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 2024.
Los Angeles, the ‘City of Angels,’ has everything a gay traveler would want. There’s the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, the endless shopping in Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica Beach on the coast.
The main gayborhood of West Hollywood (nicknamed WeHo) is where most of the gay action happens, but it can be found in other areas.
There are plenty of accommodation options, from the best in luxury to budget hostels. Some are steps away from gay venues, while others are absolute beachfront.
LA isn’t a cheap destination, and hotels may be higher than many gay travelers expect, but it’s well worth the expense for one of the US’ most popular destinations.
There aren’t any officially gay-owned and operated hotels or resorts in Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean the pink dollar isn’t welcome.
Hotels in West Hollywood, in particular, cater to many gay travelers every day of the year, and you’ll likely find staff members who bat for the same team as you.
There are three main gayborhoods in LA. Gay venues are primarily located in West Hollywood, affectionately nicknamed WeHo. There’s a Rainbow Crossing on the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and North San Vicente Boulevard, and there are a stack of gay venues on either side of the crosswalk. WeHo institutions like The Abbey, Mickey’s, and Hi Tops are all found there. There are loads of hotels nearby, many located right on Sunset Boulevard, only a 3-minute drive away.
Silver Sands, in Los Angeles’s east, is an up-and-coming gay area; there are saunas and cruise clubs there. While there aren’t a lot of hotels there, as it’s a predominantly residential area, it’s easy to get to by the metro line.
Downtown LA is becoming more gay; there are a few permanent venues there with pop-up bars appearing. There are numerous hotels in the area, all welcoming gay guests.
While it’s not specifically gay, Santa Monica Beach is where all the beautiful people head to sunbathe, and there are some stunning beachfront resorts there.
Making preparations for its 100th birthday, Hotel Casa Del Mar used to be the playground for the likes of Clark Gable and Greta Garbo. After WWII, it closed, but it reopened in 1999 and is now listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Casa Del Mar is one of the most popular luxury gay hotels in Los Angeles.
As one of only two hotels with this privilege, the absolute beachfront location in Santa Monica offers an escape from the hectic pace of downtown Los Angeles. Everything is centered around oceanside luxury, from the ground-floor pool to the rooms and the dining options.
The rooms are decorated in whimsical beachy details and feature original works by Santa Monica artists. Staying at Casa Del Mar is an experience you’re unlikely to forget, so upgrading to an ocean-view room is worth it.
The pool is heated, and the gym operates 24 hours. Personal trainers offer daily fitness and yoga classes on the beach every day.
♥ 2 blocks from the beach
♥ Close to the light rail service to downtown
♥ Private courtyard for sunbathing
For budget travelers who want to be near the beach, the HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel has you covered. It’s two blocks from the beach and only 0.4 miles from Santa Monica Pier. The Metro E Line that goes all the way downtown is on the other side of the shopping mall that faces the hostel.
Choose from a private room or a six or 10-bed dorm room. Groups are welcome and have a dedicated reservations team.
There are no facilities at the hostel except for a private courtyard, but everything is on your doorstep, and the staff provides beach towels and volleyballs.
♥ Superb downtown location
♥ Full-sized pool
♥ Stunning furnishings in the suites
♥ Pet-friendly
Hotel Figueroa, Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is located on the corner of South Figueroa Street and West Olympic Boulevard, directly opposite the Grammy Museum.
A boutique hotel that was built in 1926 next to the fashion district initially as a women’s only hostel, it’s now a hub of creativity offering posh dining and sophistication at every turn.
The rooms are plush and inviting; we recommend upgrading to a suite with exceptionally comfortable couches.
Hotel Figueroa is home to the infamous coffin-shaped full-sized pool surrounded by 50-year-old Euphorbia Ingens cacti. It’s open from 7 am to 7 pm. Scuba diving classes are held in the pool — bookings are essential.
♥ Right in the heart of Downtown LA
♥ Rooftop pool
♥ A well-appointed home away from home
♥ 4,000 pieces of art adorn the walls
The Hotel Per La, is housed in a 1922s building that was once the Bank of Italy. It’s located on the corner of 7th and Olive Street in Downtown LA, steps away from entertainment, eating and drinking, and shopping, and two blocks from the metro station. The building’s neoclassical design has been left intact, and the inside has a playful, contemporary vibe.
Over 4,000 works of art are sourced from local artisans all over the hotel, along with some of the furnishings and decor. Walking into the lobby is like stepping back into the former main banking hall.
There’s a stunning heated rooftop pool and bar with sweeping views of the surrounding skyline. The fitness center in the basement is open 24 hours.
♥ West Hollywood and Beverly Hills
♥ Iconic luxury
♥ Rooftop pool
♥ All-suite accommodation
Offering iconic glamor and stylish allure, The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is a tranquil oasis in a bustling city.
The rooftop pool is for the exclusive use of guests only and offers views that stretch from downtown LA all the way to the Getty Center and beyond. Private poolside cabanas can be hired for as little as $500 a day. The fitness center is located in the lobby and is open 24 hours.
The suites were designed by famous interior architects David Collins Studio and Richard Design.
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills has a private screening room with 110 people. The hotel also has an elite concierge who can get you tickets to events that others can’t.
Culver City is in the heart of the tech scene in Los Angeles, and the Shay is right in the center. The light-rail station is only a few steps away and travels all the way to Santa Monica.
This boutique hotel is an inventive living space with a fun, quirky, and casual vibe. The rooms are modern, sleek, and stylish, with views of the Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica, or downtown.
The rooftop pool is open from 8 am to 8 pm. In the morning, there’s yoga, and after the pool closes, the area turns into a hip and happening bar area. The hotel also features pop-up events like a rooftop DJ series or gallery exhibits by local artists.
♥ On the corner of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills
♥ Rooftop pool
♥ Floor-to-ceiling windows
♥ Sunset nightclub
The West Hollywood EDITION is located right on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and North Doherty. It’s part West Hollywood and part Beverly Hills. It’s steps away from legendary venues like the Roxy Theatre, Whisky A Go Go, and The Viper Room.
The rooms all feature modern decor and posh detailing by the creator of the ‘boutique hotels’,’ Ian Schrager. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Los Angeles or the Hollywood Hills.
Open daily at 9 am and closing at sunset, the rooftop pool offers stunning views over Beverly Hills and the iconic LA skyline. The state-of-the-art fitness center is open 24-hour.
The Sunset nightclub in the basement is a tribute to the Sunset Strip clubs of the 70s and 80s. It’s only open Friday and Saturday nights from 10 pm to 2 am, making it an exclusive venue for its elite guest list.
♥ Across the road from the beach
♥ Pool Cabanas
♥ Fully renovated in 2023
♥ Beachside yoga
The Viceroy Santa Monica, across the road from the beach, opened in 2000. In 2023, it underwent significant renovations to the rooms and suites, outdoor areas, and dining facilities. The fresh new coastal look encourages visitors to stay a little longer.
Choose from mountain, city, or ocean views from the rooms or upgrade to a suite for a guaranteed view of The Pacific. Floor-to-ceiling windows are present in every category.
The ground-floor pool area features open-air cabanas and is open from 8 am to 10 pm. The fitness center operates from 6 am to 10 pm, and beachside yoga is offered multiple times a day.
Viceroy Santa Monica is one of the most popular beachfront gay hotels in Los Angeles.
♥ Across the road from the beach
♥ Solar heated pool
♥ Auto high-tech lighting and temperature controls
♥ Staying here reduces your carbon footprint
Across the road from Santa Monica Beach and the famous pier, the Shore Hotel is a popular choice for gay travelers.
The Shore Hotel cares deeply about the environment, and everything it does considers this. Every guest automatically reduces their carbon footprint by choosing this hotel. 100% marine biodegradable products are used in place of plastics. Organic produce is sourced locally whenever possible.
The ground floor solar heated to 83° pool offers views of Santa Monica Beach. The state-of-the-art gym’s equipment syncs with iOS devices.
Choose from city, garden, pool, or ocean views. Considering your location, why wouldn’t you upgrade to the best view? High-tech controls in the room automatically control the lights and temperature, also saving the planet.
♥ Budget hotel opposite the beach
♥ More than you’d expect from a 2-star
♥ Pet friendly
If you’re saving money but still want to be near the beach, Bayside Hotel is ideal. It’s across the road from the beach, a 10-minute walk from the pier, and right behind the iconic Hotel Casa Del Mar.
The rooms are light and airy with loads of white. Choose from garden, courtyard, and ocean views, and your pet is welcome.
The Bayside Hotel is light on facilities; there’s no pool, fitness center, or on-site restaurant. However, they’re not needed with the beach on the doorstep and dining options everywhere.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2024.