3* Pod Brooklyn

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.