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

The gay neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale is named Wilton manors and here is where you’ll find more than 50 LGBT+ venues, restaurants, bars, clubs and shops. If you’re looking for a gay destination that has warm weather year-round then 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 can find a huge selection of gay and gay friendly options. But for those who specifically want a gay property and perhaps even a clothing optional resort, we narrowed down the list to our top 7 resorts and gay hotels in Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale gay resorts number roughly 15 gay-specific guest houses, hotels and resorts and you can find accommodations offered for a variety of budgets.

Why Stay at a Gay Resort in Fort Lauderdale?

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

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

Location – you’ll find that most all 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 other parties and social gatherings at their properties. These activities might be offered to just guests or in some cases even to the local LGBT+ community.

Be yourself – probably one of the most attractive parts about a gay hotel is the comfort zone. The entire hotel is full of LGBT+ guests and all staff has been extensively trained to provide you with a welcoming and gay-friendly experience. It’s a very open environment and one where you can relax and be yourself.

Clothing Optional – nearly all the gay resorts in Fort Lauderdale are clothing optional. This means that many of the guests will swim and sunbathe nude. Many gay men enjoy the freedom and exhibitionism that comes 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

Cheston House – a clothing optional guesthouse with 14 rooms and a nice pool set in the Fort Lauderdale Beach district. A balcony or patio are featured in certain rooms. The hotel also offers bike hire to get around town, which is great for riding along the beach boardwalk. At Cheston House, you'll feel like you're at the home of a good friend. It has lots of character and includes many thoughtful extras for guests.

The Grand Resort – 10 minutes’ walk from Sebastian Street Gay Beach. Relax at the onsite spa, which offers massage services, hair studio, and nail care services. An onsite pool and hot tub are also featured. Wilton Manors is nearby, which 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 has amazing reviews from past guests.

Worthington Resorts – an all-male gay resort that is actually three buildings – Alcazar, Villa Venice, & Worthington Resort – each with their own styles and 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 at the hotel and rooms have 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, having the same owner since its inception in 1999.

Pineapple Point – this popular Fort Lauderdale gay resort is another gay men’s guesthouse and has also been around since 1999. Pineapple Point is the choice for gay men from all over the world to escape and relax. The luxury gay resort is one of the largest properties in Fort Lauderdale and it includes 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. Complimentary evening happy hour of cheese and crackers, beer and wine are 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 and has been voted Best Gay Guesthouse and Best Men’s Day Spa for 6 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 greatest 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 ResortLocated right in the heart of the action in the Gay Fort Lauderdale Entertainment District near all the vibrant gay (night)life of Wilton Manors, Ed Lugo Resort is an adult only men-exclusive and clothing optional resort. It is unique – and rather cool – in that it is a collection of renovated 1950’s bungalows. Luxury isn’t sacrificed on the altar of novelty though,  as they offer a wealth of rooming 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 has a clothing optional pool area, a heated pool with a waterfall, a hot tub, a hammock, orchids and patios to fully enjoy those 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, another popular vacation rental option. Prices are generally comparable to budget hotels, especially if you’re willing to get a room in a shared apartment or house. Book VRBO →

There are even a few LGBT+ 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 even 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 more easily done with the help of a local and apartment sharing is one of the best ways to meet someone living in the city who knows how things work, where and when are the best nights to go out, 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