Gay New Orleans

Set inside a historic French Quarter building, Holiday Inn French Quarter-Chateau LeMoyne gives you plenty of New Orleans character without sacrificing the practical comforts of a familiar hotel brand. Bourbon Street is only a short stroll away, while the main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is roughly ten minutes on foot. The leafy courtyard and outdoor pool are particularly welcome after a hot afternoon exploring the Quarter, and selected rooms add traditional wrought-iron balconies overlooking the surrounding streets. Rooms also come with refrigerators, WiFi and plenty of space for a short city break. Canal Street, Jackson Square and the French Market are all easy to reach on foot, so you can comfortably explore most of central New Orleans without needing transport. GayMapper tip: A dependable choice if you want French Quarter atmosphere, a pool and easy access to the gay nightlife without staying directly above Bourbon Street.

Few places put you closer to New Orleans’ LGBTQ nightlife than Bon Maison Guest House. It sits directly on Bourbon Street, very close to the main cluster of gay bars around Bourbon and St. Ann, so getting home after a night out is about as easy as it gets. The 1833 property feels much more like a characterful guesthouse than a conventional hotel, with rooms and suites arranged around a leafy courtyard. Accommodation comes with private entrances and bathrooms, air conditioning and useful extras such as a small fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Some rooms also have balconies or exposed brick, adding to the historic French Quarter feel. Jackson Square, the French Market and Royal Street are all close enough to explore on foot, so the location works just as well during the day. GayMapper tip: One of the strongest choices if being right beside the main gay nightlife is your priority and you prefer a small, atmospheric guesthouse to a big hotel.

On the quieter Chartres Street side of the French Quarter, Hotel Provincial gives you a more relaxed base while keeping the main LGBTQ nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann within an easy walk. Jackson Square, the French Market and Frenchmen Street are also nearby, so several different sides of New Orleans are accessible on foot. The family-owned hotel has been welcoming guests since 1961 and spreads across five historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rooms mix antique-style furniture with modern comforts, while leafy courtyards, balconies and an outdoor pool give the property plenty of old-New-Orleans character. There’s also the Ice House Bar and an on-site restaurant. Its Chartres Street setting feels residential compared with the busiest blocks of Bourbon Street, yet you’re still only minutes from the nightlife when you want it. GayMapper tip: Particularly appealing if you want French Quarter character and easy gay-scene access with a slightly calmer atmosphere around the hotel itself.

For LGBTQ travellers who want to be genuinely close to the action, Hotel St. Pierre has one of the best locations on the list. It sits on Burgundy Street in the quieter residential side of the French Quarter, yet the main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is only a few minutes away on foot. The hotel is spread across historic Creole-style buildings and courtyards, giving it much more character than a conventional budget stay. There are two outdoor courtyard pools, tropical planting, free WiFi and rooms ranging from compact doubles to larger premium kings and suites. You’re also within easy walking distance of Jackson Square, the French Market and Royal Street, so the location works just as well during the day. GayMapper tip: Particularly good if nightlife location matters but you’d still like a courtyard, pool and a bit of old New Orleans atmosphere.

Few higher-end hotels put you closer to New Orleans’ LGBTQ nightlife than Bourbon Orleans Hotel. Sitting between Bourbon and Royal streets, it is only around a block from the gay nightlife centred on Bourbon and St. Ann, including Bourbon Pub & Parade and the surrounding bars. The hotel itself has real history, having evolved from the former Orleans Theatre and Ballroom, and the restored interiors retain plenty of that grandeur. At the centre is a heated saltwater courtyard pool, while Bourbon “O” Bar hosts live local music and there are several places to eat and drink without leaving the property. Jackson Square and the cathedral are also practically around the corner, making this an exceptionally easy base for exploring the French Quarter on foot. GayMapper tip: Probably the strongest upscale choice if being within a couple of minutes of the main gay bars is your top priority.

There’s plenty of New Orleans personality at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, which occupies a trio of converted warehouse buildings in the Warehouse Arts District. Exposed brick, timber beams and work by local artists give the rooms and public spaces a genuinely individual feel. Food is another reason people come here. Compère Lapin, from acclaimed chef Nina Compton, serves Caribbean and Creole-influenced cooking downstairs, while the hotel’s long-running partnership with local artists keeps changing what you’ll find on the walls. The French Quarter begins within walking distance, although the main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is farther across the Quarter and usually makes more sense as a longer walk or quick rideshare. The National WWII Museum and riverside attractions are particularly convenient. GayMapper tip: One for travellers who like design, local art and great food and don't need the gay bars directly outside the front door.