Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach has long been known as the winter retreat for wealthy snowbirds. The charming coastal city on Florida’s southeastern coast is famed for an array of activities, its hospitality, and its beaches. What’s more, the city is incredibly gay-friendly, and there are a host of gay hotels in West Palm Beach Florida. It might not be as touristy or frantic as the gay scenes in other Floridian cities, but West Palm Beach has one of the largest and most respected LGBTQ communities in the country! In fact, West Palm Beach was named the “third queerest” city in America based on “less-than-obvious” LGBTQ-friendly factors. Despite not having a specific gayborhood, West Palm Beach has a host of gay bars and clubs. That, coupled with eclectic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and charming neighborhoods, are what makes West Palm Beach so attractive to LGBTQ travelers.

What’s excellent about West Palm Beach is that it’s surrounded by the very best of Florida’s gay scene. Gay-friendly Orlando lies just less than three hours north. What’s more, an hour south of the city lies Miami, one of the World’s Most Gay-Friendly Cities. A little above Miami lies gay-friendly Fort Lauderdale, which is home to one of the World’s Best Gay Beaches. And of course, go a little more south, and you’re in Florida’s gay mecca of Key West! So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags for a fantastic and fabulous gay vacation in West Palm Beach. To that end, here are the top 11 gay-friendly hotels in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The Ben, Autograph Collection

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The Ben is one of the classiest and best gay hotels in West Palm Beach. Tucked right in the heart of Downtown, the hotel overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and Palm Harbor Marina. The hotel reputedly “channels the spirit” of the 1892-built historic country mansion for Ben Trovato, a noted bon vivant, hostess, and author. In fact, it’s that mansion that helped put West Palm Beach on the map with the elite jet set. Don’t be put off by the run-of-the-mill eight-story block exterior; the decor and design are eclectic and attention-grabbing on the inside. All rooms and suites feature swanky mod-cons and swish bathrooms with bathrobes and slippers.

The heated outdoor rooftop saltwater pool perhaps offers the best views of the city. After a refreshing swim, lounge on the cabanas or daybeds or head straight to the fire pit to cozy up to your beloved over a glass of wine. A fitness center and evening entertainment complete the facilities.

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

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The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is one of the most lavish gay hotels in West Palm Beach Florida. This beautiful seaside property sits on a private beach just south of the city, emanating a deeply relaxing vibe from its lush tropical gardens. The hotel is immensely personable, from face towels at check-in and yoga classes to champagne. The rooms and suites have a decidedly Florida holiday vibe, with generous balconies with the pool, gardens, or sea views. Marble bathrooms are extravagant to boot with deep-soaking bathtubs, twin sinks, and luxe Natura Bissē bath products. Topping everything off are the Keurig coffee-makers and artistic tote bag welcome gifts.

The resort overflows with amenities, from a decadent spa with luxurious spa cabanas to swing seats on every balcony. What’s more, it also has a business center, two fabulous pools of which one is adults-only, a great fitness center, and tennis courts. For sheer indulgence, head to the Couples’ Suite in the world-class Eau Spa for some good pampering. Two oceanfront restaurants and a fabulous bar complete the place.

Hilton West Palm Beach

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One of the overall best gay hotels in West Palm Beach is the Hilton West Palm Beach. The modern hotel overlooks the heart of Downtown and opens onto a scintillating, high-ceilinged lobby with a sculptural chandelier. All rooms and suites are comfortable, bright, and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool or the city. Touches such as photo-collage-style modern art and a navy club chair are delightful, as are the mod-cons and modern bathrooms.

The Mediterranean-style spacious poolscape is a major draw here, lending it a resort-like feel. It has everything from pool floats to daybeds and is surrounded by palm trees. Two restaurants and a bar take care of all your drinking and dining whimsies. Wrapping up the amenities is the concierge service and a fitness center.

White Elephant

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The White Elephant is one of the chicest boutique gay hotels in West Palm Beach Florida. The boutique hotel is frequented by LGBTQ jetsetters and has become the destination “du jour.” The exterior might be 1920s Spanish-Colonial, but the interiors are beachy, contemporary, and chic. That’s what set it apart from other hotels in the area. Think vibrant artwork against sleek, whitewashed backdrops, with tropical plants, Scandinavian furniture, and coffee table books filling the place. Choose from 32 spacious and minimalist rooms and suites, all of which are decked out in vibrant abstract art, Scandi furniture, and neutral hues. Moreover, they all have Nespresso machines, plush robes and slippers, and L’Occitane bath products. What’s more, some rooms even have balconies overlooking the pool and central courtyard.

The swimming pool with the sun loungers is the epicenter of all fun at the hotel and is the perfect place to relax. There’s a fitness center too, but the absolute best amenity is the fleet of slick new BMWs, complete with the latest gadgets and leather seats. In true boutique hotel style, the concierge team takes care of everything you want. The on-site restaurant serves delectable Mediterannean and pan-Asian meals, but evenings see travelers and locals at the outdoor bar, sipping fruity martinis. 

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

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The Four Seasons Resort is one of the most luxurious gay hotels in West Palm Beach. The posh beachfront hotel sits slightly south of Downtown on a barrier island near Lake Worth, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. So, the expansive pool area, which extends to the pristine beach, is one to reckon with and very popular with gay travelers. Rooms and suites are plush and chic hideaways awash in sand and cream hues. While there are many room types with partial resort, garden, or ocean views, the rooms directly facing the ocean are mesmerizing. Nevertheless, you’ll be more than comfortable in any of the rooms, which have sumptuous beds, velveteen sofas, coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs.

Service and facilities are equally impressive, especially the beautifully landscaped pool and beach, sprinkled with daybeds and excellent service. What’s more, there are also two tennis courts, watersports at the beach, and a fitness center with complimentary classes. However, the best of them all is the spa with whirlpools, sauna, steam room, and 11 treatment rooms, and it is a true temple of relaxation. Two sea-facing restaurants serve all meals, including a heavenly breakfast buffet that serves sinful delights such as chocolate croissants.

The Brazilian Court Hotel

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The Brazilian Court Hotel is one of the most iconic gay hotels in West Palm Beach Florida. Perfect for gay history enthusiasts, the 1920s boutique hotel lies on a barrier island but is entirely modernized for the 21st century. Did you know that Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Cary Grant were frequent visitors? Yes! The entire hotel is all about discreet, old-world charm; think period black-and-white photographs, a Fountain Courtyard, an elegant pool area, and mature tropical gardens. Choose from 80 one/two/three-bedroom suites, all of which have plush king beds and eye-catching mahogany furniture. What’s more, they’re named after Hollywood legends such as Garbo, Bergman, Brando, Hepburn, and more! They also have ultra jet-air baths and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, while many feature private terrace gardens.

Fine dining at the on-site restaurant and bar aside, the hotel even has its own private beach club right on the pristine sands of the Atlantic coast. The heated outdoor pool is the epicenter of all action, and the place even has a fitness suite, bike rentals, a library, and its own art gallery! The cherry on top is renowned stylist Frederic Fekkai’s spa and salon – for that Beverly Hills touch, of course!

The Breakers

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Do you love your hotels to have a wee bit of history? Then The Breakers is one of the most iconic and historic gay hotels in West Palm Beach. It was founded by railroad and oil baron Henry Morrison Flagler in 1896 and has been rebuilt twice since. Even today, the behemoth 500-room-plus hotel is a cathedral to signature style and period design. Marble bathrooms and soft pastels create an ‘island lifestyle’ feel, while slippers, plush robes, minibars, large TVs, and designer linens add to the decadent vibe. The oversized bathrooms are simply gorgeous, especially since they have deep-soaking bathtubs and branded toiletries too. Do you want to splurge? The top Club Level rooms add snacks, breakfast, afternoon tea to the bar, pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres, and desserts! You could even ask for an ocean-facing room for the ultimate experience.

The range of facilities here is dazzling, right from the eight restaurants and a sea-view fitness center to a championship-quality golf course. There’s not one but four oceanfront swimming pools, one of which is adults-only! Bicycle tours, Pilates and yoga classes, tennis courts, watersports, and designer outlets for Lilly Pulitzer and Guerlain make up the rest of the resort. There’s even an extensive spa, but the crown jewel is the half-a-mile of private beach.

The Colony

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The Colony Hotel is one of the handful of “highrise” gay hotels in West Palm Beach Florida. This boutique-style 1947 historic enclave was a favorite of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and has hosted U.S. presidents too. Tucked on a serene side street in downtown Palm Beach, it has just 90 rooms and suites, thus more boutique than ‘modern Florida resort.’ Fearless hues of green and pink rule the roost, accompanied by plush white beds and elegant wood furnishings. The bathrooms, albeit compact, have Ortigia bath products and gorgeous walk-in showers. The handy tote bags and plush robes are thoughtful touches, while room no. 509 offers excellent views of the sea. If you want to stay longer, choose the seven individually-styled villas across Hammon Avenue.

The lobby boasts bold carpets, softened by soft seafoam and coral accents and a scintillating Art Deco chandelier. Service is impeccable, as are the amenities, especially the pool and the lovely lush gardens surrounding it. The full-service restaurant boasts a Floridian garden party ambiance and serves American classics with a healthy twist. Despite no on-site spa, the hotel does arrange for in-room massage sessions. Are you visiting the beach? Both beach chairs and umbrellas are complimentary.

The Chesterfield Palm Beach

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The Chesterfield is one of the most bohemian gay hotels in West Palm Beach. The entire hotel oozes eccentric Palm Beach charm and is one of Palm Beach’s classic boutique hotels. A quaint courtyard leads to a shabby-chic lobby with palm frond-patterned hallways and Venetian glass chandeliers. Every room and suite at the hotel is unique. For instance, Room No. 200 has a handpainted wooden four-poster bed, a blue velveteen sofa, and baby blue and white-striped walls. It’s like being inside a life-size dollhouse! Nevertheless, all rooms feature windows overlooking the pool, complete with Juliet balconies. The bathrooms are especially lavish with Gilchrist & Soames bath products, modern glass showers, and a double-sink vanity.

Since it’s a boutique hotel, the facilities are on the lighter side. However, there’s a gorgeous Mediterranean-style courtyard swimming pool and a hot tub. They’re surrounded by bright pink parasols and surrounded by lush foliage. Wrapping up everything is the on-site lounge that serves delectable meals, including pre-dinner cocktails and afternoon teas. With fresh-baked scones with clotted cream, desserts, and finger sandwiches, afternoon tea is the pièce de résistance.

Grandview Gardens

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Grandview Gardens is one of the most charming gay hotels in West Palm Beach Florida. Tucked on a quiet residential street just south of Downtown, this 1925-built Spanish-style villa is the pinnacle of Floridian Mediterranean Revival architecture. The resort has been wonderfully restored and boldly decorated might we add; think vibrant furnishings, elaborate mirrors, and heavy antique-style furniture. Overall, it’s a nice blend of eccentric, quirky, and stylish. Choose from five rooms, all of which face either the lush gardens or the small courtyard pool. While some have four-posters, others have minimalist, all-white bathrooms. The outdoor swimming pool surrounded by the creeper-clad villa is one of the most laidback places to unwind on the property. A self-serve coffee bar, a terrace, and a garden wrap up things here.

Canopy West Palm Beach

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Hotel Canopy is one of the most charming and stylish gay hotels in West Palm Beach. A hefty steel-and-glass facade belies its sleek, bright, and almost Scandi style. The six-storeyed atrium boasts a statement plant wall, as well as an LED-lit banyan tree root art installation. Elsewhere, you’ll find reclaimed wood, shrubbery, and even potted plants abound in tandem with local craftsmanship and locally sourced art. Moreover, all rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, plush beds, and chic bathrooms. The star of the hotel is the swish “amenity deck” on the rooftop. It boasts an elongated outdoor pool and a Florida fusion restaurant. Begin your day with a delicious continental breakfast and end it with a sundowner at the restaurant, after which you can head out to explore West Palm Beach’s gay scene.

Best Gay Neighborhoods in West Palm Beach

The Palm Beaches cities began commissioning artists to paint crosswalks with the hues of both the traditional and progress Pride flags. Northwood Village in West Palm Beach was the first place to get a street mural, with more crosswalks popping up in Boynton and Delray Beaches. Since West Palm Beach doesn’t really have a neighborhood, most of its gay bars lie in the amazing Downtown area. Along with amazing restaurants and a fabulous beach, that makes it one of the best places to stay in the city. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also the place of the annual Palm Beach pride celebrations. Another excellent neighborhood is Lake Worth, which holds the next biggest cluster of gay-friendly bars.

Finally, north of downtown West Palm Beach sits Northwood Village, which was named one of the most Instagrammable places in Palm Beach County. It was also voted 2019’s “Best Neighborhood” by South Florida Gay News readers and is a hip haunt for art, dining, and cool shopping.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in West Palm Beach

• H.G. Roosters: This longstanding gay bar has been around for more than 36 years, making it the oldest gay bar in Florida! This fabulous establishment has plenty of events such as Lip Sync Battles, karaoke, and more and boasts daily drink specials. In 2021, it became Florida’s only gay bar to earn a historical designation!
• Sunset Bar and Grill: Tucked in the historic and chic Northwood Village, the gay-owned Sunset Bar & Grill is a very popular local LGBTQ-friendly hangout. Featuring Art Deco digs, this place serves soups, wraps, and sandwiches that are to die for.
• Mad Hatter Lounge: This Lake Worth bar is very popular with Lake Worth and the Palm Beaches’ gay community. It’s all about bar games and Happy Hour drink specials at this laidback dive joint, which is also a very popular spot for sharing gay travel stories.

Best Gay Saunas in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach doesn’t have any gay sauna, unfortunately. However, the nearest gay sauna in Fort Lauderdale is less than 40 minutes south of the city.

Best Gay Events/Shows/Tours in West Palm Beach

• Palm Beach Pride: Taking over Bryant Park in Lake Worth Beach is the fabulous and vibrant Palm Beach Pride, one of the largest LGBTQ events in Florida. The place fills with thousands of vendors and festival goers, and attracts an array of local talent and celebrity guests as well. It all culminates in a giant and vibrant Pride parade, after which there are a slew of after-parties at Lake Worth’s gay bars.
• International Gay Polo Tournament: Every April, the Gay Polo League brings both sportsmanship and glamour to Wellington in the form of the International Gay Polo Tournament! Located just 20 minutes from West Palm Beach, this event was even 2017’s “LGBTQ Sporting Event of the Year” by Connect Sports. Besides the exciting competition, it also features some of the most festive and vibrant tailgating in the world..