Fort Lauderdale is located just north of Miami, but the two destinations are worlds apart. Miami is iconic, expensive, and trendy, while Fort Lauderdale is more suburban, easier on the wallet, and laid-back. Fort Lauderdale is one of the top gay destinations in the U.S. and ranks among the top cities nationwide with the most same-sex couples. Fort Lauderdale also has more gay resorts and hotels than just about anywhere else on the planet. Along with a few other destinations in the U.S., like Palm Springs, Provincetown, and Key West, Fort Lauderdale ranks among the top cities with the most gay and clothing-optional resorts in the country.

The gay neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale is named Wilton Manors, and this is where you’ll find more than 50 LGBTQ+ venues, restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops. If you’re looking for a gay destination with year-round warm weather, Fort Lauderdale should be at the top of your list. Whether you stay in Wilton Manors or near the beach in Fort Lauderdale itself, you’ll find a huge selection of gay and gay-friendly options. For those specifically seeking a gay property or even a clothing-optional resort, we’ve narrowed down the list to our top 7 resorts and gay hotels in Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale gay resorts include roughly 15 gay-specific guesthouses, hotels, and resorts, with accommodations available for a variety of budgets.

Why Stay at a Gay Resort in Fort Lauderdale?

If you’ve never stayed at a gay resort but are thinking about booking one, you should definitely consider some of these benefits:

Easy to meet new people – Most gay resorts offer social activities where you can meet other travelers, which is common in many Fort Lauderdale gay resorts. Most properties host a complimentary evening happy hour with beer, cocktails, and snacks. You can spend the afternoon meeting other guests and easily connect with other guys during your visit.

Location – Most gay hotels in Fort Lauderdale are well-located within either the gay neighborhood of Wilton Manors or near the beach. Both areas are prime locations where you can easily visit the destination’s most popular attractions and gay nightlife.

Parties and events – Some gay resorts in Fort Lauderdale host events or social gatherings at their properties. These activities might be offered just to guests, or in some cases, even to the local LGBTQ+ community.

Be yourself – One of the most attractive aspects of a gay hotel is the comfort zone. The entire hotel is full of LGBTQ+ guests, and the staff is extensively trained to provide a welcoming and gay-friendly experience. It’s a very open environment where you can relax and be yourself.

Clothing Optional – Nearly all the gay resorts in Fort Lauderdale are clothing-optional. This means many guests swim and sunbathe nude. Many gay men enjoy the freedom and exhibitionism that come with nudism, and gay resorts are the perfect place to enjoy it in a private setting.

The Best Clothing Optional Gay Hotels and Resorts in Fort Lauderdale

The Grand Resort – Located just 10 minutes' walk from Sebastian Street Gay Beach. Relax at the onsite spa, which offers massage services, a hair studio, and nail care services. An onsite pool and hot tub are also featured. Wilton Manors is nearby and offers numerous gay restaurants, attractions, and clubs. The Grand Resort is the most luxurious clothing-optional resort in Fort Lauderdale, has a great reputation, and boasts amazing reviews from past guests.

Worthington Resorts – An all-male gay resort that is actually three buildings—Alcazar, Villa Venice, & Worthington Resort—each with its own style, connected via picturesque garden pathways. They are 5 blocks from Fort Lauderdale’s Sebastian Beach, the most popular beach for both gay locals and tourists, and a 5-minute walk from high-end shopping, restaurants, and lively Sebastian Street. The properties offer clothing-optional courtyards with 24-hour pools, spacious hot tubs, and modern gyms. A continental breakfast is served daily, and rooms feature modern furnishings and room-darkening curtains. Some rooms include a fully equipped kitchenette and views of the pool. This property advertises itself as the largest gay men’s clothing-optional resort in the United States and the longest-running in Fort Lauderdale, under the same ownership since its inception in 1999.

Pineapple Point – This popular Fort Lauderdale gay resort is another gay men’s guesthouse that has been around since 1999. Pineapple Point is the choice for gay men from all over the world looking to escape and relax. This luxury gay resort is one of the largest properties in Fort Lauderdale, with six unique buildings set on more than two acres of a very private and lush, clothing-optional, tropical paradise. You’ll find shaded hammocks, an onsite well-equipped gym, lap pool, two jacuzzis, massage studios, sun decks, and clothing-optional pool areas. Continental breakfast is served daily, along with snacks, lemonade, bottled water, popsicles, and refreshing cold face towels. A complimentary evening happy hour of cheese and crackers, beer, and wine is also included. Day passes for non-guests are $25 on most days from 11 am to 5 pm.

The Cabanas Guesthouse – This property offers 18 rooms and is located in Wilton Manors, the heart of gay Fort Lauderdale. This clothing-optional resort has been voted Best Gay Guesthouse and Best Men’s Day Spa for six years in a row. With amenities like an all-male day spa, two pools, sauna, jacuzzi, breakfast, and more, the Cabanas has everything for a perfect getaway. Enjoy the beauty of the lush tropical gardens and unbelievable waterfront views. It’s just a few minutes away from Wilton Drive, where you’ll find the best shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife that South Florida has to offer.

Calypso Inn Wilton Gay Resort – located only one block away from the center of infamous Wilton Drive. Acquired and newly renovated in November 2013, the Calypso Inn is a gay-owned and operated bed and breakfast. A great alternative to the motel or hotel norm. The entire property is enclosed by a new navy blue privacy fence with a keyed entry gate. Two lagoon tropical pools are heated in the winter months and open all night. The property has a vibrant fun appeal and is painted with two dozen colors. Poolside tanning areas are also clothing optional.

Ed Lugo Resort – Located in the heart of the Gay Fort Lauderdale Entertainment District near the vibrant nightlife of Wilton Manors, Ed Lugo Resort is an adult-only, men-exclusive, and clothing-optional resort. It is unique in that it consists of renovated 1950s bungalows. Luxury isn’t sacrificed for novelty, as they offer a variety of room options, including two-bedroom bungalows, three King suites with full kitchens, and two units with an outside private tropical couples' shower. All rooms also have their own private entrances for added privacy. Ed Lugo Resort features a clothing-optional pool area, a heated pool with a waterfall, a hot tub, a hammock, orchids, and patios to fully enjoy the tropical surroundings.

Gay Apartment and Vacation Rentals in Fort Lauderdale

Gay resorts in Fort Lauderdale are not your only option for staying at a gay-welcoming place. There are many sites for apartment rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, which offer another popular vacation rental option. Prices are generally comparable to budget hotels, especially if you’re willing to rent a room in a shared apartment or house. Book VRBO →

There are even a few LGBTQ+ oriented booking sites like misterb&b , where you can rent a room from a local. Founded in 2014, misterb&b is not a hotel or chain, but rather a booking site for rooms, apartments, and homes. Similar to Airbnb and VRBO, misterb&b is an online service that allows you to rent short- or long-term spaces from gay and gay-friendly hosts around the world. They have hosts in more than 200 countries and territories with more than 1 million total listings. They recently started offering listings of gay and gay-friendly hotels on their site for a one-stop-shop. Plus, you can even list your own room or apartment to earn cash from gay travelers in your city. Understanding Fort Lauderdale’s gay scene is much easier with the help of a local, and apartment sharing is one of the best ways to meet someone who knows how things work—where and when the best nights to go out are, and what places to eat at and which to avoid.

Special Offer! Sign up with misterb&b  and you will receive a free $10 credit to use on your first booking!

Featured image credit: The Grand Resort