Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Whether you go on holiday for the suntan, new experiences, to blow off steam, or just to escape the daily grind, we’re willing to bet that you want to feel relaxed and free to be yourself. Thankfully the hotels and gay resorts in Orlando allow you to do just that – to be 110% yourself, without a single double-take, all in the company of other open-minded folks.
As the Number #1 tourist destination in the United States, it’s no surprise to learn that Orlando has an unmistakably cosmopolitan vibe. What it also has in spades is culture, with a great number of art galleries, museums, and performance arts venues that are home to a lively theater scene.
It is also home to a vibrant gay culture. In fact, Orlando has the fourth highest concentration of gay couples of all U.S. cities. With that fact in mind, it should come as no surprise that Orlando is home to some of the best gay nightlife you are going to find anywhere in America, with more gay bars and clubs than you can count.
And there are also pride festivals such as the International Bear Bash and Come Out with Pride Orlando. So, it is safe to say that there is a whole different side to the city than just the theme parks (though it should be noted that they too have Gay Days throughout the year).
While there is no real “gayborhood” area in Orlando, but rather all the many, many gay bars and clubs are spread throughout the city, and LGBT visitors will never have to worry about lacking entertainment and nightlife in Orlando.
In this article we will cover...
The Point Hotel & Suites
This newly renovated hotel is a full-service, all-suite establishment with a great location on Universal Boulevard in the heart of downtown Orlando. The hotel features an outdoor pool and hot tub and a fitness center with high-tech equipment that features interactive hiking, running and biking programs set in famous locations worldwide.
There are also stair climbing machines, exercise balls, leg curl machines, and more. The pool features poolside dining and cocktails from the poolside Cabana Bar and Grille.
The Point Hotel also has concierge and shuttle services. The vibe here is open and friendly, just like the rest of Orlando, and gay and lesbian guests should have no problems with the welcoming and inclusive setting found at this gay-friendly hotel.
The suites come in one- and two-bedroom varieties. Some suites are ADA-compliant for handicapped individuals with special needs. Suites also range in accommodation styles from standard to deluxe, as well as an Executive Studio Suite.
All room types offer plenty of space and top-of-the-line comfort. Room amenities include separate bedrooms, full kitchens and private balconies. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.
On-site dining can be had at the Lobby Barista, which offers breakfast from 8-10 am in addition to Starbucks beverages and pastries. The Cabana above Bar and Grille has casual American cuisine and signature cocktails.
And of course, the Pointe Hote’s excellent central location puts you in easy striking range of some of Orlando’s best eateries. LGBT guests should find a real winner in the Point Hotel and Suites.
Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas
Though the Sheraton Vistana likes to bill itself as a family hotel, it is also a great gay-friendly establishment that welcomes everyone without discrimination, and it is a good place for gay and lesbian guests to base their adventures in Orlando.
1- and 2-bedroom premium villas are on offer at the hotel, and each comes with either a kitchen or a kitchenette equipped with a conventional oven, microwave, pots, pans and dishes, refrigerator, toaster and dining table and chairs.
Also, rooms have a washer/dryer and a large living space. All are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms with a bathtub and whirlpool or a bathtub with spray jets, and some have a separate tub and shower. In-room entertainment includes a TV with cable/satellite and DVD movies available.
1-bedroom villas typically feature 1 king bed and a sofa bed; some have balconies. 2-bedroom villas usually have a king bed in bedroom 1, and two double beds or a sofa bed in bedroom 2. The villas also include free Wi-Fi, free parking and no resort fees.
On-site dining options are many at this large resort. Castaways Bar & Grill offers a laid-back ambiance to go with its island-inspired cuisine and cocktails. Zimmie’s Bar & Grill is a fresh and airy venue with a casual dress code and is open for breakfast, lunch or dinner with American fare. Mai Tiki Hut is a classic tiki bar serving drinks for all tastes and ages, including smoothies for kids as well as specialty cocktails for adults.
Several heated outdoor pools are on the grounds, and there is a range of activities, including miniature golf and outdoor tennis courts, as well as volleyball and table tennis. There is also a sauna with a variety of services. The fitness center offers free fitness classes for guests and weights in addition to cardio equipment.
Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas has top-notch service and amenities and makes a nice, comfortable place for gay and lesbian visitors to Orlando to enjoy the best one of America’s gayest cities has to offer.
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
This is another gay-friendly hotel resort located in the Disney Springs area of Orlando, central to many of the best theme parks for those interested in them. It is just perfect for Gay Days Disney!
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace offers top-of-the-line comfort and amenities in addition to fantastic panoramic views of the Disney Springs area. And there’s no reason guests won’t be able to take advantage of those views because all rooms feature private balconies.
Each room also features either a king bed or two queen beds, as well as a sitting area and work area. All rooms have an LCD TV and mini fridge. Island Suites feature a living area with a double sofa bed and separate sleeping areas. Most suites have a second half bath and also offer easy access to the pool. Tower Suites offer more spacious accommodations.
On-site dining does not disappoint. Shades poolside bar and grill offers burgers, sandwiches and even pizza to go with hand-crafted cocktails and local craft brews.
It also boasts covered seating and cozy firepits. Sunnies offers a warm and inviting lounge with a screened outdoor patio steps away from the main lobby and overlooking the Float Lagoon – a great place to unwind and enjoy cocktails and locally-sourced seasonal fare.
Citrus 28 has quick and casual meals with the atmosphere of a gourmet café. The menu features Starbucks coffee, breakfast pastries, gourmet sandwiches, local brews, ice cream and sweet treats, and even fresh pizza made to order. Letterpress boasts a vibrant, fun atmosphere with stunning lake views. This scratch kitchen specializes in American comfort food with a Southern flair.
The fitness center has state-of-the-art equipment and is a great place to get in a little me time. The poolside cabanas offer day beds, lounge chairs, and a covered awning with a ceiling fan and retractable curtains.
They also have a mini fridge, flat-screen TV, and safe, and the cabana rental comes with a fruit platter on arrival. With cabana rentals, guests can host up to six. The Float Lagoon & Pool has complimentary floats for maximum sun and fun in the pool.
Loews Portofino Bay
This fine resort takes inspiration from the beautiful seaside village of Portofino in Italy (where the Portofino portion of its name comes from). It offers an excellent gay-friendly choice for luxury accommodations.
Loews Portofino Bay has three themed outdoor pools and a fully-equipped fitness center. It is also home to Mandara Spa, and also has an onsite bar, restaurant, hot tub, and sauna. Room amenities include a flat-screen TV with cable channels, marble accents, and coffee-making facilities.
They also feature air conditioning, room service, housekeeping, a refrigerator, a safe, and an iron. Guests of Loews Portofino also get early admission to nearby theme parks and complimentary express passes. Rooms are furnished and decorated with both class and comfort in mind.
Being a top-of-the-line resort, Loews Portofino has top-of-the-line services, like concierge, free shuttle and taxi services, dry cleaning and laundry service, babysitting as well as a kid’s club, and more.
Romantic, charming, gay-friendly and conveniently located right on-site at Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel offers a little piece of the Italian Riviera for LGBTQ visitors looking for luxury lodgings.
It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular hotels in Orlando among gay travelers. It is also a winner of the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for its outstanding service. It also enjoys a AAA four-diamond rating.
Grand Bohemian Hotel
Grand Bohemian isn’t just a name – this hotel, located in the heart of downtown Orlando, embraces the essence of style with a magnificent, palatial lobby where guests are greeted with vaulted ceilings, Italian mosaics, and an impressive art gallery. It certainly makes quite a first impression, and guests immediately know that they are in for the best in luxury accommodations.
It has an open and friendly atmosphere, too. And LGBTQ tourists can feel comfortable here, as everyone is welcome here regardless of lifestyle. The Grand Bohemian has a heated rooftop pool, a gift shop, and a fitness center equipped with cardio equipment, exercise bikes, medicine balls, treadmills, weight machines, strength equipment, and more.
The hotel’s Poseidon Spa offers an array of services, including facials, massage (including couples’ messages), waxing, paraffin hand treatment, manicures and pedicures, and more.
For on-site dining, there is the AAA four-diamond Boheme, which features international cuisine, a sophisticated ambiance, and live jazz music. Also, there is the swanky Bosendorfer Lounge, which offers light meals and cocktails. This jazz bar is home to one of only two Imperial Grand Bosendorfer pianos. There is also a Starbucks on-site with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Guestrooms and suites are available. Rooms are decorated with curated selections of original artwork from renowned artists and feature workstations with free Wi-Fi access. Private bathrooms feature marble vanities and whirlpool tubs; plush robes are included.
La Quinta Inn
This three-star hotel has a great location in very close proximity to SeaWorld, but it is also close to many gay-popular venues as well, which makes it a good choice for LGBT guests and an inclusive setting where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves.
Rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms, as well as a wardrobe and flat-screen TV. They also have refrigerators, microwaves, and wake-up service.
The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and 24-hour front desk. There is also a hot tub, sun deck, and a shared lounge area. Continental or buffet breakfast is available. There is a tour desk, and car rentals are available. There is also a shuttle service from the hotel to and from nearby Universal Studios. There is also free parking. Pet-friendly rooms are available at a fee. Kids stay free.
In all, La Quinta Inn offers good accommodation with a respectable amenity set and a nice central location if you are in Orlando for the theme parks. It also serves as a good base for exploring Orlando’s nightlife.
Wyndham Orlando
The Wyndham Orlando can boast being located in “the neighborhood of fun and adventure,” steps from ICON Park, Orlando’s hottest entertainment district. The hotel has two heated swimming pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a sauna and steam room.
Other amenities include concierge service and a 24-hour reception desk, daily housekeeping, room service, on-site parking, safe deposit box, express check-in and check-out, shuttle service to local attractions, Wi-Fi availability, children’s activities as well as a children’s play area, a café, bar, restaurant, and a business center.
Accessibility amenities are numerous, with a wheelchair-accessible route to just about everything at the hotel, service animals are welcome (since this is generally a pet-friendly hotel), and staff is trained in service to guests with disabilities and special needs.
The Wyndham Orlando has over 500 total rooms and 76 suites. Rooms feature the hotel’s signature BeWellsm bedding, in addition to 40” flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies and free Wi-Fi. Also included are Blue Harmonytm bath amenities and messaging shower heads. There are also garden rooms with sliding glass doors with access and views of the pool.
The oversized family suites have bunk beds for the kids. Most all rooms are non-smoking, and many are ADA-compliant for easy access for those with disabilities and handicaps. Premium rooms add balconies.
Gay and lesbian tourists looking for great accommodations in Orlando don’t need to look any further than the Wyndham Orlando, which has a philosophy that embraces diversity and values clientele of all kinds, regardless of lifestyle.
Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel
Gay and lesbian travelers will feel like rock stars when they book a stay at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando. The hotel enjoys a prime location on Universal Boulevard. It also claims to be the “coolest hotel on the planet,” with live entertainment and classic rock and roll memorabilia.
Hotel amenities are room service, concierge, car rental, 24-hour front desk, hot tub and spa, swimming pool with underwater music (yes, you read that right), babysitting service, valet parking, wheelchair access, free internet access throughout the property, and a lounge bar, fitness center, game room, gift shop, restaurant, and business center. The establishment is pet friendly.
There is a wide variety of accommodation styles at the Universal Hard Rock Hotel. These range from standard rooms with 2 queen beds to Club level rooms with either queen or king beds to The King Suite, which features premium bedding and turndown service along with a sofa bed in addition to the king bed.
Rooms are air-conditioned and have a flat-screen TV, refrigerators, safe, and housekeeping service. Room service is available. Among the rooms, many non-smoking choices exist for those who prefer them.
Gay tourists can’t go too wrong with the Hard Rock Hotel, with its laid-back vibe and open attitude. It is certainly one of the more distinct hotel offerings with its rock and roll theme, and it’s no wonder why it is such a hit with gay travelers.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers world-class luxury and gay-friendly accommodations, and gay and lesbian visitors can scarcely go wrong with this huge five-star resort. Pool, spa, fitness center, and whirlpool are just a few of the long list of property amenities. There are also meeting rooms and a business center. And almost everything is accessible to the handicapped.
For such a large resort, it should come as no surprise that there are a great many accommodation styles, and suffice it to say that guests can hardly go wrong with any of the choices on hand.
All offer clean, comfortable, and nicely furnished rooms with great amenities, including flat-screen TVs, private balconies, room service, and the list goes on. Comfort and elegance are blended masterfully in all accommodations.
The Waldorf Astoria is a golf lover’s paradise, with an 18-hole course designed by Rees Jones. The course features a Clubhouse with a pro shop with golfing merchandise for sale or rent as well as the Clubhouse Grill, with a fine lunch menu. There is also a practice range and a putting green, with private lessons available.
The spa offers a wide range of treatments, including massage, facial treatments, body therapies, hand and foot therapies, men’s treatments, and so on. Also on offer is the Himalayan salt therapy.
On-site dining at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is every bit a match for that of the hotel’s famous New York sibling. The Bull & Bear offers excellent steak and seafood to accompany its club-like ambiance. At Oscar’s, you’ll enjoy contemporary comfort food in a setting that manages to blend casual and elegant into one.
Peacock Alley is located in the main lobby and offers choice wines and cocktails in addition to salads, soups and other light foods in the afternoon and evening, while the morning hours see the restaurant transform into the Peacock Alley Croissant and Coffee Bar serving specialty espressos and house-made pastries. Sir Harry’s Lounge is a lounge bar open for private functions only.
Aquamarine is the resort’s poolside grill, with mainly salads and sandwiches and al fresco dining. New York’s Waldorf Astoria was the first hotel in the world to offer room service, and that tradition continues here in Orlando with a fine menu of gourmet selections, including ones from Oscar’s.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Our last gay-friendly hotel in Orlando describes itself as a dream come true, and anyone would be hard-pressed to argue that claim. The AAA five-diamond hotel is situated within a secluded 26-acre residential setting, with a lake as well as gardens, polls and beautiful palms and cypress trees.
Accommodations include 4 guestrooms, 8 suites, and 2 accessible rooms. Guestrooms are 500 square feet and have either a king or two queen beds, in addition to a queen-size sofa bed and a crib. These can sleep three adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
Suites add up to twice the space in the case of deluxe suites and are perfect for families or couples, with separate living and sleeping spaces. The accessible rooms include one guestroom and one suite.
Resort amenities include a fitness center with cardio and weight training equipment and Peloton bikes. The resort’s spa houses a salon in addition to 18 treatment rooms with a range of wellness services. Besides the pool, there is also a water park with a family pool and two water slides. The premises also has a tennis court and a golf course.
There is a wealth of dining options at the Four Seasons Orlando, ranging from the Ravello Demonstration Kitchen, which specializes in Italian, to Capa, with its two outdoor terraces, elegant dining room and Spanish-inspired cuisine.
Also, the lobby café, the Lickety Split, offers coffee, gelato, milkshakes, and breakfast pastries. And after all that fine dining, cap off your gastronomic adventure with a drink at the lobby bar, The Lobby Bar.
Four Season Orlando offers a lot for tourists of all kinds, especially LGBTQ ones, with its fabulous amenities, dining and on-site attractions, and all of it with a gay-friendly setting where everyone is welcome.
