Enriching ourselves through travel is one of life’s great privileges. Even better when these moments are shared with the people we care about the most – our husbands and our children. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, travel is limited at this point, but that doesn’t mean we can’t plan our next exotic family destination.
There are so many places queer families can travel to, but what about resorts? What places are specifically geared towards gay, bi or trans dads with kids? Well, look no further. Here are some of the best resorts for an LGBT family-friendly vacation.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Disneyland Paris – Paris, France
Kauai Beach Resort – Kauai, Hawaii
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort – Mykonos, Greek Islands
Hotel Negresco – Nice, France
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta – Vallarta, México
Situated right on the beach, with rooms centered on the picturesque ocean view, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is a must-visit for families. Its owner, the Hyatt hotel chain, has shown continuous support for the LGBTQ communities and travelers. It’s a Gold Global Partner of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta stands out among the hotel chain’s offerings for many reasons. It sits in the pacific coast city of Puerto Vallarta, a well-known and loved travel destination for the gay community since the 1980s. It’s also been dubbed the ‘San Francisco of Mexico’ for its gay culture and progressive atmosphere. In mid-May every year, the city holds the Vallarta Pride festival.
The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta resort itself is a dream. Featuring countless beautiful suites, fine cuisine and the chance to watch dolphins and whales frolic in the warm waters, it’s a relatively hidden gem.
For day activities other than enjoying the pool or the beach, your kids will love the Vallarta Zoo (where you can actually feed baby tigers and monkeys) and the ChocoMuseum, which runs a chocolate workshop specifically for children. Alternatively, for families with older children who might want to learn a thing or two, take an ecotour. From encounters with sea turtles or green macaws to humpback whale watching, these are incredible opportunities for your curious kids to learn something about their planet.
The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta also runs the ‘KidZ Club’. So if you and your husband want a little time to yourselves by the pool, this is the perfect place to be.
Disneyland Paris – Paris, France
Only 30km outside of Paris’ city center, Disneyland Paris is the European Disney getaway you’ve always dreamed of. The absolute perfect place for families, with rides, shows and countless things to see and do.
Featuring the main park, replete with rides, restaurants, attractions and the Walt Disney Studios Park, you can explore some movie magic with behind-the-scenes access to Disney, Marvel and Pixar. It’s a resort that couldn’t be more exciting.
With over seven themed hotels to stay in on-site, from Hotel New York to the Sequoia Lodge, you’ll be spoiled with choices when it comes to planning a fantastic family vacation.
Plus, as you’re only a short car journey away from the center of Paris, you can always take a day away from the bright colors of the Disney park and explore the quaint streets of France’s capital. Take your kids up the Eiffel Tower and experience the best croissants in the world as you explore the city.
Only recently, Bob Chapek, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, announced: “We want to represent our audience,” by securing “an increased commitment” to diversity. What with Disney films featuring gay supporting characters and the first openly gay character in a Marvel film coming out soon, it’s a company with a progressive future.
This means their resorts are also open and progressive places. Now, pack your bags and get ready for a potential rousing chorus of ‘Let it Go’ from your children.
Kauai Beach Resort – Kauai, Hawaii
“An oceanfront escape that’s close to it all, yet worlds away,” reads the Kauai Beach Resort website and we couldn’t agree more. Kauai is the fourth-largest Hawaiian island and is one of the most beautiful. Known as the ‘Garden Isle’, it’s a true tropical paradise. Miles upon miles of golden coastline stretch out before you as green mountains make up the background of everywhere you look.
With beautiful rooms designed with inspiration from the natural environment, you and your family will find a true sense of calm and adventure here. With lagoon-style pools (one complete with a sandy bottom and a water slide – perfect for the kids), fire pits, beach bars, a gym and a full events calendar, you’ll understand the true meaning of ‘mahalo’ in no time.
The thing that makes Kauai Beach Resort stand out is its dedication to being an inclusive and safe space. “We celebrate individuality and welcome all guests,” they write. You can relax with a cocktail by the pool while your kids make use of the waterslide or take a coloring class.
They can even learn something by taking part in the Hui Makaʻainana o Makana Community Workdays, learning about farming and the environment on a taro patch on an 800-year old archeological site.
The Kauai Beach Resort may be the tropical paradise you’ve always been looking for. Sharing it with your family will only make it better.
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort – Mykonos, Greek Islands
Mykonos is an island steeped in history. With a size of only 85.5 square kilometers, it’s a small and very traditional Greek island, but has a decidedly open outlook. Known as ‘the island of the wind’, Mykonos is celebrated for its vibrant culture and popularity with LGBT travelers, with many establishments catering for the gay, bi and trans communities.
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort is no different, being a firm favorite with gay tourists and families. This resort will be one of the most luxurious you’ll have ever stayed at, with rooms inspired by Aegean ambiance and views of the Mediterranean sea.
While for many queer men, Mykonos might be more associated with circuit parties than a family friendly getaway, however, Mykonos itself has a labyrinth of things to do with the kids. Beaches such as Platys Gialos, Psarou and Agios Stefanos are perfect for a family day by the sea.
You could also explore Alefkandra, also known as ‘Little Venice’, an area known for stories of pirates and hidden treasures. Take a stroll past the Mykonos Windmills or through the Chora, the town center, where every street is pedestrian-friendly.
After all that, sample some of the best gyros, ksinotira and meze – authentic Greek cuisine – that you’ll ever experience. While the kids can wash that down with juice or soda, you can have a glass of the local ouzo, an anise-flavor aperitif. Then take a walk across the warm evening sand as the sun sets below the waves. We can’t think of a more beautiful place to vacation as a family.
Hotel Negresco – Nice, France
If you’re looking to experience true luxury in a gay-friendly European city, replete with all the charms of the French Riviera and the gentle sea breeze from the Mediterranean, then check into the Hotel Negresco.
The hotel itself has been open for over 100 years, carving a niche for itself and becoming a big part of the Nice environment. It’s had many famous guests stay in its luxurious rooms, from Salvador Dali to The Beatles and even Elton John.
“In The Negresco kingdom, children are treated like royalty…” they write on their website, owing to the Hotel Negresco’s dedication for going above and beyond for families. Every room comes with coloring books, a children’s menu and even pedal cars. Hotel Negresco also offers a babysitting service if you two hardworking dads would like a night away from the kids in romantic Nice.
The hotel also boasts eco-friendly credentials, perfect for those looking to limit the impact of their travel.
Nice itself is a very popular tourist destination, with many things to do as a family. You can spend a sunny day in Phoenix Parc, a central zoo-style ecological park on the Promenade des Anglais. Perfect for a picnic and nature lovers, as it contains over 150 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
There’s also Kids’ City, an indoor play area full of inflatable slides, courts and rides – the right choice for younger children who might be tired of city exploration. Nice also has a fantastic Natural History Museum and some of France’s best beaches.
For more information on how LGBT-friendly and accommodating the city is, the Nice Tourism Board has created an incredibly useful gay-friendly guide to Nice, which you can peruse to see what Nice has to offer for you and your family.
Nice also boasts the Marriott AC Hotel and the Hyatt Regency Hotel, run by two of the IGLTA’s Global Partners. So if you’re looking for a gay-friendly resort, you’re spoilt for choice in Nice.
To discover more gay-friendly resorts and LGBT family-friendly vacations, you can explore the IGLTA website to find information to help plan your family getaway. We’d recommend exploring their partner pages to see what hotel and travel companies around the world have dedicated themselves to inclusivity.
Have you been on an incredible family vacation, staying at the perfect resort? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us so we can provide more helpful information for other gay, bi and trans dads looking to take their families on the trip of a lifetime.