4* The Pillars 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.

The Grand remains one of our favourite Fort Lauderdale stays because it combines the easygoing social feel of a gay men’s resort with a location just a couple of blocks from the beach. It’s now closely connected with the wider Worthington resort complex, giving guests access to multiple pools, hot tubs and tropical courtyards. The full-service men’s spa is another reason people return, whether you want a massage or simply a haircut before heading out. Sebastian Street gay beach is an easy walk, while Wilton Manors is better reached by rideshare in the evening. GayMapper tip: a particularly strong all-rounder if you want a gay resort, the beach nearby and enough going on at the property to enjoy a lazy day without leaving.

If you’re coming to Fort Lauderdale primarily for Wilton Manors, the location doesn’t get much easier than this. Inn On The Drive is just off Wilton Drive, so bars, restaurants, cafés and LGBTQ+ businesses are only a few minutes away on foot. Back at the inn, things are considerably more relaxed. It’s adults only and clothing optional, with tropical gardens, several pools and a hot tub, so you can quite happily spend an afternoon doing very little before walking out for dinner and drinks. The small-resort atmosphere also makes this a sociable choice without the scale of some of Fort Lauderdale’s larger gay properties. GayMapper tip: one of the best choices if you want to walk to Wilton Manors nightlife and leave the Uber app alone for a few days.

Pineapple Point is where you go when you want a gay men’s resort but don’t particularly want to compromise on service or surroundings. Spread across two lush acres in a residential part of Fort Lauderdale, it feels more like a private tropical compound than a conventional guesthouse. It’s clothing optional and very sociable, but the atmosphere is more pampered than party-heavy. Breakfast, snacks and an evening happy hour are included, and the staff have a particularly strong reputation for looking after guests. Las Olas is relatively close, while Wilton Manors and Sebastian Street beach are short rideshares away. GayMapper tip: one of Fort Lauderdale’s best choices for a romantic or indulgent gay getaway where the resort itself is part of the holiday.

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.

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.