Berlin is arguably the gayest capital city in Europe—or at least the kinkiest and most alternative. Berlin is a hub for artists and independents, which is evident in the variety of places to explore throughout the city. From incredible street art and gritty neighborhoods with remnants of East Germany's GDR era to the hip and trendy areas like Kreuzberg or Schöneberg, Berlin truly has something to offer everyone. Whether you’re interested in art and history or dancing until the sun comes up at one of its countless nightlife spots, Berlin never disappoints.

Choosing where to stay in Berlin is an important decision when planning your trip, especially if you want to fully experience gay Berlin. The options are limitless, ranging from large hotel chains to small boutique hotels or apartment rentals. You can also find gay-owned hotels in Berlin or even a hotel chain like Axel Hotels, which is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community.

While staying at a gay hotel might not be everyone’s preference, some travelers enjoy the open and welcoming environment that Axel Hotel Berlin provides, where you can simply relax and be yourself. While there are many gay-friendly hotels in Berlin that aren’t necessarily gay-themed or designed for the LGBTQ+ community, they often can’t provide the same unique experience offered by Axel Hotel Berlin.

About Axel Hotels

Axel Hotels was founded in 2003 and is the only major gay hotel chain in the world. While most of their hotels are located in Europe, they have recently expanded to the U.S. and Italy, with plans to soon expand to Portugal, Cuba, and beyond.

The Axel Hotel vision is to provide a hotel experience tailored to the LGBTQ+ community. Their spaces are cosmopolitan, fostering a tolerant environment where diversity and respect are prioritized. The philosophy is to create a hotel chain for the entire LGBTQ+ community, welcoming everyone—whether two men, two women, a man and a woman, or any type of guest—without prejudice to their sexual orientation. Axel Hotels is designed with the LGBTQ+ audience in mind but is open to everyone. In fact, Axel Hotels doesn’t define itself strictly as a gay hotel, but rather as hetero-friendly.

Check out our listings below for all Axel Hotel locations in the U.S., Spain, Germany, and Italy.

What Can You Expect if You Stay at an Axel Hotel?

Axel Hotels are properties where any guest, whether gay or straight, is welcome to stay, with the concept of offering a space specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community. You could bring a straight friend—or even your grandma—to one of these properties and feel completely comfortable. The goal is simply to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ guests. Axel Hotels is gay-owned and operated, promoting respect and diversity. They uphold non-discrimination policies and provide sensitivity training for their staff to ensure all guests feel valued and included.

Axel Hotels currently has two properties in Berlin. If you’re visiting the city during Gay Pride or a popular gay event, rooms at Axel Hotel Berlin and TWO Hotel Berlin by Axel tend to get booked well in advance, so planning ahead is essential. Axel properties in Berlin are often fully booked during popular gay events like Berlin Gay Pride, Folsom Berlin, and SNAX. Axel Hotels are a great option if you’re traveling with your same-sex partner, as you won’t encounter any issues with public displays of affection.

Axel Hotel Berlin

Axel Hotel Berlin is located in Schöneberg, the heart of Berlin’s gay scene. Opened in 2009, the hotel features 87 rooms decorated in a distinctive black-and-gold style. The property also includes a rooftop Jacuzzi, a gym, and a bar and restaurant on the ground floor.

TWO Hotel Berlin by Axel

TWO Hotel Berlin by Axel opened in 2017 and is located on Bundesallee Street in the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, an area known for its leisure options, shopping, and excellent gastronomy. The hotel is just a few minutes from the famous shopping street Kurfürstendamm, located near the iconic gay district of Schöneberg. The property features 86 modern rooms equipped with the latest technology, as well as a small gym, restaurant, and bar.

Our Review

We’ve stayed at Axel Hotel Berlin and really enjoyed our experience. Every stay we’ve had at Axel Hotels has been pleasant, with friendly and helpful staff. It’s usually easy to socialize and meet other guests, which is a great perk when visiting a new city. The location is ideal—right in the heart of the gay neighborhood—and well-connected to other parts of the city.

Both properties offer excellent amenities, including a bar, restaurant, gym, and jacuzzi. However, in the original Axel Hotel Berlin, the rooms are painted black, which can make them feel a bit dark and make it difficult to see, particularly in the bathroom. If you’re visiting Berlin, we’d recommend staying at their second property, TWO Hotel Berlin, if it’s available, as it offers a more modern and brighter experience.

Ready to Book Your Stay at Axel Hotel Berlin?

Interested in staying with a gay host in an apartment rental instead of an Axel Hotel?

Next to Axel Hotels, misterb&b is definitely the other major player in the market. Founded in 2014, misterb&b is not a hotel or chain, but rather a booking site for rooms, apartments and homes. Similar to AirBnB, misterb&b is an online service that allows you to rent short- or long-term spaces from gay and gay-friendly hosts around the world. They have hosts in more than 135 countries with more than 200,000 total listings. They recently even started offering listings of gay and gay-friendly hotels on their site for a one-stop shop. You can even list your own room or apartment to earn cash from gay travelers in your city. Understanding a city’s gay scene is much more easily done with the help of a local and apartment sharing is one of the best ways to meet someone living in the city who knows the best insider advice.