Hotel Commonwealth is the standout option if Fenway rather than Downtown is where you want to be. It sits directly in Kenmore Square, with Fenway Park almost in the back garden and the House of Blues, MGM Music Hall and Boston University all close by. The 245 rooms are noticeably spacious by Boston standards, with contemporary interiors and plenty of higher categories offering views towards Fenway Park or the famous Citgo sign. Food and drink have changed considerably in recent years. Blue Ribbon Sushi now sits at the hotel entrance, while Row 34 brings excellent New England seafood to the other side of the lobby. There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre and in-room dining. Kenmore subway station is right beside the hotel, so Downtown and the South End remain easy to reach even though you’re staying farther west. GayMapper tip: particularly good for baseball fans, concert trips or anyone who prefers the energy of Fenway and Kenmore Square to the historic downtown core.

You really couldn't position a hotel much better for Manchester’s gay scene than LEVEN Manchester, sitting on the corner of Chorlton Street and Canal Street. I nside a converted red-brick warehouse, the look is contemporary and stylish without feeling overly polished, with rooms starting at a generous 26 square metres and much larger apartment-style options available. Some include full kitchens and laundry facilities, making it particularly useful for longer stays. There is also a relaxed cocktail bar, while Piccadilly Station is only around five minutes away. You get the Gay Village literally outside while still staying somewhere that feels like a proper design hotel. GayMapper tip: A great alternative to Velvet if you want to stay directly in the Village but prefer a calmer, more contemporary apartment-hotel feel.

My Story Hotel Rossio puts you directly on Lisbon’s famous Rossio square, which means you’ll struggle to find a more convenient base for exploring the historic centre. Chiado and Bairro Alto are an easy walk away, with the bars around Príncipe Real a little further uphill. Rossio station is right beside you for Sintra, while the metro makes airport arrivals and trips across Lisbon straightforward. The surrounding square stays lively well into the evening, with restaurants, cafés and people-watching right outside, although the hotel itself feels considerably calmer once you step inside. GayMapper tip: particularly good for a shorter stay when you want almost everything central within walking distance and don’t fancy spending half the weekend working out Lisbon’s transport.

Ritual is much more than simply a place to sleep — for many LGBTQ+ visitors it becomes part of the Torremolinos social scene itself. Hotel Ritual Torremolinos is openly LGBTQ-focused, sitting beside La Nogalera and within minutes of the town’s biggest concentration of gay bars, clubs and cruising venues. The standout feature is upstairs: a nudist rooftop zone with infinity pool and bar, alongside another pool and plenty of space to socialise in the sun. There’s also a sauna-spa and gym, while rooms range from standard doubles to large junior suites, with sea-view categories available. A private lift takes guests directly down towards Bajondillo Beach, saving the climb between the town centre and seafront. GayMapper tip: Choose Ritual if you want the hotel to be part of your gay holiday rather than simply your base — the rooftop and social atmosphere are a big part of the experience.