’Hotel Gaythering’ Welcomes LGBTs, Straights Alike

• PRINT
• EMAIL
• LARGE
• MEDIUM
• SMALL

It's not that Miami isn't ready for something like this, it's that the community sorely needs it.

This is what one commonly hears when discussing the gay community in Miami. Aside from a few long running bars like Twist, and a few gift shops scattered across South Beach, a typical talking point in conversations amongst young entrepreneurs is, "There is no gay community in Miami."

Well, Hotel Gaythering is hoping to change that in a unique and creative way. The new hotel is striving to nurture impactful experiences and relationships with the LGBT community and others.

Tucked away on the bay end of Lincoln Road, Miami's uber-popular shopping destination, Hotel Gaythering is just emerging on the South Beach scene.

Owners Stephan Ginez and Alexander Guerra have worked tirelessly preparing for an official opening at the boutique style hotel. Originally constructed in 1958 as an art deco apartment complex, Hotel Gaythering has 25 large rooms with interiors inspired by French designer Phillipe Starck.

With spectacular views of the Miami skyline, the curbed king bedrooms are a perfect place for a power nap on dreamy satin sheets before events of the evening. An amenity in rooms is a sonic mood generator, a touch by Ginez, which provides gentle sounds to help you sleep, relax or focus.

There are multitudes of channels to choose from on the flat screen TVs , but don't expect Fox News. The hotel's telephone greeting instructs the following: "If you watch Fox News, hang up and seek help now."

A similar message is displayed on the glass door leading to the lobby: "If You Are Racist, Sexist, Homophobic or an Asshole, Don't Come In!" Are we clear?

The 'gaythering' begins around the first floor bar, coffee shop and library where guests are sure to encounter friendly and cute staff while mingling with other patrons.

"We want to engage in the neighborhood," said Guerra, who added the hotel provides a virtual concierge service with staff recommendations for local dining and area attractions.

For culture vultures, the Miami Beach Convention Center, New World Symphony, Bass Museum of Art and Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theatre are all within easy walking distance of Hotel Gaythering.

Guerra, who began his design career at the age of 14 doing faux finishing, has focused on the color red - for rabbits, bears and masked portraits.

"Red is our color," said Guerra in his Cuban dialect. "We did not want to do anything that was Miami."

The hotel's library is a great place to take a shot of espresso and scan through big picture books, including cult classics such as "Tom of Finland" and the "Big Penis Book." It's co-ed in the spa area, where an aroma steam room, cedar sauna, hot tub and mud lounge await.

Hotel Gaythering is now accepting online reservations so visit their website, Gaythering.com and check it out.