Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Louisville, Kentucky

Famed as the Gateway to the South, Louisville in Kentucky might not always have been on the ‘gaydar,’ but that’s changing now. The state might not be as progressive when it comes to anti-discrimination laws and gender identity. However, we still found it to be a welcoming and gay-friendly destination. The birthplace of the Old Fashioned and the Kentucky Derby has transformed into a bright pink and progressive spot on the LGBTQ travel map of the American Midwest. So much so that we had no problems finding gay hotels in Louisville with a warm staff and a wonderful attitude. This is largely because the city ranks 11th on the list of cities with the most gay residents! A whopping 4.5% of Lousiville residents identify as gay as compared to the national average of 3.9%.

Now, Louisville might be no gay Charlotte or even Houston when it comes to gay-friendliness, but we found the city to be as welcoming as they come. What’s more, it’s home to a bevy of annual LGBTQ Pride events, including not one but two Pride celebrations! There’s also an LGBTQ film festival and a website called Queer Kentucky that’s dedicated to POV pieces and LGBTQ news. Since we were planning a Midwestern LGBTQ holiday, we thought, why not head to Louisville and give you guys the lowdown on the great gay scene here?

Inn at Woodhaven

11

Most romantic. Guess what we found when we first looked up LGBTQ-friendly stays in Louisville – a gay-owned B&B! The 8-room Inn at Woodhaven sits in a historic gothic structure on the Bourbon Trail and seems like a setting for the next Liberace biopic. The current owners/innkeepers, Jeremy Couture, and Mark Lansing, offered us an incredible home-like experience along with the comforts of a hotel.

For one, we’d be treated to an incredible homemade breakfast every day, and that too at some of the most flexible breakfast hours we’ve seen at a B&B. After breakfast, we’d either head out to explore the city or relax on one of the many porches or the landscaped gardens. We especially loved the common areas, where we found everything from after-dinner liquors to magazines and books. It’s hard for business travelers to enjoy staying at a B&B, but the hosts have also made thoughtful touches for them. These include free Wi-Fi everywhere, a meeting area, and even access to wireless printers.

The rooms or rather suites here left us breathless, and since there were just eight of them, staying here was a very intimate and exclusive experience. What’s more, all of them come with King/Queen Stearns and Foster mattresses, luxe bathrooms with bespoke bath products, and spa whirlpool tubs or private baths. Plus, they even have tea/coffee/snack stations and flatscreen TVs with cable, so we could spend an entire day indoors too. Our favorite was the second-floor Garden Suite, where we stayed, complete with a separate sitting room and a romantic double spa tub. Sigh.

21c Museum Hotel

10

Best overall. No list of LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Louisville is complete without mentioning the 21c Museum Hotel, where contemporary art meets a boutique stay. We loved the intriguing vibe, the whimsical flair, and the quirky additions throughout. Set on the edge of downtown, 21c is also a mere 10-minute drive from the gay bars at Highlands. The rooms and suites here have interesting architectural details, such as exposed beams and brick, complete with a soothing palette of grey and light hues. The plush beds practically invited us to enjoy a lie-in with our partners. Moreover, the soft quilted robes, retro-style mint julep cups, and Nespresso machines radiate sexy romance, but the bathroom is the real ticket. Besides Malin + Goetz amenities, the bath was lit up by black lights during turndown. It’s no wonder that this is the place for wooing and seduction.

Mixed media and full-scale, dramatic art installations commissioned for the public spaces set this hotel apart in this Kentuckian city. We booked massages and body treatments for ourselves at the spa and headed to the main restaurant for delicious meals. However, it’s breakfast that’s the best feature, with southern treats such as shaved country ham and grits. Also, don’t miss cocktail hour at Proof’s bar for meticulously crafted cocktails and rare bourbons.

The Brown Hotel

9

Most luxurious. The Georgian-revival LGBTQ-friendly Brown Hotel is the undisputed dowager duchess of all the hotels in Louisville. The 1923-opened hotel has seen the Depression, revived the hotel business during WWII, and even had a stint as a public building. Today, the hotel boasts old-world-style rooms and suites that come with luxurious touches, such as mahogany beds and marble floors. We especially loved the modern and swanky touches in the form of flatscreen TVs, iPod docking stations, and Wi-Fi, which made our stay very familiarly comfortable here. But our jaws dropped at the sight of the bathrooms, which are as large as the rooms themselves. Moreover, they came with deep-soaking bathtubs, plush robes, and bespoke bath products and toiletries, which lent them an air of opulence. If you want space, the King rooms are more than enough, no matter the category.

This eminently Southern and iconic Louisville icon instantly put the city on the foodie map and is perhaps best known for its Kentucky Derby week fetes. Just three years after it opened its doors, it created the now-signature Hot Brown, a piece of delicious, open-faced bacon, tomato, and turkey sandwich smothered in hot Mornay sauce and browned to perfection. Our favorite place was the palatial lobby bar, where we ordered a bourbon flight to wash down the delicious Southern food before our flight. Oh, did we mention it? The hotel also happens to be one of the best hotels near Louisville Airport! So, it made perfect sense that we spent our last day in the city here.

Seelbach Hilton

8

The grandest hotel in Louisville, Seelbach Hilton, is also one of the best LGBTQ+-friendly hotels in Lousiville. Having thrown open its doors at the turn of the 20th century, the Seelbach appealed to us because, well, who doesn’t love opulence? The Beaux-Arts hotel is the epitome of decadence and exquisite luxury, right down to its Bavarian-style rathskeller. We were awed by the imposing and grand foyer, completely decked out in marble and with gilded staircases. The rooms and suites are equally grand, with everyone from former presidents and Rolling Stones to gangsters, including Al Capone, having checked in here. Historical fixtures blend in seamlessly with modern furnishings. The piece de resistance for us was the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and deep-soaking bathtubs in the bathrooms.

The rest of the hotel drips with 20th-century elegance, especially since a young F. Scott Fitzgerald frequented the bar here. In fact, The Great Gatsby is said to have been inspired by the glamorous parties Fitzgerald attended here. In fact, Seelbach even makes an appearance in the novel and the 2013 film adaptation as well. As an ode to the building’s past, we enjoyed a swig of whiskey at the famous Oak Room. It’s actually a formerly illicit billiard room that’s hidden behind an oil painting! Are you looking for more modern offerings? There’s also a fitness center, concierge service, and a restaurant to complete the picture.

The Galt House

7

We were looking for a traditional hotel, but where we could have an innately Louisville experience that we wouldn’t forget. That’s how we landed on the Galt House Hotel on the Ohio River, which is one of the largest gay hotels in Louisville. This iconic red-and-white Louisville skyline fixture is split between twin buildings connected by a skyway. What’s more, its classical style is akin to that of the historic Belle of Louisville steamboat, which is parked right out front in the river. In fact, it’s also the official host of the Kentucky Derby. So, if you’re visiting around that time, make sure to book in advance. 

When we say the largest hotel in the city, we actually mean the largest hotel, as it has a mind-boggling array of more than 1,300 rooms and suites. Moreover, they’re all spacious and contemporary, with stellar river or city views. We got the Deluxe King Room in the West Tower, which offered us a sweeping view of the Ohio River.

Since the hotel lies right on the Ohio River waterfront, everything from the gym to the pool boasts mesmerizing views across the river and its bridges. So we’d keep an eye out for the Belle of Louisville while enjoying a romantic meal at the onsite restaurant or a sundowner at the lounge. However, a must-do activity here is booking a massage or a body treatment at the Xhale Spa. We did so after a long day of exploring the city with the Old Louisville History and Architecture Walking Tour, and it was a welcome relief to our bodies.

Hilton Garden Inn

6

We were looking for the comfort and familiarity of a chain hotel in the city, and we found that in the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Downtown, along with the best downtown Lousiville views. 

The hotel is particularly gay-popular because it’s home to 8UP, one of Lousiville’s hippest bars, and also its only indoor/outdoor rooftop bar. We loved it too, as it’s the perfect place to see and be seen in the city. Plus, we met and mingled with many amazing gay locals and travelers. Of course, it was our go-to place every evening to sip on delicious craft drinks and enjoy views of a great sunset before stepping out to explore the city’s gay scene. Do you want to impress someone you just met at one of Louisville’s gay clubs? Bring them to the rooftop bar and grill for a delectable meal with a view.

Staying here meant living in some of the city’s most comfortably decadent rooms and suites. Besides minifridges and microwaves, all of them have Serta Suite Dreams beds, perfect for rolling around, if you know what we mean! The best room of them all is the jacuzzi suite, which is where we stayed. It has a stunning jetted bathtub for two right in the room, steps from the bed! Nevertheless, all other rooms also have deep-soaking tubs made for romance and other activities.

Omni Louisville

5

Looming over Louisville’s downtown skyline is one of the most modern and luxurious LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Louisville, Omni Louisville. The hotel’s lobby impressed us immediately with its striking modern artwork, polished floors, and vaulted ceilings. What’s more, one wall is entirely decorated with bourbon barrel lids right from the floor to the ceiling, with barrel-inspired chandeliers twinkling overhead. It was like stepping into a modern bourbon distillery! We were also impressed by the rooms and suites, which are contemporary to the hilt with muted mid-century decor. They even had curated in-room bourbon bars and spectacular views of the Louisville skyline. It was like bringing the party right back to our rooms.

The rest of the hotel was similarly impressive, especially the minimalist Mokara Spa with its variety of natural detox wraps, massages, and body treatments. It was just what the doctor ordered after a long day of staying on our feet exploring the city. When it’s warm, we even enjoyed a swim in the rooftop pool with views of the skyline. As evening set in, we sipped on cocktails beside the flickering fire pits. Who said nightcaps couldn’t be romantic? Our last spot for the day would be the Library Bar, where we’d sink into one of their plush sofas and admire the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

The Hyatt Regency

4

Best value-for-money. The Hyatt Regency is yet another of the best LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Louisville. Gay travelers who’re looking for a good, well-rounded, and amenity-filled hotel in the heart of downtown will love this place. What’s more, it doesn’t break the bank either, making for an excellent value-for-money offering at that. The best bit? It’s a short drive from Louisville’s gay bars. Rooms and suites are all traditionally furnished, albeit spacious and lovely. Cable flatscreen TVs, views of the city, iPod docking stations, and large work desks are standard everywhere. We especially loved the bathrooms, which were like little dens of luxury. They’re all decked out in white and grey and with bespoke toiletries and huge walk-in showers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hyatt Regency Louisville (@hyattlou)

When we said the hotel was full of amenities, we truly meant it. The crown jewel is the divine indoor swimming pool with an entire wall of windows for the evening sunlight to stream in. A fitness center aside, the hotel also has a farm-to-fork concept and is home to a wonderful restaurant and even a Starbucks! So we knew our caffeine fix was in safe hands.

Aloft Louisville East

3

Sometimes, we like staying away from all the bustle, and that’s why we chose Aloft Louisville East, one of the city’s best non-bustling hotels. Even then, the downtown and the gay scene were a mere 20-minute drive away for us! The rooms and suites are comfortable and unfussy, complete with cloud-like beds, pillowtop mattresses, and goose-down duvets. Plus, the smart TVs and free Wi-Fi made spending an entire day indoors easy and comfortable. What also helps is the fact that the bathrooms are swanky, with huge walk-in shower areas and Bliss Spa toiletries. The best bit? The rooms are pet-friendly, too, so we brought our snuggly four-legged companion along with us!

Just like other outposts, the Lousiville Aloft is rife with amenities and facilities. These include a fitness center and a wonderful indoor pool with chairs to lie back and lounge after a swim. While the Re:fuel by Aloft is great for a grab-and-go snack, it’s the violet-accented, sci-fi-like W XYZ Bar that serves cocktails that we really, and I mean really, liked. It was the perfect way to begin an evening of revelries in Louisville. It’s no wonder that Aloft is one of the best hotels in Louisville, Kentucky.

Moxy Louisville Downtown

2

Looking like a Tokyo Club on Louisville’s Whiskey Row, Moxy Louisville Downtown is one of the swankiest gay-friendly hotels in Louisville. Aimed at millennials, LGBTQ, and otherwise, this neon-lit Marriott outpost was perfect for us as we wanted to explore the city’s jazz clubs and cocktail bars. 

“We wanted to explore everything that Lousiville has and was, and Moxy was the best base to do so. Of course, the hotel itself is amazing, and the views were absolutely jaw-dropping!”

WOW Travel

All rooms and suites at this hotel are fitted with modern amenities such as flatscreen TVs, minifridges, and iPod docking stations. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, some with seating areas right beside, offer gorgeous views of the city. The best rooms are the corner ones, which is where we were, incidentally. They came with huge wraparound windows with the best downtown views. Moreover, the bathrooms are modern and spacious, with seating areas in walk-in showers as well.

The rest of the hotel was an inimitable delight too. For instance, we played board, card, and foosball with fellow travelers in the wood-paneled game room. After a night of partying, our next stop was the onsite Zombie Taco, whose Mexican fare is the perfect cure for a hangover. Oh, and did we mention it? The check-in is right at the bar! So when we started off our stay with a well-made cocktail, we knew we’d come to the right place.

AC Hotel Louisville Downtown

1

The Marriott bolthole that is the AC Hotel is one of the overall best LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Louisville. We loved just everything about this hotel. For one, we were impressed outright by an industrial-chic lobby with minimalist designs that welcomed us to this place. We loved the stylishly designed rooms and suites, all of which come with mod-cons such as smart flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and desks. All these made our extended stay here a very comfortable experience. If that wasn’t enough, all rooms boast spiffy and immaculate bathrooms with large walk-in showers. Since we wanted to splurge just a bit, we chose a king room that came with stunning city views. 

The rest of the hotel is similarly impressive, such as the well-equipped and modern fitness center and the AC Lounge, which serves handcrafted cocktails and tapas plates. Our Louisville days began with a buffet or à la carte European-style breakfast. After that, we’d head out to explore the rest of the city.

Our Verdict!

We’re absolutely in love with all the LGBTQ-friendly in Lousiville, obviously. That said, we’ve drawn up a specialized list of the especially fabulous ones for their specific features:

• Most romantic: Inn At Woodhaven
• Best overall: 21c Museum Hotel
• Most luxurious: The Brown Hotel
• Best value-for-money: The Hyatt Regency

Best Gay Neighborhoods in Louisville

Lousiville has not one but two LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods, which goes to show how gay-friendly the city is. At the top of that list is Old Louisville, which lies just a few minutes from downtown. It’s one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods and is even home to a charming Central Park, perfect for all your outdoor fun. Smoketown is another excellent gay-friendly neighborhood previously home to the gay-owned Vu Guesthouse and Vapor Spa. The other gay neighborhood is the Highlands and Cherokee Triangle, home to the next biggest gay bars along Bardstown Road. It’s also where Louisville Pride takes place.

Until recently, LGBTQ people were a relatively hidden subculture in Louisville, but Old Louisville was famed as Kentucky’s gay mecca for years. In fact, Central Park was a massive cruising spot from the 1950s to almost the 1980s. Despite the Highlands becoming more of a gay gathering mecca than Old Louisville, many members of the LGBTQ community call Old Louisville home.

Best Gay Events/Shows/Tours in Louisville

• Kentuckiana Pride: Kentucikiana Pride, which celebrated 22 years in 2023, typically takes place in June, with the celebrations having moved to October after 2020. It takes place at the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park, which is also where Louisville Pride Festival takes place in mid-September. The annual Kentuckiana Pride features an amazingly colorful Pride Parade through downtown Louisville as well as 100 vendors and a festival concert. 2023’s September event promises to see a lot more people than in earlier years.
• Louisville Pride Festival: Besides Kentuckiana Pride, the city also celebrates Lousiville Pride, which takes place at Bardstown Road in the Highlands. Besides a wonderfully vibrant parade, there are also healthcare screenings, crafts and arts, local music and talent, and lots of performing artists.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kentuckiana Pride (@kentuckianapride)

The Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Louisville

• Chill Bar: Chill Bar is one of the most fun gay bars you can be in Louisville, complete with live music, dancing, a specialty martini menu, and gorgeous undies-clad go-go boys! Their weekly lineup includes TV viewing parties, some of which are hosted by famous local drag personalities, drink specials, and go-go boys dancing their pants off.
• Play: Play is not only Lousville’s most thrilling gay establishment, but it’s also the largest LGBTQ+ nightclub in all of Kentucky! There’s no way you’re missing seeing this place in Butchertown – its exterior has a huge “Love” painted in rainbow-striped letters. This adults-only place has a patio, a dance floor, and three bars, as well as a fun lineup of drag performances.

Best Gay Saunas in Louisville

Unfortunately, Lousiville’s only gay spa, which was very popular, the Vapor Spa, shut down in 2022. This Smoketown place was a private, all-male spa and health club. Hopefully, we will see new gay spas inspired by it springing up in the future.