Safe, Social, Shirtless: The Rise of Men-Only Hostels

I walked into Spartacus Boutique Hostel for Men with some trepidation. It’s the “H” word: hostel. I always associate the word “hostel” with youth, and I feared that at age 42, I’d be the creepy old man staying in a six-bed dorm.

My excitement diluted some of the trepidation, though, as my hostel was within viewing distance of the glistening sea in Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta. It was on a street packed with bars, restaurants, and a large theater known for lively shows. A Madonna tribute act was recreating moments from the iconic Blond Ambition tour during my stay.

It turned out I needn’t have worried about my age. These types of men-only hostels reinvent the idea of a hostel, pivoting away from youth and giving travelers on a budget somewhere to stay. It’s affordable, but also, because it’s “boutique,” slightly more upmarket than the usual youth hostel.

To my relief, as I walked in, I saw that I wasn’t the oldest guest – and also saw that this was a social, welcoming place where I could truly be myself.

What are men’s hostels?

Men-only hostels aren’t like men-only gentlemen’s clubs, which bar women and are controversial.

These types of hostels are aimed at gay men like myself who want to stay somewhere they can truly relax. In gay hostels like the one where I stayed, you won’t see any families or children.

However, other similar venues are more LGBTQIA-focused, and tend to be less niche, welcoming every letter of the rainbow community, in addition to allies and families. Hostels will usually tell you up front on the websites which types of guests they welcome. You can also usually get a sense of the vibe from photos, whether they’re more adult-oriented or have photos of rainbow families with their kids.

The aim of the male-only hostel is to provide a unique space where any gay male traveler on a budget can feel safe, liberated, and free of the persistent anxiety that our very existence might upset the sensibilities of either families staying with children, or conservative heterosexual guests, at traditional hotels. They’re a place where same-sex affection is the norm and doesn’t have to happen discreetly, as it does in some other holiday venues.

The hostel I stayed in was clothing optional on one floor, which is a common feature in other men’s hostels worldwide. The other floors included a beautiful roof terrace (where I did some co-working) and a large basement bar to encourage social interactions with other LGBTQIA+ vacationers (and where I made two new friends). It was noticeably cleaner than many of the youth hostels I visited in my twenties.

The history of gay hostels

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In recent years, more men-only hostels aimed at LGBTQIA+ travelers have started to appear, especially in places like Puerto Vallarta, known for its established gay villages and neighborhoods, as well as in big cities with large LGBTQIA+ communities.

This is mostly because of social and legal changes. In recent years, more countries have begun repealing homophobic laws and introducing laws that help achieve gay equality. That’s led to more people feeling comfortable being out, creating more out LGBTQIA+ travelers than ever before. And a niche travel market has formed around that.

It led to the rise of the “gay village” vacation destination in places like Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Sitges, Spain; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These places usually incorporate a few rows of gay-friendly streets with gay bars, clubs, shops, theaters, and accommodations serving the gay community.

However, the rise in acceptance also means that more gay people are able to relax and feel comfortable in non-specifically gay accommodations. It’s led some such places, such as the former My Gayhostel in Berlin, to permanently close due to gay travelers moving to more mixed venues.

What is staying in one like?

“This is an exclusive space for gay and open-minded men,” Julio Hernandez, the manager of Spartacus Hostel for Men says. “We provide a modern meeting point for gay men of all nationalities, offering a safe place fully designed for the LGBTQ+ community – and most importantly, at a fair price.”

This, for some travelers, has had a profound effect. Robin Moor, 28, stayed at Spartacus earlier this year. For him, it was a game-changer.

“I was staying at numerous hostels before but I felt a lack of gay representation in them,” he says. “It led to me often lying about my sexuality. This experience really connected my love for backpacking with my love for men.”

Some men-only hostels have clothing optional areas so men can feel completely liberated during their stay in a way that’s unique from other venues. That doesn’t mean everyone’s walking around nude while you’re trying to eat your cornflakes; it simply means there are areas where that’s possible, if that’s your thing.

Kirk Muddle stayed in the now-closed Hotel Lush Royale at Fort Lauderdale, which catered to gay men. “It felt very relaxing to be around so many other gay men,” he says. “No assumptions were made, and it was more welcoming for us as a gay couple. The stay itself was average, but the kindred spirits made it feel good.”

At Spartacus, I enjoyed not having to worry whose hand I was holding, what outfit I was wearing, or how loudly we discussed last night’s antics. All the microaggressions of daily life as a gay person were swept away. That was a hugely empowering feeling.

While I wish venues like this were available in my more uncertain twenties, when I faced homophobic attitudes from macho men at youth hostels in men-only rooms, I now celebrate the fact that the travel world has arrived here. I’m glad to know places like this are filling a gap and providing LGBTQIA- specific travelers an affordable place to stay, regardless of age.

Other types of LGBTQIA+ lodging

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More and more niche hotel chains catering specifically to them are emerging as LGBTQIA+ people grow more confident to fully be themselves on vacation. One growing chain is Axel Hotels, which brands itself as the world’s first hotel chain for the LGBTQIA+ community. It has properties in Barcelona, Madrid, Mykonos, and Bilbao, with plans to open more in Valencia, Spain; and Porto, Portugal.

In fall of 2024, Tryst Hotels entered the market, with hotels in the world’s most popular LGBTQIA+ destinations and branding itself as a no-judgment hotel. (Specifically: A “one-of-a-kind stay where you can experience your best self, even on your worst behavior.”) It’s currently in Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Rico, with one planned for New York’s Fire Island.

Axel and Tryst offer adult-only hotels specifically aimed at more affluent LGBTQIA+ travelers, and both allies and LGBTQIA+ identifying travelers are welcome. Axel describes itself as “hetero-friendly.” But in reality, both hotel chains are dominated by gay male vacationers.

I stayed in The Tryst in Puerto Vallarta earlier this year, and the rooftop pool and terrace’s daily sunset happy hour was clearly a not-to-miss social event. Sometimes, I didn’t even leave to go into the gay village, as I made so many new gay friends in the pool. Everyone talks to each other and is social and chatty, much more so than in non-gay hotels. On Sundays, it had a drag brunch with a number of talented dancers who almost always joined for the riotous pool party afterward.

Tryst was steps away from Spartacus Hostel for Men, creating options for all budgets in the same area. It allowed everyone to be in the center of the action in the famously gay-friendly town, regardless of how much they planned to spend on their trips.

How to find all-men hostels

Many LGBTQIA+ and men-only hostels are in gay villages within popular LGBTQIA+ destinations, such as Mykonos, Puerto Vallarta, and Fort Lauderdale, as well as in cities with big gay communities. They’re not always as permanent as traditional hotels, so be careful if you plan to just show up, as apps like ChatGPT can send you to places that have permanently closed.

Popular, well-established options include:

• Tryst Hotels
• Men’s Resort & Spa (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
• Spartacus Hostel for Men
• Axel Hotels
• Turtle Cove Adults Only LGBTQIA+ Resort (Cairns, Australia)