New York has many gay friendly hotel options and you can rest assured that you will be welcomed as a gay traveller here.
However, even with New York being such gay friendly and welcoming city, you won’t find any exclusively gay hotels in New York or hotels that specifically frame themselves as a ‘gay hotel’. There was one gay hotel in NYC few years ago but this did not last.
Personally, we have visited New York 4 times, it’s where we got engaged, celebrated New York Pride and as a result we have plenty of great recommendations for gay friendly hotels in New York at places we have stayed at.
Since New York is inherently a popular destination for gay travellers it should be a given that all hotels will welcome you. The second most important aspect we consider when we look for gay hotels in New York city is location and we typically focus on key districts or areas we are interested in such as Time Square, the Meatpacking District, SoHo etc
Here are our recommendations of the best gay friendly hotels in New York based on where we have stayed plus some extras to consider.
The Best Gay Hotels in New York
Here are 25 of the best gay hotels in New York City.
We have sourced this list through personal experience of the hotels, personal experience of the brands, research of guest reviews and those that have the booking.com ‘Travel Proud’ accreditation – a good sign that these hotels are going the extra mile for their LGBTQ guests.
First up on our NYC gay hotels list is:
25. Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
This is one of the top gay friendly hotels in New York found in the equally spectacular and trendy Meatpacking District. The hotel has beautiful spacious rooms and suites, with amazing New York City views.
One of their core ‘pillars’ is tech so meet you in room virtual concierge with the Google Nest Hub or work out privately with their in-room fitness partner, Mirror Workout Companion.
You can also enjoy exclusive access to the year-round heated pool or partake in the vibrant nightlife at their rooftop bar and lounge. We also ate at their American bistro, The Chester, and then enjoyed breakfast at Coffee + Cocktails which is penned as a chic way to start or end your day.
24. The Muse Hotel
When it comes to gay hotels in New York, this has a lot to offer and is close to Hells Kitchen – popular with the gay community.
The Muse Hotel is just steps away from Times Square as well as world-famous shopping, sightseeing, museums, theater and nightlife. Self described as buzzing with energy and lively banter, the hotels ambience brings your adrenaline level down a notch with a relaxing, contemporary vibe.
We stayed in one of the suites and could have easily lived there!
23. NoMo SoHo
Our jaw dropped a little when we walked into our suite. With floor to ceiling windows including in the shower the views here are some of the best we encountered – I could not get Ben out the shower!
As you can see from the photo, we booked a pride package room for NYC pride and loved it. This could easily be the best gay hotel in New York City for that reason alone!
Inspired by the neighborhood, NoMo represents an intrigue for the nostalgic and modern. Their building is a curated collection of vintage and contemporary art, illustrating the eclectic mix of those who made SoHo what it is today.
We highly recommend, especially during pride when you can book a pride package.
22. Moxy Times Square
Another great option if you are looking for gay hotels in New York is the Moxy Times Sqaure.
We stayed in Moxy Times Square when it was brand new and loved it.
The rooms are all boutique style, very trendy and there are loads of cool, playful touches around the hotel.
It also has a great bar and as the name suggests is a great location. There are two more Moxy Hotels in New York, one in Chelsea and one in the East Village.
21. YOTEL New York
This was a really cool, modern and somewhat futuristic hotel, almost like you were boarding a spaceship.
The rooms were very trendy and we loved that the bed raised up so you sit back and relax after a day exploring the city.
Based minutes from Hell’s Kitchen this was a perfect location for a big gay night out in New York.
20. Element by Westin Times Square
This was the hotel we stayed at on our vert first visit.
Slightly older than those we have mentioned above and therefore great on a budget, we loved the location (a few blocks from Times Square), the rooftop terrace for some great views and we found the service great (they helped Ben plan his proposal to me on their rooftop!).
19. The Peninsula New York
If you are looking for luxury and glamour, look no further. The Peninsula New York is fifth avenues most glamorous hotel.
The hotel is within walking distance of Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, excellent restaurants, historic museums and exciting Broadway theatres.
The Peninsula New York has also won many awards, including the Forbes Five Star rating and the AAA Five Diamond awards. They have also by the Forbes Travel Guide, been the only hotel brand to achieve the highest possible Five-Star status across all ten of its properties.
18. Hilton New York Times Square
Hilton is a brand that has always welcomed LGBTQ travellers and continues to do so actively with a number of initiatives and policies (and there are a few Hiltons on our gay hotels in nyc list as a result).
The 4* Hilton New York Time Square is in a perfect location with many top attractions within easy reach.
Rooms are large with all the mod cons. There is also a fitness centre and bar on site. Guests highly rate the buffet breakfast here – exactly what you need to get started for a busy day exploring NYC.
17. Kimpton Hotel Eventi
Kimpton is a brand we have partnered with a number of times and who always do a great job when serving the LGBTQ community. It’s no surprise to find them on our list of NYC gay hotels.
Kimpton Hotel Eventi is a trendy Boutique hotel in the Chelsea neighbourhood (which is a popular gay area in New York). The nearest tube is a 3-minute walk.
Rooms are super trendy and stylish (as you would expect from Kimpton) and the hotel boasts a 24 hour fitness centre and on site restaurant called The Vine.
We love that they offer complimentary hot drinks in the morning to take out with you and a complimentary wine hour each evening.
16. New York Hilton Midtown
The New York Hilton Midtown sits just a 10-minute walk to central park and equally a ten-minute walk to Times Square. Other popular attractions like the Rockefeller Centre are just half a mile away.
The hotel has an 8,000-square-foot gym, gourmet dining, and elegant rooms with flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms.
15. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York Times Square
Another great gay hotel in NYC from the Hilton brand is the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square. Again, as the names suggests a perfect location to start your visit.
We love that they offer a rooftop lounge with unobstructed views of the city and also have some great on-site dining options.
14. CIVILIAN Hotel
Located in the popular gay area in NYC of Hells Kitchen (where many gay bars are), the 4* CIVILIAN Hotel is a 27-story hotel on the edge of the theatre district.
Keeping with the theatre influence, rooms are intimate and styled in the fashion of theatre dressing rooms – we love this unique touch!
They also have a new rooftop lounge, STARCHILD, and a cocktail room. For us, a rooftop space with views over the city is always a must when looking for gay friendly hotels in New York City.
13. Cachet Boutique Hotel NYC
This 4* ‘Travel Proud’ hotel is located in Hell’s Kitchen (popular gay area in New York).
The rooms feature free WiFi, a 42” flat-screen TV a minibar with locally curated snacks and beverages. The private bathrooms have free toiletries and micro fibre bathrobes.
We love that they have a sundeck and outdoor space, ideal for summer when you might want to enjoy the sun and relax after a day exploring.
12. The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
The New Yorker is located in the heart of Manhattan in Hell’s Kitchen and a short walk to Times Square.
The hotel and rooms are Art-Deco inspired with plush white bed HDTV and work desks.
We love that some of the rooms/suites have views of the Empire State building or Hudson River. Waking up in a suite in New York with views of the Empire State is quite a way to start your day.
It is also pet friendly!
11. M Social Hotel Times Square New York
We think you have guessed by now, any hotel with Times Square in its name is a great location!
M Social Hotel is one of the newer more modern hotels in New York and boasts ‘Mega awesome rain showers’ in their contemporary and stylish rooms.
They have an on-site signature restaurant, Beast & Butterflies, offering world cuisine and a super cool terrace bar with city views.
10. Arlo Midtown
Arlo Midtown is located right in the centre of the theatre district, so if you are a fan of Broadway shows this might be for you.
Rooms here are stylish and modern with a tech forward focus such as bedside charging stations and Bluetooth radios etc.
We love that some rooms offer guests their own private terrace.
9. Hotel Edison Times Square
Hotel Edison is another ‘Travel Proud’ property on Booking.com and is a very popular choice given its location on Times Square and steps away from Broadway
Featuring vintage touches and an art deco aesthetic dating to the hotel’s historic opening in the 1930s jazz age.
For those that don’t know, Ben is a travel agent and says this is one of the more popular hotels he books for his clients.
8. Hyatt Place New York City /Times Square
Steps from Times Square, Hyatt Place New York City/Times Square is located in Hell’s Kitchen.
The property is a modern hotel, ‘Travel Proud’ certified, with 24/7 dining, a fitness centre and it also welcomes pets! Guests particularly love the breakfast.
7. Ameritania at Times Square
The Ameritania at Times Square is a boutique style hotel within walking distance to many popular attractions and ‘Travel Proud’ certified.
The hotel and rooms are stylish and modern with what they self-describe as a playful spirit as seen in their unique retro -inspired reception.
6. Arlo Soho
Located south on the island close to SoHo, Tribeca and the West Village (all super trendy neighbourhoods) the Arlo Soho is a stylish 4* hotel offering rooms and suites.
They offer lots of different spaces including a rooftop bar (ART SoHo), the SoHo Bodega, Lindens Restaurant and Foxtail for cocktails.
We love that this hotel also runs regular events including Cocktails and Jazz nights at Foxtail.
5. Hard Rock Hotel New York
If you are looking for something iconic, then it has to be the 5* Hard Rock Hotel New York.
The hotel includes extraordinary entertainment venues, 446 guestrooms and suites across 36 floors, and innovative dining. Get incredible skyline views from the RT60 rooftop bar and lounge.
It’s in the top 10% of hotels in New York (and our gay hotels in NYC) for a reason!
4. The James New York – NoMad
Experience sanctuary and scene at the 4* James New York – NoMAd. The Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden and Grand Central are within a 5-minute walk of the hotel.
The James NoMad offers a sophisticated refuge for the discerning urban explorer, inspired by the community. This is also another ‘Travel Proud’ hotel.
We love that they have a focus on wellness, with up-to-date fitness facilities and also in contrast have a wine hour each evening. Live the best of both worlds!
3. Riu Plaza Times Square
The Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square is located in the heart of Manhattan, in the renowned “Restaurant Row”, surrounded by Broadway’s most famous theaters, and a few steps from the iconic Times Square.
We have always had great experiences with Riu.
2. Staypineapple, An Artful Hotel, Midtown New York
Located in Hell’s Kitchen, this ‘Travel Proud’ 4* property prides itself on providing you the best creature comforts during your stay.
It’s quirky and uniquely decorated, with a lot of character.
They also have a lot of amenities which you can access for a daily fee including bikes to see the city!
1. NH Collection New York Madison Avenue
The NH Collection New York Madison Avenue is about as central as it gets located on Madison Avenue and 38th street.
The have newly renovated rooms, including suites with terrace and family rooms All room are fully equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine, as well as a kettle with a selection of teas, Chromecast TV and high-speed Wi-Fi.
A special mention goes to the city views available from a number of rooms: look out over the Midtown Manhattan skyline or the Empire State Building.
Head over to our complete Gay Travel Guide to New York to find out what else this incredible city has to offer, we wil be back very very soon!