It’s been a banner year for Tristan Schukraft. The CEO of Tryst Hospitality (and MISTR and “everything gay”) has expanded his Tryst Hotels portfolio. Soon there will be properties in Fire Island, Provincetown, Wilton Manors, and Rio de Janeiro — that’s in addition to his hotels in San Juan and Puerto Vallarta as well as The Abbey in West Hollywood. He’s also launching the inaugural Tryst Fitness in Puerto Vallarta.
With business (and vacations) happening around the globe, the jet-setting Schukraft is also a seasoned out traveler. Below, he shares some tips for those embarking on queer adventures in 2026.
The pool deck at Tryst Puerto VallartaTryst Hospitality
What is your checklist for a dream destination?
My dream destination has to be gay, have great nightlife, and be somewhere tropical. I want to party at night, eat well, and wake up near the ocean. If a place can deliver all three, I’m already booking it.
What is your favorite place to visit?
Rio is my favorite place to visit. The energy is sexy, the beaches are unbeatable, and the men are absolutely gorgeous. But I love Puerto Vallarta because it has everything I look for every day: friendly people, gay nightlife, great food, and a community that feels like home.
What’s your worst memory as an out traveler?
When I was in a throuple and hotels refused to let three men share one bed. They kept insisting we book multiple rooms. It was a good reminder of why LGBTQ–owned hotels are important.
Tryst Hospitality CEO Tristan SchukraftTryst Hospitality
The best?
The best was proposing to [my fiancé] Melvin at the South Pole in Antarctica. It might be the first engagement ever there. You can only take your gloves off for about 30 seconds before risking frostbite, so it was the quickest and coldest gay moment of my life, but absolutely unforgettable.
What is your top essential to pack?
My boyfriends. I travel everywhere with them because we always have a good time together.
Your favorite nonessential?
Sugar-free Red Bull. Not every hotel, bar, or nightclub carries it, and I don’t go anywhere without a few cans.
Sonja Morgan with Tristan Schukraft and fiancé Melvin Alexander (left) at High Tea Labor Day WeekendJulian Lazaro for Tryst Hospitality
You often travel with a group. What do you love most about seeing the world with other queer people?
Everything is more fun with friends. Traveling should feel fun, sexy, and a little ridiculous, and my boys always deliver that. Seeing the world together just makes every destination better.
Any advice for avoiding gay group drama?
Do not travel with six boyfriends and 20 suitcases, because the luggage drama alone will ruin the trip. I used to be able to travel weeks with a single carry-on, but my boyfriends can’t, so I gave up, and now I have a bag just for shoes. Keep it light, keep it fun, and never let a carry-on come between you and a good time. You can always shop when you get there.
What have you learned from traveling that you bring to your work in Tryst Hospitality?
Real luxury is the freedom to be yourself without ever looking over your shoulder. The best experiences come from staff who celebrate you exactly as you are. That is the energy I bring to every Tryst Hospitality property.
A rendering of the Tryst San Juan after renovationsTryst Hospitality
In your view, what qualities make a gay resort excellent?
A great gay resort is high-energy, sexy, and fun. If the vibe is right, the music is good, and everyone feels free to be themselves, you have the perfect destination. You should be able to be your best self, even on your worst behavior.
What travel are you looking forward to in 2026?
In 2026, I am most excited about Rio and Provincetown as we develop Tryst Hotels there. We are planning a huge Fourth of July weekend blowout in Provincetown and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve in Rio. I am also looking forward to celebrating The Abbey’s 35th anniversary in May and the 60th anniversary of the Tea Dance in Fire Island this summer.
Any final words of wisdom for out travelers?
Book the trip. Life only gets better when you go. Make the time to see the world.
Learn more about Tryst Hospitality’s roster of LGBTQ-owned properties at trysthotels.com.
This article is part of OUT’s Jan-Feb 2026 issue, which hits newsstands January 27. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue through Apple News+, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.
