Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In St. Petersburg, Florida

St Petersburg has shed its ribald infamy as a spring-break party town and is one amazing savvy and culture-rich southern city today. A restored historic center, eye-popping Downtown murals, and a stunning Dali Museum complement the profusion of galleries, craft breweries, and chic restaurants. What’s more, St Petersburg is also the leading Floridian LGBT destination on the Gulf of Mexico. Moreover, gay hotels in St Petersburg Fl are a motley bunch, ranging from grand hotels to charming B&Bs. In fact, it was previously home to Flamingo, which was the largest gay hotel not in just St Petersburg, but Florida! Also, the city hosts the St Petersburg Gay Pride, which is the largest in Florida. In fact, St Petersburg is on the warpath to become the gay capital of the state, and it just might happen!

The heart of gay St Pete is the historic Grand Central District and the adjacent Kenwood, which is its official gayborhood. Its streets are lined with 1920s craftsman-style cottages and a litany of LGBT-friendly businesses, including restaurants, bars, and more. St. Petersburg also has its own LGBT Welcome Center and Pride Guide, which lists the LGBT-friendly business and events in the region. What’s more, this bohemian, sun-kissed coastal city has not one, but two gay beaches, Sunset Beach and Pass-a-Grille beach at St Pete’s Beach. Move over Key West and Fort Lauderdale, for St Petersburg makes for an equally amazing LGBTQ destination. To that end, here are the top 11 gay hotels in St Petersburg, Florida.

The Don CeSar Hotel

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What better place to spend the pink dollar than at the ‘Pink Palace’ that is the Don CeSar Hotel? The crown jewel of all gay hotels in St Petersburg, Florida, Do CeSar sits right on the gay of Pass-A-Grille Beach in St Pete’s beach. This Barbie-hued jewel harks back to its prosperous Roaring Twenties Past and oozes oodles of oomph and old-world charm. Overlooking the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this is the perfect base for a Floridian gaycation.

The 1928-built hotel is on the list of Historic Hotels of America, with its grand exterior giving way to an elegant, dazzling-white lobby with lovely Areca palm trees. Many original details are retained while ensuring an intimate, small-scale vibe throughout. There’s no dearth of facilities on the property; you have two main swimming pools, a state-of-the-art cardiovascular workout center, and a fitness studio to begin with. There’s also a full-service spa as well as boutiques, and the beach activities of course. If you’re looking for some seclusion, then the tropical gardens provide lots of cozy nooks for a quiet respite. Three restaurants and bars, plus an ice-cream parlor round up the amenities here.

All rooms and suites are reminiscent of an era gone by and are a rather welcome departure from the identikit style of hotels today. Modern creature comforts make staying here familiar, with gorgeous Gulf of Mexico views from the large windows. The spacious suites, in fact, feel no less than a beach house.

Beach Drive Inn Bed & Breakfast

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The Beach Drive Inn Bed & Breakfast is an amazing historic gay hotel in St Petersburg, Fl. This alluring 1910-built house sits right across from the equally famous and historic Vinoy Hotel and was home to Aymer Vinoy Laughner. It sits at the edge of Downtown and the Historic Old Northeast neighborhoods and is a mere five-minute drive from the gayborhood in Grand Central District. Today, the upscale clapboard B&B with six stately rooms and suites is as intimate as it gets and overlooks the waters of Tampa Bay. While some even have large Jacuzzi tubs, they all feature free Wi-Fi, robes, mini-fridges, and even coffeemakers.

If it weren’t for modern additions, then it’d be easy to forget what period you’re in at the Beach Drive Inn. What’s more, it even offers free off-street parking, which is more than a blessing in the buzzing downtown St. Petersburg. With Vinoy Park and Tampa Bay right across, the surrounding neighborhood is also gorgeous to explore. The lush gardens that surround the inn are perfect for a lovely walk, while the rooftop sundeck is ideal for soaking in the Floridian sunshine. The best part? It’s the only bed and breakfast in St Petersburg that’s licensed to sell wine and beer. Need we say more?

The Hotel Zamora

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Discerning gay travelers, the Hotel Zamora is one for you. It sits right on the gay St Pete Beach and is one of the best beach gay hotels in St Petersburg, Florida. In fact, staying here allows you to lounge on the chairs at a beach bar that lies two blocks away. This stylish, Spanish-colonial boutique hotel hits all the right notes, right from the sunset bar and sleek rooftop lounge to its many amenities.

You can lounge on daybeds and lounge chairs by the swimming pool while looking out to the passing boats. Two bars and a restaurant take care of all food and drink cravings, and they even have complimentary canapés and wine hour daily. Breakfast is an à la carte affair and features some delicious recommended items. Moreover, you can even use the free beach cruiser bikes and kayaks to go exploring around. Finally, the high-quality gym with sea views is a pretty amazing place if you’re a workout fanatic.

Of all the rooms, the ones at the back have more open views of the Intracoastal waterway. Nevertheless, they’re all extremely spacious with minibars, plush beds, and lots of interesting artwork. Moreover, some even have furnished balconies, while those with “Spa” in the name have soaking tubs as well.

Postcard Inn on the Beach

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Nothing beats walking out of your hotel straight on to a gorgeous stretch of beach, and Postcard Inn on the Beach is exactly that. This chic and cheerful gay hotel in St Petersburg, Fl is a modern version of a 1950s beachfront motel and is also one of the best budget options around. In fact, it’s dubbed as the ‘Santorini of St Pete beach’ for its vivid white-and-blue color scheme.

The inn’s surfer makeover features both sophisticated touches and playful design elements. So, you’ll see everything from a lush tropical garden with nightly open fires to summer ‘Dive-In Movies’ by the pool. Even though it’s a budget hotel, it has a lot of amenities and facilities for you to enjoy. The highlight is the large and inviting main pool area, complete with yellow sun loungers. Besides two gyms, the lush tropical gardens have lots of games including billiards, corn-hole toss, and ping-pong. What’s more, there are lots of videos, books, and board games in the lobby, as well as rental bikes and beach volleyball. Its dining establishments are equally laidback, while the breakfast buffet features grits and country potatoes, bacon, eggs, and heavenly bread pudding.

You can choose from three kinds of rooms, of which the Garden rooms have seating areas and the Poolside Cabanas have outdoor patios right by the poolside. Nevertheless, they all feature all standard mod-cons and thoughtful touches like coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and bottled water.

Sirata Beach Resort

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Amidst the sea of beach gay hotels in St Petersburg, Florida, Sirata Beach Resort sure knows how to hold its own. The expansive resort features a stunning beachfront ambiance and is the only hotel in St Pete Beach with a private beachfront. The tropical chilled vibe is all about marine murals, beach hammocks, and two sensational beach-facing bars that’ll leave you with no option but to lie back and chill.

The sprawling resort packs a lot of facilities into 13 acres, complete with beach activities and on-site watersports. The main beachfront pool is so pretty that it’s Instagram-worthy, with sun loungers, umbrellas, palm trees et al. There’s even a quieter adults-only pool that’ll suit your vibe more. Besides an X-Box games room, there are also daily trips to Shell Islands, pool cabanas, beach volleyball, and even a fitness center. The huge sundeck and outdoor patio is the perfect place to relax since it doesn’t feel crowded ever. Even though there are three restaurants, it’s the beachside bars that are the stars. From breakfast to cocktails to light food, they serve it all.

The rooms are all generous in size with blue-and-white color schemes, full balconies or massive picture windows, and a slew of mod-cons. If you want to indulge, then the one-bedroom suites and ground-floor Lanai Rooms that open out to private beach patios are perfect.

The Inn at Dickens House

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The Inn at Dickens House is one romantic gay hotel in St Petersburg, Fl. The B&B is located in the heart of the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood, right across from the gorgeous North Shore Beach Park and Tampa Bay. So, long walks combined with picturesque sunrises and sunsets are an everyday opportunity here. The romantic setting is only augmented by the neighborhood, which is peppered with late-19th and early-20th-century homes. The century-old gay-owned B&B itself is the epitome of the Craftsman design movement. It retains gorgeous original design features like the broad veranda and charming Arts and Crafts-era décor and bric-a-brac.

When it comes to accommodations, you’re going to be delighted. You can choose from two rooms and three suites that range from a cozy attic with a whirlpool tub to the spacious Dickens Suite with a two-person shower-spa and a high four-poster canopy bed. Romantic indeed! Moreover, all rooms feature pampering additions like down pillows and Egyptian cotton towels. The cozy sitting room with the fireplace is the perfect place to lounge during colder climates. During sun-kissed times, the verandah is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Finally, the hosts here are known for dishing out a seriously delicious American breakfast spread that’s fit for royalty.

RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds

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The eye-catching RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds puts the ‘sea’ in ‘seaside’ with a striking maritime theme pervading the property. It’s easily one of the best beach gay hotels in St Petersburg, Florida. RumFish lies right on gay St Pete Beach, and you can literally roll off your rooms right in the Gulf of Mexico.

The standout feature of the resort is the distinctive and unique Touch Tank experience. It features various marine creatures, right from horseshoe crabs to sea stars. Lush tropical vegetation furthers the lively yet laidback beach vibe, with the tropical gardens housing not one but two pools. Moreover, one is adults-only, so you can lounge by the poolside in serenity while sipping on the most delicious cocktails. You can even lounge on cabanas and hammocks on the beach before toasting s’mores on the firepit during evenings. Besides two restaurants, it’s the Sandbar that’s really special. Begin your evenings of revelries here with a sundowner and amazing sunset views.

The rooms are more spacious suites, with lounge space, mini-kitchens, and balconies or floor-to-ceiling windows. A bevy of high-tech amenities, calming blue-and-white hues make staying here a dream. If you want to splurge, go for the ground-floor room that has a pool patio just steps away from the beach.

Sea Breeze Manor Inn Bed and Breakfast

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Are you looking for a charming gay hotel in St Petersburg, Fl near the gay beach? Then the Sea Breeze Manor Inn is where you should be. The gorgeous 1923-built house overlooks the stunning Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Reserve and is a mere 10-15-minute drive from both gay beaches in St Petersburg. In fact, Sunset Beach is right across the Boca Ciega Bay. Moreover, even the gayborhood of Kenwood and Grand Central District is a 10-minute drive away.

This quaint, hip-roofed inn is one of the most charming bed and breakfasts in the area of Gulfport. You can choose from six warmly-decorated suites, each of which has not only a separate sitting area but also a balcony or patio. Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi are also a mainstay in every en-suite. Thus, you can enjoy cozy meals in the comfort of your bed or on the balcony with gorgeous views. You’ll be plied with free refreshments and snacks all day long, which you can enjoy in the lovely shared lounge or out in the garden. Begin your day with a superb home-cooked buffet or continental breakfast. In the evenings, you can enjoy grilling on the barbecue. What’s more, you could even rent cycles and explore the area.

TradeWinds Island Grand Resort

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Seafront splendor doesn’t get better than at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, one of the most luxurious gay hotels in St Petersburg, Florida. This 20-acre seaside playground sits right on pristine white sands of St Pete’s beach. With the Suncoast Beach Trolley stopping right outside, local attractions, entertainment, and dining are minutes away.

Even though it’s an all-inclusive family resort, it has ‘grown-up’ touches like a fine-dining restaurant and the decadent spa. If you’re a water baby, then you’ll love the beach scene with every kind of water activity under the sun. Choose from a whopping five heated pools, one of which is adults-only to lounge at. Three restaurants, four bars, a pizza parlor, a deli, and an ice-cream parlor cover every cuisine and drink craving. If you’re a keen explorer, then the resort also offers organized activities ranging from Dive-In movies to sea turtle expeditions.

The rooms and suites all feature soft lighting, a bevy of mod-cons, and overlook either the tropical gardens or the beach. The suites are much more luxurious with lots of space as well as balconies.

Meranova Bed & Breakfast

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If you’re looking for a gay hotel in St Petersburg, Fl away from the bustle, then we’d recommend the captivating Meranova Bed & Breakfast. The gay-owned eight-room property lies in the equally alluring Dunedin around 20 minutes north of St Petersburg Downtown. It channels a Key West-style vibe and is close to some cool entertainment options in the town, including the gay bar Kelly’s/Blur. If you’re an intrepid explorer, then this inn is perfect since close to a number of outdoor attractions like the Pinellas Trail, Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands, as well as Clearwater Beach.

What’s excellent about the rooms here is that each of them has a private entrance. Moreover, they also have balconies or porches and lovely antiques and art, besides mod-cons and en-suite bathrooms. In fact, two suites even come with full kitchens if you’re going to be doing your own cooking. The tree-shaded grounds that the inn sits on feature a gorgeous orchid garden, a gazebo, and even a pool. On balmy days, lounging in or by the pool and the gardens is the best way to spend a day. The gourmet breakfast is one impressive feast, and you can dine in the orchid garden, under the gazebo, or by the poolside. What’s more, they even offer to bring it to your room.

Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg Downtown

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Hotel Indigo is, undoubtedly, the best gay hotel in St Petersburg, Florida’s Downtown area. Part of the gay-popular Indigo brand, the hotel lies in a very pretty neighborhood, complete with flowering trees lining the street. Tampa Bay and the park green parks lining the waterfront are just one block down, while the gayborhood of Kenwood is a mere five-minute drive.

A stylish, snazzy lime-green facade sets the tone for what’s to come. This gay friendly St Petersburg, Fl hotel boasts a good number of facilities, the best of which is the outdoor pool. The serene pool area is fringed with trees and striped loungers and is a great, tranquil place to relax. The fitness center is perfect if you want to indulge in a spot of exercise, while those on work can make use of the business center and free Wi-Fi. Finally, the in-house restaurant serves an excellent breakfast, apart from other meals, and even has room service. It also has a bar serving delicious cocktails, which makes it perfect for a sundowner or nightcap.

You’ll be impressed when it comes to the airy, contemporary rooms too, which have all mod-cons you’ll need for a comfortable stay. They’re all decked out in fresh pale-green color schemes, whimsical artwork, and sleek hardwood floors. What’s more, some rooms even have fridges and microwaves for basic self-catering.

Just So You Know:

• Flamingo Resort is perhaps St Petersburg’s most famous gay hotel, but it has unfortunately closed its doors.

Get Some Culture in St Petersburg:

• St Petersburg Pride – St Petersburg Pride is the largest Pride celebration in Tampa Bay! It features a roster of exciting events including a street festival, live music, and one jaw-dropping and vibrant nighttime parade.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in St Petersburg:

• Garage on Central – With an excellent happy hour daily, this low-key gay bar is perfect for mingling before heading out to other clubs.
• Enigma Bar & Lounge – This amazing LGBT-owned lounge, which stays open till 3 a.m., is perfect for dancing and fun-filled night out.

Best Gay Saunas in St Petersburg:

• GayStPete House – This amazing gay-only bed and breakfast has a clothing-optional pool area and sizzling sauna too!