Finding the perfect place to stay can make or break your trip, setting the tone for your entire adventure. The options are limitless, and your choice ranges from large resorts and hotel chains to small boutique hotels or apartment rentals. You can also find gay-owned hotels in some destinations or even hotels designed for the LGBTQ+ community, such as gay-themed hotels or gay resorts. While the concept of a gay hotel varies depending on the destination and property owner, the one thing they all have in common is a vision of creating a safe space where LGBTQ+ people can be themselves in the company of other LGBTQ+ guests.

On just about any trip you take, you’ll likely spend more time at your hotel than at any other tour, activity, or experience. Plus, the fact that you sleep at the property makes the time spent even more intimate than other elements of your trip. While staying at a gay hotel might not be the preference for everyone, some travelers enjoy the open environment where they can relax and be themselves. It’s true there are many gay-friendly hotels that are not necessarily gay-themed or designed for the LGBTQ+ community, but those properties simply can’t provide the same unique experience offered by a gay hotel.

Why Book a Gay Hotel?

• Easy to meet new people – Many hotels and resorts offer social activities where you can meet other travelers. This is common in many resorts in places like Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Maspalomas, Provincetown and Puerto Vallarta.
• Location – Nearly all gay hotels and resorts are well-located within or near the city’s gay neighborhood, if it has one. And even if the city doesn’t have a ‘gayborhood,’ the properties are typically in prime locations where you can easily visit the destination’s most popular attractions and gay nightlife.
• Parties and events – Some gay hotels host events, parties, or social gatherings at their properties. These activities might be offered exclusively to guests or, in some cases, to the local LGBTQ+ community in the destination.
• Be yourself – Probably one of the most attractive aspects of a gay hotel is the comfort zone. The entire hotel is full of LGBTQ+ guests, and all staff are extensively trained to provide you with a welcoming and gay-friendly experience. It’s a very open environment where you can relax and truly be yourself.

The History of the Gay Hotel Industry

The concept of LGBTQ+-specific travel started in the 1970s and was pioneered by Hans Ebensten,, who began taking gay men on tours rafting through the Grand Canyon and to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. As LGBTQ+ people became more visible and acceptance shifted, several companies began creating trips specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. The concept of a gay hotel or men’s gay resort was also created around the same time in Key West, Florida. Small gay resort towns became popular in the 1980s and 1990s in places like Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and Provincetown. During those times, the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people wasn’t what it is today, so many gay travelers needed a safe space to travel with their same-sex partner without fear of judgment or harassment.

In many places like North America and Western Europe, the concept of a gay hotel might not serve the same need it once did, as LGBTQ+ acceptance is now more widespread. However, even with the abundance of gay-friendly mainstream properties, many people still seek out those safe spaces and enjoy the experience of a gay-only environment. Even today, gay hotels and gay resorts remain popular in cities like Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Miami, Provincetown, Barcelona, Madrid, Maspalomas, Ibiza, Berlin, Lisbon and Bangkok.

In many places like North America or Western Europe, the concept of a gay hotel might not serve the same need as it did before since LGBTQ+ acceptance is now more widespread. However, even with the abundance of gay-friendly, mainstream properties, many people still seek out those safe spaces and enjoy the experience of a gay-only environment. Even today, gay hotels and gay resorts are still popular in cities like

Types of Gay Hotels

Gay hotels generally fall into one of the following categories:

• Clothing-optional resorts – Many gay resort towns like Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, and Maspalomas are known for having clothing-optional resorts. Travelers who enjoy relaxing in the buff by the pool or in a jacuzzi can take it all off in the company of other gay men. In most of these places, the atmosphere during the day is not sexually charged but instead more of an open and natural environment. Some properties have sauna facilities or other spaces that might get a bit kinkier as day turns to night. Good examples of popular clothing-optional gay resorts include Island House (Key West), InnDulge (Palm Springs), and The Grand (Fort Lauderdale).
• Gay-themed hotels – The concept of the clothing-optional or gay resort became popular in the 1980s and 1990s, but hotels opened after this period don’t usually follow this trend. Instead, a gay-themed hotel is one where any guest—gay or straight—is welcome to stay, but with the concept of offering a space designed for the LGBTQ+ community. Axel Hotels is a good example of a gay-themed hotel. You could bring a straight friend or even your grandma to one of these properties and you wouldn’t feel awkward. The concept is simply to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ guests.
• Gay-owned hotels – Gay-themed and clothing-optional gay hotels are almost always gay-owned, but occasionally, you will find a mainstream property that happens to be LGBTQ+-owned. These properties tend to feel like any other hotel you might stay at, but LGBTQ+ owners typically instill values of diversity and respect in their employees. These hotels don’t have a gay theme, and most of the guests are likely straight. Staying at one of these properties might interest travelers who aren’t drawn to the concept of a gay hotel. Examples include Cova Hotel (San Francisco), The Brown Hotel (Tel Aviv) or Oscar Hotel (Madrid).
• Gay-friendly hotels – A gay-friendly hotel is not necessarily LGBTQ+-owned or a gay hotel concept but still makes an effort to be welcoming to LGBTQ+ guests by respecting diversity, having non-discrimination policies, and/or offering sensitivity training for staff. This could include a gay friendly/family resort in Mexico or an adults-only hotel in the Caribbean. Most hotels in progressive urban centers are gay-friendly, and properties in gay-popular destinations are generally very welcoming.
• Gay apartment rentals – While not hotels in the traditional sense, booking websites like misterbnb allow you to book a room or entire space from a gay host. Having a host from the LGBTQ+ community ensures you are treated with respect and offers unique insights into the local gay scene in the destination you’re visiting.

Is a Gay Hotel Right for You?

Here are a few things to consider if staying at a gay hotel interests you:

• The hotel will cater exclusively to LGBTQ+ guests.
• Gay hotels are available at a variety of budgets.
• A gay hotel may not be available in the city you’re visiting.
• You won’t earn points from loyalty programs like Marriott or Hilton.
• During gay pride, popular gay events, or before/after a gay cruise, most gay hotels get booked well in advance, so planning ahead is essential.
• Gay hotels are excellent options if you’re traveling with your same-sex partner and don’t want to worry about public displays of affection.

Popular Gay Hotel Brands

There are two companies that dominate the market when it comes to gay hotels and accommodations. Besides these two brands, most other gay hotels are standalone properties and are not as widespread.

Axel Hotels

Axel Hotels was founded in 2003 and is currently the only major gay hotel chain in the world. Their properties are mostly located in Europe, but they have recently expanded to the US and Italy, with plans to soon expand to Portugal, Cuba, and beyond. They currently have hotels in Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Maspalomas, Ibiza, San Sebastian, Miami and Habana.

The vision of Axel Hotels is to offer a hotel aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. The spaces are cosmopolitan, with a tolerant environment where diversity and respect are valued. The philosophy is a hotel chain for the entire LGBTQ+ community, where two men, two women, a man and a woman, or any type of customer are equally welcome, without prejudice regarding their sexual orientation. Axel Hotels is designed for the LGBTQ+ audience but is open to everyone. In fact, Axel Hotels doesn’t define itself exactly as a gay hotel but rather as hetero-friendly.

Learn More About Axel Hotels

misterb&b

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 over 200,000 total listings. They recently started offering listings of gay and gay-friendly hotels on their site for a one-stop shop. You can even list 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.

Special Offer! Sign up with misterb&b  and you will receive a free $10 credit to use on your first booking!

Join misterb&b   Book a Room on misterbnb

How to Choose the Best Gay Hotel

Determining which gay hotel to book is completely subjective. People have different preferences, budgets, and destinations in mind when planning a trip. There are many hotels listed on our website that are highly recommended and have good reviews, but it’s important to ensure you pick the right hotel for your travel style and preferences. Below are a few tips to consider when booking your gay hotel.

• Destination – Most people first decide what city they want to visit and then look for a hotel. However, it might be worth planning a trip around a specific destination you hadn’t considered if you know there is a gay hotel located there. This could be especially appealing if a special event is being offered at the hotel. If you can’t find a gay hotel in the city you’re visiting, consider booking an apartment with  misterb&b.
• Budget –The price of the hotel is an obvious factor, and you’ll need to consider the additional cost of flights or transport when planning your budget. Most gay hotels are mid-range properties between 2-star and 4-star. However, there are also a few gay hotels and hostels that offer shared rooms and facilities at lower prices.
• Size – It’s important to decide if you prefer a large or small property. A large hotel might offer great events and entertainment, but some people may want to avoid the crowds and opt for a more intimate experience at a smaller hotel or gay resort.
• Amenities – Looking to relax by the pool or perhaps sip cocktails at an on-site bar? Maybe having a gym is important in your booking decision. A few gay hotels even offer a men-only sauna on-site. Some hotels provide an elaborate breakfast buffet and have restaurants, while others may not offer food at all. Be sure to review the amenities to see what’s most important to you.
• Location – It goes without saying that location is crucial when booking your stay. Most gay hotels tend to be well-located within the most popular areas of the city. They are often in or near gay neighborhoods, providing quick access to dining and gay nightlife options.

Feature image credit: Axel Hotels