Gay hotels tampa

What lies beyond, however, is sure to sweeten the deal even more, especially when it comes to the sheer amount of money and extra fees that guests are set up to save by staying here. 

The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is nothing short of a paradise away from home – including luxurious, all-needs-catered rooms with hot tubs and separate living areas, as well as common spaces that feel like they belong to elite social clubs for the rich.

Tampa is famous for its amusement parks and zoos, meaning that no matter which kind of unit you travel in – be it alone, as a couple, or with a family – you’re sure to find something to do when you’re not sampling the local cuisine or spending your time at any of the city’s fine and respectable clubs, bars, and discos.

The vibe is laid-back, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of action.

Bare in mind it is rather small though, and the lack of jacuzzi or pool is felt.

Should the sauna not appeal to you your best bet is the aforementioned Mr. D’z Men’s Emporium on one of its kink themed nights!

Gay Beaches in Tampa

Sunset Beach on Treasure Island – Tampa Bay's “gay beach” is a little out of the way, just west of St.

Petersburg at the southern tip of Treasure Island. Book tour →

Restaurants and Cafes

Columbia Restaurant – By far the most famous restaurant in Ybor, if not all of Tampa. It’s popular with the gay crowd due to its location but also the incredibly friendly staff. One is the Oystercatchers seafood joint, and the other is ‘1823 Kitchen and Bar’, which serves grilled specialties as an incredible accompaniment to its casual social atmosphere.

Summers can be hot and rainy, though Tampa’s always air-conditioned indoor venues make it easy to stay cool.

Note: Tampa has the unnerving title of the “Lightning Capital of the World” due to its high frequency of thunderstorms, especially in the summer. Meander along a boardwalk winding through cypress swamps to a three-level observation tower with panoramic river views.

With a crisp crust and soft, airy center, they also make an amazing version of Tampa’s iconic Cuban sandwich if you don’t fancy sitting down in a restaurant to enjoy one.

Mise en Place – Since 1986, Mise en Place has elevated Tampa’s dining with chef-driven contemporary American cuisine rooted in French technique.

The energy is relaxed and welcoming: white-sand shoreline, glimpses of turquoise Gulf waters, gorgeous sunsets, and gorgeous men. Day Trips from Tampa

General Tips

Tampa is a sun-kissed city no matter when you visit, but some would argue that October and April make for the best gaycation, as that’s when the weather is warm but less humid.

Stroll along historic 7th Avenue, ride the yellow streetcar, and savor a Cuban sandwich or a flamenco show at the century-old Columbia Restaurant. Book tour →

Weeki Wachee Springs – Just under an hour north of Tampa is a park full of crystal-clear spring water lakes, especially famous for its live mermaid shows performed in a submerged theater.

Book tickets →

Henry B. Plant Museum – Step into Victorian grandeur at the Henry B. Plant Museum, housed in the former Tampa Bay Hotel, a Moorish Revival masterpiece built in 1891. Everything about the hotel is particularly spacious, from the big rooms themselves to the entrance hall, restaurant and pool area making it a great retreat for any who find big cities claustrophobic.

Dates: 2026 to be announced.

Day Trips from Tampa

Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island – Honeymoon Island is well-named because it is a perfect honeymoon destination, with pristine beaches and nature trails without the Florida crowds. Dates: 2026 to be announced.

Pride with the Police – A unique community-building event each July, enabling LGBTQ+ residents to meet Tampa PD’s LGBTQ liaison officers in an open forum.

Speaking of those last locations, and of Tampa’s night scene as a whole, their night scene of the city melds perfectly with its queer environments and neighborhoods, with several hotspots such as the infamous cigar capital Ybor City and the surrounding Downtown area truly making clear just how gay-friendly and open Tampa is.