I wanted a place where I wouldn’t have to explain myself. So I booked three nights at Hotel Gaythering in Miami Beach. It’s small, queer-owned, and it leans gay. I went solo, which can feel weird. But here, I felt seen right away.
Turns out I’m not the only one who felt that way; Attitude magazine calls it “Miami’s gay hotel with a real community spirit.”
(For an even deeper dive with budget notes and a few extra snapshots, you can skim my complete trip log of the Miami stay.)
You know what? It felt like walking into a friend’s living room.
Check-in felt like a hug, not a task
The lobby was cozy—warm lights, cheeky art, and a low buzz from the bar. The front desk smiled, asked for my ID, and then actually asked how my trip was. Not fake nice. Real nice. They handed me my key, a map with little circles on it (food, coffee, beach), and they went over the event board for the week. Bingo night. Karaoke. A film screening I almost went to and then didn’t, because the beach won.
They also had a short list of queer-friendly spots nearby. Super helpful, and not just for tourists.
The room: comfy, a little loud, but honest
My room was simple, clean, and cute. Firm bed. Good water pressure. Great AC. I had a chair that didn’t wobble (small win, but I notice). Blackout curtains worked okay, not perfect. There was a mini-fridge and decent space for my bag.
Friday night got noisy—bass from the bar downstairs. Nothing wild, but you could feel it. I asked the front desk about it, and they handed me foam earplugs with a grin. “Weekends can thump,” they said. Fair. I slept fine.
Oh, and the Wi-Fi was solid. I hopped on a video call with no lag. I hate choppy calls, so that was a relief.
The bar and the crowd: warm, chatty, social
I’m not a big club person. The bar here was more “meet new friends” than “shout over music.” A guy in a silver hoop earring recommended his favorite tacos. Another person gave me a drag brunch tip. By the end of the night, I had a little list of places and a free sticker. I didn’t plan to stay long, but I did. That says a lot.
Events helped. Trivia got silly, in a good way. Staff kept things light and safe. If something felt off, they stepped in fast and calm. I noticed. It made me relax.
Location: close to what I wanted
I could walk to Lincoln Road in about 5 minutes. Coffee. Shops. People watching. The beach took me around 15 minutes on foot. I wore sandals and didn’t regret it. There’s a bus stop nearby, but I mostly walked because the weather was nice. June in Miami can be sticky. Bring water.
Breakfast was simple: coffee that didn’t taste burnt, fruit, pastries, and some protein. Nothing fancy, but it did the job. I grabbed coffee, sat by a window, and watched folks plan their day. It felt like a little community moment.
A quick word on the spa vibe
There’s a men-only area that people talk about. I didn’t go, but friends I met said it was clean, respectful, and had clear rules. Staff checked wristbands. No weird stuff spilling into the lobby. If you’re not into that, you can just… not go. Easy.
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What could be better
- Weekend noise travels. Ask for a higher floor or bring earplugs.
- The gym is tiny. Think “stretch and a few weights,” not a full workout.
- The room lighting could be brighter. I like a lamp by the chair for reading.
None of this killed my trip. But it’s good to know.
Quick compare: Axel Hotel Barcelona (from my trip last fall)
I also stayed at Axel Hotel Barcelona for two nights. Bigger scene, rooftop pool, and a buzzy Sky Bar. It sits in Eixample, the “Gaixample” area, which was perfect for bars and late-night bites. The rooms felt sleek—cool tones, big mirrors, moody lights. But the party vibe runs strong. Fun, just louder and more built for nights out. If Gaythering feels like a living room hang, Axel feels like a rooftop party with views and stronger cocktails. Pick your mood.
For another boutique option—this time in New Orleans—that mixes playful design with community vibes, you might bookmark The Hotel Modern for your future travels.
If lively U.S. music capitals are more your speed, you can check out my weekend hops through Nashville's boutique hotels where honky-tonk nights ended with plush duvets instead of dive-bar floors. And on the opposite coast, I rounded up San Diego boutique hotels that actually feel special—proof you can surf all day and still come home to serious design cred.
Who should book this
- Solo queer travelers who want friendly faces fast
- Couples who like low-key social time, not nonstop clubbing
- Folks who want walkable food, beach, and coffee
If you need total silence, this might be tricky on weekends. If you want connection and a safe base, it shines.
For another perspective, the guys at Two Bad Tourists put together a deep-dive on why you should stay at this unique gay hotel, complete with video clips and neighborhood tips.
Little moments that stuck with me
- A staff member saw me squinting at a map and said, “Let me circle the good stuff.” They drew a little star by their favorite café. I found the star. The croissant was flaky and warm.
- A guest dropped a tote in the lobby. Three of us bent down to grab the stuff. A tiny thing, but it felt like a shared space, not just a hotel.
Tips I wish I knew
- Ask for a room away from the bar if you’re a light sleeper.
- Bring a light sweater; AC can be strong in common areas.
- Check the event board at check-in. Plan your night. It fills up.
- If you’re coming during Pride, book early. Rates jump.
- Wear comfy shoes. Most of the good stuff is a short walk.
Bottom line
I went for comfort and community, and I got both. Hotel Gaythering made me feel welcome the second I walked in, and I left with a list of new places and a few new friends. It’s not perfect. But it felt honest, kind, and very, very queer—in the best way. Would I stay again? Yep, especially for a long weekend.