4* DoubleTree Times Square Sth

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.