The Big Coconut Guesthouse - Gay Men's Resort

A gay men's guesthouse for adults, The Big Coconut puts you in the middle of Fort Lauderdale's gay district rather than in a generic resort strip. The atmosphere is social and informal, with a daily bar, an outdoor pool and a beach within walking distance. Guests must be at least 21, so this is a grown-up address with no children's club, family timetable or miniature water park competing for attention.

English is the language spoken by the hotel team, and the hotel's website is also available in English. That makes the practical side straightforward from arrival onwards, whether you are arranging a late flight, asking about the local area or sorting out a day by the water.

The property has 12 rooms, free WiFi throughout and free private parking on site. There is also concierge service, a tour desk and private check-in and check-out. In other words, you get a small guesthouse with useful help at hand, rather than a large hotel where finding the right desk becomes its own excursion.

You are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 2500 NE 15th Avenue, in the heart of the city's gay district. The Atlantic is close enough to reach on foot: Fort Lauderdale Beach is about 1.8 miles away by walking route, or roughly a five-minute journey by car. The beach is reached on foot in about five minutes according to the guesthouse, and has golden sand, sun loungers and parasols.

The immediate neighbourhood gives you practical options when you do not want to organise a full evening. Leboy is about half a mile away on foot, while PJ Pocket Corner is around half a mile away by road. A Dunkin' and several casual food options are also nearby. Las Olas Boulevard is about 1.5 miles away, and the Stonewall National Museum & Archive is only a few minutes' walk from the property.

For a change of scene, Holiday Park is about half a mile away on foot, while the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan House are around 1.5 miles away. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is approximately 8 miles away by road, with the drive taking about ten minutes in the stated route information.

The room choice is less about collecting categories and more about deciding how much space and self-sufficiency you want. A King Room suits a couple who mainly need a comfortable bed, private bathroom and reliable air conditioning after a day in the water. The beds are described as especially comfortable, which is the sort of detail that matters more than a decorative cushion once your shoulders have had enough of carrying tanks.

Travelling with a companion and wanting separate sleeping space? The Queen Room with Two Queen Beds is the practical option. For a longer stay, or simply for mornings when coffee and leftovers sound better than a restaurant, the King Studio with Kitchen adds a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee machine and kitchenware. That gives you somewhere to keep cold drinks and put together something simple without turning the evening into a formal production.

If you want the room itself to be part of the stay, the King Suite with Pool View offers substantially more room and includes a bath. Across the accommodation, you have a private bathroom, towels, toiletries, a hairdryer, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, air conditioning and free WiFi. Daily housekeeping is included, and the outdoor furniture and terrace give you places to sit when four walls have become enough for one day.

Breakfast is continental, giving you a simple start before heading out for the day. It is not presented as a full restaurant operation, so think coffee, bread and the usual continental rhythm rather than a long brunch service that takes over the morning.

For drinks and something small to eat, there is one bar: the Coconut Bar. It opens daily and serves a variety of drinks and snacks, with happy hour also available. That is useful after a dive when you want to sit down, order a drink and take the edge off your appetite without immediately committing to a full dinner.

When you do want a proper meal, the surrounding area gives you several easy options. Firehouse Subs is about 0.7 miles away by road, and the nearby bars and restaurants around Sunrise Boulevard keep the decision-making fairly painless. The guesthouse also has barbecue facilities, so an evening outdoors can be more informal still.

The outdoor pool is the centrepiece for non-diving hours. It is open from 9am to 9pm and reserved for guests aged 21 and over, with pool and beach towels available. Add the sun terrace, garden and outdoor furniture, and you have the ingredients for the classic post-dive plan: swim a little, find a chair and avoid making ambitious decisions until tomorrow.

The guesthouse can also arrange bicycle hire, and boat excursions and snorkelling are part of the activities offered in the wider stay. Bicycle hire is useful for covering more ground than your feet will manage in the Florida heat, while the nearby beach gives you an easy change of scenery without turning the day into another logistical exercise.

For a land-based day, cultural excursions are available, and the neighbourhood puts the Stonewall National Museum & Archive within easy reach. You can also make your own way to the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens or the Museum of Discovery and Science. The choice is refreshingly simple: pool, beach, bikes, culture or absolutely nothing.

Free private parking is available on site, and free WiFi covers the property. Airport shuttle service is available to arrange with the guesthouse, and car hire is also offered. That gives you several ways to deal with the journey from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is around 8 miles away by road.

Check-in is handled between 3pm and 6pm, with check-out by 11am. You need to tell the property your expected arrival time, particularly if your flight or onward plans put you close to the end of that window. Photo identification and a credit card are required at check-in, and arrivals after 6pm need to contact the property for instructions.

The property is for adults aged 21 and over. Children, pets, cots and extra beds are not accommodated, and the upper floors are accessible by stairs only. Cash is not accepted. These are small details, but they are the ones worth knowing before a flight, rather than discovering them at the desk while still carrying your luggage.