7 Gorgeous Gay Hotels on the East Coast USA

July 18 2022

by Lachlan

Popular 80s synth band, The Pet Shop Boys may have famously told us all to Go West, but this time around, we want to go east - in the United States that is. New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, there are so many reasons to love America's East Coast, and we're here to give you another one! As well as being home to loads of great misterb&b hosts, the East Coast packs a punch in terms of fantastic gay-friendly hotels. It may come as no surprise in popular LGBTQ strongholds like NYC and Fort Lauderdale, but the great selection extends along the coast too. So to make your East Coast adventure all the easier, we've rounded up our faves. We'll see you at check-in! 

BOSTON

While Boston may sometimes fall in the shadows of nearby cities like NYC and Toronto, this charming, somewhat European city in the north of the USA  is a great place for a vacation, plus it’s very LGBTQ.+ In fact, Massachusetts is regarded as one of the USA’s most liberal states in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, and was the first to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004. And in terms of gay hotels in Boston? Well there’s loads, but here’s our fave:   

Revere Hotel 

Experience a revered stay for your next trip to Boston at the gorgeous Revere Hotel. If boutique is what you’re looking for, you’ll find it at the Revere Hotel. The redesigned space offers tastefully-appointed rooms with plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, and coffee machines, along with a in-house restaurant and gorgeous rooftop terrace overlooking the city. Sold yet? 

Kick start your morning with a breakfast buffet, then explore all Boston has to offer on foot thanks to the hotel’s great inner city location. Just 500 meters away you’ll find popular hangouts like Boston Common and Newbury Street, and be able to integrate with the locals in no time.   

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NYC 

New York, New York, there’s never enough words to describe this thriving metropolis in the USA. Take a bite out of the LGBTQ+ Big Apple in cool Chelsea or Greenwich Village, or hang with the hipsters over in Brooklyn and explore some more alternative queer culture. Along with our great selection of NYC-based hosts who are ready to welcome you, New York also has its fair share of fab LGBTQ+ hotels, I mean would you have ever thought otherwise? While it’s hard to choose just one, we love this one:  

The Moore

Bold, fabulous, and unashamedly New York, what’s not to love about The Moore Hotel? Located in LGBTQ+ Chelsea, The Moore offers a 100% gay-friendly space for LGBTQ travelers visiting New York. Catch a sunset over New York’s iconic skyline from the hotel’s impressive rooftop terrace, and enjoy a cocktail or two before exploring Chelsea and neighboring districts by night.  

Rooms are decked out in a modern style, with snazzy black-tiled bathrooms, high ceilings, and beautiful windows looking out onto the city. Enjoy fluffy Frette bathrobes and complimentary bathroom amenities, then once you’re feeling refreshed, venture over to the nearby Highline to soak up some New York greenery! 

WILTON MANORS 

Heading down to Florida? While the recent introduction of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation may make a visit to this sunny state down south less appealing, you can rest assured that iconic Wilton Manors remains as gay as they come. In fact, Wilton Manors was Florida’s first municipality to elect an all-LGBTQIA+ city commission, right on!  In keeping with Florida's beach vibe, gay hotels in Wilton Manors come in the form of gay resorts, and while many caught our eye, we're checking into this one:  

The Cabanas Guesthouse & Spa

If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts secluded and relaxing, and equal parts social and fun, you’ll find it at The Cabanas Guest House. Not only is this an exclusively gay men’s resort, but it also features a clothing-optional saltwater pool should you wish to freshen up in the nude. 

Those wanting to indulge in a little R&R time should make a beeline for The Cabana’s Men’s Day Spa. Choose from different treatments, including facials, massages, and other body treatments, or alternatively detox at the aromatherapy steam room. Rooms are decked out in a modern style, and include unique wall art and coffee-making facilities.

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FORT LAUDERDALE 

Fort Lauderdale encompasses Wilton Manors as part of a larger city in South Florida, and yes, it’s still very LGBTQ+ Often referred to as the Venice of the USA, Fort Lauderdale is renowned for its scenic network of canals. It’s also on the coast, so a stay here inevitably means getting out the Speedos! Just as with Wilton Manors, gay resorts in Fort Lauderdale are the thing, and we can’t get enough of this one:   

Pineapple Point Guesthouse and Gay Resort 

Pineapple Point is the kind of place where you can arrive alone, and leave with loads of friends. Situated 2 kilometers from Fort Lauderdale Beach, this guesthouse and gay resort provides all the essentials for a refreshing stay down south in Florida. 

We’re talking a dreamy communal swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and a communal lounge where you can get to know other gay travelers. Rooms come with their own private patios - score, along with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and coffee making facilities. Wake up in the morning to a continental breakfast, then explore the surrounding beach areas.

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MIAMI BEACH 

When it comes to LGBTQ+ classics in the USA, we imagine Miami Beach is one of the destinations that springs to mind. Blessed with plenty of sun, golden beaches, and a gay scene to boot, Miami Beach regulary features of the travel itineries of LGBTQ+ travelers each year. Spend your days on the city’s two official gay beaches: 12th Street Beach and Haulover Beach, then settle into a gorgeous gay hotel. We know Miami Beach is a popular destination, so we’re giving you two hotels to choose from down south:  

AxelBeach Miami

We don’t need to tell you how great the hetero-friendly Axel Hotel chain is, you already know. Opening its doors to LGBTQ+ travelers in cities including Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, Ibiza, and now Miami, Axel Hotels promotes itself as a place where you can let your true colors shine in a playground that is open and non-discrimatory to gay travelers. 

Along with this great ethos, AxelBeach Miami delivers in terms of its great facilities. In keeping with the surrounding Art Deco district, the hotel is housed in a period art deco building, flanked by palms and rainbow flags - we love it! Enjoy a cocktail at in-house Sky Bar, or have a change from the beach by freshening up in the beautiful communal pool. 

Hotel Gaythering

In terms of gay hotels in the USA, if not the world, Hotel Gaythering takes things to the next level. Housed in a MiMo style building circa 1958, Hotel Gaythering gives guests an authentic Miami Beach experience, with a load of fun alongside! 

Catered exclusively to gay male guests, the hotel offers various room configurations, along with a clothing-optional sauna, a stream room, and Jacuzzi. Happy Hour runs every day from 5pm to 8pm, and during the week you can enjoy trivia nights and drag shows. The bar claims to be the perfect spot to be yourself, so come dressed however you wish.

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KEY WEST 

Fancy traveling a little further afar than Miami Beach. Hop on a boat and sail away sail away (like what we did there) to idyllic Key West. Also considered a haven of LGBTQ culture, Key West offers gay and lesbian travelers a thriving scene along the island’s main strip, Duvel Street and beyond, with loads of gay-owned shops, bars, restaurants, and accommodations. Famed for its motto “One Human Family” feel a part of the family, and book a stay in Key West today. And for a gay hotel in Key West, we recommend this one:     

The Mermaid & The Alligator Guest House 

With a name like The Mermaid & The Aligator how could you refuse a stay at this guest house? While the name should be convincing enough itself, we’ve got loads of other reasons why you’ll love a stay here. The beautiful weatherboard house is flanked by palms characteristic to Key West, and once inside, enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, garden, and shared lounge to meet other guests. 

Rooms are decked out in an eclectic style, pairing unique prints and colors in a bold way, but it all works. If possible, try to secure yourself a room which comes with a patio and garden view. Located within close proximity to popular attractions including South Beach and Ernest Hemingway’s Home & Museum, this is THE place to stay when in Key West. 

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Heading west instead? If so, be sure to check out our round-up of Best Gay Hotels on the West Coast USA