As a gay couple traveling the world together for over a decade, we’ve come to realize how important it is to feel safe and seen, especially when choosing where to sleep. This isn’t just about finding a great bed or luxurious amenities. It’s about walking into a hotel lobby holding hands without stares. It’s about being offered one bed without hesitation. And it’s about knowing that your love isn’t just accepted, but welcomed. That’s why we started writing authentic gay hotel reviews: to share our personal experiences and help other LGBTQ+ travelers find places that genuinely embrace who we are. From romantic boutique hotels in Europe to all-male, clothing-optional resorts in California, every review we publish is rooted in our lived experience. And while no two travelers are alike, we hope this collection helps you feel a little more confident, comfortable, and inspired to explore the world proudly and unapologetically.
Why authentic hotel reviews matter to us
When it comes to traveling as a same-sex couple, your choice of accommodation can make or break your gay travel experience. Over the years, we’ve encountered it all: from warm welcomes, awkward silences, and everything in between. That’s why we decided early on to use our platform not just to recommend beautiful places, but to spotlight truly LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations. For us, labels are necessary, but ultimately, it all comes down to the behavior of the host and its staff.
Does the front desk smile when we check in hand in hand? Is the housekeeping team respectful and kind? Are we offered local LGBTQ+ travel tips without asking? These seemingly small gestures add up to an environment where we feel safe, relaxed, and at home. For queer travelers, especially those exploring new cultures, this kind of information is crucial. We believe everyone deserves a safe place to rest their head. That’s why we review from both a hospitality and inclusivity perspective. That way, you can book with peace of mind using genuine, honest gay hotel reviews from a couple who’ve been there.
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How we write our LGBTQ+ hotel reviews
Not every beautiful hotel is a good fit for queer travelers. That’s why our reviews are rooted in both travel quality and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. We want you to know what to expect from the room and the entire atmosphere. Before diving into star ratings or affiliate links, we ask ourselves: Did we feel at home here? Were we treated equally to any other couple? Did this place help us relax and recharge without the necessity of hiding who we are?
This dual lens helps us create honest reviews that matter. We’re not just influencers looking for content; we’re two people deeply invested in safe, authentic, and joyful queer travel. And we know that when you trust us with your travel decisions, that trust deserves transparency. Our gay couple hotel reviews include both emotional and practical details, from how the staff treated us to whether the hotel offered LGBTQ+ nightlife tips.
1. General travel experience:
- Location & neighborhood
- Room quality, design, and comfort
- Service & hospitality from check-in to check-out
- Food & drinks (especially breakfast!)
- Overall vibe and value for money
2. LGBTQ+ friendliness:
- Booking experience: one bed, no issues?
- Staff behavior: friendly, curious, awkward?
- Reactions to physical closeness: hand-holding, kisses, etc.?
- Are other LGBTQ+ guests present?
- Are there any queer travel guides or information available at the reception?
- Is the accommodation a member of IGLTA?
We also consider the cultural context. Some destinations are more conservative, and we take that into account. But one thing is non-negotiable: respect.
Gay Travel Index 2025
The Berlin-based Spartacus informs LGBTQ+ and queer travelers about how gay-friendly a holiday destination is according to several ranking factors and criteria.
Which country ranks first? Where is it safe to travel to as a gay and LGBTQ+ traveler?
You can use the GTI to prepare for your gaycation and as a guide when choosing a holiday destination.
Our favorite gay-friendly hotels and resorts reviewed worldwide
This section is your shortcut to finding hotels and resorts we’ve personally reviewed, tested, and loved. Each one passed both our travel standards and our inclusivity filter. Some are gay-owned, others are LGBTQ+ inclusive. All made us feel safe and seen. We’ve organized them by region, so you can easily find a place that suits your next destination. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend or a Pride month getaway, these spots offer a mix of style, comfort, and queer-friendly vibes. We hope our gay hotel reviews will inspire you to book with confidence.
Stay up-to-date about LGBTQ+ welcoming countries: The annual Gay Travel Index
Our gay couple reviews of hotels in Europe
Europe has offered us a broad spectrum of experiences: from luxurious design hotels in Berlin to offbeat glamping in Tuscany. Many European destinations are progressive and inclusive, but attitudes still vary by country and region. These hotels stand out for their design and service, but also for creating a space where queer love isn’t just accepted. Each review is based on a real stay and includes LGBTQ+ friendliness insights.
Our gay couple reviews of hotels in North America
North America’s queer hospitality scene is vibrant and diverse. From gay-only resorts in Palm Springs to iconic Fairmont properties in the Canadian Rockies, we’ve found a wide range of accommodations that welcomed us with open arms. Whether urban or remote, these spots stood out for their attention to queer comfort. Our gay hotel reviews in the United States of America and Canada highlight both mainstream and niche experiences.
Our gay couple reviews of hotels in Asia
Asia is full of contrasts for LGBTQ+ travelers. While some areas remain conservative, we’ve discovered inclusive stays that respected our relationship and offered meaningful hospitality. Each of these places gave us a sense of calm and welcome, even in unexpected locations. Our gay couple hotel reviews in Asia, such as those in Japan, reflect both the challenges and the warmth we encountered.
Featured: Our most loved gay hotel reviews
Looking for the full review experience? These articles offer detailed insights, original photos, and honest pros & cons—from our bed to yours. Whether you’re looking for clothing-optional gay resorts or LGBTQ+ friendly design hotels, these are great places to start.
They’re some of our most-read and most-shared reviews—and for good reason. Each one offers a glimpse into what it really feels like to stay there as a queer couple.
What makes a hotel truly LGBTQ+ friendly?
We’ve stayed at dozens of hotels, from queer-owned boutique hotels, men-only resorts, to large international chains that market themselves as inclusive. But in our experience, what really makes a hotel LGBTQ+ friendly isn’t flashy branding or Pride Month promotions. For us, it is all about how you’re treated as a guest from the moment you walk in. It is a question of trust, effort, and consistency. A truly LGBTQ+ friendly hotel doesn’t just “allow” same-sex couples and queer travelers, but instead, it celebrates them. Whether it’s through staff training, diverse representation, or simply offering a warm welcome without assumptions, these places stand out. We often notice subtle signals, such as the use of inclusive language, the introduction with pronouns, the presence of same-sex couples in marketing, or small touches like rainbow stickers on reception desks, backed by genuine respect, not just aesthetics.
It’s not about perfection. For us, it is about intention. We don’t expect every hotel to be queer-owned, but we do expect effort, kindness, and openness towards queer travelers. If a hotel gets that right, you’ll read about it in our honest gay hotel reviews.
Karl & Daan.
We believe that queer travelers shouldn’t have to question their safety or comfort when booking a stay. That’s why we highlight accommodations that actively create inclusive environments, not just for gay men, but for all identities across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. This includes trans guests, non-binary travelers, lesbian couples, and queer families. A safe space isn’t truly safe unless it includes everyone.
Here’s what we look for in truly LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations:
- No awkwardness during check-in for same-sex couples
- LGBTQ+ staff and/or inclusive staff training
- Gender-neutral language and bathrooms
- Respect for all queer identities (not just cis gay men)
- Proactive support (e.g. LGBTQ+ guides, Pride partnerships)
And while we understand that cultural and legal contexts differ across the globe, we do expect hotels to make an effort, listen to feedback, and grow. That’s the baseline. The hotels we recommend are the ones where we felt not only safe, but also respected and valued as a gay couple.
Travel Proud with Couple of Men & Booking.com
We filter destinations, not people.
As queer travelers using Booking.com’s Travel Proud Porperties ourselves, we are proud to support their LGBTQ+ inclusive travel experiences around the world. More than half of LGBTQ+ travelers have experienced discrimination while traveling – and that needs to change. That’s why Booking.com created the Travel Proud program: to help accommodations understand the unique challenges queer travelers face, and to ensure warm, welcoming stays – wherever we go.