Maspalomas is beautiful chaos at its finest. The resort town on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria is a well-known gay mecca famous for its balls-to-the-wall nightlife. Any excuse for a party is pounced upon in Maspalomas, be it Gay Pride, Winter Pride, Carnival, their own “Freedom Party” …or hey, just another weekend at the Yumbo Center – the world’s only “gay shopping and bar complex”. Add to that an all year hot climate, some of the best drag shows in Europe, one of the world’s meatiest gay beaches and an even meatier sand dunes cruising area, then the scene is set for an eventful – and most likely messy – gay vacation.

As you can imagine, Maspalomas gets busy. Luckily a range of hotels can be found around the city catering to an array of tastes. Your first choice is if you’d like to be nearer the 24-hour party of the Yumbo Centre, the calmer end of the town by the beach, or a little bit further away from both. We look at our favorite seven accommodations across the town – from “all in” party centered hotels to clothing-optional bungalow respites to a five-star luxury oasis within the sand dunes themselves.

Axel Beach Maspalomas

Axel Hotels is perhaps the most famous gay – or “heterofriendly” as they prefer to be called – hotel chain worldwide. Since opening in Barcelona all the way back in 2003 they’ve expanded to everywhere from Cuba to Berlin.

Axel Beach is their Maspalomas offering, and it encapsulates that beach holiday vibe associated with the island perfectly, while inserting a cosmopolitan feel into the mix. It’s also – as you would expect – right up in the action just around the corner from the Yumbo Center and a 1.5km from Playa Ingles, the gay beach.

Within Axel Beach you’ll find 92 modern apartments over 4 floors with the rooms’ designs emphasizing warmth and comfort. Its huge pool is a great place to take in the local talent and/or lie in its charismatic hutlike sunbeds made to be especially accommodating for couples. The complex also sports a gym, its own bar and an outdoor relaxing area designed exclusively for you to feel the Axel cool beach-like atmosphere. It is, however, the most popular choice during festivals, so expect a pre-party vibe and talent strutting around the pool during the likes of Pride and Carnival.

Atlantic Sun Beach

Atlantic Sun Beach is aptly named as its located right by the gay beach – just a one-minute walk. In contrast to the busy bar-filled center it’s located snugly in a more residential area – if any area can be called truly residential in Maspalomas that is. The apartments are for gay men only and each have a private balcony or terrace to enjoy a hungover breakfast on. The rather homely interior comes with a living room holding a sofa and TV, and a kitchen area with ceramic stovetop and fridge. You only share a lovely sun terrace with pool and gardens with the other guests. The action isn’t that far away still – in truth nowhere is that far away in Maspalomas – and the Yumbo Centre is just over a kilometer away. Atlantic Sun Beach also offers bicycle and car rental services, should your adventures take you out into the island.

Paso Chico

For a nice budget option, which doesn’t require a long stagger – or taxi ride – after a night out, then Paso Chico is absolutely perfect. Their gay men-only private bungalows sit right in front of the Yumbo Center in a cute little complex with a clothing-optional pool and garden. It’s a small property owned by a friendly German couple, who have put the utmost care into giving their guests the experience they want. There’s no reception area and the stay is self-catering, which really sets it aside as a home away from home more than a hotel – giving you the option of associating with the other guests as much or little as you choose. All six bungalows come with a separate bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and personal outdoor patio.

Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas

It doesn’t always have to be gay, gay, gay…gay of course. Hotel Riu Palace is an exquisite choice for those who would sacrifice gay-only specific accommodation for a little luxury. What’s more, the five-star hotel is right up in Maspalomas’ famous sand dunes themselves – like some sort of luxurious oasis mirage. They have two huge pools – which glimmer paradisaically in the African sun – surrounded by palm trees on a sun deck filled with sun loungers and parasols. Furthermore, the complex is adult-only with no screaming children to shatter the calm.

The 350 rooms are as spacious as you’d expect from a five-star establishment, containing large balconies or terraces, ceiling fans and bathrooms with walk-in showers. There are also sea-view options and suites with their own living rooms.

Riu’s restaurant serves both buffet breakfasts and dinners from live cooking stations, where Spanish cuisine is mixed with international influences. A late-night bar is a great place to get a little Dutch courage before heading out into town and Riu has its own entertainment, including live music and themed shows. Finally, there’s a gym and a “wellness center” spa, where you can sweat out those toxins in a steam room, or book a beauty treatment to keep you looking fresh for the party.

Vista Bonita LGBTI Resort

Part of the same chain – Mow Hotels – as the previously mentioned Atlantic Sun Beach, Vista Bonita has the added benefit of being more inclusive to all members of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s slightly more on the pricey side than its sister site, but it is a bigger resort with more facilities – including a rather snazzy outdoor jacuzzi by the pool, its own restaurant, poolside bar, a spa and a sauna on the rooftop with stunning views of the tropical gardens below. The rooms are modern beauties with balconies or terraces either overlooking or opening up to the pool area. The whole place has a crisp polished feel to it, making it a welcome respite from the busy town fifteen minutes away.

Los Almendros Exclusive Vacation Club

Back in the heart of the action is this bungalow filled resort, perfectly equidistant between the Yumbo Centre and Playa Ingles. Its common areas are all clothing-optional, affording a more private space than the beach to work on those tan lines. There’s a pool area of course, but this one is surrounded by an exotic looking tropical garden, has an outdoor jacuzzi and – as well as sun beds – hammocks swinging lackadaisical in the breeze. All this and its bright yellow painted bungalows create a chilled out tropical vibe, supported by a sofa-filled restaurant bar and gym.

The thirty-three one-bedroom bungalows all open onto a terrace and have a bedroom, bathroom and living room equipped with modern furnishings, including a king-sized bed – making it ideal for couples. The inclusion of two TVs means if you disagree with your partner’s choice of programs you can have some time off from each other – with them both connected to the best European channels and – interestingly – two resort-owned gay / lesbian porn channels.

A solo traveler looking to splash out a bit while celebrating their singledom might consider the singular studio bungalow for one person – with a privileged location by the pool and its own fully equipped kitchen, spacious bathroom, air conditioning and television.

Seven Hotel & Wellness Centre

The third Mow Hotel on the list – which clearly means they’re doing something right – is a stylish gay men-only hotel with a unique location overlooking Maspalomas’ huge golf course in a sea of greenery. This puts it away from the busy streets, and sometimes even busier beach, for those who like a little breathing space between their indulgences.

As the name suggests, “wellness” is Seven Hotel’s focus and it has a particularly impressive gym, spa lounge and relaxation area with masseuses on hand to offer a range of massages including head, hand, full body and even a couples massage. Its defining feature though is its large heated outdoor saltwater pool, offering a soothing alternative to the beach with a particular large hot tub alongside it. The atmosphere is thoroughly laidback and “chilled out” – so much so that the beer is served in ice glasses. Their Abora Restaurant also serves great Mediterranean food – meaning that if you so choose you don’t have to trek into town for a late lunch.

The rooms at Seven Hotel are clean crisp simplicity and have fully furnished porches offering views across the green landscape below with the sun shimmering in the near distance. As well as a variety of room and suite sizes, you can also book a villa with a private pool for the ultimate indulgence.

The hotel is also the location of a pool party during the annual Freedom Party, one of the most fun and stylish parties in Gran Canaria. The event at Seven Hotel has great DJs, a no-nonsense fun environment, and centers around the saltwater pool and XXL jacuzzi – which you’d be amazed at how many men can fit into. The same might be said of Maspalomas in general.