Miami is considered to be a gay mecca with its gay parties and fantastic nightlife, attracting over 1 million LGBT visitors a year. Not surprisingly, there are numerous gay hotels in Miami to choose from. Whether it’s the gay hotels in Miami Downtown or other happening neighborhoods, you’re spoilt for choice by the wide options available. While there is only one exclusively clothing-optional LGBTQ hotel in the city, there are numerous LGBTQ-friendly hotels to choose from. From quaint art-deco boutique hotels to luxurious upscale properties, there is no dearth of such hotels in Miami.
Although the stunning resorts, the beach, and the nightlife are the main attractions here, there is much more to the city. If you love art and beautiful things, you’ll definitely enjoy an art tour through the art districts of Miami. Or if celebrity sighting is your high, you might just get lucky on the Millionaire’s Row Cruise. All these, and much more, are what make Miami one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, your bikinis, and swimsuits, and head to the “Magic City” Miami and its amazing LGBT hotels.
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W South Beach
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Most luxurious. Like its Barcelona counterpart, W South Beach has a prime beachfront setting. With its upscale and hip vibe, the W is one of the more popular luxury gay friendly hotels in Miami. Ocean Drive, with its Art-Deco buildings, is at walking distance from the W, as is the beach. There are also plenty of gay bars and clubs in the vicinity.
The W South Beach veers slightly away from the youthful trendiness of its other properties with a more sophisticated design. Although the hotel’s interior has a slightly more subdued vibe, the WET pool is where the party is. Loud music from DJs can be heard throughout the day in this area. The large pool is surrounded by landscaping and is a great place to unwind. No wonder it’s one of the best hotel pools in Miami.
Rooms at the W are spacious, with furnished terraces and upmarket decor. Patterned rugs, surf-themed artwork, and silver accents add to the overall design of the rooms. The hotel also features upscale dining, a garden lounge, a spa, and a stylish nightclub.
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The Standard
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Just like its contemporaries in New York and Los Angeles, there is nothing standard about the hip Standard Miami. This hotel is one of the more popular gay hotels in Miami because of its location just steps away from the beach. Its iconic spa with hydrotherapy baths, a Turkish hammam, and a mudroom is also extremely popular. Although the hotel enjoys a prime location, popular destinations like downtown Miami and the Wynwood Arts District are about a 15-minute drive away.
Guests can choose from a wide range of room types, from small standard rooms to larger Bay View Suites. The Garden Medium Rooms on the ground floor have outdoor terrace areas. While the hotel’s most remarkable feature is its spa, the bayside pool, and the hotel’s gardens with hammocks and seating areas are also pretty good.
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The Raleigh
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The sister hotel of the Standard features high on the list of LGBT hotels in Miami because of its gay-popular pool scene and architecture. Built in the 1940s by Murray Dixon, the man largely responsible for designing Miami’s Art Deco district, The Raleigh is still a standout architectural icon. Its location also accounts for its popularity as the hotel sits on trendy Collins Avenue with private access to the public beach and easy access to the gay nightlife.
The retro rooms stand in sharp contrast to the updated Art Deco lobby and beautiful swimming pool. Although the rooms are clean and spacious, they feel a bit dated. However, they’re well equipped with modern amenities. The hotel’s standout feature is undoubtedly its stunning freeform saltwater pool with a waterfall.
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The Marlin Hotel
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This South Beach icon once housed a recording studio, making it a popular venue for celebrity sightings. However, renovations to the upscale Art Deco Marlin Hotel replaced the studio with more rooms. It also converted the design to something more contemporary, although the hotel still maintains its intricate 1939 facade. Located on a quieter strip of Collins Avenue, the Marlin Hotel is just a block away from Ocean Drive and two blocks from the beach.
The cozy, stylish rooms equipped with modern amenities have wood flooring and contemporary furnishings. Half the rooms at the hotel face the street, while the other half does not have any kind of view to boast of. An onsite restaurant and fitness center are other facilities that you can look forward to at the Marlin.
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Kimpton Surfcomber
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One of the most popular gay friendly hotels in Miami, the Kimpton Surfcomber is renowned for hosting some of the biggest gay events in the area. Its location right on the beach, close to many gay bars and restaurants, is also a big draw.
The hotel underwent a major facelift in 2011 to upgrade to a more trendy and stylish property. Rooms at the hotel are not very big but have an interesting fusion of beach and bohemian decor. The bigger suites have impressive balconies with lounge chairs. However, only 12 rooms have an ocean view. Other amenities at the hotel include a poolside bar, two reasonably priced restaurants, a heated pool, and a fitness center.
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Hotel Victor
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The Hotel Victor on Ocean Drive is a modern and upscale property across the street from the beach. One of the older Art Deco properties in the area, the hotel features neutral tones, natural fabrics, and unfinished wood throughout the property. This is one of the best LGBT hotels in Miami right in the midst of its nightlife, with many open-air bars, restaurants, and clubs in the vicinity.
Sophisticated guest rooms with a beachy vibe are decorated with weathered wooden accents and neutral colors. King Suites feature infinity-edge hot tubs and balconies, while Penthouse Suites have hot tubs and private rooftop terraces. The hotel also has a fitness center, a pool, a bar and lounge, and a spa.
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Hotel Gaythering
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Best exclusively gay hotel. Hotel Gaythering, in the heart of Miami’s Beach gayborhood, is one of the most popular LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Miami. No surprises there since it’s the only exclusively gay hotel in the city, although all adults are welcome here. The hotel sits in a 1958-built MiMo-style building in the heart of the gayborhood and caters exclusively to LGBTQ guests. In fact, the bar here is a favorite with local and visiting gays for its affordable drinks. What’s more, it hosts events like bingo nights, trivia nights, karaoke nights, and the hottest Friday night in town. Moreover, it’s close to many gay clubs, such as Score, Palace, and Twist, and is about a 10-minute drive to South Beach. There’s even a complimentary shuttle available to Haulover Nude Beach and other attractions.
You’ll love the spacious rooms here, which are highlighted with sexy red accents. What’s more, they’re comfortable as well and well-equipped with amenities. The hotel also has a library for communal events, a games room, and a sauna and steam room.
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EAST
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For those who enjoy a bit of luxury, the EAST in the Financial District is a great option. Situated atop the Brickell City Centre, this trendy hotel may not be right in the midst of all the action, but it is close enough. The Design District is about a 15-minute drive from here, while South Beach is 20 minutes away. Miami’s free public transit option is near the hotel, so getting to other parts of the city is fairly simple.
As expected, the rooms here are stylish and modern with minimalist decor. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow ample natural light to flood the room. The ensuite bathrooms are sleek and stylish, with walk-in rainfall showers. Higher-category rooms feature separate soaking tubs, making it one of the most romantic hotels in Miami.
The outdoor pool, with its greenery and chic loungers, is the highlight of the hotel. You’ll also find a hot tub, spa pool, and cold plunge pool nearby. Besides this, the hotel also has several dining options. However, the food and drinks are quite pricey.
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Blanc Kara
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Best adults-only gay-friendly hotel. The adults-only Blanc Kara ranks high on the list of affordable LGBT hotels in Miami. Its location in the chic South of Fifth area, just a short walk from the beach and restaurants makes it a popular base. Most of the attractions in the city are about a 10-15-minute drive from here, while South Beach is only a five-minute drive.
While the 25-room boutique hotel does not have extra features like a pool or restaurant, its attention to detail makes it stand out. Black and white are the predominant colors in the rooms, complimented by pops of brightness from bedside tables and cushions. A small kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances and marble tables features in each studio. Complimentary toiletries, tote bags, and modern amenities add to the comfort of staying here.
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AxelBeach Miami
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Best gay-friendly chain hotel. If you’re a regular traveler, you’ll be familiar with the Axel brand of hotels. This popular gay hotel chain with properties in Gran Canaria, Berlin, and other gay cities, recently opened its ‘hetero-friendly’ hotel in Miami. With the kind of vibe that the Axel hotels are known for and its great location a block away from the beach, there’s no doubt that the AxelBeach will soon be one of the more popular such hotels in Miami.
The bohemian spirit of the 40s is reflected in the Art Deco interior of the hotel. All 160 rooms at the hotel are elegantly designed and equipped with modern amenities. Rooms and suites range in size and price, with most rooms overlooking the city. A few rooms have views of the garden and the pool. Facilities at the hotel include a gym, spa, two jacuzzis, and a poolside bar and restaurant.
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Albion Hotel
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Fitting into the upper-middle range of gay friendly hotels in Miami, the stylish Albion is a good value for money. It has a great location right in the heart of the tourist area. It’s just a five-minute walk to the vibrant Lincoln Road Mall and just down the street from the beach.
The art Deco and maritime-inspired interiors add a touch of class to the hotel. Rooms have a navy and white nautical-inspired color scheme with art deco influences. Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-fi, and iHome docks are some of the amenities that you can expect in the rooms. Above the courtyard, you’ll find a long, delightful pool with plenty of loungers and umbrellas on an elevated deck. The hotel also has a restaurant and a small fitness center.
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Our Verdict!
While all LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Miami are amazing, you might find some hotels more suited to your preferences than others. That’s why we’ve curated this specialized list.
- Best gay-friendly chain hotel: AxelBeach Miami
- Best adults-only gay-friendly hotel: Blanc Kara
- Best exclusively gay hotel: Hotel Gaythering
- Most luxurious: W South Beach
Just So You Know:
- Miami’s gay nightlife scene has been around since as early as the 1930s.
- The city is one of the few places where the LGBTQ community has its own chamber of commerce, the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC).
- After decades of economic and social decline, South Beach was revitalized by an influx of gays and lesbians in the late 1980s. Dilapidated hotels and clubs were restored to become thriving businesses.
Get Some Culture in Miami:
- Gay8 Festival – The largest Hispanic art, music, and food street festival has since grown to be the largest festival of its kind in the United States, attracting over 60,000 people. The one-day festival in February is one big party in Miami’s historic Little Havana.
- Miami Dance Cruise – Before you hit the gay nightspots, do something different by dancing the night away on a cruise on Biscayne Bay to the tunes of a professional DJ.
- Miami Beach Pride: Since 2008, Miami Beach Pride has brought together members and allies of the LGBTQ community to celebrate its unique spirit and culture. What began as a small-scale poolside event is now one of the world’s largest Pride events.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Miami:
- Twist – The most popular and longest-running gay club in South Beach is a staple of the gay nightlife scene. Featuring sexy dancers, drag acts, three dance floors, and seven bars, it’s no wonder the place is a magnet for gays.
- Club Boi@GLAM Nightclub – Another popular gay club in South Beach is GLAM, with its high-energy strippers, neon lights, and diverse LGBT crowd.
- Jamboree Lounge – Located on Biscayne Boulevard, is the only gay cruising bar in town. Enthusiastic drag shows and events every night of the week make it a popular gay venue.
Best Gay Saunas in Miami:
- Club Aqua – This chain of private saunas and gyms provides a healthy and safe fun environment for gay and bisexual men. Located in downtown Miami, the steamy bathhouse offers an outdoor heated pool, play areas, whirlpool, dry sauna, maze, and sun deck.
- The Gaythering Sauna – This clothing-optional gay sauna at the Gaythering Hotel is not a bathhouse but a cruisy spa. A dry cedar sauna, steam room, jacuzzi with massage jets, aromatherapy body wash, and changing rooms are what you can look forward to here.
