big event and always sold out.
Have a look at www.furball.nl to get an impression of the party. And in May the Mr. Furball election is taking place. Want to be a candidate? See www.furball.nl
Busy busy is also the Furball drink at Priks. Hard to get in on those nights. For information about location and time, visit www.prikamsterdam.nl

See you in Amsterdam and in The Golden Bear.