Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in Miami Beach

As far as unique gay destinations go, Florida is right up there as the most fabulous and welcoming destination for the LGBTQ community. While the likes of Key West and Fort Lauderdale are famous gay go-to’s, Miami, especially Miami Beach, is as gay as the day is long! The rainbow flag-flying neighborhood of South Beach is home to its vibrant gay scene, packed with fantastic gay bars and clubs and even a stunning gay beach! What’s more, many gay hotels in Miami Beach are more than friendly towards LGBTQ travelers. Not only are they welcoming, but also non-judgemental, fun-loving, and wild. So, whether you want to relax, rest, or indulge in drunken debauchery, Miami Beach has something to offer to the entire spectrum of the fabulous LGBTQ community. The best bit? Miami Beach is a fantastic year-round destination, with plentiful sunshine and tropical weather.

But, that’s not all. Miami’s South Beach is one of the world’s best gay beaches and one of the top things to do in Miami. It’s no wonder that Miami Beach is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world! So, what are you waiting for? Here are the 11 best gay friendly hotels in Miami Beach.

Hotel Gaythering

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Sure, the name might be a clue, but the men-only boutique Hotel Gaythering is one of the best gay hotels in Miami Beach. Its current photo campaign features some of the most prolific gay adult film stars in the world! There’s a lot of steamy action going on in this gay hotel, with the highlight being the clothing-optional spa with a hot tub, sauna, and steam room! Since it’s a party hotel, the atmosphere and the people drip with sensual energy. So, it’s a fabulous place for fun times and a great place to meet men of all backgrounds, sizes, and shapes. Even the rooms’ stylings are spicy, with dim lighting and huge beds right from an AO-rated movie set.

Since it lies in the super-gay South Beach area, the hotel is also home to some of the wildest gay parties in the city. What’s more, you can rent bikes and go cycling. And don’t go tiring yourself, because you’ll need to keep your batteries fully charged while staying at this raunchy hotel! It’s why the Gaythering is one of Miami’s top gay-friendly hotels.

AxelBeach Miami

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Axel is a brand that’s synonymous with gay travel and very popular with the LGBTQ set. That’s why AxelBeach Miami is one of the best gay friendly hotels in Miami Beach. It’s very popular with gay peeps looking to sow their wild oats while they’re on a Floridian holiday. There’s a lot to love at this adults-only, “hetero-friendly” hotel, the first thing being it’s just a two-minute walk from the gay beach. AxelBeach Miami has an entire private section cordoned off for guests! Begin your day with a delicious breakfast before heading to the communal pool area, which is fantastic for people-watching and making new friends. What’s more, there’s also a great gym and a spa for those who want to get all hot and sweaty.

The hotel, which sits in a converted 1940s mansion, radiates a bohemian feel with an earthy and bright décor. As is with all Axel properties, this one is also about fun in carnal form. case in point – the door signs are marked ‘Please disturb” and “Do Not Disturb!” All in all, AxelBeach Miami is the perfect place for getting your rocks off.

W South Beach

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W South Beach is one of the most luxurious best gay hotels in Miami Beach, perfect for discerning gay travelers. It’s also one of the best luxury hotels in Miami Beach. The hotel’s grandeur is spectacular, and it’s a sun-kissed and splashy nightlife destination. Choose from a host of rooms and suites, including a poolside bungalow for debauchery in a larger group! The best bit is that all rooms have private balconies with incredible ocean views. Moreover, circadian lighting with under-the-bed lights and preset mood lights set the tone for the rest of your stay. Everything about the W feels decadent, such as the tennis and basketball courts, the gym, and even the onsite restaurant that serves aphrodisiacal fare, such as oysters. The spa is exceptionally amazing and offers a range of treatments such as facials and massages.

Crates at the Gaythering

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How about staying at a hotel just like Gaythering, but on a budget? Welcome to Crates at the Gaythering, one of the best gay friendly hotels in Miami Beach. It’s the perfect place for solo LGBTQ+ travelers who want a rip-roaring Miami Beach holiday sans the higher price tag. Choose from a host of basic but comfortable units in standard or XL “eggplant” sizes. Moreover, they all have full-sized beds, TVs, and shared but immaculate bathrooms. The shared bathroom between the XL rooms has a double shower, which is just begging to be used! Since it’s such a party place, Crates at the Gaythering has made some great arrangements for when you want to relax. For instance, you can only watch TV on the headset provided, and rooms have a sound machine and earplugs to drown out the ambient noise from outside!

The Betsy South Beach

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The Betsy is one of the best gay hotels in Miami Beach. It’s perfect for LGBTQ peeps who want to be a part of the Ocean Drive action sans all the craziness. You aren’t wrong when you step inside for feeling that you might have stepped into Savannah instead of South Beach, thanks to the Florida-Georgia exterior. The boutique hotel is perfect for discerning gays for more reasons than one. All public spaces feel like an art gallery, thanks to the rotating photo exhibitions. Secondly, there’s a hotel library and a mini-library of books in every room. Choose from a host of rooms and suites, of which one of the best is the palatial corner Royal Suite corner suite, which offers stunning views of Miami Beach and the ocean. Orchids, minibars, and double showers add a touch of sensuality to every room.

The hotel has two pools; one surrounded by the rooms and sprinkled with foliage and a decadent rooftop one. Since it has a beachfront location and has all the beachside works – umbrellas, chairs, and beach attendants. But, the rooftop ocean deck is perfect for a heavenly dip followed by a lounge on the sunbeds with cocktails.

Kimpton Angler’s South Beach Hotel

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The more than gay friendly Kimpton brand has a fabulous Miami Beach outpost, the Kimpton Angler’s South Beach hotel. This boutique hotel’s discreet, oasis-like Mediterranean villa setting is perfect for gay travelers who prefer sophisticated, quiet, and laidback. The neutral-hued rooms and suites with pops of blue are sexy, to say the least, especially when they have minibars and bamboo floors. But, the best of them all is the room with a jacuzzi on a private rooftop terrace, which is perfect for a decadent vacation. The rest of the hotel is equally amazing, especially the lush adults-only courtyard pool. That’s why it’s one of Miami’s most romantic hotels. Despite no spa, guests here have privileges at the swish Exhale Barre Yoga Spa. Finally, even beach cruiser bikes are available for you to rent and explore the area.

Cadet Hotel

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Cadet Hotel is one of the best gay hotels in Miami Beach. This former World War II home to air force cadets is now a boutique gem in South Beach. It’s a far cry from the maddening jet-set scene of South Beach, with just 34 distinctive rooms radiating understated luxury. This intimate hideaway is all about little touches, such as fresh flowers, candles in the lobby, and small pouches filled with seashells or fresh lavender. The vibe extends to the inviting and warm rooms and suites, with vintage touches such as steamer trunks and iron lighting fixtures. Given the size of the hotel, the small plunge pool is perfect and even has jets for relaxation.

What’s more, there are even spa services available on request in the room. So, you and your partner can unwind in the comfort of your digs. Begin your romantic evening with cocktails at the lobby bar and end it with a romantic candlelight dinner at the onsite restaurant.

Kimpton Surfcomber

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The Kimpton Surfcomber is yet another of the best gay friendly hotels in Miami Beach. This Kimpton outpost beautifully blends oceanside freshness with vintage luxe so that you can expect everything from grassy lounge areas to tropical bursts of colors. You’ll love the rooms and suites, which offer an ample dose of style and sweetness with neutral hues and pops of gold and green. While both courtyard and ocean-view rooms are amazing, the plusher rooms even boast balconies, making for the perfect nest for your love-struck Miami Beach vacation.

The standout feature at this hotel is the art deco pool, which has rotating sculptural artwork and even a sandy beach playground with lounges, games, and picnic tables! You don’t even need to leave the hotel for drinking and dining, given the High Tide Bar and the Social Club. But, don’t miss a visit to the Miami-centric spa, which offers decadent treatments such as a mojito scrub!

Essex House Hotel

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LGBTQ+ travelers with a penchant for loving everything nautical moderne will love the Essex House Hotel, which is one of the chicest gay hotels in Miami Beach. The best bit is that the super-gay club Twist lies right in the street behind the hotel, and other gay bars practically surround the place! This restored art deco gem is rife with marine elements, such as the towering smokestack-like sign, natty racing stripes, and even the porthole-style windows. While the rooms are fabulous, it’s well worth upgrading to the suites, which have hedonistic features such as a hot tub, a huge bathroom with a bathtub, and a wet bar!

The place has equally sexy amenities, such as the party-esque Clevelander’s Pool and Patio, which hosts lively waterfront parties and is an excellent spot to people-watch. Despite there being no spa, the drink specials, cocktails, beer, and the rocking pool scene is what makes the Essex House the perfect place for party-loving gays.

Resort Fontainebleau

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Resort Fontainebleau is one of the most fabulous gay friendly hotels in Miami Beach for more reasons than one. Firstly, it’s one of the fantastic destinations pictured in James Bond movies, featured in the opening shot of Goldfinger. Secondly, the Lapis Spa at the hotel is a famous cruising spot on the Miami scene. It’s not exactly a gay sauna, but it’s very gay-friendly luxurious spa that has eucalyptus, massage-jet showers, and mineral pools. The rest of the hotel has the same Vegas-meets-Art Deco vibe, including the state-of-the-art fitness center, lots of sumptuous pools with cabanas, and even a LIV nightclub.

And whether ocean or city views, all rooms and suites have neutral and whites tones, minibar, Wi-Fi, and even fantastic marble bathrooms. The pool has a party vibe with DJs spinning sets on weekends, making it one of Miami’s best hotel pools. And finally, several high-end restaurants complete the amenities here.

Faena Hotel Miami Beach

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The Faena Hotel Miami Beach is, without a doubt, one of the best gay hotels in Miami Beach. This gem of a jaw-dropping beachfront hotel is as luxurious as it gets, complete with huge gilded structures and larger-than-life murals. The pampering 22,000-square-foot Tierra Santa Spa makes it perfect for gay couples to stay here. Later on, enjoy some top-notch burlesque and dining in the dinner theater before retreating to your amazing rooms. There’s a bit of an “Alice in Wonderland” feel to the rooms and suites, which have minibars, Carrara marble bathrooms, and balconies, where you can have breakfast. Take a day off with your partner and lounge on the lounge chairs on the private white sand beach right out front. For travelers who want to remain lazy in Miami Bach, Faena is of the best hotels in Miami Beach.

Best Gay Neighborhoods in Miami Beach

While Miami has had gay clubs since the 1930s, the LGBTQ culture became prominent only in the 1970s. Miami Beach’s official gayborhood is South Beach, or SoBe, lies at its southern end. With the azure waters of the Atlantic on one side and a pastel-hued rainbow on the other, it’s one vibrant, hip, and happening community. Sexy meets swanky in South Beach, Miami’s largest number of gay-friendly hotels and businesses. Finally, it’s even home to the LGBTQ Visitor Center as well as the Miami Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Next, we have Coconut Grove, formerly South Florida’s LGBT hub. Even today, it’s one of Miami Beach’s most gay-friendly areas. Thirdly, there’s the cute and trendy Coral Gables, which isn’t as gay-centric as South Beach but has a few LGBTQ nightclubs. Last but not least, Miami Beach has not one but two “semi-official” gay beaches. The first is 12th Street Beach, between Ocean Drive and 12th Street, decked out with rainbow flags. It’s also the more raucous beach and is dominated by gay men who come to see and be seen. Finally, there’s Haulover Beach, which even has a designated “clothing-optional” area.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Miami Beach

• Twist: This is one of Miami Beach’s most storied gay spots and the perfect place to end a raucous night. The multi-floor place has not one or two, but seven bars! Here, Sabroso Thursdays showcase Miami’s gay culture and shirts have a tendency to come off!
• WaterLOO: This Washington Avenue gay bar radiates a more comfortable and relaxed vibe. Imagine a long bar with comfy seating, which is an excellent place for even meeting someone for a date. On weekends though, the party amps up, complete with dancing and DJs. Don’t miss drag queen-hosted karaoke on Tuesdays.

Best Gay Saunas in Miami Beach

• Hotel Gaythering: This amazing gay hotel features a clothing-optional and men-only jacuzzi and dry cedar sauna. The clientele is not just perfectly groomed, but also ripped, tanned and oh-so-handsome.
• Club Aqua Miami: This perfectly maintain and squeaky-clean Club Aqua seems both visiting and local beefcakes who want to work out and are looking for some fun too.

Best Gay Events/Shows/Tours in Miami Beach

• Miami Beach Pride: Miami Beach Pride is one of most fun and wildest annual celebrations in South Beach. This September event takes place for the entire weekend at the oceanside Lummus Park, complete with parades and musical performances. 
• Winter Party Festival: What started as one Miami Beach dance party in 1994 has now transformed into a go-to, premier LGBTQ+ event. The Winter Party Festival is a fabulous place to bask in the Floridian sun and take a break from the cold winter temperatures with more than 10,000 partygoers. The best bit? All the proceeds go to local LGBTQ+ organizations and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force.