Gay friendly hotels in New York City

A little extra room goes a long way in Manhattan, which is one of the attractions of SpringHill Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square South. Its Garment District location puts Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, Hudson Yards and Times Square within easy walking distance. The accommodation is suite-style, with separate areas for sleeping, working and relaxing, plus mini-fridges and free WiFi. A complimentary hot breakfast is included each morning, while Bar 1905 handles cocktails and small bites and there’s a fitness centre for guests. Hell’s Kitchen’s main gay nightlife around Ninth and Tenth avenues sits farther north, but is around a 15-minute walk depending on which bar you're heading for. GayMapper tip: Particularly good value for New York if the combination of more space and free breakfast appeals.

Williamsburg’s restaurants, bars and independent shops are the main attraction at Hotel Le Jolie, with the Lorimer Street subway close by for quick journeys into Manhattan. LGBTQ nightlife is spread around Williamsburg and neighbouring Bushwick, giving you a more alternative scene than the concentrated gay-bar strips in Manhattan. This small independent hotel has around 50 colourful contemporary rooms, with free WiFi, refrigerators and some views towards the Manhattan skyline. Complimentary continental breakfast and limited free parking add useful value, especially by New York standards. The location near both the L and G subway lines also makes exploring different parts of Brooklyn remarkably straightforward. GayMapper tip: Well suited to travellers who want Williamsburg and Brooklyn’s queer nightlife on the doorstep while keeping Manhattan only a short subway ride away.

For a gay weekend centred on Hell’s Kitchen, citizenM New York Times Square is exceptionally well placed. You’re on West 50th Street, with Broadway and Times Square in one direction and the main gay bars around Ninth and Tenth avenues only a few minutes away in the other. Rooms are deliberately compact but cleverly designed around an XL king bed, rainfall shower and tablet-controlled lighting, blinds and entertainment. Downstairs, the oversized living-room-style lobby gives you much more space, canteenM serves food and drinks around the clock, and the rooftop cloudM bar has excellent Manhattan views. There’s also an unusually impressive high-floor gym. GayMapper tip: Ideal for couples or solo travellers who are happy with a compact room in return for one of the best combinations of design, social spaces and gay-nightlife location in Midtown.

Space and views are two things you rarely get enough of in Manhattan, and The Dominick offers both from its 46-storey tower where SoHo meets Hudson Square. Large windows frame downtown and Hudson River views, while many of the suites provide genuinely generous living space. Wellness is a major part of the hotel, with Sisley Spa, a well-equipped fitness centre and the seasonal outdoor pool at Terrace on 7. The hotel also has Fendi Casa-designed suites and a contemporary art programme that extends into the surrounding neighbourhood. SoHo is outside the door, while the West Village’s historic LGBTQ nightlife around Christopher Street is within walking distance. GayMapper tip: Particularly good for a longer luxury stay when room size, skyline views and a proper spa matter as much as the neighbourhood itself.

Walker Hotel Greenwich Village feels properly rooted in its neighbourhood rather than transplanted into it. Set on West 13th Street, it’s close to Union Square while the historic LGBTQ heart of Greenwich Village around Christopher Street, Stonewall and the surrounding gay bars is an easy walk south. The building channels 1920s New York with Art Deco details, warm lighting and an intimate lobby. Society Cafe serves seasonal American food, while regular live jazz in the Parlour gives evenings at the hotel a particularly relaxed Village feel. You’re also well placed for Chelsea, the Meatpacking District and Washington Square, with several subway lines nearby for everything farther afield. GayMapper tip: A lovely couples’ choice if you want Greenwich Village atmosphere and gay history nearby without staying in the middle of Midtown.

Pod Brooklyn takes the familiar New York problem of tiny hotel rooms and turns it into part of the concept. The compact rooms are cleverly designed for travellers who expect to spend far more time exploring Williamsburg than sitting in their hotel. The buildings are linked by courtyards and outdoor spaces, including several roof decks, giving the property a sociable feel despite the small bedrooms. The Metropolitan Avenue subway is close by, while Bedford Avenue, restaurants and bars are all easily walkable. For LGBTQ visitors, Williamsburg has its own queer venues and Bushwick’s alternative LGBTQ nightlife is nearby, while the L train gets you to Manhattan quickly when you want a change of scene. GayMapper tip: Particularly good for solo travellers and short stays when location and price matter much more than having a large bedroom.

West 46th Street puts Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square in a particularly useful spot for LGBTQ travellers. Broadway and Times Square are just east, while Hell’s Kitchen’s main gay nightlife around Ninth and Tenth avenues begins only a few blocks west. This is a large, modern city hotel rather than an intimate boutique, with comfortable contemporary rooms, a fitness centre, Grab & Go and a bar with terrace. One particularly useful New York perk is that a substantial buffet breakfast is included with reservations, saving both time and money before heading out for the day. Transport connections are excellent, but plenty of Midtown can simply be explored on foot. GayMapper tip: A strong first-time New York choice if you want sightseeing, Broadway and Hell’s Kitchen nightlife all close by – with breakfast already taken care of.

Right beside Metropolitan Avenue subway station, Hotel Indigo Williamsburg - Brooklyn makes it easy to enjoy Brooklyn without feeling cut off from Manhattan. Williamsburg’s bars, restaurants and galleries surround you, while the alternative LGBTQ nightlife spread across Williamsburg and Bushwick is much closer than the traditional gay scenes of Midtown or Greenwich Village. Inside, local street art and neighbourhood references give the hotel a stronger sense of place than the average chain property. There’s a fitness centre, complimentary bike hire and three places to eat and drink, while the outdoor pool is a major bonus during New York’s warmer months. Larger rooms and suites can also deliver sweeping views over Brooklyn towards Manhattan. GayMapper tip: One of the better choices for a summer Brooklyn trip – particularly if a proper outdoor pool sounds appealing after a hot day exploring the city.

Broadway fans and gay-bar regulars are both well served at The Time New York. The hotel sits on West 49th Street in the Theatre District, with Times Square steps away and the main LGBTQ nightlife of Hell’s Kitchen only a short walk west towards Ninth and Tenth avenues. Now part of JdV by Hyatt, the hotel has 193 stylish rooms and suites with a sleek, slightly playful contemporary design. There’s an on-site restaurant, fitness centre and social spaces, while the surrounding streets contain an almost ridiculous choice of restaurants and theatres. The location lets you move between a Broadway show and a night in Hell’s Kitchen without ever needing transport. GayMapper tip: One of the easiest choices if your ideal New York evening involves theatre first and gay bars afterwards.

If your gym routine normally disappears the moment you go on holiday, Equinox Hotel New York rather dramatically removes that excuse. The Hudson Yards property is built around fitness, recovery and sleep, with hotel guests receiving access to the huge Equinox club and its indoor saltwater lap pool, outdoor pool and extensive training facilities. The spa goes equally hard on wellness, with everything from massage and skin treatments to cryotherapy and infrared sauna, while rooms have been designed around soundproofing and sleep optimisation. Hudson Yards, the High Line and the Hudson River are on the doorstep. Hell’s Kitchen’s main gay nightlife around Ninth and Tenth avenues is about a 15–20 minute walk north-east. GayMapper tip: Probably the most distinctive luxury hotel on this list if fitness, spa time and serious wellness are an important part of your trip.

The former SIXTY SoHo has been completely reinvented as The Manner, and the result feels more like a stylish downtown residence than a conventional five-star hotel. There are just 97 rooms at the Thompson Street property, giving it a much more intimate feel than New York’s big luxury hotels. Guests have access to The Apartment, a private lounge serving breakfast, snacks and evening aperitivo, while Sloane’s is the jewel-box cocktail bar upstairs. The Otter adds destination dining, and the seasonal rooftop gives the hotel another private social space. Wellness benefits and access to local fitness experiences are also built into the stay. SoHo surrounds you, with the Leslie-Lohman Museum nearby and the main historic LGBTQ nightlife around Christopher Street and the West Village within walking distance. GayMapper tip: A particularly stylish choice for couples who want downtown nightlife, design and a more private club-like hotel atmosphere.

If you want classic five-star Manhattan in a very central location, The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue does it exceptionally well. It sits between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building, with Fifth Avenue shopping, Grand Central and the Theatre District all easily accessible. Rooms and suites are unusually spacious for Midtown, many with striking skyline views. Ai Fiori remains one of the hotel’s strongest features, serving French- and Italian-Riviera-inspired food, while Bar Fiori handles cocktails and lighter plates. There’s also a modern fitness centre and Langham Club for guests booking qualifying rooms. Hell’s Kitchen’s gay nightlife isn’t directly outside, but it’s straightforward by subway or taxi and perfectly manageable as part of a Midtown stay. GayMapper tip: Best suited to travellers who want polished, grown-up luxury and an outstanding central base rather than a nightlife-led hotel.

Brooklyn gives you a very different New York stay, and Hotel Le Bleu makes a comfortable base on the edge of Park Slope and Gowanus. Park Slope has its own LGBTQ-friendly community and nightlife, while subway connections make both Manhattan and the livelier queer scenes farther north in Brooklyn easy to reach. The 48-room boutique hotel has a bright contemporary look, with comfortable beds, rainfall showers and free WiFi. Some rooms add balconies or Manhattan skyline views, while complimentary limited parking is a genuinely unusual perk if you happen to be arriving with a car. Barclays Center, Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum are also nearby, so there's plenty to do without crossing the East River. GayMapper tip: A strong choice if you want to experience residential Brooklyn rather than simply using it as somewhere cheaper to sleep.

If nights out are a major part of your New York plans, the location of 414 Hotel is hard to argue with. It sits on West 46th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, only a few minutes from the main concentration of gay bars along Ninth and Tenth avenues, while Times Square and Broadway are equally easy to reach. Set across two red-brick townhouses, this is a much smaller and more personal stay than the big Midtown chains. Rooms face either the street or internal garden and include mini-fridges and free WiFi, while guests share a useful kitchenette area. The little courtyard is a welcome escape from the neighbourhood outside. GayMapper tip: A particularly good choice if you want to spend your evenings in Hell’s Kitchen and would rather stay somewhere small and characterful than in a large Times Square hotel.

Close to Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, Holiday Inn New York City - Times Square is particularly easy if you're arriving by train or planning to pack a lot into a short stay. The Theatre District and Times Square are just north, while Hudson Yards lies to the west. Rooms have recently been refreshed and come with free WiFi, mini-fridges and coffee facilities, with selected higher-floor rooms adding impressive Manhattan or Hudson River views. There’s also a fitness centre and Latitude 39 restaurant for breakfast, dinner, drinks and weekend brunch. The main gay nightlife of Hell’s Kitchen, concentrated farther north around Ninth and Tenth avenues, is around a 10–15 minute walk away. GayMapper tip: A useful value option if you want Penn Station convenience, Broadway and gay nightlife all within walking distance.

This is one of those New York locations that makes sightseeing remarkably straightforward. Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square sits close to Bryant Park, with Times Square, Broadway, Macy’s, Penn Station and the Empire State Building all comfortably walkable. Rooms are modern and practical, with comfortable bedding, good workspaces, Smart TVs and free WiFi. There’s a fitness centre downstairs, while nosh! serves breakfast with Starbucks coffee before switching to light bites and cocktails later in the day. For LGBTQ nightlife, the main Hell’s Kitchen gay-bar area around Ninth and Tenth avenues is farther west and north, but still easily reached on foot or with a very short taxi ride. GayMapper tip: Best for travellers who want an ultra-central sightseeing base with the gay scene accessible rather than directly outside the door.

Times Square can be intense, but The Times Square EDITION manages to create a surprisingly polished world above the crowds. You step straight out into Broadway and Times Square, while Hell’s Kitchen’s main gay nightlife around Ninth and Tenth avenues is an easy walk west. The rooms take a restrained, contemporary approach rather than competing with the neon outside, while larger categories add balconies and striking skyline views. The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens bring greenery into the middle of Midtown, and the hotel’s bars, restaurants and entertainment spaces give evenings plenty of energy without feeling like a conventional Times Square hotel. A well-equipped fitness centre rounds things out, and transport connections are about as comprehensive as New York gets. GayMapper tip: A strong splurge if you want luxury, Broadway and Hell’s Kitchen nightlife all wrapped into one exceptionally central stay.

There’s something wonderfully old-school New York about staying directly beside Washington Square Park. Washington Square Hotel has been part of Greenwich Village since 1902, and its Art Deco interiors, original artwork and compact rooms give it far more personality than a generic Manhattan chain. The location is superb for LGBTQ visitors. Christopher Street, the Stonewall area and the Village’s historic gay nightlife are only a short walk away, while SoHo, Chelsea and the Meatpacking District are all within striking distance. There’s also a fully equipped fitness room and a private treatment room offering massages and facials. The hotel’s neighbourhood knowledge is another advantage in an area best explored slowly and on foot. GayMapper tip: Pick this one when you want LGBTQ history, a classic Village address and a hotel that actually feels like part of old New York.

Crosby Street Hotel brings a very British sense of playful luxury to SoHo. Each of the rooms and suites is individually designed by Kit Kemp, mixing bold colour, contemporary art and patterns in a way that feels genuinely distinctive rather than simply expensive. Guests have their own drawing room and leafy courtyard Sculpture Garden, while the Crosby Bar opens onto an ivy-covered terrace and serves throughout the day. There’s also a fully equipped gym and private screening room. For LGBTQ travellers, SoHo puts you close to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, while the historic gay nightlife around Christopher Street and Greenwich Village is a longer walk or very short taxi/subway trip west. GayMapper tip: One for design lovers – especially couples looking for a luxurious downtown hotel with far more personality than the traditional Fifth Avenue crowd.

From West 40th Street, AC Hotel New York Times Square puts Broadway, Bryant Park, Times Square and the transport hub at Port Authority within a few blocks. Hell’s Kitchen’s main gay nightlife around Ninth and Tenth avenues is also an easy walk north-west. The hotel has the clean, contemporary look associated with the AC brand, with streamlined rooms and a fitness centre. The real highlight is Castell, the all-season rooftop lounge on the 21st floor, where cocktails come with panoramic Manhattan views. Boqueria adds Spanish-inspired dining downstairs. Its position works especially well when you want to move between sightseeing, theatres and nightlife without spending half the trip on the subway. GayMapper tip: A good middle ground between a functional Midtown hotel and something with a little more atmosphere – particularly if you’ll actually use that rooftop bar.

The Bowery Hotel captures a darker, moodier version of downtown New York, sitting between the East Village and Lower East Side. The surrounding neighbourhood has plenty of LGBTQ bars and nightlife of its own, while Greenwich Village and the historic gay scene around Christopher Street are easily reached across downtown. Inside, hardwood floors, oriental rugs, velvet and vintage-style furniture give the hotel a residential feel, while rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms. Downstairs, Gemma is a lively Italian trattoria serving everything from breakfast through to late-night food and drinks. The location also puts Nolita, SoHo and the East Village within a few minutes on foot. GayMapper tip: A great luxury choice if your version of New York is downtown restaurants, bars and late nights rather than Times Square and Midtown sightseeing.

The former Radisson on Eighth Avenue has become DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square South. Penn Station and Madison Square Garden are around four blocks away, with Times Square, Broadway and Hudson Yards all within easy reach. The hotel adds more personality than you might expect from a straightforward Midtown DoubleTree thanks to Vue180, its rooftop bar with skyline and Empire State Building views and regular live music. There’s also an in-house restaurant, fitness centre and free WiFi. The main Hell’s Kitchen gay bars are farther north along Ninth and Tenth avenues, but still walkable from here. GayMapper tip: A particularly practical choice if you need Penn Station but still want Times Square, Hudson Yards and the gay nightlife within easy reach.

Few New York hotels feel as connected to their neighbourhood as The Standard, High Line. The building straddles the High Line in the Meatpacking District, putting Chelsea Market and the Whitney nearby, while the historic LGBTQ nightlife around Christopher Street and the Stonewall area of Greenwich Village is easily walkable. All 338 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with city or Hudson River views, but much of the appeal is downstairs – and upstairs. The Standard Grill, bustling Biergarten and rooftop Le Bain mean dinner, drinks and dancing can all happen without leaving the building. It’s lively, stylish and unmistakably downtown New York, with Chelsea and the West Village on either side. GayMapper tip: A particularly good fit if you want the hotel itself to be part of your nightlife rather than somewhere you simply return to afterwards.

Just one block from Central Park, 1 Hotel Central Park takes the usual Midtown luxury formula in a much more natural direction. Reclaimed materials, greenery and sustainable design run throughout the property, including the distinctive living green façade. Rooms combine warm timber and stone with modern comforts, while the fitness centre and in-room wellness touches make it easy to keep some semblance of a routine amid New York excess. Jams, from chef Jonathan Waxman, serves seasonal market-led food downstairs. You’re brilliantly placed for Central Park, Fifth Avenue and MoMA. The main gay nightlife of Hell’s Kitchen is farther west, but easily reached on foot or with a quick taxi or subway hop. GayMapper tip: An excellent luxury choice if sightseeing, Central Park and sustainability matter more than having a gay bar around the corner.