4* Residence Inn Intracoastal

The Pillars feels a world away from the bigger resorts lining Fort Lauderdale Beach, despite being only a short walk from the sand and Sebastian Street gay beach. This is a small, grown-up hotel beside the Intracoastal, with a quieter and much more personal atmosphere. One particularly useful Fort Lauderdale touch is the Water Taxi stop right at the hotel, so you can explore the city’s waterways and Las Olas without always relying on a car. Dinner beside the water is part of the charm, and the location gives you the beach action when you want it without putting it directly outside your room. GayMapper tip: a lovely couples’ choice if you want something intimate and upscale with the gay beach close by.

Fantasy Island Inn is tiny — just a few rooms — but that’s part of the appeal. You’re almost on Wilton Drive, yet once you’re back behind the gates the atmosphere is relaxed, private and tropical. It’s men only and clothing optional, with a heated pool and a friendly bed-and-breakfast feel rather than the busier atmosphere of a large resort. Then when you want dinner, cocktails or a proper night out, Wilton Manors is right outside and there’s no need to worry about transport home. The excellent location also makes it appealing if this is your first Fort Lauderdale trip and you want the gay scene to be ridiculously easy. GayMapper tip: particularly good for couples or solo travellers who want somewhere intimate but still want Wilton Drive almost outside the door.

BeachPlace Towers is a useful option if you want a mainstream beachfront stay but also want Sebastian Street gay beach close by. The location puts you right amongst the restaurants, bars and general holiday bustle of Fort Lauderdale Beach, with the sand directly across the road. One- and two-bedroom villas have proper kitchens, living space and laundry facilities, which can work especially well for friends travelling together or a longer beach stay. Wilton Manors is still a rideshare away, but you’ll have plenty within walking distance on beach days and quieter evenings. GayMapper tip: a practical choice for friends or longer stays when space and a great beach location matter more than having a dedicated gay-resort atmosphere.

Residence Inn Intracoastal works well if you want more of an apartment feel and don’t mind staying a little north of the busiest stretch of Fort Lauderdale Beach. The suites come with proper kitchens, balconies and even washer-dryers, making this particularly handy for longer trips. You’re beside the Intracoastal Waterway, with beach access and neighbourhood restaurants nearby, while Wilton Manors is also relatively easy to reach by car. It’s less useful if you want to walk to Sebastian Street gay beach or the main nightlife every day, but the quieter location has its advantages. GayMapper tip: a strong longer-stay option if you want space, water views and easy access to both the beach and Wilton Manors by rideshare.

Alcazar is part of the large Worthington resort complex just behind Fort Lauderdale Beach, so staying here gives you much more than a standalone guesthouse. Garden walkways connect the different buildings, pools and courtyards, creating a sociable gay-men-only resort where it’s easy to meet people without feeling obliged to join in. Sebastian Street gay beach is only around a five-minute walk away, which is the big attraction of staying on this side of Fort Lauderdale. Wilton Manors and its bars are a rideshare away, so you can have the beach during the day and head to The Drive when you fancy a bigger night out. The resort is clothing optional and adults only, with a broad mix of couples and solo travellers. GayMapper tip: a great beach-side choice if you want the social atmosphere of a proper gay resort rather than a mainstream hotel.

Casitas Coral Ridge is a laid-back little hotel in a residential neighbourhood north of central Fort Lauderdale, particularly suited to travellers who prefer somewhere calm and independent to a big beachfront resort. The beach is about a 10–15 minute walk away, while there are plenty of restaurants and useful shops around Coral Ridge itself. Wilton Manors is a short rideshare in one direction and the busier Fort Lauderdale Beach area in the other, so the location works nicely if you plan to split your time between both. Rooms range from simple doubles to larger suites with kitchens, which can be particularly handy for longer stays. GayMapper tip: good value for Fort Lauderdale if you’re happy staying between the beach and the gay scene rather than directly in either.