Hotel Sireno Ritual Torremolinos gives you a lively adults-only base right in central Torremolinos, with Plaza Costa del Sol outside and the main LGBTQ+ nightlife around La Nogalera only a few minutes away on foot. It’s part of the Ritual Hotels family, so the atmosphere is distinctly LGBTQ-friendly without being quite as scene-focused as Hotel Ritual itself. The rooftop is the highlight, with an infinity pool, sun terrace and gastrobar looking across the town towards the Mediterranean. Rooms are bright and contemporary, with sea-view options available, while the hotel also has a restaurant and regularly hosts entertainment including drag dinners. Guests can additionally access selected facilities at nearby Hotel Ritual Torremolinos. Bajondillo Beach is around a ten-minute walk downhill, and the railway station is almost on the doorstep. GayMapper tip: A great alternative to Ritual if you want an adults-only, LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere and rooftop pool while staying right beside La Nogalera.

Two handsome Edwardian houses, extensive gardens and the Castro practically on the doorstep make Parker Guest House feel much more like staying in a particularly lovely San Francisco home than a conventional hotel. Breakfast is included each morning, then the evening wine social gives guests a natural chance to chat before heading out. There’s a library with fireplace and piano, several garden spaces and paid on-site parking. The property also runs entirely on renewable electricity and is part of San Francisco’s Green Business programme. Location is the real winner: you’re between the Castro, Mission and Noe Valley, with the main Castro LGBTQ bars, restaurants and historic landmarks within walking distance and Muni nearby for the rest of the city. GayMapper tip: Still one of the nicest choices for a first gay San Francisco trip – close to the nightlife, but calm enough to feel like a retreat once you come home.

Three early-20th-century façades give Sercotel Kalma Sitges considerably more character than the average seafront hotel. Behind them you’ll find contemporary rooms and one of the strongest locations on Passeig de la Ribera, directly opposite the beach and just a short walk from the centre. Upstairs, the rooftop terrace and swimming pool provide another place to enjoy the Mediterranean without leaving the hotel, while El Casinet serves Mediterranean food downstairs. Some room categories have balconies, and sea-facing options naturally make the most of the setting. Bassa Rodona gay beach is along the same stretch of promenade, while the main LGBTQ+ nightlife around Plaça Indústria is comfortably walkable. GayMapper tip: Choose a balcony or sea-view room if you can — this is a hotel where paying a little more for the outlook genuinely changes the experience.

ArtHotel Connection is one of Berlin’s genuinely LGBTQ+-focused places to stay and has a location that is difficult to improve upon if Schöneberg nightlife is the priority. The small, proudly “straight-friendly” hotel sits on Fuggerstraße, right in the middle of the Rainbow District above the popular Prinzknecht bar. There are just 16 individually styled rooms, giving the place a much more personal atmosphere than the larger hotels nearby. Expect colourful interiors, free Wi-Fi and plenty of character rather than anonymous chain-hotel styling. Breakfast is served until late, which feels particularly well judged in this part of Berlin. Motzstraße, Nollendorfplatz and Wittenbergplatz are all close, and KaDeWe is only a short walk away. Several gay bars are literally on the same street. GayMapper tip: a great choice if you prefer small independent gay accommodation and want to step straight out of the hotel into the heart of Schöneberg.