TRYST Puerto Vallarta Tristan Schukraft and Jennifer Coolidge attend the opening night party at The Tryst Puerto Vallarta on April 25, 2025 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. (All party and event photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Tryst Hotels)
Clockwise: Laverne Cox, Violet Chachki, Tristan Schukraft and Ts Madison, center: Tristan Schukraft, Taiga Brava, Lolita Banana, and Melvin Alexander
Clockwise: Sam Asghari, Cynthia Bailey, Leexa Fox, Isaac Boots
It was a sea of sequins, abs, and A-listers this past weekend in Puerto Vallarta, where TRYST—the world’s first luxury gay hotel brand—officially opened its doors with a star-studded, three-day celebration that had the entire Zona Romántica buzzing. With surprise appearances by Jennifer Coolidge, Demi Lovato, Antoni Porowski, Erika Jayne, and Shea Couleé (to name just a few), TRYST Puerto Vallarta made it clear: this isn’t just a hotel, it’s a movement.
From the moment guests hit the red carpet Thursday night, it was clear that TRYST was setting a new standard for queer travel. The Welcome Dinner & Show opened with powerhouse performances by Queen of the Universe champ Taiga Brava and singer-songwriter Vincent, leading seamlessly into a rooftop takeover by drag royalty Gottmik and Violet Chachki. With cocktails flowing and camera flashes going off like paparazzi strobes, the vibe was equal parts Riviera glamour and WeHo mischief.
Friday night brought even more surprises—Matt Rogers emceed the Opening Night Party with his signature charm and irreverence, only to be upstaged (in the best way) by an impromptu dance moment from none other than Demi Lovato, who lit up the rooftop when Cool for the Summer dropped. As if that wasn’t iconic enough, Jennifer Coolidge appeared surprisingly, turning the rooftop into a euphoric, slightly chaotic, gay fever dream. With fireworks over the Pacific and a killer DJ set from Leland and friends, the party continued until sunrise. Literally.
Top:Erika Jayne Center:Tristan Schukraft, Jennifer Coolidge and Demi Lovato Bottom: Erika Jayne at the Pool Party
Clockwise: The view from the pool terrace at TRYST, Tristan Schukraft and guests attend the Pool Party, Drink server at the Pool Party, Shea Couleé attends the Drag Brunch on Sunday.
Clockwise: DJ Leland, Guest and Alex Gallevos, A Merman for good measure, Dancer performing at the opening party, Miss Peaches and Shea Couleé.
By Saturday, the energy hadn’t dipped an inch. The morning kicked off with a raucous Drag Brunch hosted by TRYST’s resident queens—Pelayo, Mizz Peaches, Shamira, and Queerboy—plus a show-stopping appearance by RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. After mimosas and mayhem, guests headed straight into the hotel’s signature Rooftop Pool Party, hosted by Erika Jayne, whose glam factor matched the golden-hour skyline. Leland and friends returned to the decks, keeping the tempo as high as the hemlines.
The guest list read like a who’s-who of queer pop culture: Laverne Cox, Julia Fox, Ts Madison, Sonja Morgan, Plastique Tiara, Chrishell Stause, Chris Appleton, Colton Haynes, Zane Phillips, Froy Gutierrez, Kyle Krieger, Isaac Boots, B. Scott, and Johnny Sibilly were just some of the icons spotted poolside, cocktail in hand and looking like a thousand likes.
Behind it all is Tristan Schukraft—TRYST’s founder and self-proclaimed “CEO of Everything Gay”—who poured heart, soul, and no shortage of glitter into creating a hospitality experience tailored for gay travelers who love a little luxury with their liberation.
“I wanted to create the kind of hotel I was always searching for—where the cocktails are cold, the men are hot, and you can wear the tiniest swimsuit you own without a second glance,” said Schukraft. “Our grand opening weekend was everything a gay luxury hotel should be—drag queens diving into the pool, DJs lighting up the rooftop, and a sea of friends (and future friends) around every corner. The TRYST is unapologetically gay, effortlessly glamorous, and built for men who crave the finer things… with just the right amount of mischief.”
Interior with a view at TRYST. Photography: Oscar Hernandez
Nestled in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica, TRYST is more than just a hotel—it’s a destination. Designed by the award-winning team behind the Four Seasons Tamarindo, the 53-room property blends modern Mexican design with queer-centric hospitality. Expect open-air showers, private terraces with ocean views, rooftop parties that stretch into the night, and the now-legendary “Wettest Drag Brunch in the World” every Sunday. Whether you’re looking to relax in a cabana or rage until dawn, TRYST is where you check in to check out—in style.
As the weekend wrapped, guests departed with sun-kissed skin, ringing ears, and enough memories (and Instagram content) to last until next year. But one thing’s for sure: with TRYST Puerto Vallarta, the bar for gay travel just got a lot higher—and a lot hotter.
The luxurious decor in the guest rooms and suites are modern, crisp and warm.
Natural elements and contemporary Mexican crafts adorn the stunning guest suites.
Fine Sipping Tequila by Casa Dragones
