Everyone should feel welcome when they check into a hotel, regardless of their identity, but there is no doubt that some properties do this better than others. Those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community know the importance of having a safe, welcoming space when they travel. LGBTQ+ travelers and their allies are eager to support the establishments for whom being inclusive means more than just flying a rainbow flag.
Hotels that are truly inclusive do things like explicitly stating their non-discrimination policies, training their staff in awareness and sensitivity to LGBTQ+ issues, having a diverse workforce, using inclusive language and imagery when marketing, offering gender-neutral facilities and amenities, hosting supportive events, and keeping communication channels open. While few hotels do all of these things, there are many that are making an effort to ensure that members of the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome inside their walls.
This article covers a dozen U.S. hotels that are recognized by both LGBTQ+ travel sources and experts from the mainstream media as being LGBTQ+ friendly. We put this list together based on reviews from LGBTQ+ travel sites, as well as the policies, facilities, and practices of the hotels in question. Many have earned stamps of approval from organizations like Gay Travel and World Rainbow Hotels (an organization that rates hotels that are LGBTQ+ friendly), and they vary from properties in worldwide chains to intimate boutique hotels.
W South Beach – Miami, Florida
Gay Cities lists W South Beach as one of the most “in” hotels for the gay and macho scene in Miami. “This is the hot hotel of the moment — the ‘scene’ practically oozes out of the doors,” reads the website’s description of the hotel. “NFL and NBA stars party here…with their girlfriends…shh, don’t tell their wives. But don’t fear the machismo factor — the gays are still welcomed with open arms.” W Hotels as a chain consistently gets high marks for being LGBTQ+ friendly, and this Miami location just completed a $30 million guestroom renovation that gives the beachfront, luxury property a serene feel.
It helps that this hotel is in South Beach, which is considered one of the most gay-friendly neighborhoods in Miami, filled with gay-owned businesses, nightclubs, restaurants, and saunas. W South Beach is noted for having a staff that is gay or gay-friendly and lots of amenities that appeal to the LGBTQ+ community, including a state-of-the-art gym, live entertainment, a 300-foot infinity rooftop pool, and cocktail lounges. Gay Travel Blog The Nomadic Boys said that one of the reasons W South Beach is featured in their Miami Gay Travel Guide is the on-site spa, with its plunge pools, water lounge, and floating library.
Hotel Clermont – Atlanta, Georgia
Built in 1924, this quirky hotel situated above a lounge that has hosted burlesque and strip clubs through the decades is what Gay Travel calls “fabulously gay-friendly.” The Hotel Clermont is an iconic motor hotel that frequently puts a welcoming message out on its marquee and has even found its way into the lyrics of rock songs. It gets stamps of approval from such sites as We Are Gay Friendly and Gay Travel Information. Located in the vibrant Poncey-Highland neighborhood, the hotel has a history of unusual and famous characters and historic events taking place there.
After it was shut down for years due to health code violations, the hotel was rescued, renovated, and, in 2021, put on the National Park Services’ National Register of Historic Places. It now has 94 rooms, each with individual touches and tiled bathrooms. They have several dining outlets, including a rooftop restaurant with astroturf and a taco truck. There’s also a French-American restaurant recommended by Michelin called Tiny Lou’s, named after a popular 1950s dancer in the hotel’s so-called Gypsy Room. For more informal meals, there’s the Café Clermont and the Lobby Bar.
21c Museum Hotel – Louisville, Kentucky
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Louisville, Kentucky is a great city to visit for an adventurous couples vacation, and LGBTQ+ couples will find themselves particularly welcome at the 21c Museum Hotel. The entire chain is known for its gay-friendly vibes, and the hotel in Louisville was its first. In 2023, they offered a Pride Package in which they donated $21 to Queer Art with each reservation, gave the proceeds of their Pride cocktail to local LGBTQ+ organizations, and offered a 21c Pride Collection for shoppers. They are listed by We Are Gay Friendly, Gay Travel Information and Gay Cities as an LGBTQ+ friendly place.
21c Museum Hotel Louisville boasts what some consider to be one of the most beautiful hotel lobbies in the world and it also has a contemporary art museum with more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space. Designed by Deborah Berke Partners, the hotel transformed some warehouses from the 1800s to create a property with both a historic and contemporary feel. Guestrooms were built with high ceilings and large windows and feature custom-designed furniture, classy bathrooms, and luxury bedding. There’s even a multicolored installation called “Asleep in the Cyclone” that is rented out as a guestroom. Amenities include an award-winning restaurant, a 24-hour fitness center, a sauna and steam room, a laundry service, and massage rooms. Some rooms are also pet friendly.
The Joule – Dallas, Texas
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Proving that a hotel can bounce back from a negative incident and become known as an LGBTQ+ friendly property, The Joule Dallas earns raves from Gay Travel, Gay Cities, and Travel Gay. Back in 2010, a bouncer turned away gay couples on a VIP list at the hotel’s nightclub to enforce a gender ratio. Afterward, management promised sensitivity training, and it seems to have worked — Travel Gay recommends the hotel because of its “excellent staff.” Visit Dallas points out that the city has the country’s sixth-largest gay population and in its LGBTQ+ weekend itinerary, it lists The Spa at the Joule as a must-stop for those seeking self-care and indulgent experiences. The Joule is also recommended by travel writer Andrew Collins in his 2024 Dallas LGBTQ Pride Guide.
The 20-story hotel greets guests with a realistic sculpture of an eye and incorporates 1920s gothic design throughout the property. Its art collection includes work by Andy Warhol, Ellsworth Kelly, and Roger Hiorns. From the 212-square-foot rooms to the lavish 2,500-square-foot penthouses, The Joule Dallas offers a range of luxurious options with rainfall showers, luxury beddings, and chic architecture and furnishings. Many rooms feature wood floors and Italian millwork and some include deep soaking tubs and private work areas. There’s plenty of options when it comes to food and drink: They have a modern Texas Brasserie and an Italian destination-restaurant, and there’s a rooftop pool bar as well as a subterranean cocktail bar.
The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop – Chicago, Illinois
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When media outlets and LGBTQ+ organizations talk about gay-friendly hotels in Chicago, The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop – formerly known as the Kimpton Hotel Allegro – usually comes up. The Gayly once described it as one of four LGBTQ-friendly Kimptons in the area (it joined the Royal Sonesta portfolio in 2020, with Kimpton scaling back to only two properties in Chicago). Over the years, numerous outlets have praised the hotel as an LGBTQ+ friendly place to stay in the Windy City, including CNN, Gay Cities, KXLY, Edge Media Network, and The Seattle Times.
While Andersonville and Boystown (home to Chicago’s Legacy Walk, an outdoor LGBTQ+ museum) are known as LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Chicago, The Allegro is in the Loop. But don’t let that put you off — as pointed out by The Gayly, the Loop is a vibrant place with an abundance of theaters, restaurants, and museums. The same outlet praised the Allegro for having yoga mats in every room, a complimentary daily cocktail, and chic decor. With a history dating back to 1894, this art-deco hotel maintains its old-world vibe even after numerous renovations to modernize its rooms. In addition to a fitness center, it offers free use of the hotel’s bicycles on a first-come, first-served basis. Some of the suites even have two-person spa tubs.
Hotel Kabuki – San Francisco, California
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San Francisco is a city that practically defines what it means to be gay-friendly (it’s often ranked as the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the world) and most accommodations welcome the LGBTQ+ community. Finding the best place to stay in such a welcoming community is a challenge, but the one that keeps popping up on gay travel sites is the Hotel Kabuki, in no small part because it’s so close to many gay venues and attractions. It has a four-star rating on World Rainbow Hotels, which states that Hotel Kabuki “offers a gay-friendly choice full of tranquility and [is] also conveniently close to the liveliness of Union Square.”
This boutique hotel fuses Asian and Western influences for what amounts to a contemporary Japanese feel. It has a zen garden, a koi pond, a lofted-beam lobby, and serenely designed, spacious guestrooms filled with natural light. The 4,000-square foot gym is open 24/7 and has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto a meditation garden. The staff will even hook guests up with solo or group sessions with personal trainers. Nari is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, which offers “a California-inspired Thai dining experience,” according to World of Hyatt.
The Dunes Resort – Saugatuck, Michigan
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Michigan’s The Dunes Resort is “one of the largest LGBTQIA+ resorts in the country,” according to its website. It’s spread out over 20 acres and is located in Saugatuck, a place that — along with nearby Douglas — has a thriving LGBTQ+ community. “For decades, our residents have welcomed LGBTQ visitors with open arms, making Saugatuck and Douglas the most gay-friendly small towns in Michigan,” the Saugatuck tourism website states. “We are proud of our reputation as a place where people from all walks of life can come and find themselves simply by being who they are.”
An adult-only property on Michigan’s Art Coast, The Dunes Resort’s calendar is filled with gay-themed events and cabarets at their multiple entertainment venues. With a motto of “Whatever you do, just be you,” the resort provides places to play, including a swimming pool, beach, and guestrooms designed for romantic getaways. It opened in 1981 under the name The Douglas Dunes as a resort that welcomed the gay community. In the late 1990s, three friends who were regular guests at The Dunes bought it with the goal of expanding it into the largest LGBTQ+ resort in the Midwest. The resort offers plenty of activities for those who want to stay onsite, but it’s also close to a state park that many guests visit to hike along Lake Michigan.
Hotel Gaythering – Miami Beach, Florida
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Forbes called Hotel Gaythering “Miami’s first LGBTQ hotel,” saying that it “isn’t just a gay-friendly property; it’s a friendly gay property.” It’s a description that the owners would agree with. They describe the property as Miami’s “gayest, queerest hotel” with a vibe that is “homey yet sexy, chic yet masculine.” With an emphasis on inclusiveness, all adults are welcome, allies included, but it caters to the LGBTQ+ crowd. Surrounded by a Miami Beach gayborhood, the amenities include an entertainment-filled gay bar that is always hopping with themed events while serving up craft beer and unique cocktails. Then there’s the sauna. This adult-only facility is open only to those who identify as male, in part because clothing is optional. It comes with an aromatherapy steam room, a hot tub, and a locker room.
The rooms here are a departure from those you might find at other hotels. Yes, there are a few traditional rooms with deep red, masculine decor and the usual amenities. But then there’s the “king fun” room, an adult playground filled with special equipment and a tripod set up for those who want to record their moments. Guests also get a tool box filled with goodies to help them have “a clean, safe fun time.” Then there are the “crate” rooms for men seeking a cheap, “anti-hostel” experience. These 64-square-foot rooms are divided by partition walls and come with a sleep sound machine because the rooms are not sound proofed. A single bathroom is shared between five units.
Flamingo Resort – Santa Rosa, California
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Those who want the best of city life combined with a remote retreat should consider the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa, California, the largest city in the Sonoma wine country and one of Northern California’s best budget friendly destinations. Built in 1957, the resort prominently features couples of all make-ups on its website and the 10-acre property hosts “a monthly dance party for the LGBTQIA+ community” called LUSH. It’s a member of World Rainbow Hotels and is also recommended by Visit Santa Rosa as an LGBTQ+ friendly hotel in what they report is the country’s second gayest metropolitan area.
The Flamingo Resort has 170 rooms (including 14 suites) with modern designs and lots of natural lighting, making for a tranquil and restful experience. With a large pool that was once frequented by celebrities such as Jayne Mansfield, guests can be seen or retreat to a private “birdhouse,” though these are only available in spring and summer. The Spa at Flamingo offers massages, facials, and waxing, while the fitness area includes a lap pool, three tennis courts, fitness trainers, and group exercise classes. There’s also wellness activities such as meditation and yoga. Dining options include the poolside eatery Pacific at Lazeaway Club and the retro-futuristic Vintage Space.
Bourbon Orleans Hotel – New Orleans, Louisiana
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A hotel that Gay Cities describes as “Southern charm meets French opulence,” the Bourbon Orleans Hotel is a great option if you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly hotel in New Orleans. This stunning property, which sits right in the middle of the French Quarter, stands out among New Orleans’ many LGBTQ+ friendly hotels in part because it belongs to a locally owned collection of boutique hotels which make a special effort to market to the LGBTQ+ market. The building has a rich history: The present-day structure dates back to 1817, when it served as a theater. The grand lobby preserves many elements of its past and calls to mind the French opera.
Today, the property offers a heated saltwater pool and a beautiful courtyard filled with flora. The guestrooms were renovated in 2021 to provide new furnishings and hardwood flooring. Large bathrooms include walk-in showers and granite countertops. There are three dining outlets to get your food fix, though the highlight is the Roux, which invites you to “embark on your New Orleans journey by savoring the authentic tastes of the South, all delivered with our signature gracious hospitality,” says the hotel’s website. The O Bar offers daily live jazz performances from 4PM to midnight.
Hotel Hugo – New York City, New York
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An independent property, Hotel Hugo proudly displays its “Gay Travel Approved” designation right next to the ones it has earned from Condé Nast and AAA. In 2022, it was nominated for a Gay Travel Award as a fan-favorite destination, the only place in New York to get a nod in this category. A luxury property with a bohemian vibe, it can be found in the west side of Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. Architect Marcello Pozzi is behind the property’s mid-century modern style: The hotel, which has an industrial vibe that combines contemporary looks with exposed materials, bills itself as a sophisticated urban retreat.
This striking New York hotel has 122 guestrooms filled with mahogany, soft leather, and custom hardwood floors. It offers three dining experiences, each with its own foodie appeal. There are two rooftop bars, Bar Hugo Rooftop and the outdoor Azul on the Rooftop. The former is a glass, chrome, and concrete-styled bar for upscale dining and drinking, while the Azul combines a taste of Havana with 360-degree views of Lower Manhattan. Then there is Felix Roasting Company’s outpost in the hotel that offers a coffee shop experience, weekend brunch, and a daily happy hour with an appetizer menu.
Hotel Genevieve – Louisville, Kentucky
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The newest hotel on this list, Hotel Genevieve opened its doors in spring of 2023 and immediately hosted events for the Kentuckiana Pride Festival. Listed as a gay-friendly hotel by Gay Travel and several other outlets, it’s a boutique property belonging to the Bunkhouse brand and the first one to feature a rooftop restaurant and bar. “The hotel’s rooftop lounge, Bar Genevieve, offers cocktails and light fare set against sweeping views of the city,” reports Gay Travel. “The menu is inspired by French street food and its many Mediterranean influences.”
There’s also a convenient mini-market on site. The Mini Marché sells local Kentucky groceries, sandwiches, banana bread, produce, and grab-and-go options. Hotel Genevieve has 122 guestrooms decorated in a variety of color palettes and custom furnishings. Many have balconies and patios to allow guests to step outside, and all of them have complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room Bluetooth speakers, Sferra linens, mini-bars, and Bunkhouse custom-designed robes. And, to top it all off, this is a dog-friendly hotel, so you can bring the pooch along.
Finding the best LGBTQ+ hotels
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Unlike a few decades ago, the United States is filled with LGBTQ+ hotels, with many cities boasting dozens of options. Finding them is often a matter of a simple online search, though how do you know which ones are the best of the bunch? We created this list based on how the hotels were rated by LGBTQ+ sites, taking the word of the very travelers for whom inclusiveness really matters. These websites aim to see beyond surface welcoming and distinguish the properties that offer what travelers from the LGBTQ+ community need. The hotels in this article received high ratings and recommendations from sites like Hotels for Gays, Gay Cities, World Rainbow Hotels, Travel Gay, We Are Gay Friendly, and Gay Travel Information, as well as the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.
