The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2025.
Sleep.
London is home to the largest LGBT population in the world, so of course the gay scene is among the best in the world. Soho is the best place to stay if you want to be at the heart of the gay nightlife, but it is also a trendy upmarket area in central London, so prices are high.
Gay Hotel London listed other popular areas for gay travelers, including Shoreditch & East London or Vauxhall & South Bank. These are spread around less central areas of London, so they are likely to be slightly cheaper, but don’t expect budget prices either. Thanks to London’s exceptional public transport system, all the gay nightlife in the city is easily accessible, no matter where you’re staying.
London is one of the world’s most expensive cities. Space comes at a premium and is often reflected in hotel room size. It’s worth paying attention to room size as it’s common for entry-level rooms to range from 9 sqm to 30 sqm.
All hotels in the UK can be classed as gay-friendly. The UK is a progressive and tolerant country with strong anti-discrimination laws. Gay travelers should encounter no issues in the city, and public displays of affection like holding hands and quick kisses will barely attract attention.
In addition to being gay-friendly, the Gay Hotel London listed below are all located in popular parts of the city for gay travelers and excel at providing value for money and quality experiences.
Gay Hotel London: Most gay visitors book hotels in London’s main gayborhoods to make the most of London’s epic gay scene. Soho being the original and most famous gayborhood is the most booked but also the most expensive.
Soho is the city’s most long-standing gayborhood with venues like G-A-Y, KU Bar, and The Duke of Wellington being gay London institutions. Soho is also in the heart of the city’s cultural center, meaning you are close to museums, landmarks, and world-class shopping.
Shoreditch is located in East London, traditionally one of the city’s gritter areas. In the past few decades, however, Shoreditch has become one of the hipster meccas of the world. Here, you will find an abundance of vintage shops, vegan cafes, designer hotels, and concept cocktail bars, but you will also find a fun and vibrant gay nightlife. The area is a short walk away from the City of London, but you will still have to spend 20-30 minutes on public transport to reach Soho.
The City of London is the name given to the city’s financial district. A busy hub for business, lunchtime bites, and after-work drinks during the week, it becomes essentially deserted on weekends. Separating the East and West ends, it is a great place to stay with good value options.
Vauxhall is located across the Thames from London’s West End. It is home to one of London’s best gay scenes, which surrounds Vauxhall Station. Staying in Vauxhall keeps you close to several gay bars and clubs (not to mention the largest gay sauna in the UK), but it is also convenient for sightseeing. Sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Soho, and the South Kensington museums are all only a few Underground stops away.
The South Bank refers to the area just south of the Thames. Because the vast majority of London’s attractions lie north of the river, it is a generally more affordable area to stay. Depending on where you are on the South Bank, you may be within walking distance to Soho, Vauxhall, or Shoreditch.
Overall, it doesn’t matter too much where you stay in London, as the city’s extensive public transport network makes it quite easy to get anywhere. However, choosing a more central location means that you can spend more time doing the activities you came here for, and less time navigating the sometimes confusing connections of the London underground.
Filter your stay
Why we love it
♥ Leicester Square location puts you in the center of London entertainment
♥ Spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
♥ That unique W touch in the sleek, contemporary design
This branch of gay-favorite chain W is located right on Leicester Square, the heart of London’s West End entertainment district. Here, you are directly surrounded by iconic theatres playing both classic and brand new shows, the captivating sights and smells of Chinatown, and the super-gay nightlife of Soho. In fact, local favorite Ku Bar is just down the street.
As usual with W Hotels, you can expect quirky decor with local touches – Union Jacks and references to British pop culture abound. There is an extensive range of room sizes and types, all featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light.
Even the smallest room option is spacious and luxurious, and the largest suites are extravagantly so. This is because W London Leicester Square is a modern, built-for-purpose hotel, meaning it does not have the space restrictions of an older heritage building. This modernity is reflected in everything from the futuristic design of The Perception bar to the innovative approach to Afternoon Tea, where every cake comes with a crystallized version of a signature cocktail.
Why we love it
♥ Uber-trendy and made for Instagramming
♥ Fantastic location, a short walk from major attractions and the Soho gay nightlife
♥ Range of rooms for all occasions and budgets
♥ Cool, industrial-inspired design in every room
Featuring gorgeous, Insta-ready interiors – think lots of tasteful pastels, lush indoor plants, and eye-catching artwork – The Hoxton, Holborn is a fantastic luxury option for design lovers. It is located in leafy Holborn, a short walk from the British Museum, Covent Garden, and the gay bars and clubs of Soho.
Rooms come in a wide range of sizes, from a compact “Shoebox” design ideal for short stays to the spacious “Biggy” rooms. Each one comes with a super-comfy king-size bed, industrial-inspired design, artwork by students of the prestigious Central St Martins art school, and a vintage Roberts radio.
The trendy lobby serves drinks and snacks 24/7, while the hotel’s bistro, La Ronde, serves seasonal menus in a relaxed setting. There are also rotating kitchens at La Cave, the hotel’s wine bar and pop-up space.
Why we love it
♥ Cheaper than most other 5-star hotels in London
♥ Spacious, comfortable rooms
♥ Best location for shopping addicts
This 5-star gay-friendly hotel in London is located in the heart of Soho, across the street from the world-famous Liberty of London department store and London’s iconic Carnaby Street. Some of the city’s best (and gayest) nightlife surrounds the hotel, so you will never have to walk very far for a great night out. The hotel is on the affordable side for a five-star, which is especially welcome in uber-expensive London.
Courthouse Hotel is one of the most booked luxury gay hotels in London. It does a great job of blending the historical charm of its listed building with a modern approach to design. The rooms are spacious and decorated in a simple, classic style with luxury accents, such as Italian marble bathroom interiors and fine leather furniture. The selection of TV channels is particularly good, with plenty of international options.
There is a private cinema – one of the largest in London – with a weekly Cinema Club on Saturdays featuring international classic films. Two dining options offer authentic Indian specialties, one with a more high-end ambiance and the other focusing on casual street food. The Toy Roof bar, overlooking Carnaby Street, is a great place to unwind with a drink on a pleasant day.
Why we love it
♥ Unbeatable location on Piccadilly Circus
♥ Excellent pool for swimming or lounging
♥ The lovely atmosphere at Terrace on Piccadilly
The Dilly London (previously Le Méridien Piccadilly) is located right on Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s most famous city squares. This positions it a short walk away from shopping hubs like Carnaby, Regents, and Oxford Streets, famous landmarks like Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square, most of the West End’s theatres, and Soho’s gay nightlife. It doesn’t get any more central than this.
The hotel is based in an imposing white stone building, constructed in 1908. Inside, the decor is decidedly modern, although the classic architecture of the original building is still highlighted throughout the space. The rooms are spacious and quiet, which is impressive given the location next to London’s busiest square.
The common areas are particularly beautiful, especially the glass-fronted Terrace on Piccadilly, filled with lush green plants and natural sunlight. Downstairs, the magic-themed Maskelyne & Cooke offers something unique in London’s crowded cocktail scene. There is a large and serene pool – not a given in London hotels – as well as a fitness suite and a health club with spa facilities.
Why we love it
♥ So close to G-A-Y you can practically hear the cheesy 90’s pop
♥ Convenient and practical, at a great price
♥ Well-designed rooms that make the most of the space
♥ Stay in the heart of London’s gay village
Made up of twelve Georgian townhouses, this hotel’s focus is allowing you to enjoy London like a real Londoner. This means they offer compact rooms for people who want a practical, comfortable option in the heart of the city, without paying extravagant prices. Each room is perfectly designed to make the most of the space, without feeling cramped or too small.
The location is great for shopping, entertainment, dining, and sightseeing, but gay visitors have an extra bonus: G-A-Y is a minute’s walk away. This is quite literally the closest you can stay to London’s gay nightlife, and you can party all night safe in the knowledge that you can’t possibly get lost on your way to your room. Also, if you are planning on catching a performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, this is one of the closest hotels to the Palace Theatre where it runs.
This is why The Z Hotel Soho is one of the most booked gay-friendly hotels in London Soho.
Overall, this is a pared-down hotel experience, designed to maximize convenience and space for good value for money. It’s not for those who like loads of fancy facilities or enough space to throw a party in their room, but it’s just perfect for visitors who just need an affordable, comfortable place to sleep while they enjoy everything London has to offer.
Why we love it
♥ Well-designed rooms with quality amenities for all budgets
♥ Excellent location for sightseeing and nightlife
♥ Larger than the Soho location, so easier to book
As with other hotels in the Z Hotel range, the idea here is to provide affordable and practical rooms for “urbanites”. Space is at a premium in central London, and this hotel takes the refreshing approach of accepting that, working with space instead of against it. The result is a room that is small, but where every inch has been optimized, from under-bed storage for your bags to the walk-in showers.
The Z Hotel Piccadilly has single rooms designed for one person traveling solo, with a correspondingly good price. There are also rooms with a Queen Bed for those who like a bit more room to sprawl. “Inside” rooms do not have windows (and so are cheaper) – you can pay a bit more for natural light, but you probably don’t need it if you plan to spend your days hitting the streets.
The Z Hotel Piccadilly benefits from a great location close to, you guessed it, Piccadilly Circus. It is also a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery. While the Soho location is closer to the dining, shopping, and gay nightlife of Soho, they are still just under 10 minutes away on foot from the Piccadilly hotel.
Why we love it
♥ Great range of room sizes, perfect for groups
♥ Really tasty breakfast
♥ Loads of opportunities to meet other travelers
With its Victorian townhouse facade, Stylotel looks quite old-fashioned from the outside. However, once you step inside you are greeted with fun, ultra-modern decor filled with glass, metal, and bright colors. This is the vibe throughout the entire hotel, which contains a large variety of room styles and sizes for every type of traveler.
The rooms range from single to family plus, which can comfortably house five people. This makes Stylotel particularly good for large groups of friends traveling together, as well as for solo travelers. The suites come in both studio and 1-bedroom layouts, and allow for even more space. All the rooms are quite spacious, with good showers, comfortable beds, and toiletries.
Breakfast is particularly delicious, with both cooked English breakfast plates and continental options, and is usually included in the room rate. There is also a communal lounge, which is a good place to meet fellow guests, and a pub in the same building as the suites. This friendly, communal feel is one of the reasons this hotel is a big gay favorite in London.
Stylotel is located 5 minutes from Hyde Park. You can reach the museums of South Kensington just by crossing the length of the park – a half-hour walk, but a particularly lovely one. Soho and the West End attractions are further away, but can easily be reached through the Underground in about 20 minutes.
Why we love it
♥ Fantastic location – ideal for weekend nights at Heaven
♥ Well-designed rooms with everything you need
♥ Great beds and showers
♥ Affordable rates
The Z Hotel Trafalgar is one of the chain’s central London locations, situated next to Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery, Leicester Square, and the riverside at Embankment are all within a 5-minute walk, as is G-A-Y at Heaven, one of London’s best and most iconic gay clubs.
Like all the hotels in the chain, it specializes in compact, well-designed rooms with everything you need for a short and comfortable stay. Each room has a super-comfy bed, a powerful shower, a TV with Sky Package, loads of convenient storage space, and complimentary towels and toiletries.
Choose from a windowless “Inside” room, which offers exceptional value (and which is a great option if you don’t plan on spending much time in your hotel room), a standard Double, or a Queen room, which comes with a larger bed.
The Z Hotel Trafalgar is one of the most booked budget gay-friendly hotels in London among gay visitors.
Why we love it
♥ Studios can sleep up to eight people
♥ Easy walk to Vauxhall gay village and Westminster
♥ Exciting and unique dining
This contemporary luxury hotel sits right on the Thames’ South Bank, a 20-minute walk along the river to Big Ben and Westminster. Vauxhall station and its surrounding gay village are about 10 minutes away on foot, meaning you are perfectly positioned for days of high culture and sightseeing as well as nights of heavy gay partying. Park Plaza London Riverbank in one of the most booked gay-friendly hotels in London South Bank.
All of the rooms are decorated in a simple, unobtrusive style, with clean modern lines and neutral color palettes. The suites have kitchenette facilities (including a microwave, toaster, kettle, and espresso machine) and come in one, two, and three-bedroom, as well as an open-plan studio option. The three-bedroom suite sleeps up to eight people, making it an ideal choice for a group of friends traveling in style. If you can, select a room or suite facing the river for some truly iconic views of London’s riverside skyline.
If you choose not to splash out on a view room, don’t worry: you can get the views from the hotel’s restaurant, which blends Pan Asian and Peruvian influences for a high-end fusion experience. The attached bar specializes in Latin cocktails and spirits, and hosts free live music every night.
There is a well-equipped fitness suite on-site, as well as a lovely indoor swimming pool with lots of natural sunlight. A spa is currently under construction – but with Chariots Vauxhall less than 10 minutes away, you probably won’t miss it.
Why we love it
♥ Popular, reliable hostel brand with lively common areas
♥ Exceptional design
♥ Gay bar a few steps away for when you don’t fancy the 15-minute ride to Soho
Generator Hostels are a reliable brand throughout Europe, so you know what you’re getting with this London location. The whole place has a strong emphasis on cool, hip design that references classic British elements without going too cheesy. The rooms are colorful and practical, with comfy mattresses and lockable storage space for each dorm bed.
You can choose between classic dorm rooms, private rooms with shared bathrooms, or en-suite private rooms. All are very well priced for a budget stay in London, and it’s worth checking out the private options if you are traveling in a group as they can end up being a similar price to a dorm a bed.
One of the best things about a Generator Hostel is the focus on meeting and hanging out with fellow hostel guests. The bar is a great place to start a night out and maybe make some new friends for the night – there is even a dance floor, so you may find yourself not leaving the hostel at all. There are also other common areas for hanging out and relaxing, and the food at the cafe is tasty.
The location is close to St Pancras/King’s Cross Stations, which is ideal for those traveling by train to and from those stations. This is also a large hub for various Underground lines, so you can reach most places in London very easily – Soho’s gay bars are just a 15-minute trip on the Piccadilly line. There are also a few gay venues in the area, including Central Station, Urban @ Scala, and New Bloomsbury Set (which is just three doors down).
Why we love it
♥ Incredible location in the heart of the West End
♥ Great selection of room sizes and types
♥ That complimentary smartphone – no more spending a fortune on roaming fees!
This is a 5-star hotel in the very heart of West London, sitting within a 5-minute radius of Leicester Square, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, various theatres, and – last but very much not least – the gay nightlife of Soho. It is an equally ideal location for gay partying, shopping, and cultural sightseeing.
The hotel is stylish and high-end, but it is also independent and relatively small – 67 rooms in total – so you feel extra taken care of. The rooms are designer with touches of gold and dark wood that give a luxurious feel while remaining tasteful and understated. They also come in a variety of sizes, from more budget-friendly compact rooms to larger Premier and Club rooms, spacious suites, and even a very useful quadruple room, ideal for friends or two couples.
The service is exceptional, and there are sophisticated touches throughout, such as luxury toiletries from brands like Elemis and Hermes, Nespresso machines in every room, and a complimentary smartphone with high-speed 3G internet and free long-distance calls with every stay. Their bar and restaurant, Hankies, serves delicious Indian food with a British twist, while their wellness center offers a full range of spa and beauty treatments.
Why we love it
♥ It’s designed with guests in mind (and you can tell)
♥ The staff tend to go the extra mile
♥ The location is perfect for just about anything you want to do in Central London
Clermont Hotels pride themselves on taking customer feedback into consideration when designing their hotels. This means you can expect some great small details that other hotels sometimes miss out on, such as plug sockets near the mirrors, blackout curtains, and super-fast, super-reliable WiFi.
Every room also comes with a Nespresso machine, Smart TV, tablet, and complimentary minibar – not to mention a super-comfy Hypnos bed. The rain showers are so good you’ll struggle to get out of one, and the toiletries are big enough to actually use. Furthermore. the staff are all incredibly attentive and go out of their way to ensure you have a good time, which always sets a hotel apart.
The hotel is located next to Charing Cross railway station, very close to the Thames Embankment and to Trafalgar Square. A 10-minute walk in any direction is guaranteed to land you somewhere exciting, whether it be a world-class museum, a crowded gay bar, an authentic Chinatown eatery, or Buckingham Palace itself. This is why The Clermont London Charing Cross is one of the most popular gay hotels in London.
Why we love it
♥ Access to top-tier gym facilities
♥ Very good value for money, especially within the location
♥ 24-hour cafe and diner downstairs for sleepless nights
St Giles London has a great location, a 5-minute walk from the British Museum, Tottenham Court Road, and Oxford Street. Most of the gay bars in Soho are about 10 minutes away, except for G-A-Y Late, which is just a 4-minute walk (which is especially handy since this is where you’re likely to end up on a big night out).
The hotel itself is a straightforward 3-star. The rooms are dated in their decor but they are also very comfortable, with good beds and pillows, and cleanliness standards are very high. The basic (free) WiFi is good enough to cover most uses, and there is a premium paid option if you need to download or stream. There is a bar, restaurant, breakfast room, and even a 24-hour cafe diner (a relative rarity in London).
The Central YMCA Club, the largest health and fitness facility in central London, is just underneath the hotel, which is great news for gym addicts. Since it is not part of the hotel itself, you will have to pay £5 for access, but this is a fair price for access to extensive range of machines and weights, a cycle studio, a Badminton court, a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and several classes.
Why we love it
♥ Best-rated hostel in Soho
♥ Excellent communal facilities, including bar, cafe, games room, and lounge
♥ Super friendly staff, ready to help out or just have a chat at any time
SoHostel London offers incredibly cheap accommodation in the heart of (usually very expensive) Soho, a 5-minute walk from the gayborhood. This is a gay favorite for budget visitors in the area, and is also one of the best-rated hostels in central London, with a 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. This is one of the most popular gay-friendly hostels in London Soho.
It’s easy to see why. SoHostel is a classically friendly, laid-back hostel, with amazing staff and bright, colorful common areas for hanging out and meeting people. The breakfast is varied and delicious, the bar is fun and reasonably priced (especially at happy hour), and the beds are super comfy. Particularly useful facilities include a laundry room, tour bookings, and a “pamper” room with hairdryers and vanity mirrors.
There are private rooms and dorms available, with the latter coming in 6, 8, and 18-bed sizes. The only downside of the whole place is that the rooms can be on the smaller size, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary for a budget hostel.
Why we love it
♥ Gorgeous historical building with unique interiors
♥ Michelin-star dining
♥ Ultra-luxurious terrace suites available
♥ Amazing London location near Soho gay nightlife and major landmarks
Ian Shrager, one of the world’s most famous hoteliers and one of the men behind the concept of the “boutique hotel”, is the mind behind this luxury London hotel, one of the best high-end stays in town for those in the know. Located in swanky, old-money Fitzrovia, The London EDITION stands out thanks to its stunning Georgian building, unique interiors, and exceptional facilities.
The hotel is home to Berner’s Tavern, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving contemporary British gastronomy, as well as two elegant bars. There is also an excellent fitness centre. The rooms are designed to recall the interior of a luxury yacht, with oak floors and walnut-panelled walls. The Suites, especially the Terrace Suites and the Penthouse, are incredible, with vast terraces overlooking the city.
The hotel sits right next to Soho, meaning it’s a short walk to the theatre district and London’s main gayborhood, as well as to landmarks such as Leicester Square, Covent Garden, and the National Gallery.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2025.