Are gay exclusive resorts still a “thing”? We asked GayCities readers
To gay resort or not to gay resort? That is the question.
Mark
To gay resort or not to gay resort? That is the question.
With the rise of travel influencers, dating apps, the LGBTQ+ cruise industry, and more widespread acceptance of the queer community in certain locations, it seems the need for “gay resorts” — properties built specifically for LGBTQ+ guests to stay and socialize — is evolving.
As part of this year’s Best of GayCities, we asked travelers whether or not they had ever visited a gay resort (and if they had a favorite), and received a myriad of answers.
For those familiar with the oft-clothing-optional and adult-only accommodations, the resounding No. 1 was Island House in Key West. Surrounded by lush tropical scenery, its pools, luxury rooms, and free happy hour have earned it the title of “best gay resort in the world” by numerous publications.
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That said, gay resorts like Belvedere in Fire Island, Puerto Vallarta‘s Casa Cupula, and the famous Santiago of Palm Springs also received high marks.
“Santiago has such an elevated vibe (please invite me back sometime!) and the grounds, the food, and the staff are all simply top-notch,” editorial board member Paul J. Heney told us.
Surprisingly, there were some well-recommended gay-resort gems off the beaten path as well, like The Dunes in Douglas, Michigan, which features a “wonderful” pool, entertainment, and shows; Sand Castle on the Beach in St. Croix with “pristine pools, perfect ocean access, and friendly staff and guests,” and The Tryst Beachfront Hotel in Puerto Rico.
“I love reclaiming any historic old hotel, and with enough friends in your group it quickly feels gay.”
– Sean Howell, Best of GayCities editorial board
On the other hand, several readers are eschewing the “gay resort” labels in favor of accommodations in the thicket of a destination’s community.
“I prefer to visit businesses with comparable resources in Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Zürich,” one respondent told us.
Another added, “I like urban hotels in the thick of things or to visit very remote rural areas and islands which typically do not have enough concentration of LGBTQ+ visitors for an exclusive resort to operate.”
Of course, there’s no right or wrong way to plot a gay vacation, and what these answers showed us is that, for our readers, a good trip is not about the 5-star rating nor quality of the sheets, but about the people we’re surrounding ourselves with.
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