Fort Lauderdale, which has transformed itself into Florida's leading gay
vacation destination over the past decade, continues to turn heads with
the spectacular redevelopment of its stunning beachfront. This
neighborhood with a number of gay resorts has seen - or will soon see -
the opening of several upscale, gay-friendly hotels, include the
Atlantic, the St. Regis, the W Hotel, and the Trump International. New
bars, restaurants, and attractions also continue to open throughout the
city and in the neighboring community of Wilton Manors, helping to make
the region a vibrant and exciting gay destination year-round.
In deciding where to stay in Fort Lauderdale, consider whether you'd
prefer a gay, clothing-optional resort or a larger mainstream property.
Among the latter is the charming Riverside Hotel, set along fashionable
Las Olas Boulevard. This natty 1936 property recently completed a
stunning, multimillion-dollar makeover. The first of Starwood Hotels'
snazzy new beachfront properties to open here, the dashing Atlantic
offers unobstructed ocean views from the majority of its spacious, airy
rooms, all of them with Bose CD-stereos, lovely patios, and small
kitchens. Starwood's St. Regis, with a mid-December 2006 opening, is
even more sumptuous: Most rooms overlook the ocean or Intracoastal
Waterway, and they come with such deluxe perks as butler service, a
fabulous spa, and leather furniture. Starwood's next big project, the W
Hotel Fort Lauderdale, is expected to open in December 2007.
Among the gay resorts, the upscale property that spearheaded Fort
Lauderdale's growth into a major gay destination is the Royal Palms, and
it continues to shine as one of the nation's premier small gay hotels.
Perks here include complimentary snacks, wine, and beer, CD players and
VCRs in many units, glass-brick showers with high-end bath amenities,
and dedicated top-notch service. Guests can relax all day around the
stunning pool with a waterfall and fiber-optic lighting. There are
several other fine upscale resorts of comparable repute, including
Pineapple Point, a handsome 1930s spread that has the grace and style of
a Caribbean plantation, and the Flamingo Resort, opened by the former
director of Paris' famous Ritz hotel; it resembles a luxury boutique
hotel on an exclusive British West Indies isle, with its hand-carved
dark-wood furniture and sumptuous linens. Relatively new owners have
continued to upgrade the resort with improved furnishings and amenities.
The more reasonably priced Elysium Resort, just 200 yards from the
beach, has perfectly comfortable rooms. Here you'll always find friendly
guys lounging on the expansive sundeck, with its hot tub, hammock, and
tropical bar - there are two heated pools. Even the simplest rooms at
nearby Villa Venice are warm and attractive, with refrigerators and
microwaves. With its friendly staff and an extensive pool area where
breakfast is served, the resort draws an energetic, fun-in-the-sun
bunch. The similarly priced Worthington Guest House ranks among the
cruisier resorts in town, with a playful vibe and attractive grounds for
sunning and swimming au naturale. The same owners opened the neighboring
Alcazar Resort in 2006, also featuring a frisky ambience and lovely
rooms. Moderately priced Coconut Cove, just a short walk from the beach,
is another reliable choice in the neighborhood. Continue to page
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The Hunk
