The Cabanas Guesthouse is a male-only, gay resort located on the waterway in Wilton Manners, Florida. The property is "clothing optional" and has 18 rooms available year-round. A heated pool and large area for gatherings outside help guests be able to interact with each other as little or much as desired. With suites ranging from 1 to 2 rooms with king or queen beds, there are multiple options available for guests to choose from. The guesthouse is nearby the nightlife of Fort Lauderdale as well, with many restaurants and bars available. John, one of the owners of the establishment, explains that all of the landscaping done on-site is "in-house," meaning that it is handled directly by the staff.
The Cabanas Guesthouse currently has 18 rooms, with different layout types and styles. On the property are eight different suite types, including one or two-bedroom suites with or without waterfront views. The units at the property also range between having queen or king bed options. The King Premium Suites have their own patio spaces as well as direct views of the waterway that lead straight to the ocean, making the suite the most popular among guests. There is also a "Mobility Access Room" which caters to guests with limited mobility, allowing them to stay at Cabanas.
The outside of the property features large common areas by the pool for socializing. Seated on almost an acre and a half of land, all of the landscaping is done "in-house," meaning that it is handled exclusively by the staff. This landscaping undergoes many changes with the intent to help guests more fully enjoy the diverse plants and views of the property. The property is in a secluded area as well. Located just a mile from the beach, the property sits on the north end of the South Fork Middle River that leads directly to the ocean, and with a dock on-site, guests can take boats straight out to the ocean.
At the pool, there are tables and chairs covered by umbrellas where guests can socialize and get to know other patrons of the property. Surrounding the guesthouse are palm trees and other tall plants. These plants help to give the property a private feel, where guests can relax and have fun. The dock on-site provides a place where those who stay at the guesthouse can relax and watch the water. Additionally, patios attached to some rooms give guests the opportunity to enjoy the views from their suite. Various flowers can be found at the Cabanas Guesthouse, offering various colors and landscapes guests can enjoy.
Some of the features of the Cabanas Guesthouse include a heated pool, jacuzzi, steam room, and a bar. The most popular drink at the bar is vodka lemonade. High-speed fiberoptic internet access is available for all guests' usage. There is a continental breakfast of juice, Danish pastries, yogurt, and similar items served every morning as well. A full men's spa is also located on the property. The spa includes many different types of massages, body trimming, facial, and exfoliations. The spa is not open for manicures, pedicures, or haircuts of any kind.
Small groups are allowed to stay at the resort and rent out multiple rooms. The property has been home to a wedding before as well, and the owners are open and excited to help with any plans that could be put in place for future events. There is no set rate for the events, but the owners are more than happy to help accommodate groups and various events that could take place in the future.
September is the transitional month during the year between seasons, but the property is open year-round. Booking in advance is encouraged because the resort is often busy, but that same high density of visitors helps guests to be able to meet new people in a relatively non-judgemental environment.
The Cabanas Guesthouse is a male-only, gay retreat. With clothing-optional policies and a relatively secluded property, the resort is intended to be a stress-free area where guests can relax and have fun. The owner's goal is to help guests have an enjoyable stay and make memories with their partners and other guests. With continental breakfast and a bar, the owner's vision is to create a place that guests won't have to leave once they arrive.
While there are not many events hosted on the property, the property is located in Wilton Manners, in Fort Lauderdale, and is close by to all the major attractions of the city and the nightlife of Wilton Manners. The city is located on an island inside the city of Fort Lauderdale and is surrounded on all sides by rivers that lead out to the ocean. Wilton Manners is home to the third-largest gay population in the country, and guests at the Cabanas Guesthouse are within a short distance of various attractions in the city.
Nearby, some local restaurants and bars have been influential in the community for years. The most popular bar nearby is called Alibi, as well as other bars and nightclubs like Hunter's Night Club. Some of the local restaurants the owners recommend to guests are Rosie's Bar and Grill, Tropic's Bar and Grille, and Tee Jay Thai.
As well as restaurants, there are many beaches nearby the guesthouse as well. Closest to the property is Sebastian's Beach, a gay beach that is clothing required. There is also a water taxi that can show guests around the river system and let people off at any port. Additionally, a little further from Cabanas Guesthouse are South Beach and Miami, which are home to many stores and museums. Recently, Hard Rock Casino was brought to the area and provides more opportunities for guests.
Those who have stayed at the guesthouse have noted the hospitality of the staff, the ambiance, and the amenities available. One guest said that the pools, landscaping, and staff were "exceptional." Others have noted especially the customer service at the spa. One guest said "Spa services were great."
One patron of the property noted the professionalism of the staff and said: "The staff at the cabanas is always very accommodating and professional. Rooms are kept up well and the entire staff makes you feel very welcome." The owners' and staff's goal at the Cabanas Guesthouse is to make guests feel comfortable and welcome throughout their stay.
The Cabanas Guesthouse opened its doors 22 years ago. Owners Bill Barnish and John Dorry bought the property and converted it into what it is today. When they began, the property was used for weekly transitional rentals. Bill and John decided to remodel and redisign the property and turn it into the Cabanas Guesthouse and spa. For the past 22 years, the guesthouse owners have loved running the property and interacting with the men who stay there. Opening in 1999, the owners strive to make the Cabanas Guesthouse and Spa a property where men feel welcomed by staff and guests, and where they can relax and unwind.
For the past eight years, the guesthouse has won the award for the best guesthouse and spa in the local paper. It also received a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor in 2015.
2209 Northeast 26th Street
Wilton Manors, Florida 33306
United States
Gay-Only Resort
John Dorry, Bill Barnish
