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I stayed here when I was attending the Saints & Sinners Literary Conference in New Orleans in May 2006. I had a wonderful stay. The owners, Stephen & Rich, couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful. They live in the main house, but the Pierre Coulon Guest House is in the slave quarters building behind the main house. The courtyard in between is full of plants and is so relaxing. Such a great spot to enjoy the continental breakfast, read a book, or have an afternoon nap. The accommodations are so comfortable. Downstairs is a living room with cable TV and a pull out sofa sleeper, and a fully equipped kitchenette. The upstairs has a large bedroom with balcony overlooking the courtyard and a bright full bathroom. The photos on the website don't do it justice. The location is in the Faubourg Marigny, the gay residential neighborhood just adjacent to the French Quarter. This is where I prefer to stay, as the Marigny has some great restaurants, bars and jazz clubs, yet nothing in the Quarter is more than a 15 minute walk away. The rate was also extremely reasonable. The best compliment I can give is that I hoped to return this year for the festival, but the guest house is already booked. Guess the secret is out!

Gay owned restaurant with what I think is the best pizza in town. Great for pre- or post-show dining, as it's right next door to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

Gay owned cafe that offers the best coffee in town, roasted in-house. Made to order fruit smoothies, too. Live music in the garden on the weekends. You can also pick up a copy of "Between the Lines," the local gay newspaper.

Gay owned upscale restaurant right across the street from the Dunes Resort. With a chic decor, extensive martini list, and eclectic contemporary American cuisine, this is one of my favorite places to impress out-of-town guests.

I had dinner last night at this wonderful new restaurant. Just a short stroll from the Dunes Resort, L.A. celebrity chef Joey Santos has opened a sophisticated, yet comfortable addition to Saugatuck/Douglas dining scene. My partner and I enjoyed the down-home Southern style comfort food: the fried chicken served in a tin bucket, and the meatloaf served with macaroni and cheese. The food was excellent, as was the attentive and friendly service (We had the super cute Beau as our waiter). We went on a Monday night and it was crowded with a largely gay clientele. I have a feeling we'll definitely become regulars here!