Hotel Volksschule is one for travellers who don’t need to be in the middle of Hamburg at all times. Set inside a beautifully converted former school in the quieter Hamm district, it has much more character than you might expect at the price. Rauhes Haus U-Bahn station is only a few minutes away, so getting into central Hamburg, St Georg or St Pauli is straightforward even though none of them are on your doorstep. Free parking is another unusual bonus if you’re arriving by car. The historic school details give the hotel a genuinely distinctive feel, while the quiet residential location can be rather welcome after a long day — or late night — in the city. GayMapper tip: a good-value alternative if you’re happy trading walkability to the gay bars for character, quieter nights and easy U-Bahn access.

Drakes is a stylish little seafront hotel that puts you close to Kemptown nightlife without feeling like a nightlife hotel itself. Set across two Regency townhouses on Marine Parade, it’s only a short walk from Brighton’s gay bars, Palace Pier and the Royal Pavilion. There are just 20 rooms, many overlooking the sea, and the better categories have some wonderfully Brighton touches — huge bay windows, freestanding baths and views across the beach and Pier. Rooms are air-conditioned and include free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, quality toiletries and tea and coffee facilities. Downstairs, the cocktail bar looks directly across the water, while Michelin-recommended Dilsk offers fine dining built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a more intimate and romantic experience than the big seafront hotels, and current guest feedback is particularly strong for service, cleanliness and location. GayMapper tip: a great option if you want Kemptown close enough for an easy night out but would rather return to cocktails and sea views than a club downstairs.

easyHotel gets one thing especially right: location. It’s on John Bright Street, only a few minutes from Birmingham New Street station and a short walk from Hurst Street and the heart of the Gay Village. Rooms are compact and deliberately no-frills, but you get the essentials — a comfortable bed, private bathroom, TV and free Wi-Fi. Reception is staffed around the clock, while tea and coffee are available from vending machines. There’s no restaurant or breakfast service, but that hardly matters here given the number of cafés and places to eat immediately outside. The Bullring, Hippodrome and Chinatown are also close enough to reach on foot. GayMapper tip: ideal if the hotel is mainly somewhere to shower and sleep between sightseeing and nights out — you’re paying for a very useful location rather than facilities you may never use.

Sometimes you want Palm Springs character; sometimes you want a big pool, a proper spa and a hotel where everything simply works. Hilton Palm Springs falls firmly into the second camp, with a central location that also happens to be very handy for going out. The large outdoor pool deck is the focal point, backed up by Elements Spa, a fitness centre and mountain views. Rooms are generously sized, and the complimentary airport shuttle is particularly useful if you’re doing Palm Springs without hiring a car. Palm Canyon Drive is a few blocks away and Arenas Road’s gay bars are easily walkable, so dinner, drinks and nightlife don’t require much planning. The Convention Center is also nearby. GayMapper tip: A dependable all-rounder if you want full hotel facilities and a proper resort-style pool without giving up the ability to wander into the gay nightlife on foot.