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 2023.
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.
Other popular areas for gay travelers include Shoreditch & East London or Vauxhall & South Bank. These are spread around less central areas of London, so 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 hotels listed below are all located in popular parts of the city for gay travelers and excel at providing value for money and quality experiences.
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.
♥ Vibrant hotel with gay-friendly amenities
♥ Conveniently located between the City and Shoreditch
♥ Retains original features with a touch of contemporary style
The Andaz London Liverpool Street is a vibrant and gay-friendly hotel nestled within a Victorian railway building. Perfectly situated between the City and Shoreditch, it offers a dynamic setting for gay travelers to explore the best of both worlds. This stylish hotel effortlessly blends its rich history with contemporary elements, featuring original details like marble staircases, mosaic floor tiling, and corniced ceilings, creating a captivating atmosphere. For gay guests seeking convenience, nearby transport links, including Liverpool Street tube station, provide easy access to Soho, 20 minutes by tube or 1 hour walk.
With a range of room options, the Andaz London Liverpool Street offers comfortable accommodations designed to meet the needs of discerning gay travelers. Guests can take advantage of the well-equipped gym and indulge in delectable dining experiences at various venues within the hotel. Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of this destination, where history meets contemporary style.
♥ 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.
♥ You know exactly what you’re getting with your room (and they are all excellent)
♥ Great central location: just next to Leicester Square, but facing away from the noise
♥ You get to help a person in need with every booking
This brand new London gay hotel knows what today’s travelers want. Stylish, modern rooms, in a variety of sizes and price points, with comfort as the priority. A central location that puts you in the middle of city life. Exciting drinking and dining options. Pink plastic bunny statues.
Let’s start with the rooms. They come in four sizes: Snug, Nest, Pad, and Den. Snug is perfect for budget-conscious travelers, while still being large and airy enough to be pleasant. Nest and Pad are more similar to a standard hotel room size, while Den is especially large and roomy, with plenty of extra floor space. You pay for what you need, and you know what you’re getting.
The location is exceptional, just behind ODEON Leicester Square (London’s home of movie premieres). Most of London’s theatres are only a short walk away, as are several museums, countless bars and restaurants, and enough shops to bankrupt you entirely. Most of Soho’s gay nightlife is less than 10 minutes away, and the prestigious location means there will always be signs pointing you back to the hotel after you’ve had one too many drinks.
Finally, the rooftop bar and restaurant is the icing on the cake. B&H Garden Room is a sunny, airy rooftop space with incredible views over the city, serving tasty food, coffee, and cocktails at all hours of the day.
One more thing: thanks to their “Bed For A Bed” initiative, for every room you book, Assembly Hotel makes a donation to homelessness charity Crisis. This means you can enjoy your temporary home in London while helping someone else settle into a new home of their own.
♥ A true one of a kind hotel
♥ Incredible Indian and fusion food within the hotel
♥ Choice of English or Indian in-room breakfast
The building began life in 1835 as a Grammar school for boys and was completely renovated in 2017. Today the hotel blends Victorian architecture with the charm of an Indian Palace. LaLiT is one of India’s leading luxury hotel groups with the London property the first outside of India.
The 70 unique bedrooms have been draped in Indian fabrics and former school assembly hall has been transformed into one of London’s best Indian restaurants called Baluchi. Entry level rooms like the Junior Classroom start from 23 sqm and include a complimentary minibar, WiFi, safe, coffee making machine and air conditioning.
Technically not an east end hotel, as LaLiT sits just opposite the City and Tower Bridge on the south side of the Thames in Southwark. But don’t let that put you off, within 10 minutes on foot, you can reach Tower Bridge, London Dungeons, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare’s Globe and The Shard.
It’s 600 meters from the hotel to London Bridge Station on the Jubilee and Northern lines.
♥ Walking distance to several iconic gay venues
♥ Super attentive staff, happy to help with anything you need
♥ Mini-kitchen in every room is a really useful feature
The Resident Soho (formerly The Nadler Soho) is located just off Oxford Street, London’s premier location for big brand shops. Soho’s gay nightlife surrounds the hotel – The King’s Arms, one of London’s oldest and best-established gay bars, is 5 minutes away, as is G-A-Y Late. For those craving some culture, the British Museum is only a 10-minute walk away, while most of the city’s theatres are even closer.
The standard rooms are compact, but you want more space, the King, Superior, and Deluxe rooms are all good sizes. The suites are perfect for larger groups of friends, and you even have the option of booking an entire floor if you have enough people staying with you. That said, even the smaller rooms are optimally designed for comfort and convenience – the inclusion of a mini-kitchen space in every room is an example of this.
This is a hotel that does things simply but well. There are no extravagant add-ons, but the rooms are cozy, the decor tasteful, the facilities high-quality, and the staff exceptionally helpful and welcoming. For these reasons, this London gay-friendly hotel is ranked 32nd of all hotels in London on TripAdvisor.
♥ Stunning design
♥ Nobu dining on-site (or in your room!)
♥ Unique and modern concept
Shoreditch is the heart of ultra-trendy London, which explains why ultra-trendy Nobu has chosen to open its first London location here. Much like the original restaurants behind the brand, this hotel branch blends high-end modern influences with traditional Japanese elements.
The hotel is brand-new and completely purpose-built. Industrial materials like concrete, glass, and metal are transformed into relaxing and peaceful interiors, inspired by the simplicity of traditional Japanese design. Every room comes with large floor-to-ceiling windows, a 55-inch smart TV with Bluetooth and Apple TV, and a traditional Japanese tea set. The suites offer an even more luxurious experience, with custom-made Japanese robes, freestanding tubs, and private balconies.
The hotel restaurant is, of course, London’s latest branch of Nobu and so is, of course, fantastic. Don’t miss out on a restaurant reservation for Nobu’s iconic Japanese-Peruvian fusion or, for a special treat, order Nobu dishes straight to your hotel room. You can also enjoy treatments at the Nobu Spa, which offers a range of luxury treatments and packages. The on-site gym is 24-hour and is extremely well equipped.
♥ The overall design of the hotel is outstanding
♥ Great onsite facilities with gym, spa and even a cocktail garden
♥ Enjoy Michelin star dining without leaving the hotel
This colorful 5-star hotel delivers an oasis of chic into the corporate City. Picture spacious rooms, impressive facilities, and world-class food.
South Place offers excellent onsite facilities including the Michelin star rooftop restaurant Angler, cocktail bar, spa, and a 24-hour gym. Rooms start from 26 sqm and feature Bang & Olufsen TV, delicate mood lighting and large windows. Each of the 80 rooms has a contemporary en suite bathroom with vast rain showers, a media hub, and a minibar. Room service is available throughout the day.
The hotel is located in the City just over 150 meters to Liverpool Street Station with four underground train lines, making it easy to get around London quickly.
Citadines Apart’hotel offers the perfect blend of hotel and apartment. On one hand, you get all the conveniences of a hotel, including breakfast, 24-hour reception, and a business suite on the ground floor for those who need a quiet space to do some work. On the other, you get all the comfort of an apartment, with a fully-equipped kitchenette for you to prepare your own meals and living space to relax in.
There are three types of apartment available: Studio, Studio Deluxe, and 1-Bedroom. The main difference between the first two is that the Deluxe option has a dishwasher in the kitchen, so stick to Studio if you don’t mind some manual washing up. The 1-bedroom has room for four and is so perfect for groups of friends traveling together.
All of the apartments are comfortable, nicely decorated, and quite spacious, with good WiFi throughout and weekly housekeeping. This is a perfect choice if you like feeling at home when you travel, and is particularly suited to longer stays. The location next to Covent Garden is excellent for sightseeing and dining, with the gay nightlife in Soho only a 15-minute walk away.
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.
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.
Just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you have to stay somewhere boring. Point A bring fresh designs to budget travelers. Rooms at Point A Shoreditch start from 10 sqm (no window) up to 17 sqm with your own window.
In-house facilities are limited to the spacious lobby cafe where breakfast is served. Fitness and gym facilities are offered free of charge for all guests at the hotel’s partner DW Fitness First Spitalfields Tower.
The hotel is located in Shoreditch, London’s creative hub. To get about the city it’s only 500 meters to Old St Underground Station on the Northern line or 800 meters to Liverpool Street Station giving you access to four more underground lines.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2023.