Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Taking up a position of pride as the capital of Puerto Rico and as a massive cultural and population hub in the surrounding area, the wonderful city of San Juan excels above all in fusing Old World charm with the powerful beat and passion of the Caribbean. So strong is the city’s historical connection that it proudly bears the title of being the oldest European settlement in all of the Americas. That’s something!
There’s nothing quite like taking a step away from it all while remaining right at home within the US’s borders – if that’s where you come from – and you may be surprised exactly how many new things there are to discover. San Juan is the center of the country’s nightlife and party scene in general, and this most definitely extends to the queer scene.
There is an amazingly vast amount of dedicated bars, clubs, and even discos that are explicitly marketed to queer travelers and residents, and that isn’t to mention the lively atmosphere of the streets and public spaces throughout much of the city.
Not the kind for the night scene? That’s okay! Not only does San Juan provide access to some of Puerto Rico’s most notable and famous European structures and historical monuments, but there is also an amazing food and art culture that runs underneath the bustle of the streets.
There’s also a surprising density of malls and individual stores, meaning there’s also an avenue for going out on a shopping spree if that’s what you’d like to do with your holiday.
Like always, however, it’s incredibly important to invest in the right place to stay during your visit to a city you’ve never been to. Thankfully, the hotels in San Juan are perfect springing boards for reaching out into the surrounding area and ideal resting places after crazy nights out on the town.
There are also ample gay-friendly and gay hotels in San Juan, although this leads to our usual disclaimer. Obviously, in most cases, there aren’t going to be hotels out there marketed directly towards gay people or queer people in general. We know that, and therefore we’d like to note that the hotels on this list follow the same logic.
Most of them have been listed as accommodating, friendly, and unjudgmental to, for, and by queer people in general, as well as being highly rated in general. No one hotel can be perfect, and that’s exactly why we include such a wide and varied amount of different types of accommodation locations with other amenities and levels of affordability.
So, if you’re ready to jet off to a world that is so close to yet so far from everything you’ve ever known, and if you’re prepared to embrace the life of the party, get your plane tickets ready, pack your bags, and prepare to explore eight of the very best gay hotels that San Juan has to offer!
In this article we will cover...
At Wind Chimes Boutique Hotel
Our first step onto the wonderful world of San Juan and its gay hotel scene is made with the At Wind Chimes Boutique – a three-star location that packs a punch for every cent and – like many of the other hotels of note on this list – enjoys a wonderful sea view that makes almost every room that much brighter and breathtaking.
The At Wind Chimes sits at a mediocre mark when it comes to price and the comprehensibility of the amenities that it offers, but the strength of its location means that every cent toward the reduced room rates pays off tenfold when one factors the reduced necessity for hiring a car or using public transport.
The Santurce neighborhood that the At Wind Chimes finds itself in is a popular tourist hangout with a lively, hip culture and a powerful food scene. It also borders up on the famous Castillo San Felipe del Morro Bastille, which is perfect if you’re itching to see a bit of that Old World charm we mentioned earlier.
Santurce is also known for the strength of its emerging art scene and its dedication to tourists and attracts all kinds of burning passion in general. This includes a healthy night scene, which is helped by the At Wind Chimes’ very own bar and restaurant ensemble.
No matter how you like to relax, and no matter what your ideal spot to spend your day is, there is sure to be an option here for you to have the best time of your life, regardless of whether you’re alone, with someone special, or come with a child or pet to take care of. This last note is possible thanks to the At Wind Chimes being pet- and child-friendly, which is quite rare here!
Coqui del Mar – Adult Only
We rarely have the privilege of adding a truly gay-orientated and explicitly queer-marketed hotel to this list, but we told you that San Juan was a queer paradise, and thus here were are with the wonderful Coqui del Mar!
With all of that said, it’s certain that the Coqui del Mar is the number one destination for you if you love the queer atmosphere and feeling right at home – whether alone or with a partner – and that makes it both a perfect fit for this list and a sterling recommendation from us!
This is an adults-only place of accommodation, however, but this doesn’t have to be a negative thing in the slightest – to the direct contrary. While this may mean that families cannot bring their pets or children alone, it also allows couples to have all the peace and time they need from the noise and chaos of little ones and family antics, as well as all the privacy of one’s own space.
Nothing is out of limits, from parties held privately and by the hotel to event organization for special moments such as birthdays and weddings! If you’re looking to make a romantic getaway, the best options for gay hotels in San Juan on the table for this purpose is most definitely the Coqui del Mar and the Condado Vanderbilt later on this list, with the Coqui winning out thanks to its queer-specific orientation.
Some tangible benefits of staying at the Coqui del Mar are the hotel’s excellent pool and relaxation spaces – perfect for private me- or us-time – the hotel’s close connection to public transport, and the kitchens in some rooms that allow guests to cook their food when they’re not enjoying the hotel restaurant’s amazing fare.
Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel
Rocking four stars at surprisingly affordable prices, the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel is a harbor location with wonderful views of both the sea and the city behind it, allowing visitors to absorb the full beauty and experience of what it is to stay in San Juan and to enjoy its culture and surroundings.
The Sheraton is located on Isla San Juan island at the very northmost point of the country, meaning there is no better place to enjoy the energy of the great wide world in front of Puerto Rico.
Port and sea living is the word of the day when it comes to staying at the Sheraton, but not in a rough way. Put up your feet, enjoy your balcony view, and breathe in the fresh sea air while allowing your nerves to unwind. To make this easier, rest assured that this hotel is yet another marked as LGBTQ+ friendly!
Many of the hotels on this list have specific niches in which they favor the preferences of different travelers in different ways, and when it comes to the Sheraton, it must be said that if you’re interested in having all of the wonderful views and centrality that the other locations here offer at a decent price that nonetheless stretches to a wide range of freebies that staying here provides, then – as we have said already twice in different contexts – this is the place for you.
San Juan and the Isla San Juan, in particular, are true paradises of choice when it comes to sifting through for the perfect hotel for you, and the Sheraton is a sound contender amongst the mix thanks to its professional attitude and sound foundations when it comes to amenities and maintenance care.
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
If your idea of an amazing holiday contains remaining in touch with the nightlife and the bright lights of the evening, then the Marriott Resort is the perfect place for you.
As the title may give away, the Marriott Resort is directly connected to the Stellaris Casino, which means that a night spent flipping cards and pushing slots is very much on the guests’ minds – at least for the most part.
If that isn’t you, however, and if casinos aren’t your scene, then you’ll still be able to take pleasure in the Marriott’s wonderful resort feel thanks to the wide range of relaxation areas, the hotel’s wonderful outdoor pool, and – of course – the exciting and trendy Ohan Sushi and Poké Bar that belongs to its grounds.
Although the main focus of this particular place of accommodation may be upon the casino in its name, that does not mean that there isn’t more lying beneath the surface, and it’s simply up to guests to discover that fact.
But enough talk about that – this is a list of gay hotels. If we treat the San Juan Marriott Resort like a normal hotel, its offers on paper are incredibly impressive!
Not only is the location explicitly marketed as LGBTQ+ friendly, which is a massive calling card for a good, reputable hotel on one of these lists, but it also boasts all of the high points of a resort-style location – an outdoor pool, large relaxation areas, hot tubs in rooms – and an in-house bar and restaurant ensemble on top of it all.
The real cherry on the cake is the spa and fitness center combo that the San Juan Marriott has on its grounds, which are fully outfitted to make your holiday even more relaxing!
Condado Vanderbilt
Another resort-esque location with a premium spot upon the north-facing coast of Puerto Rico, the Condado Vanderbilt rises up and above the level of all the hotels around it, boasting five stars not just in structure, location, appearance, and fashion but also thanks to the sheer amount of extra amenities and service that it provides to every guest that walks through its doors.
Thanks to both its five-star rating, the list of services that it offers to guests, and the rave reviews of the travelers who have stayed there in the past – both queer and straight – the Condado is without a doubt the most exclusive and exquisite luxury hotel on this list and is sure to send you for a spin for every second between the moment you check in and the moment you leave thanks to the sheer range of what it has on offer.
It is a true shame that the Condado Vanderbilt isn’t explicitly marked as queer-friendly; unlike many of the other hotels on this list, else we would be able to give this location our perfect reviews, but this fact is somewhat balanced out by the hotel’s couple-angled experience, meaning that the staff and the management of the hotel understand that privacy and discretion are important parts of providing a pleasant accommodation experience for their guests and that this respect is without a doubt extended to gay couples looking to make an amazing romantic getaway on the shores of San Juan!
Long story short, if you value wellness amenities and a top-notch level of service, design, and cleanliness where you stay, then every cent of the Condado’s rates are sure to be worth it for you, no matter which one of the many kinds and levels of luxury suites that you pick.
La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort
Nestled right up against the beautiful Caribbean sea and entrenched just as deeply in the luxurious vibes of coastal accommodation and all-needs-catered enjoyment, the La Concha Renaissance Resort takes the kind of luxury that one generally expects from a resort and takes it to the next level – incorporating a strength of services and room quality that is quite honestly unbeatable, even with the amazing experiences that the other hotels on this list offer.
This fact is only intensified thanks to the fact that the La Concha is explicitly labeled as LGBTQ-friendly and has received more than its fair share of positive reviews from queer travelers in the past. Both the location and the self-sustainable surroundings of the La Concha Resort leave very little out of reach, which most absolutely includes when you’re looking for something to eat.
The La Concha has both an in-house restaurant and a bar if you’re looking for a drink and the excellent food pairs with the surroundings to a nearly heavenly level. And on top of that, the hotel’s sea views and amazing atmosphere are sure to make every eating experience remarkable, which is just another plus to the already amazing food on offer!
If you favor a resort feel over the confined rooms of a hotel, then the La Concha Renaissance is one hundred percent the place for you. The owners and staff of this wonderful establishment know exactly what they’re doing to please their customers, and they are more than ready to leave the door wide open for queer travelers looking for a good time.
It’s always wonderful to be accepted, and – regardless of sexuality – that is very much the feeling that this resort specializes in offering to first-time and returning guests!
Caribe Hilton Hotel
Hilton Hotels are quite famous for their luxurious reputation, and this one set in the heart of the port scene of San Juan fails to disappoint even for the slightest moment.
Located just a few minute’s walk away from the La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, which was the last entry on this list, the Caribe Hilton Hotel is a deceptively relaxed location that promotes a strong front of luxury as well as ease, making sure that guests can experience the absolute height of their time in San Juan as a whole, rather than just their time in their room and hotel.
This dedication is strengthened greatly by the Caribe’s connection to Isla San Juan’s public transportation system, which means that you can quite easily get off of the island and back onto the mainland, which isn’t as easy as it sounds for many of the other hotels on this list that are located on it.
Although – as we mentioned before – the Caribe Hilton Hotel stresses a policy of making Isla San Juan as connected with the rest of the city as possible, that isn’t to say that the hotel’s interior isn’t amazing. This is a Hilton hotel we are talking about, after all!
The Caribe’s internals are decadently filled with modern designer furniture and fashion statements, and individual rooms are decked out to the teeth with kitchenettes and separate living spaces, and – in some cases – even full-service bathrooms with hot tubs and ocean views.
Now that’s luxurious to a tee! The hotel also has direct beach access, which is a rarity even given that it shares fronts with many other hotels that do not have the same privilege, so this is the place if you’re interested in time in the sand.
Gallery Inn
The Gallery Inn is one of the most popular hotels in the entirety of San Juan, and it is also one of the more affordable options on this list, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a place for tranquil relaxation and comfort or that it is overly crowded.
Once again, the Gallery Inn sits at the very edge of the country on the Isla San Juan, which means that it enjoys all of the same views and benefits as the vast majority of the hotels on this list, which is a plus when one accounts for the fact that most of those locations are more expensive than this one, and also come with the fact that they are more difficult to reach and check into.
None of these problems plague the front of the Gallery Inn – in fact, one could say the exact opposite.
Checking in and out of the Gallery Inn is wonderfully simple, and the rooms are paradises of easy, feet-up relaxation that make every second into one of unwinding and letting your hair down. And the nearby neighborhood mirrors this feeling too.
The Viejo San Juan old town is perfect for guests and visitors to the area thanks to its sheer number of hotels and international destinations. It feels more like a large holiday resort with Puerto Rican culture than anything else.
Suppose you’re not into wandering the streets. In that case, however, plenty is within the bounds of the hotel to keep you entertained, including an outdoor pool, an in-house bar and restaurant, and many common spaces equally useful for relaxing and socializing with other guests and fellow travelers. The Gallery Inn is not wheelchair accessible and smoke-free, however, so please note your preferences!
Gay Hotel Map Of San Juan
Feeling a bit lost while planning your journey to San Juan? No worries, darling! Our detailed LGBTQ+ tailored map is here to guide you. We’ve pinpointed all the vibrant gay-friendly bars, exhilarating clubs, extravagant parties, cozy hotels, relaxing saunas, and soothing massage parlors to ensure you find the perfect spot.
And these aren’t just any spots; we’re talking about the creme de la creme of locations in the heart of the city’s vibrant gay scene. Think panoramic views, easy access to nightlife, and all the amenities to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
But hold on to your feather boas! These hot spots are fabulous; they vanish quicker than a drag queen’s five o’clock shadow. Don’t delay; book now to secure the best deals and locations. Remember, the early bird catches the best deals in San Juan! So, pack your rainbow flag, and get ready to experience the ultimate gay-friendly holiday in San Juan.
