12 Best LGBTQ+ Friendly Hotels In The US, According To Research

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.