4* Le Pavillon New Orleans

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.

Hidden just off Bourbon Street, Hotel Le Marais feels surprisingly calm considering how central it is. The main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is only a few blocks away, while Jackson Square, Royal Street and the rest of the French Quarter are all easily reached on foot. This 66-room boutique hotel centres around a pretty courtyard with a swimming pool, giving you somewhere peaceful to retreat between sightseeing and nights out. Rooms have a contemporary feel, and there’s also a fitness centre plus Vive!, the hotel’s small bar with indoor and outdoor seating. The location works particularly well if you want to spend most of your time exploring the French Quarter on foot while still having somewhere quieter to return to. GayMapper tip: A very easy fit for a first New Orleans trip – central, stylish and close to the main LGBTQ nightlife without feeling like a party hotel.

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.

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.

Le Pavillon, New Orleans, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel brings a very different flavour to the list: grand staircases, dramatic interiors and plenty of old-New-Orleans glamour, all from a central Poydras Street location just outside the French Quarter. A recent refurbishment refreshed the rooms, lobby and public spaces while keeping the hotel's historic character. Bar 1803 is a dark, velvet-lined cocktail bar, there’s a 24-hour fitness centre, and the quirky nightly tradition of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with cold milk is still going strong. The French Quarter is only a few blocks away, while the main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is better reached with a longer walk or quick rideshare. The Superdome and downtown attractions are particularly convenient from here. GayMapper tip: Pick Le Pavillon if grand historic style and a proper hotel experience matter more than being directly beside the gay bars.

If staying right on Bourbon Street is part of the New Orleans experience you have in mind, The Royal Sonesta New Orleans puts you firmly in the middle of it. The main LGBTQ nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is only several blocks north, so bars such as Bourbon Pub & Parade are an easy walk away. Inside, things are considerably more polished than the street outside. The hotel wraps around a leafy courtyard with a heated outdoor pool, while rooms range from quieter interior-facing options to classic wrought-iron balcony rooms overlooking Bourbon or the surrounding streets. There’s also an unusually strong choice of food and drink, including Restaurant R’evolution, Desire Oyster Bar and the Jazz Playhouse for live music. GayMapper tip: Go for an interior or courtyard-facing room if you like the Bourbon Street location but would prefer to control when you actually hear Bourbon Street.