Club Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Part of a chain of gay bathhouses with franchises in Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Orlando, and St. Louis, the rather grand Club Fort Lauderdale (110 N. W. 5th Ave., 954-525-3344) is often ranked among the most lavish, well-kept, and attractive bathhouses in the country. This downtown establishment has a large gym with first-rate equipment, a nicely decorate pool area and with a sundeck, and plenty of well-decorated lounges and common areas. In many respects, Club Fort Lauderdale feels like any number of the upscale clothing-optional men's resorts around town - with the pool, whirlpool, sauna, grotto-style steam room, and gym. But like any bathhouse, it also rents out a wide variety of private rooms - cabana units, surround-sound media rooms, and deluxe dressing rooms. Prices begin around $17 for basic locker rentals and cost about double that for the top-of-the-line accommodations.