12 best gay hotels in Gran Canaria for a fabulous holiday

01

Paso Chico Gay Bungalows

gay male-only and clothing-optional

The staff don’t hover or linger and the fences are high, so you and the boys can have an incredibly secluded, private stay. Essentially, Gay Paso Chico is the perfect place to refine your tan lines and enjoy some lengthy skinny dipping sessions in a luxurious swimming pool.

When Seby and I weren’t living our best life at the resort, we were skipping over to the Yumbo Centre. Yes… Allow me to repeat myself… The bungalows are right across the street from the hub of gay activity in Gran Canaria, which means you can relax throughout the day and then party the night away before sneaking some boys over to the pool for a late-night rendezvous! However, if you find yourself tiring of the pool at any point, you can also make the quick 25-minute walk to Kiosk #7, AKA Gran Canaria’s gay beach. The possibilities are endless!

And for anyone who is more of a homebody, the bungalows themselves are just lovely! Each of the six bungalows has its own kitchen and living space as well as a bedroom with an ensuite, all sporting a modern aesthetic with plenty of gay decor. Also, did I mention the terrace? It’s all too easy to have a romantic evening when you can have dinner with a view!

Gay Paso Chico offers a little bit for everyone and is inexpensive without being cheap, which is why it is one of our all-time favourite places to stay in Gran Canaria.

02

Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas

separate areas for adults-only

When we say the location is central, we mean that it accounts for everything a gay man could want from his trip to Gran Canaria! A five-minute walk gets you to Kiosk #7, and a fifteen-minute walk will have you at the doorstep to the Yumbo Centre. Not looking to leave the hotel? Then attend one of their live shows or enjoy a fine dining experience at their Krystal Fusion restaurant.

A breathtaking subtropical garden also borders the hotel grounds, and just beyond the garden, the main attraction awaits: the Maspalomas sand dunes. The dunes greatly contribute to the atmosphere of the entire location. It becomes all too easy to imagine that you are a prince living in a gorgeous castle, waiting for your brave knight to come galloping across those sandy planes just to fulfil your every need! Though, the dunes are also a popular cruising spot, so maybe you can venture out to meet that knight of yours for a little bit of rompy pompy in the desert… 

Whether you’re searching for a quiet trip within a colonial style paradise or a wild adventure full of parties and exploration, the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas has it all.

03

Seven Hotel and Wellness

gay men only

When you arrive to your room and see the chic, crisp interiors and the gorgeous, mountainous view right outside your window, you won’t be able to stop yourself from screaming, “Oooooh, honey!” Seven Hotel may be old, but that just means she's experienced…she’s definitely still got it for her age!

This queen’s crown is supported by its lovely staff who treat the guests with the utmost care. The size of the hotel is smaller than most, but that’s honestly part of what makes Seven Hotel and Wellness so endearing. You go there for a peaceful vacation, but you leave with tons of new friendships, often formed over a delicious breakfast, might I add! Or at least, that’s usually how I walk away from places like this. I’m a huge chatterbox, and I’m not sorry about it…

However, if you’re not like me, one of my absolute favourite parts of this hotel is the pool. Not only is it heated, but it also has these incredible built-in lounge chairs. It’s something you’ve honestly got to see to believe. Having the warm, gentle water of the pool lap at your legs while you’re soaking up that bright, Canarian sun is absolutely to die for!

Though it is a 20-minute walk from the centre of Maspalomas, Seven Hotel and Wellness still stands as a wonderful retreat for gay boys seeking some casual fun.

04

Club Torso Gay Hotel and Resort

men only and clothing-optional

For some, that will certainly mean taking a trip to the basement… Though the word “basement” may conjure up images of dark, dank, spider-infested corridors, it is far from a nightmare down there. In fact, many would call Club Torso’s basement a place where dreams and fantasies become reality! So if you wander down there and find yourself entrapped in a web, don’t worry! A mysterious, handsome friend will emerge from the shadows to welcome you soon enough…  

As for other amenities, Club Torso is clothing optional, has a heated saltwater pool, and allows guests to visit a neighboring open-air sports center that provides professional guidance to any and all gym rats who choose to enter. On top of that, their pool bar is packed to the brim with options! Let me give you a sample of what you can order… Ready? They have cocktails, wine, beer, sangria, soft drinks, coffee, fresh juice, and smoothies! And that’s not even mentioning the food they serve at their bistro.

Club Torso truly lives up to every standard they set. Their twelve bungalows are spacious and radiant, and the entire property gives off the energy of a refined home away from home. 

05

Parador de Cruz de Tejeda

gay friendly and romantic

The Parador de Cruz de Tejeda is a natural paradise set deep into the mountains and located about 4,920 ft (1,500 meters) above sea level; if you're a water bug like me, do not let this new environment deter you! The rooms supply a grand view of a caldera, which is a hollow spot formed by a volcano and carved out by water. The hotel also has the most beautiful infinity pool. I obviously have no idea what heaven might look like, but swimming while surrounded by a vast pinewood forest sounds like the ideal to me!

The town of Tejeda offers its own unique opportunities that can’t be found elsewhere on Gran Canaria. Tejeda is deeply entrenched in its art and culture, and it would be wasteful to not visit some of its museums and galleries, such as the Bentayga Archaeological Park or the Abraham Cardenes Sculpture Museum while visiting. 

The Parador de Cruz de Tejeda is without a doubt a hidden gem in Gran Canaria. While it deeply contrasts the party culture buzzing about the Playa del Ingles, and the hotel is not strictly for gay men, it remains a wonderful, romantic getaway spot or for a gay honeymoon that we definitely recommend visiting at least once.

06

Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia

very gay friendly

Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia resides just south of Maspalomas, so if you want to visit the Yumbo Centre during your island excursion, you’ll need to be prepared for at least a 10 minute drive to town.  

However, what this hotel lacks in city life, it makes up for with natural luxury. Aside from being directly adjacent to stunning, beachy shores, the hotel itself is incredibly large, which means there will always be a quiet spot for you to retreat and enjoy a moment for yourself.

The hotel consists of 94 guest rooms situated within a two-story villa. Each room has its own private terrace or balcony, and from our experience, we loved staying on the second floor. To be able to come back to our room after spending the day frolicking in the salty seawater (or sometimes taking a dip in the giant saltwater pool) and watch the sunset falling over the waves… It was, in a word, magical! We often followed up our evenings with a trip to Seaside’s in-house restaurant, and if you get a chance, you have got to stop in for their bi-weekly barbecue buffet…Yuuuuum!

Overall, the atmosphere at Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia is warm and welcoming for everyone. Staying at this 5-star establishment is a truly romantic experience to indulge that you will undoubtedly talk about for years to come.

07

Vista Bonita

male-only

To any potential guest wondering about the benefits of staying at this hotel over any of the other amazing facilities on this list, keep in mind that fancy bells and whistles are sometimes just a sign of over-compensation… Have you ever met an incredibly attractive man, then taken him back to your place for some sweet loving only to be let down? Think of it like that! 

All of this goes to say that Vista Bonita is the place to be when you’re seeking to leave your dwellings to brave the Gran Canarian terrain. They will go out of their way to help you rent out cars and bikes to encourage you to explore all parts of the island. It’s also worth mentioning the array of activities you can partake in on behalf of the hotel. From windsurfing to diving, tubing to hiking, and bowling to golfing, Vista Bonita has plenty to keep rowdy boys entertained!

However, if all of that action has you beat, Vista Bonita is still a cozy place to spend your time. If you’re the type to enjoy snuggling up with a good book while out on vacay, then you will greatly appreciate the partly outdoor library. The hotel also has an expansive pool, and if you’re lucky enough to have a room located on the bottom floor, you will have a lovely little terrace that leads straight to the water’s edge.

At night, the staff tends to light up the pool with candles, so whether you stayed in for a chill afternoon or traversed the entirety of Gran Canaria, you will certainly find solace in this calm, glowy sanctuary.

08

Aqua Beach Bungalows

men only and clothing-optional

This gay-men-only resort charges no booking fees and guarantees that if you do not receive the best price for your stay, they will give you the first night for free. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is! Aqua Beach extends only their friendliest behavior to their guests and actually makes the place feel more like a community of lifelong friends rather than a congregation of strangers.

What helps bring home the sense of togetherness is the layout of their pool. Not only is it a striking picture to have such brilliant, white sunbeds gathered against the bright green turf that surrounds the dazzling pool and adjacent 12-man jacuzzi, but when you also throw in the shaded, canopied beds that compose the perimeter, the whole complex seems to just sing! By that I mean, I can really picture Sebastien and myself lazily lounging in the sun throughout the day, chatting carelessly with the men occupying the neighboring beds. And then by the time night falls, I can see the entire place transforming into a wild celebration – everyone coming together, dancing on the beds, enjoying some skinny dipping by the moonlight, and maybe even sneaking off to one of those canopied beds for a little bit of canoodling if you catch my drift… 

Though, if you’d rather leave the party out of the bungalows, Yumbo Centre is a quick hop next door, and you can always dance the night away at their bars and clubs. The opportunities are plentiful when you’re staying at the Aqua Beach Bungalows!

09

AxelBeach Maspalomas

hetero-friendly and adults-only

It’s obviously a small gesture in the grand scheme of things, but it’s really nice to see the script flipped for once! As someone who has stayed there, I can confirm that AxelBeach really does show up when it comes to welcoming and supporting any gay visitor who decides to stay with them. 

In terms of their amenities, AxelBeach has two standout locations that Seby and I really loved: the Sky Bar and the lounge garden. The Sky Bar is essentially just their pool and bar area, but it has definitely earned the special title since it proves itself to be a refreshing, bright slice of heaven that is constantly packed with exciting people and amazing snacks. We couldn’t keep ourselves away from their tapas! 

The lounge garden is just a quick walk over from the pool, and after a long day of fun in the sun, Sebastien and I really appreciated having a serene, shaded place to cuddle up and enjoy each other’s company. Especially in those Hawaiian hammocks they have. I hadn’t seen anything like that before, and I have been begging Seby to let me buy one for our home ever since! 

If you’re searching for a place that is hip, trendy, and just a 10 minute walk from the Yumbo Centre, then AxelBeach Maspalomas has got your name on it! 

10

Rainbow Golf Bungalows

men only and clothing-optional

You can tell the staff really takes pride in maintaining the bungalows and keeping things in tip-top shape. Not only are the grounds so clean that you could comfortably walk around with feet as bare as the rest of your body (yes, it’s clothing optional!), but also because they genuinely want to get to know their guests and make them feel as if they were at home. But do you know anyone who has a home decked out with divine, zen decor and a pool that stays heated year-round?! Me neither!

On top of that, Rainbow Golf also has an incredible infrared sauna, which they claim is the most healthy technology that can be used for a sauna. Personally, they already had me packing my bags at the word “sauna”, but knowing that they are truly giving their guests the best of the best has me pulling up their site to book a room! 

Their rooms, by the way, are very reasonably priced for being so spacious and well furnished. Rainbow Golf offers 21 total bungalows at varying levels of price and grandeur so that you can pick the room that suits exactly what you want. I’m personally eyeballing that exclusive suite with the large fridge, air conditioning, and two smart TV’s… 

With so many options and such attentive care to the guests, it’s easy to see what sets the Rainbow Golf Bungalows apart from the rest.

11

Tropical La Zona

all male hotel and clothing-optional

Well, how about a designated cruising spot that includes both a sling and a St. Andrew’s cross that can help set you over the edge? And let’s also throw in the fact that nudity is allowed throughout the entire complex, shall we? Oh, and did we also mention that Yumbo Centre and the beach are both just a few minutes walk away from the hotel?

Tropical La Zona is a fantastic place for the daring and the flirtatious, and they do not shy away from showcasing everything they have to give to the public! Hint, hint: Just visit their website if you’d like to get a cheeky peek of their goods and services…

For those less interested in a raunchy holiday but still searching for a carefree environment that specifically caters to gay men, worry not! Tropical La Zona is still the place to be. The owners, as well as the entirety of the staff, are all gay men, which means they understand how to create a fabulous and welcoming space for their guests. The premises are completely private and secure, so no matter how you’re hoping to spend your vacay, you will always feel comfortable and protected! 

12

Villas Blancas Gay Men's Resort

men only resort

However, if you’re not feeling a night around town, the villas have plenty of entertainment to go around. In fact, I’d argue that you’ll probably have a harder time leaving the property than anything else!

For starters, the rooms are absolutely magnificent! Villas Blancas has been in the game for over 20 years, but the villas themselves have all been newly refurbished. The decor oozes modernity and class, and you can rest easy knowing that the furnishings and fixtures are all in top condition.

The amount of effort they’ve put into keeping their building up to date with current trends is certainly impressive, but I think what is even more remarkable is their on-site bar and restaurant. While I know that plenty of other hotels have their own restaurants that serve the scrumptious food beloved by Canarians and tourists alike, none do it quite as well as Villas Blancas. Now, you all know we are major foodies, right? And that we love being in the water? Well, that is exactly what sets the Villas apart from any other resort. They have not one, but two sizable pools and one of them is located right outside of their restaurant, meaning you can take a nice, warm dip as soon as you’ve finished your meal! Don’t worry, nobody will judge you if you have a food baby after eating. It’s only natural…

I haven’t even gotten to the sun terraces, the 14-man jacuzzi, the sauna, or the tropical gardens yet, have I? I suppose I will just leave it at this: Villas Blancas is without a doubt a place that you’ve got to see to believe, and I am so ready to travel to this beautiful destination as soon as possible!