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.
Munich’s gay bars are concentrated in the Glockenbachviertel (GBV) neighborhood, a trendy and upscale area with pretty architecture and a range of cool bars, cafes, and restaurants. Gay clubs tend to sit a little north of this area, in the neighborhood surrounding the Central Station. All of the hotels in this list sit either close to GBV or to the station, or somewhere in between. The most booked hotels in town tend to be the ones close to the station, and these range from luxury stays to independent budget hotels and backpacker hostels. These are always a safe bet, but expect them to fill up early, especially during Oktoberfest.
Munich has been a global center of culture, art, and design for centuries, and it is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. It goes without saying, then, that there are some truly fabulous 5-star hotels to choose from. Whether you want to bask in the opulence of 19th century Bavaria in a historical building or enjoy cutting-edge modern architecture and design, there is something for you in Munich. All of the hotels in this list are either close to the Central Train Station or in the Altstadt, and all are within walking distance of several gay clubs and bars.
Legally, all hotels in Munich are gay-friendly. Germany has generally progressive LGBT laws with discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is illegal.
The Munich gay scene is admittedly smaller than that in Cologne or Berlin, so it’s not like it’s an especially gay city. However, it’s still a large metropolis with a liberal and tolerant vibe, so LGBT visitors are very welcome.
The most booked hotels in town tend to be close to the Central Station and its surrounding gay nightclubs. These range from luxury stays such as the most booked Sofitel Munich Bayerpost to the premium options including Eurostars Grand Central and Cocoon Sendlinger Tor.
Hotel Deutsche Eiche is the gay-ist hotel in Munich and home to the best gay sauna in the city.
♥ Beautifully designed and filled with original art
♥ Incredibly spacious room layouts across all categories
♥ State-of-the-art spa with the longest swimming pool in town
♥ Picturesque Botanical Garden location, 3 minutes from two of Munich’s most popular weekend gay parties (NY.Club and LUXUSPOP) and a gay sauna
This 5-star hotel directly overlooks the old Botanical Gardens and is a short distance from Munich’s museum quarter. This location, combined with the abundance of original art throughout the hotel and the elegant interior design, makes it a perfect refuge for lovers of all things beautiful and cultural. Its rooms are some of the largest in town – the Classic Room, their smallest room category is 40sqm, which is larger than a lot of hotels’ luxury rooms. The Deluxe and Superior rooms are the same size, but offer Botanical garden views and large floor-to-ceiling windows, respectively. Meanwhile, the two-bedroom suite is a fantastic luxury option for a group of four. The hotel boasts an excellent spa with the city’s longest indoor pool as well as a stunning restaurant by a former Michelin star holder. NY.Club and LUXUSPOP, two popular weekend gay dance parties, are just on the other side of the Botanical Gardens – under a 5-minute walk – and Herrensauna Hauptbahnhof, a popular gay sauna with mature men, is just as close.
♥ Historic luxury hotel
♥ Beautifully designed from top to bottom
♥ Outstanding wellness facilities, including a swimming pool with an opening glass ceiling
♥ Excellent Altstadt location, equidistant from the main gay bar and clubbing areas
The Bayerischer Hof is part of Munich’s history, founded in 1841 at the behest of King Ludwig I and having welcomed the city’s most prestigious guests ever since. Some of the interiors preserve the building’s historic architecture and style, while others are completely modern – every room is, however, equally stunning. Each guest room has been individually designed, with decor ranging from imperial grandeur to cool concrete minimalism. The four-storey Blue Spa is a highlight of the hotel, boasting a swimming pool with a sliding glass roof so it can be outdoors in the summer as well as several saunas, a steam room, treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, a sun terrace, and a bar and lounge. The hotel boasts 5 restaurants and 6 bars, all of them excellent and beautifully designed. Bayerischer Hof is located in the Old Town, a short walk to most major attractions. Both the gay clubs near the Central Station and the gay bars in Glockenbachviertel are a 10 to 15-minute walk.
♥ Innovative open kitchen concept – eat, cook, and order what you like for the duration of you stay
♥ Gorgeous contemporary design
♥ Spacious rooms with high-end branded amenities
♥ Fantastic Altstadt location for sightseeing and GBV gay nightlife
This luxury designer hotel is located in the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town), a short walk from various tourist attractions like Viktualienmarkt, Marienplatz, and Höfbrauhaus beer hall. Meanwhile, the Glockenbachviertel gayborhood is just a 10-minute walk away. The interior design is impeccable, with minimalist furnishings and a warm color palette that feels both cozy and upscale. All the rooms are spacious, with some of the higher category options being especially generous. Aesop toiletries, high-end speakers, and free minibar are included in all rooms, as is access to the luxurious guest kitchen, which is kept topped up with food and snacks for guests to enjoy at will (you can even order a cook to make you whatever you like). Higher category rooms will get you extra perks like city views, panoramic windows, private balconies, and in-room bathtubs.
♥ Beautiful garden courtyard with lounge seating
♥ Modern, stylish rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
♥ Indoor swimming pool – perfect for laps
♥ Convenient Central Station location, under 10 minutes to gay parties like NY.Club, LUXUSPOP, and Garry Klein
Le Merdien Munich boasts stylish modern design throughout, with the beautiful central courtyard garden being a highlight. The rooms are spacious and relaxing, with a contemporary homey feel and floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light. Book a suite for a more luxurious experience with added extras like an Illy espresso machine, Bose sound system, and a walk-in wardrobe. The restaurant, bar, and sunny garden lounge are all beautifully designed. There is an indoor pool – among the longest in town and ideal for swimming laps – as well as a well-equipped gym and a sauna. Le Meridien is located close to the Central Station, with excellent public transport links and under a 10-minute walk to several gay clubs and parties.
♥ Gorgeous contrast of historical building with striking contemporary interiors
♥ Luxury amenities in every room
♥ Exceptional luxury suites available, including fitness suites with a personal gym
♥ Ideal Central Station location within 10 minutes of several gay parties (NY.Club, LUXUSPOP, Garry Klein @ Harry Klein)
This luxury hotel, renovated in 2017, is about as close to Munich Central Station as you can get. It is set in a beautiful historic building, while the interiors are sleek and extremely modern. Some rooms have a lighter, warmer decor and some feature angular contemporary design in cool grey. All rooms come with a range of luxury perks like a Nespresso coffee maker, Hermes toiletries, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a daily bottle of Evian water. The suites are particularly luxurious: the Duplex suite with its two-story windows and the SoFit suite with its own personal gym – complete with treadmill, free weights, and exercise ball – are exceptional. Several rooms boast stunning views of the city and the Alps beyond. There is a French restaurant, a German restaurant, and a bar, as well as a state-of-the-art Spa. Several gay clubs and parties are within a 10-minute walk, including NY.Club and LUXUSPOP, and the GBV gay area is about a 20-minute walk away.
♥ Awesome Central Station location near several gay clubs (NY.Club, LUXUSPOP, Garry Klein @Harry Klein)
♥ Clean and modern dorms and rooms
♥ Beautiful main common area with glass ceiling
♥ Friendly and fun, but without a heavy party vibe
This branch of the popular Wombats hostel chain has beautiful natural design and a friendly vibe. Common areas include a bar and a lovely, light-filled space with high ceilings and indoor plants, perfect for working, relaxing, and socializing. The dorms are spacious and clean, and the private rooms have small private balconies. Everything is super well maintained and the staff are extremely helpful and welcoming. Other perks include free walking tours and self-serve laundry. It’s easy to meet people to go out with, and the bar is usually lively, but there’s not a raucous party vibe, so it’s possible to have a quiet night when you fancy one. The hostel is located a stone’s throw from the central station, under a 10-minute walk from several gay clubs like NY.Club and LUXUSPOP.
♥ Great value – first-rate Central Station location within easy walking distance of gay clubs (NY.Club, LUXUSPOP, Garry Klein @ Harry Klein)
♥ No-frills, modern, comfortable rooms
♥ Range of room sizes to suit everyone
This independent, family-run hotel offers modern, no-frills rooms by the Central Station. The Standard rooms offer great value, while the Comfort rooms are larger and have a more traditional design. They also have compact “Grand Lit” rooms that work well for a short stay. It’s worth noting the hotel does not have air conditioning, so it may not be ideal during a hot summer. The hotel directly faces the station and is less than a 10-minute walk from gay clubs like NY.Club and LUXUSPOP, as well as Herrensauna am Hauptbahnhof, the oldest gay sauna in town catering mostly to mature men. The GBV gay bars are about 2KM away and can easily be reached through a 20-minute walk or a quick jump on the U-Bahn (10 minutes).
♥ Original art throughout hotel
♥ Spacious and elegant rooms
♥ Great options for solo travelers and groups
♥ Under 10 minutes to most gay clubs and the Central Station
As the name indicates, Arthotel Munich is decorated with a colorful collection of original pop art, especially in the lobby and common areas. The rooms have a more relaxed atmosphere, with a warm color palette and an elegant yet cozy feel. They are all spacious – especially the singles, which are a very comfortable option for a solo traveler – and there are triple and quadruple rooms available for groups. The hotel is located right by the Central Train Station, giving it excellent transport links, and it is about a 10-minute walk to the gay clubs in the area like NY.Club and LUXUSPOP. The GBV gay bars are either a 20-minute walk, 5-minute taxi, or 10-minute direct U-Bahn trip away.
♥ Stylish, relaxing, and comfortable rooms
♥ Beautifully designed lobby area with Bavarian twist
♥ Easy walking distance to GBV gayborhood
♥ Popular gay party venue (Jenny TANZT @ Obergangertheater) under 5 minutes away
The rooms at Motel One Munich have a relaxing white and teal palette and a minimalist feel. They are all comfortable and well-appointed – the size of the room is the same across the board, but you have a choice between a Queen or King-size bed. The Bavarian-inspired lobby, filled with vintage pieces and nods to the region’s royal heritage, is a lovely place for an evening drink, and the healthy organic breakfast is worth checking out. The hotel is located within a 10-minute walk of most gay venues in Glockenbachviertel – Oberangertheater, the main venue for popular monthly gay party Jenny TANZT, is under 5 minutes away.
♥ Cool retro interior design
♥ Comfortable, smart layouts in a range of sizes
♥ Just 2 minutes from Aidshilfe Munich and its gay cafe
♥ 10 minutes to GBV gayborhood and 5 minutes to CAMP cruise bar
This hotel has an awesome 70s-inspired retro aesthetic, making every room both fun and cozy. The rooms come in a range of sizes, with intelligent layouts that are comfortable for sleeping and working – even the 17m2 single room has a comfy sitting area. The Junior Suite is great for longer stays and its in-room bathtub is the perfect luxury touch. There’s also a cool kitschy bar that’s well worth checking out. Cocoon is eco-friendly, sustainable, and independent – a great choice for ethical travelers. The location near Sendlinger Tor is about a 10-minute walk to the GBV gay bars and just a couple of doors down from Munich Aidshilfe, home to the local Checkpoint center for testing and to the lovely Cafe Regenbogen which donates their proceeds to LGBT causes. CAMP cruise bar is just 5 minutes away.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2024.