4* The Standard, High Line

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.