Elysium Gay Men’s Resort Fort Lauderdale
My husband and I recently spent 5 nights here. He had been several times before; it was my first visit. We got a good rate on a very spacious studio–bigger than some apartments I’ve lived in, no joke! The resort has plenty of places to hang out–2 pools, hot tub, and rooftop sun deck. The whole place is very clean and well-landscaped. The location is perfect (2-minute walk to the beach, 10-minute drive to clubs and restaurants in Wilton Manors), and the staff were really nice and helpful. The Saturday evening cocktail hour was a real highlight. The owners were on the property several times and, from chatting with them, I could tell that they are committed to providing a high-quality experience to their guests. Our room had everything we needed and then some, and the free Wi-Fi worked fine the whole time. Most of the guests were repeat customers–many said they visit at least once a year, in some cases several times each year.
It’s hard to understand the 1- and 2-star reviews. I’ve stayed at many gay-owned guesthouses and B&Bs, and this one compares very favorably. It’s true that the furnishings are rather basic, but really nothing different from what you’d find at most beach rentals. If you’re truly looking for sleek and luxurious surroundings (and are willing to pay for them, as opposed to the very reasonable rates here), then you probably should look elsewhere.
The only negative thing for me was the fact that smoking is allowed in all outdoor areas. Since most people don’t smoke, I think the management should consider designating some areas as smoke-free.
Overall, this was a great place to stay, and we look forward to returning as soon as we can!
