GLBT Resorts, Inns and B&Bs in St. Pete/Clearwater

St. Petersburg/Clearwater is a welcoming home to a large and diverse gay and lesbian community. Its sunny skies, beautiful beaches, antiques stores and art galleries also make it an enticing spot for GLBT travel.

You’ll find plenty of gay-owned and gay-friendly lodging in St. Petersburg and its surrounding cities and towns. From small, privately owned bed & breakfasts to sprawling resorts that offer nightly entertainment, you can choose the right place to stay while exploring all the area has to offer.

The Flamingo Resort

Whether you opt for peace and quiet or the party scene, The Flamingo has a room for you. The gay-owned Flamingo might be the new kid on the block – it opened in August 2009 after a million-dollar renovation – but this resort, restaurant and nightclub has quickly wowed GLBT locals and attracted guests from all over the country with its lush, tropical setting and nonstop entertainment. Nightlife changes each evening and includes karaoke, live piano music, a country and western dance party, male dancers and female impersonators. Save energy for Sunday’s popular tea dance, a hit with locals. Rates are very reasonable, and special rates are offered for Floridians and groups.

The Beach Drive Inn

If you’re looking for something a bit more stately, head to the historic Old Northeast section of St. Petersburg and check in at the Beach Drive Inn. Built in the early 1900s, with historic rooms decorated in high style, this gay-friendly inn evokes memories of a grand downtown. You might forget what era you’re in – although the large Jacuzzi tub in the Premium Suite is a reminder of modern comforts. The inn is located directly across from beautiful Vinoy Park, which sits on the waterfront of Tampa Bay, and is just streets away from downtown shopping, art galleries and cafés.

Dickens House Bed & Breakfast

In the same lovely Old Northeast St. Petersburg neighborhood, you’ll find the Dickens House Bed & Breakfast, appealing to aficionados of both history and design. Housed in a stunningly preserved 1910 Craftsman bungalow, this gay-friendly B&B features charming Arts and Crafts-era décor. Guests are pampered with Egyptian cotton towels and linens, down pillows, whirlpool tubs and a gourmet breakfast. Rooms are equipped with CD player, cable TV, WiFi and refrigerator. The ideal location makes it easy to enjoy the nearby waterfront parks and all downtown St. Petersburg has to offer.

Mansion House Bed & Breakfast

Another historic gem on St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast side is the Mansion House Bed & Breakfast, a gay-friendly B&B featuring an on-site spa. Actually comprised of two early 1900s Craftsman-style bungalows, the Mansion House boasts a courtyard garden and a heated swimming pool and is located just blocks from beautiful parks, the bayfront, The Pier, Sunken Gardens and all of downtown’s offerings. Rooms are elegantly furnished with antiques and feature cable TV and WiFi. Guests are treated to a full breakfast and complimentary evening wine.

Hotel Indigo

For those who prefer staying in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Hotel Indigo is a hip boutique hotel that’s part of a nationwide chain. Its location makes it ideal for shopping, dining and browsing the area’s many art galleries and museums including the world famous Salvador Dalí Museum. The city’s Grand Central District, with its many gay-owned shops, is just a five-minute drive or bike ride away. The stylishly decorated Indigo is 100 percent smoke-free and features a 24-hour gym, swimming pool, whirlpool, fully equipped business center and the in-house gourmet Phi Restaurant and Lounge. Rooms include cable/satellite television, CD player, mini-refrigerator and WiFi. Dogs are allowed (there is an additional charge).

Bay Palms Waterfront Resort

Want to wake up each morning to see the sunrise over a clear blue bay? And then walk a few steps to a world-famous beach? The gay-friendly Bay Palms Waterfront Resort is a small boutique resort located right on Boca Ciega Bay in St. Pete Beach. Just 200 feet from the sand itself, this recently renovated resort offers its own blend of rest and relaxation with a shuffleboard court, barbecue grills and a heated swimming pool for wintertime travelers. This award-winning value resort also boasts one of the largest privately owned fishing piers in St. Petersburg and plenty of places to dock your boat. Pets are allowed in some rooms.

Meranova Guest Inn

Gay-owned Meranova Guest Inn is a Key West-style luxury inn located near the quaint cafés, antiques shops and folk art galleries of downtown Dunedin. Nearby, you can take a romantic stroll on the sandy shores of Honeymoon and Caladesi islands or world-famous Clearwater Beach, all just a 10-minute drive away. Fitness buffs can walk, run, skate or bike on the Pinellas Trail, one block from the inn. A gourmet breakfast is offered in your stylishly decorated suite or you may dine outdoors by the swimming pool, under the gazebo or near the gorgeous orchid garden.