Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Gran Canaria

Considered as a continent in miniature, Gran Canaria’s been a gay destination for decades. So, not surprisingly, quite a few gay hotels sprang up. While all hotels aren’t exclusively gay, they’re all gay-friendly. So, finding gay accommodation in Gran Canaria is pretty simple. In fact, it boats more gay hotels than any other place in the world. One of Spain’s Canary Islands, situated off northwestern Africa, it’s known for black lava and white sand beaches and a sense of gay pride in gran Canaria Plus, there’s the Biosphere Reserve that lies in the west.

The south of the island forms the gay area in Gran Canaria. Here, most gay establishments lie. While the gay scene of Maspalomas is quite unrivaled, the Yumbo Centrum Shopping Center is where all the gay nightlife of the island is concentrated, with gay bars and clubs scattered throughout the area.

Gran Canaria’s not big on historical attractions as it is more of a vacationer’s paradise. But, after Tenerife, Gran Canaria is the second largest of Spain’s Canary Islands and a big magnet for gay tourists. This paradise is one of the most gay-friendly islands in Europe. While there’s plenty of partying and sunbathing, we also highly recommend the Dolphin Watching Cruise from a glass-bottomed boat. Another good tour to discover more about the island is the Treasures of Gran Canaria Tour.

AxelBeach Maspalomas

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Part of the international Axel gay hotel chain, this gay hotel in Gran Canaria has all the amenities that you would associate with the gay chain. Here too, it carries the label ‘hetero friendly’ so its a good option if you’re a mixed group of gays and straight friends. The adults-only apartment complex provides a lounge garden with hammocks. Plus, a pool with sun loungers, an outdoor jacuzzi and a bar to whet your thirst and appetite make for more value. The Sky Bar becomes especially lively at night when hotel guests and outsiders gather to have a drink before heading out to Yumbo, the popular Gran Canaria gay area for nightlife. Yumbo is only a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

The apartments at AxelBeach are spacious and can comfortably accommodate two or three people. Each apartment features a lounge area, kitchenette, attached bathroom, and a separate bedroom. An added bonus is the furnished balcony which looks out onto the pool and gardens or the street.

Birdcage Gay Resort

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Less than a ten-minute walk from the renowned gay Yumbo center you’ll find the Birdcage Gay Resort. The name itself tells you that if you’re looking for a gay hotel in Gran Canaria you’re at the right place. A tranquil space with a variety of local plants, a spa area, a welcoming pool, a jacuzzi, and hammocks, makes this boutique resort the perfect place to unwind after a night of partying. You can definitely be yourself here in this nudist-friendly place. This place is all about gay pride in Gran Canaria.

Rooms range from deluxe rooms to suites with their own private garden. The air-conditioned rooms are well equipped with modern amenities including bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. Breakfast at the hotel is also complimentary and served until quite late so you can sleep in for a while. The resort lounge is a great place to meet fellow gay travelers.

Bohemia Suites & Spa

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Just 200m from Playa de Ingles, Bohemia Suites & Spa is the perfect base to enjoy the sun and sand of gay Gran Canaria. A ten-minute walk from the hotel will bring you to the gay bars and clubs in the Yumbo gay center. The facilities at this adults-only resort hotel are quite outstanding. These include a gym, outdoor pools, a cocktail bar, and a rooftop restaurant offering gorgeous views of the island.

The stylish and uniquely designed rooms have beautiful views over the sea. Large floor to ceiling windows and private balconies make the experience of staying here even more surreal. What really stands out about the hotel are the wellness facilities. A large spa area features a variety of pools, baths, and saunas. You can indulge in some traditional Thai wellness treatments at the Siam Spa or undergo some more intense treatments at the Bohemia Health & Recovery Center. If all you want to do is relax under the sun, the outdoor pool area in the midst of a lush garden is the perfect place for this. Isn’t this all you need from the ideal gay accommodation in Gran Canaria?

H10 Playa Meloneras Palace

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H10 Playa Meloneras Palace hotel is located less than 10 minutes from the Meloneras beach but is at a little distance from the gay area in Gran Canaria. A short taxi ride will take you to gay Maspalomas and the Yumbo center where the gay nightlife thrives. This luxurious hotel, however, has more than enough to keep you in.

Drawing its inspiration from the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, the stylishly designed hotel will definitely impress. The central building with its standout seashell shape is a clear winner. Rooms come with a private furnished terrace and look out onto the sea or the garden. Boasting three swimming pools, one indoor and two outdoor saltwater pools, a sauna, jacuzzi, an ice fountain, and a Turkish bath, the hotel epitomizes luxury and class. The hotel also has two onsite restaurants and multiple bars and lounges. During the peak season, they even have various shows and live music to entertain guests.

Hotel Gold by Marina

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Stepping into the adults-only Hotel Gold by Marina is like stepping back in time, with traces of the 50s and 60s style reflected throughout the hotel. The vintage-styled modern hotel is an oasis of peace and relaxation. A spacious pool area with two pools and plenty of loungers is the ideal place to unwind when you’ve had enough of the sea and sand of the nearby Playa del Ingles beach. Situated just five minutes walking distance from the gay Yumbo center, makes this one of the most convenient gay accommodation in Gran Canaria to stay at.

Beautifully decorated rooms have a balcony or terrace and a fully equipped kitchenette. They’re large enough to accommodate up to three people but if you’d still prefer something more spacious, then the suites are a good option. While all rooms have free wifi and the other amenities, some rooms do not have a television. The hotel also has a ‘Wellness Cottage’ where guests can enjoy a range of massages, beauty treatments, and a sauna. A gym, poolside bar, and a rooftop solarium with its own jacuzzi are the other amenities that you can expect here.

Lopesan Baobab Resort

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We couldn’t agree more with the reviews of this being one of the best hotels in the Meloneras area of Gran Canaria. Featuring a chic African theme throughout, amidst tropical gardens, staying at the Lopesan Baobab Resort is reminiscent of a tropical paradise. The colonial-inspired architecture and the extra touches of beauty add to the exotic feel of this hotel. There is so much to do within the hotel that you’ll probably not want to step out.

Seven pools can be found scattered through the resort, with two being exclusively for children. Several loungers, gorgeous greenery, and intermittent bars and cafes will probably keep you poolside throughout the day. Added to this are two restaurants, two buffets, and four bars to quench your thirst and whet your appetite. For those of you who hate missing a day at the gym, the hotel even has a well-equipped gym and other sports facilities. If, after all this, you still feel like venturing out, the gay beach in Maspalomas is within walking distance. Yumbo the gay area in Gran Canaria, is a ten-minute drive.

Hotel Nayra

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A block away from the gay bars of Gran Canaria you’ll find the Hotel Nayra. This means that you’re well placed to party all night if you choose to do so. The Playa del Ingles beach is a 20-minute walk from here while the gay beach in Maspalomas is a little further away. However, like most of the gay hotels in Gran Canaria, this one is also equipped with several amenities to make you want to linger. A massage room, a leisure area with Balinese beds, a fully equipped gym, and an outdoor pool with a bar are what you can look forward to here.

Minimalist colorful rooms are outfitted with enough amenities for a comfortable stay. Some of the soundproof rooms have terraces that look out onto the pool. A stand-out feature of the hotel is the ever-smiling friendly staff.

Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia

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Although the 5-star gay-friendly Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia is very similar to its sister hotel, Seaside Palm Beach, this one is a little more luxurious and exclusive. The hotel is very highly rated and rightly so as it is the only hotel on the island that is a part of the Leading Hotels of the World group. Its location in an ancient palm grove gives it an air of seclusion even though there’s a lot happening around it. A short walk away is the Maspalomas Dunes and the gay beach of Gran Canaria. The nightlife isn’t at a walking distance but is easily accessed by taxi or bus.

The rooms at the hotel are located in Spanish colonial-style villas with private balconies and terraces. Beautifully decorated suites are large with their own shady terraces and luxuries but the standard rooms are not far behind either with their touch of class. Guests can relax at the picturesque central pool which is in the midst of beautiful greenery. There’s also a wellness saltwater Thalasso pool, a cutting edge spa, and a well-equipped gym.  If you love seafood you’ll definitely appreciate the food at the on-site restaurant which is renowned for its fresh fish and seafood.

Seaside Palm Beach

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With the Maspalomas gay beach just a stone’s throw away from the Seaside Palm Beach Hotel, you can be assured that this hotel in Gran Canaria is as gay-friendly as they come. Which is why it sits at the top 3 of our best gay accommodation in Gran Canaria. A short walk down the beach will take you to the gay vibes of Hut 7. Yumbo Center may not be within walking distance, but it’s easily accessible by bus or taxi. There are even all-night bus services to the center so getting to the gay bars and back is pretty simple from here.

What stands out about the hotel is the colorful design of the rooms which reflects the island. Rooms showcase the sun and sand and the greenery of the island. There is a distinct blend of the vintage with the modern. Outdoors, the hotel is also quite enticing with a large lagoon-style swimming pool, a saltwater wellness pool, and a brine pool. The spa facilities here are also pretty good as are the sports facilities and the gym. Three restaurants and a swanky 70s-style lounge bar provide a complete package.

Seven Hotel & Wellness

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Another exclusive gay hotel in Gran Canaria that’s equipped with all you need for a comfortable stay on the island is the Seven Hotel & Wellness center. If you’re looking for something that is bang on the beach or close to the gay area in Gran Canaria, this hotel may not suit you. It’s located near the Maspalomas golf course but much further from the gay beach. However, the free morning shuttle from the hotel to the beach is a handy option. The Yumbo center is about 10 minutes by taxi.

The superb modern hotel, stylishly designed with monochromatic colors, is a good place to spend the day. You can choose to relax by the outdoor pool or the heated saltwater pool. Guests can also indulge in the facilities of the wellness center or try out something more adventurous such as windsurfing and sailing.

Villa Adler

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One of the highest-rated hotels in Playa del Ingles is the gay men only Villa Adler located just about 15 minutes walk from the beach and at a walking distance from all the gay hotspots in Gran Canaria. The Cita Center is just 100 meters away from the hotel. Comprising eight bungalows, this resort provides an intimate boutique vibe.

You can expect sleek stylish bungalows done up in grey and black tones. Predictably, the bungalows are intimate and comfortable with a spacious living room, a kitchenette, a separate bedroom, a private terrace, and modern bathrooms. The saltwater swimming pool is ideal for cooling off during a hot summer day. As with most gay accommodation in Gran Canaria, nudity at the poolside area is allowed. Gay pride in Gran Canaria rules in these places.

Just So You Know:

• On the western coast of the island, you’ll find the clothing-optional Gui Gui beach. The best way of getting to the beach is by joining an exclusive gay sailing tour.
• Gran Canaria has always been a major hotspot for gays. Even when Franco ruled Spain with an iron hand, Gran Canaria was largely ignored because of its distance from the mainland. As such, homosexuality and tourism bloomed on the island, taking off in the 1960s. There’s plenty of gay pride in Gran Canaria.
• Maspalomas is the ultimate destination in Spain for gays because of its reasonable round-the-year climate. Unlike the other gay hotspots such as Sitges and Ibiza, the place is crowded all year round. Although the peak season is between December and February, you’ll find the young gay crowd heading here in the hotter months. You might enjoy a camel ride in the dunes.

Get Some Culture In Vienna:

• Sailing Excursion for Gay Men Only – This seven-hour excursion headed by a gay captain is a great way of exploring the south of Gran Canaria. With meals and drinks included you can be sure that you’re going to have a great day of discovery amongst like-minded people. The excursion stops at some of the hard to reach beaches such as Gui Gui beach. Since it is a gay-only excursion you can choose to discard all your clothes if you wish to.
• Gay Pride Maspalomas – During the month of May thousands descend onto Gran Canaria for Gay Pride Maspalomas. Considered to be one of the most vibrant Pride events in the world, the Gay Pride in Gran Canaria kicks off with festivities that are spread out over ten days with parades and shows.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Vienna:

• Strand-apo-Theke – Almost all the gay bars in Gran Canaria are located at the Yumbo Centrum so finding one outside the area is a bonus. This German-owned gay bar is located on the Maspalomas beachfront and has a great atmosphere. It’s pretty busy in the afternoons so a good idea is to stop by on your way back from the beach.
• Sparkles Show Bar – As the name suggests, this show bar is open every day and has a magnificent drag show with a whole host of queens. Although this is officially a gay bar, you’ll probably find straight couples here too enjoying an ‘alternative’ night out and identify with gay pride in Gran Canaria.
• Mykonos – The biggest and most popular gay club in CCY Yumbo Centrum, is where you can dance the night away to pop disco music. Gay Gran Canaria is out in full force at this venue which has a large dance area as well as a cruising area complete with booths and darkroom.

Best Gay Saunas In Vienna:

• Sauna Heroes – The recently renovated Heroes Sauna is the biggest and possibly the best gay sauna in the Canary Islands. Located in gay Maspalomas, on the 4th floor of the Yumbo Center the sauna is spotlessly clean and spread over an extensive area. It’s equipped with a jacuzzi, dry and wet sauna, private cabins, dark rooms and lots more.
• Sauna Portugal – Located in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria’s capital, this two-story sauna has a Finnish sauna, steam sauna, darkrooms, showers, cabins, maze, massage, sling room, and bar.