You want to be yourself on vacation. You want to be relaxed and be comfortable to walk around hand in hand with your partner. Whether you are straight, gay, lesbian, or in any other type of relationship.

Unfortunately, some countries are not tolerant of the LGBQ+ community and in some countries, it is still illegal to be gay.

This is an added stress when you want to go on vacation. If you’re LGBTQ+ you should check the different laws for each country and the travel advice of your country.

When this is a concern going abroad, you might be happier at gay resorts when on holiday. That way you know you won’t have to worry about feeling uncomfortable.

There are gay and lesbian resorts around the world from the UK, to Europe, and all over the USA. Whether you want a gay ski vacation, gay beach resorts, a gay clothing optional resort, gay RV or camping resorts. There’s a resort to suit everyone.

1. Palm Springs, California

The palm tree lined streets stretch until the mountains. Their peaks rising to the clouds, one behind the other. The air is warm whatever the season.

Palm Springs California is just two hours’ drive from Los Angeles. You could sightsee in LA and pretend you’re pretty woman shopping on Rodeo Drive. Then make the short trip to Palm Springs to relax.

Known as a celebrity hangout of the rat pack, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe, as they took a break from filming at the studios. You can live like a celebrity too. 

The music carries into the air from the lively nightlife. Boutique shops and art galleries line the streets for your perusal. The farmers market has stalls full of fresh produce in bright colors, a hint of sweetness in the air.

Famous for Coachella, it also celebrates Pride in November and Dinah Shore in April, a five-day lesbian music festival.

With a large percentage of residents identifying as gay, Palm Springs is the perfect place for a gay vacation. It has an abundance of gay resorts for singles and for couples.

The All World’s Resort, is a gay resort located in the Warm Sands District in Palm Springs, notorious for being the largest gay men’s clothing optional resort. It’s a particularly good gay resort for singles.

It has two properties, five pools, two hot tubs, and a volleyball court.

On Sundays they have BBQ pool parties with live DJs and go-go dancers. There are day and night passes to invite guests over too.

If this sounds too rambunctious for you, there are other options that are more low-key, catering for older men and couples.

While you might not want to leave your resort, there are plenty of things to do in Palm Springs.

Visit Joshua Tree National Park for stunning views of the area.

Take a ride on Palm Springs aerial tramway between Chino Canyon to Mountain Station. Sit back and enjoy ten minutes of rolling hills and desert.

If you don’t want to lie by the pool all day, take a hike on Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness. The cable cars rise past rocky cliffs, hills carpeted with trees, and desert like a wild west movie.

2. Mykonos Greece, Elysium hotel

The turquoise sea glints as it calmly washes onto the white sand beaches of Mykonos.

The white traditional Grecian buildings are nestled amongst undulating hills. The smell of the salt from the sea and the sound of the waves are enough to hypnotize you into a serene state of calm.

But not for long. This island may look tranquil, but it is infamous for its fabulous nightlife.

While its inhabitants are Christian Orthodox, they are happy to accommodate the LGTBQ+ community.

The XLSIOR Festival attracts around 30,000 in August, for an exclusive summer gay festival.

This small island has a big buzz as clubs illuminate the night and crowds float into the streets to mingle.

Chora is the main town, close to the airport and the nightlife.

The small number of gay spots such as Jackie O’s and Babylon are the perfect place for LGBT vacationing.

There are lots of options for gay resorts in Greece and Mykonos from budget to luxury.

Elysium is the go-to gay resort with its nightly drag and cabaret shows, clothing optional pool, hot tub, bar, restaurant, and gym.

Its white rooms are brightened by contemporary art of men looking pensive.

It sits in the heart of the town within walking distance to the bars. The views from their rooftop bar take in its paradise-like scenery with a brightly colored cocktail in hand dashed with a skewered cherry or delicate purple flower.

If your hangover isn’t too bad, you might like to go horse riding, sail a boat, or take a flight on a helicopter to take in the views of this island from above.

3. Gran Canaria, Spain

Another picturesque island that’s hiving with activity.

A bit more built-up and touristy, the buildings aren’t traditional and quaint like Mykonos, but it has everything you need, sun, sea, sand, and partying.

AxelBeach Maspalomas is just 1.5km from the sea and the perfect gay resort. It has four floors and 92 apartments. This adult only franchise has hotels in Berlin, Barcelona, and Miami, among other locations specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. There is still a mix of people who stay at the hotel, whether straight, gay, lesbian, it’s a melting pot for a relaxed and inviting stay.

The modern apartments have dark colors plashed on the walls and multi-colored tiles in the kitchenette.

AxelBeach is just 10 minutes from the Yumbo Centre. This 1980s rectangular four-story shopping mall is the one stop shop gay bars, boutique shops, and restaurants. With a cocktail in hand, sit and judge others as they take the mic at the karaoke bars in between shopping.

The morning after, relax at the gay beach Kiosk #7 between the beach at Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas on the southern side. Rainbow flags are a giveaway you’ve found the right place at this clothing optional beach.

For a more chilled out vibe, try the smaller beaches to lie on a sunbed and listen to the waves lapping.

4. Mexico, Puerto Vallarta

Yellow houses with orange window frames, bright pink and green buildings are nestled in this bay against a backdrop of green carpeted hills.

Puerto Vallarta on the west coast of Mexico is mix of cobblestone streets, soft sand beaches, gay bars, and adrenaline-fueled activities.

With a little bit of everything, Puerto Vallarta makes the perfect gay or lesbian getaway.

There are plenty of places to stay with all-inclusive gay resorts. You might miss out though on exploring the area and trying the lovely little eateries and street vendors.

The Almar Resort Luxury LGBT hotel is a great lesbian and gay Caribbean resort. This beach front property has two buildings. The Almar Tower is the quieter option offering sea view rooms. The Mantamar Tower is livelier with pool parties and special events.

There are 79 suites, each with a private balcony. The modern and sleek rooms are the perfect place to rest before having your breakfast at the Top Sky Bar.

Relax like Cleopatra by the pool on one of the beds with a canopy to keep you cool before heading to the weekly drag show.

Outside of the resort there is no limit to activities.

Stroll the Malecon Boardwalk, people watch, take in the view, and grab a bite to eat along the curving coastline. Admire the great sand sculptures on the beach like the Indian with each feather in his headdress framed around his head.

Go to the Centro Historico with its cobblestone streets. Buy a memento from the craftspeople or try some street food.

The Zona Romantica is the historic colonial neighbor that oozes charm. Also known as the “gay zone” with its gay friendly bars, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s surrounded by traditional buildings. A church steeple rises into the blue sky and water flows from the fountains in courtyards.

For thrill seekers, take a speedboat ride to get a great view of the coastline. Snorkel to see into the depths of the azure ocean. Fish of all colors flitting underneath.

Or take a zip line in the Ecopark in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

After your adventures, sit with your loved one on Playa de los Muertos (or beach of the dead, I know, it doesn’t sound appealing, but it is), and watch the sun disappear behind the horizon, turning the sky delicate pinks and oranges.

5. Gay Cruise

Would you like to pretend you’re a millionaire for the week and have your own yacht?

GaySail offers private sailings with your own gay crew and chef. You can also join others for your gay only cruise and choose from a variety of destinations around Greece, the Bahamas, and Thailand to name a few.

These compact and classy yachts offer an optional nude sailing where you can walk around on deck with the gentle warm breeze caressing you before jumping off the side into the beautiful green blue sea.

It’s a chance to explore different places and get a taste of each, from tropical islands to historic cities.

A private gay cruise would be an amazing honeymoon (as long as you aren’t seasick). Be waited on by the gay crew and have delicious meals prepared by the chef. 

Then spend the day relaxing on the beach in Tahiti or strolling the ancient walls of Dubrovnik before heading back to your own private hotel on the sea. 

You can learn to sail and navigate or simply lie back, soak up the sun, and watch as dolphins splash into the waters beside you.

6. Key West, Florida

With 30% of residents identifying as LGBTQ, there is no shortage of gay bars in this small island in south Florida.

Key West is a great base to explore lots of other areas such as the Florida Reef, Disney World, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach. There are cities nearby like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee that all offer a range of activities and different sights.

In Key West there are plenty of gay bars along Duval Street to party the night away or the selection of gay bars in the suburb of Wilton Manors.

After dancing, head to Alexander’s Guesthouse. This restored Conch house is packed with southern charm. Situated in “Old Town” near to the main sights including Mallory Square.

It is homely and classy with elegant décor and a white balcony overlooking the pool. Alexander’s Guesthouse is gay-owned and managed for a relaxed atmosphere. You get a free breakfast and a daily cocktail. The sundeck is clothing optional so you can make sure you don’t have any tan lines.

By day you can partake in watersports from paddle boarding to snorkeling. For the thrill seekers the theme parks are a great day out before your great night out.

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a nice way to relax after a busy night.

Dry Tortugas National Park is the largest fort on the east coast. Walking around the ruins is pleasant but be sure to wear sunscreen as the concrete pier stretches out into the ocean towards Ford Jefferson, the water glinting on either side. Fort Jefferson is an impressive, intimidating building in contrast to this tropical and peaceful setting.

7. The Cotswolds, England

While London, Brighton, and the other cities are obvious choices for an LGBT vacation, a trip to the countryside might be just the thing to relax and refresh you.

The Cotswolds’ is one of the most romantic places in the UK with its cobblestone streets, quaint houses, and animals roaming the fields. It’s like stepping back in time into a Victorian novel.

The Fish Hotel is a boutique establishment, set in the 400-acre Farncombe Estate.

Its quirky shepherd’s hut or treehouse make a great gay getaway to bask in the English countryside.

Soak in your own hot tub and peer out at the woods, the only sound is the bird’s song.

Take your furry friend with you and use their dog agility course to tire out your pooch before chilling back at the hotel.

With a name like The Fish Hotel, it obviously specializes in seafood. From seared scallops with ginger, to creamy chowder for you to enjoy beside the fireplace.

8. Honolulu, Hawaii

The Kahala Hotel and Resort in Honolulu has its own private lagoon where you can watch dolphins dance through the water.

Take an exercise class overlooking the ocean and enjoy a relaxing treatment later in the spa. There are free bikes to explore the area or golf and tennis can be arranged off-site.

Hawaii must be on everyone’s must-see places. The six Hawaiian Islands all look like they are straight of a postcard. There is plenty to do on each island from Kauai to Oahu. Oahu the “heart of Hawaii” is home to the capital Honolulu and makes the perfect gay and lesbian vacation.

You may want to sit on the shimmering white beaches all day but don’t miss out exploring the island and its stunning scenery.

Climb Diamond Head State Monument, the steep stairs leading up to a dormant volcano crater. The views are breathtaking, and not just because you had to climb all the way there.

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve where you might see a giant sea turtle lazily floating through the azure waters.

The hop-on-hop-off bus is a great way to see the island from the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail to Manoa Falls, and Byodo-In Temple. The intricately designed red and white temple is surrounded by trees with the mountain rising intimidatingly behind it.

Take a tour to Circle Island where you can see Waimea Bay, Halona Blowhole, and the Dole Plantation for an experience you’ll still be dreaming of when you’re home.

9. Bangkok, Thailand

If you’re doing some backpacking, whether you’re gay or not, you might want to stay at the only gay hotel in Bangkok. 

Babylon Gay Hotel is an oasis of calm amongst the hustle of the city. Choose from rooms with shared bathrooms to suites. 

With a jacuzzi, pool, sauna, and communal areas, there are plenty of places to chat with fellow travelers. 

The café, bar, and gardens are a great place to relax after exploring the city. 

Visit the religious sites such as Temple of the Golden Buddha with its gold spires and white exterior gleaming in the sunlight. Take a cruise down the Chao Phraya River to get a glimpse of this city. It’s especially interesting at night when the lights shine against the darkness. 

The Siam Paragon situated off the BTS station is packed with shops and entertainment. Where else can you shop at Louis Vuitton, visit Sea Life, and eat at Burger King all under one roof?

The choices for gay resorts are increasing and spanning from the UK to Europe, USA, and Australia. So, all you have to worry about is your suntan. 

Whether you want to have a hangover every morning, shop ‘til you drop, or relax on the beach, there’s a gay resort to make sure you enjoy your vacation.