This post is available in:
Español
Sun-kissed Brisbane is overturning stereotypes to become Australia’s new ‘It’ city. The capital of Queensland state sits pretty on the banks of the eponymous Brisbane River on Australia’s east coast. Brisbane has grown out of the shadows of Melbourne and Sydney to become a destination in its own right. It’s toasty even in the winter sun, has a burgeoning food scene, and some of Australia’s biggest galleries and cultural festivals. So, where are all the queens in Queensland? In Brisbane, of course! If the profusion of gay accommodation Brisbane is any indication, then Brisbane is one amazing LGBTQ friendly destination. In fact, looking for a gay hotel in Brisbane will have you drowning in choices. The fact that the local gay community here is well-organized and enthusiastic only sweetens the deal.
Brisbane’s small but lively LGBTQ scene is in Fortitude Valley, right in the heart of the city. Also, there’s a visible queer presence in West End, Newstead, and New Farm as well. Additionally, Brisbane hosts many annual LGBTQ events, including Brisbane Pride and the Big Gay Day. In addition to this, what draws gay travelers here is the fact that Brisbane is one of the 12 Cleanest Cities In The World? It’s what makes exploring it so amazing. Also, just an hour south of Brisbane sits the amazing Gold Coast, one of the country’s top tourist destinations. If that wasn’t enough, then one of The 12 Most Beautiful Islands In Australia, North Stradbroke, lies just an hour away as well.
Thus, Gay Brisbane is vibrant and like expecting the unexpected – and waiting for you! If you’re looking for an amazing gay hotel in Brisbane, then here’s our list of the best.
The Calile Hotel
11
The self-styled ‘urban resort’ Calile Hotel is a stand-out choice for leisure gay accommodation in Brisbane. If you’re looking for wild nights out exploring Brisbane’s nightlife, then you’ve come to the right place! For, the hotel lies right down the street from the best gay cruising clubs and nightclubs in the city. Plus, you’re right on the street where the Big Gay Day takes place! All-in-all, this is one well-located gay friendly accommodation, Brisbane.
Pronounced ‘Kal-Isle’ to reflect the owners’ Lebanese heritage, the hotel is cool in every sense of the word and melds contemporary facilities with retro style. Breezy, open-air hallways on every floor are unusual – and rather welcome. The hotel has a rather ’50s-Miami feel to it, with pastel blues and sage green hues and palm trees fringing the pool. The heart of the hotel is the sensational pool deck, that has seven palm-shaded cabanas for sipping on cocktails or digging into the food. There are also a small library and lounge for some quiet time, a well-equipped gym, and even an amphitheater nearby. If you want to unwind, then we’d recommend you visit the lovely day spa which offers a range of treatments. Put a zing in your day with a healthy and hearty breakfast served at the lobby bar.
Rooms here have pink, green, or blue color themes. Mod-cons aside, the rooms even provide slippers and plush bathrobes. Also, all of them have electronic blackout blinds, a necessity after a night of revelry. The bathrooms have sliding screens, allowing full views from the bed for some seriously sexy times. If you want a personal opinion, then the pink rooms with balconies overlooking the pool are the best of the lot.
W Brisbane
10
If you’re looking for a snazzy, sexy gay friendly accommodation in Brisbane, then you can’t do better than the W Brisbane. Marvelous, cool, spectacular, and wonderful – W Brisbane’s 4 room categories might as well be describing the hotel itself. Firstly, the gay scene in Fortitude Valley is a hop, skip, and jump away. Plus, it’s as close to the Brisbane River as you can possibly get inner-city, and is merely two blocks from City Hall and Queen Street Mall.
Design-crazy and creative gay people will love the zany design cues of this Brisbane hotel. Think quirky modern Australian art and images of everything from flip-flops and bananas to giant pineapples. W’s policy of ‘Whatever, Whenever’ applies to this place too, so you can expect top-notch service. If you’re single and looking to mingle, the indoor heated saltwater pool is the steamiest place on the property. The black-and-white-striped surroundings and water mosaics only add to the sexy atmosphere. The adjacent pool bar is perfect for ordering cocktails to sip on all day. The spa with its steam rooms and relaxation pools is the perfect place to unwind and even has a couple’s treatment room. If you enjoy working out together, then hit the gym. Besides fabulous meals, the hotel also serves a superb paddock-to-plate breakfast with kedgeree, coconut-chia pudding, and made-to-order eggs.
All rooms, even entry-level ones, feature a slew of hi-tech amenities, plush bathrobes, bathtubs and rainfall showers, and even retro-style cocktail bars. Completing the spacious rooms are wonderful beds and vibrant color pops that make all sorts of cavorting here as fun as it gets.
Capri by Fraser Brisbane
9
If you’re looking for fabulous gay accommodation in Brisbane’s inner-city, then the Capri by Fraser Brisbane fits the bill perfectly. This stylish and smart hotel has easy access to Brisbane’s sights, the river, as well as the main shopping avenues. Overall, location-wise, if you’re looking to explore the Top 12 Things To Do In Brisbane, then you couldn’t find a better base.ow
The hotel makes an instant impression right from the time you set foot within. The lobby walls are covered in wallpaper designed with book spines and are an ode to the bookstore which was formerly housed here. In fact, the walls have a 3D effect, thanks to the real books embedded into it! The heated indoor lap pool is one dimly-lit sensuous place; who knows who you might end up a meeting here! Additionally, the hotel has gender-separate steam and sauna rooms as well as a 24-hour gym with a yoga space. Apart from superb room service, the best meal to have an in-house Asana restaurant is the buffet breakfast, complete with cooked-to-order eggs.
Rooms at the Capri are huge and equally zany, with stylized kookaburras and koalas adorning the walls. Apart from bedside push buttons to control the drapes, the rooms also have plush, super-comfy beds, huge firescreen TVs, and even a fully-equipped kitchenette. The bathrooms are lovely, with Capri’s signature yellows, greens, and blues making an appearance.
Rydges South Bank Brisbane
8
If you want to stay in a chilled-out gay hotel in Brisbane’s riverside cultural quarter of South Bank, then you’d do well to choose Rydges South Bank. A $30 million facelift has made this hotel a force to reckon with and is especially popular with younger travelers. If you’re a younger LGBTQ cultural buff, then you’ll love this glamorous base that’s a mere 15-minute train ride to Fortitude Valley.
The hotel’s massive revamp not only lent it a chic urban sheen but also resulted in the creation of some cool outdoor spaces. Their crown jewel is the amazing outdoor heated pool area, which is surrounding by the bar and cozy lounging spaces. The vast minimalist lobby stands in contrast with the rooms, which are much cozier with a muted burgundy-brown-grey color palette. In addition to that, the digs also feature a gym, a sauna, and even a spa. If you’re staying more than a night or want to “go green,” then you’re given a beverage voucher per night of 10 USD (13.7 AUD). The action at the hotel takes place at the Soleil Pool Bar, where there are DJ pool parties on Friday-Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Breakfast at the restaurant is a lavish buffet affair, complete with cooked-to-order eggs.
Rooms here have new “dream beds” with foam and feather pillows are dying to be tried out, and you won’t feel like getting out of them (get it?). All standard rooms feature minibars and plush bathrooms, while suites have kitchenettes and bathtubs too. Superior rooms have balconies, though. Nevertheless, many rooms enjoy sweeping views of the Brisbane skyline. Overall, Rydges is gay accommodation Brisbane at its best.
One Thornbury Boutique B&B
7
Not every gay friendly accommodation in Brisbane has to be a hotel. The One Thornbury Boutique B&B is quite a welcome departure. This charming heritage cottage offers a boutique bed-and-breakfast right in the city. The best part? It’s sandwiched between the city center and the gayborhood of Fortitude Valley. So, you can explore Brisbane by day and bar hop in its gay scene at night.
The 1886-built Queenslander-style character cottage features a gorgeous weatherboard exterior and latticework features. On the inside, it’s utterly contemporary-chic with artwork and splashes of color. Rooms are both at street-level and in the attic, while a steep staircase leads to a lovely communal living space. This space is open to the courtyard garden, complete with a lovely illuminated water feature. The owner helps with everything and plays host at the late-afternoon happy hour. If you’re a dog lover, you’ll find an excellent company in rescue greyhound Rosie. In the afternoon, curl up on the rattan furniture with a bright cushion and a cuppa in the small library. Or, you could watch TV in the comfy guest lounge are. Special mention goes to the continental breakfast with eggs of the day, pancakes, crumpets, cheeses, fresh tropical fruit and so much more.
With six rooms, staying here is as intimate as it gets in not just Brisbane, but anywhere! Five are en-suites, and all feature plush beds and modern bathrooms with rain showers. Plus, they all have coffee/tea-making facilities, espresso machines, TVs, and even bathrobes and minibars! Every six months, the owner takes a 5-6-week break in December-January or June-July, and the cottage is closed. If there was an out-of-the-world gay accommodation Brisbane, then this would be it.
TRYP by Wyndham Fortitude Valley Hotel
6
TRYP by Wyndham Fortitude Valley Hotel is a fabulous hotel smack dab in the heart of Brisbane’s gayborhood of Fortitude Valley. In fact, the amazing gay megaclub Beat and the cruising Club 29 lie one block away. Think it can’t get any gay friendlier than this? The hotel is also the official accommodation partner for the Big Gay Day! During this time, the hotel even doles out perks like special rates, free in-house movies, and late check-out, among other things. Touted as Brisbane’s first and only street art hotel, TRYP Fortitude Valley is all about breaking free and having fun!
The hotel focuses on the ‘wow’ factor, whether it’s a wildly vibrant exterior or the interiors. The entire place is filled with striking street art and contemporary design finished with heritage elements like century-old recycled timber floors. The incredible industrial-chic interiors are paired with an unfailingly cheerful and helpful staff, who’ll take care of all your whims and fancies. The hotel not only has a rooftop gym but also offers free access to the public Valley Pool five minutes away. The in-house restaurant serves delectable meals, including a superb à la carte breakfast.
After letting your hair down in a cruising and gay megaclub, all you want to do is crash. TRYP’s 5 room types are all crash-worthy and infinitely amazing, complete with eye-popping artwork and swish flourishes. Apart from balconies and private courtyards, we’d recommend the rooms with the spa baths. While two have them in the bathroom, two have them on the balcony – talk about steamy times!
Bunk Brisbane
5
There isn’t a better party gay accommodation in Brisbane than Bunk Brisbane. This backpacker haven was originally an old art college and hasn’t stopped partying since its transformation. The massive, five-storied hostel lies right in the heart of the gayborhood of Fortitude Valley. So, you can literally dive into Brisbane’s gay nightlife right from your digs.
There’s a lot to love about this fabulous hostel, starting right from its outdoor pool, which is is a rarity in hostels. The place even offers fun floats, so you can have absolute fun in the pool with your new friends. The hostel is one huge spot for meet-cutes right from the pool to the hot tub to the in-house bar, Birdees, which is extremely popular with both locals and travelers. The tiki-inspired beer garden, private booths, and live entertainment mean that the party goes on late into the night. Finally, the large communal kitchen is perfect for whipping up quick in-between meals or striking conversations with handsome, good-looking fellow travelers. What’s more, the 24-hour reception desk staff will help you with everything, and even book tours of the city and beyond.
Just like any other hostel, Bunk Brisbane offers both dorms and private rooms. Plus, it even has options for some great five-bed apartments if you’re a large group. Apart from ensuite bathrooms in every dorm/room, all of them have free Wi-Fi.
Royal on the Park Hotel
4
Located right near the Brisbane river in Frog’s Hollow is the blast from the ’60s past, the Royal on the Park Hotel. An excellent gay friendly accommodation in Brisbane, this gorgeous, old-world hotel boasts more spacious rooms than anywhere else in the city. What’s more, this hotel has been an enduring favorite with politicians and even rock stars amongst its clientele. If old-style romance interests you and your partner, the walking and cycling paths along the Brisbane River are just a block away.
The 1969-built hotel has long been one of the most popular ones in the city. It’s much loved for its design quirks like poolside croquet lawns, carpeted stairs, and scalloped ‘sun hoods’ outside rooms. If the top-floor gym doesn’t interest you, engage in some old-fashioned, hoops exercise on the lawns during weekends. The ground-floor outdoor swimming pool is lovely for a dip and a swim in all seasons, complete with a small heated spa-pool nearby. What’s more, the hotel can even arrange for in-room massages, where you and our significant other can relax. Finally, the in-house restaurant puts out one hearty breakfast spread, complete with room service and other meals too.
Even entry-level rooms are huge here, and enjoy views of the river or the gardens and the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows apart, the brocade cushions, gold-olive hues, and botanical prints on the walls add boundless charm. If you want to splurge, then the suites not only have a bathroom shower but also a spa bath in a separate lounge room!
Limes Hotel
3
Limes Hotel is one of the best boutique gay friendly accommodation in Brisbane. The 21-room design hotel is one of the first ones in Brisbane and has an unforgettable, Swiss cheese-like facade. It sits smack dab in the heart of Fortitude Valley, allowing you to both explore Brisbane’s sights and its scintillating gay nightlife. Right from the lobby to the rooms, the spaces are small, albeit very cool.
The rooftop is the heart of all action at the hotel, complete with a spa pool and a trendy cocktail bar. On weekend nights, young Brisbanites flock here and you can certainly spot an eye-candy or two. What’s more, this space doubles as an open-air rooftop cinema on certain nights, where you can curl up with your partner and nibble on tapas and cocktails. Even though there’s no restaurant, you can order room service from the adjacent restaurant whose food is supposed to be delectable.
The rooms here are long-ish, yet extremely attractive and sexy. Snuggle-worthy king beds, espresso machines, and kitchenettes are mainstays, as are a couple of other standard mod-cons. Bathrooms are a bit of a squeeze, but that bodes well for couples (wink-wink). In fact, ground-floor rooms even have a small courtyard with a hammock.
Next Hotel Brisbane
2
It’s only fitting that the Next Hotel, a stunningly futuristic gay hotel in Brisbane, lies on a boulevard known as Queen Street! It’s one of the most hi-tech hotels in the city, complete with mobile check-in and keyless technology for access. If you’re a tech-savvy LGBTQ traveler who likes everything at the touch of a button, then this is where you should be. Since the Brisbane property is the first in the NEXT chain, it exudes the distinctive charisma of an individualistic property. Right from the outdoor bar to the pool deck, its sophistication galore. So what’s all the hi-tech hoopla about?
To begin with, you can ride to the hotel from the airport in one of its electric Tesla cars. Your smartphones can be used for everything from checking-in to control entertainment, lights, and temperature in the rooms. What’s more, you can even order room service off of it. Going further, the lobby’s in-transit zone offers a shower and sleeping pods. The fabulous infinity pool is amazing, and puts Next on the list of Top 11 Hotels With A Rooftop Pool In Brisbane! A 24-hour gym, and a nice, round-the-clock lounge with free coffee and tea, and a small library round up the amenities. The complimentary breakfast is one hearty affair, and also has to-go options. Plus, you cannot get more central in Brisbane than this. The main pedestrian shopping drag, the Queen Street Mall, as well as entertainment, dining, ferry stops, and the river are within walking distance.
While some rooms have Queen Street and pool views, others have river and city ones. But, all feature lovely blue hues and excellent Brisbane-themed artwork. Coffee machines, modern bathrooms, queen beds, and minibars with four free items complete the offerings.
Mercure Brisbane Hotel
1
The Mercure Brisbane Hotel is a well-located, mid-range gay accommodation Brisbane that’ll suit a large spectrum of LGBTQ travelers. Are you looking to dive into the gay scene of Fortitude Valley? It’s a mere 10-minute train ride. Are you a sucker for views? Mercure enjoys spectacular views of the Brisbane River and its four bridges as well as South Bank across the river. It’s also just two blocks from Brisbane’s best shopping, and even sits right by the entrance to the freeway to the Gold Coast!
You’re given no less than a red-carpet reception by the hotel staff. You’ll be immediately impressed by the large, minimalist lobby with vibrant color pops, potted plants, orchids, espresso machines, and even iPads. A 24-hour reception means you can waltz in even late after a hectic night on town. Besides in-room massages, the hotel even has a fitness center. The highlight, however, is the outdoor heated lap pool, where all the beautiful people gather on the colorful bean bags and daybeds. Mercure’s in-house restaurant serves, among other meals, a superb breakfast buffet with juices, fresh fruit, lots of pastries, and hot items.
The first thing that’ll catch your eye in the rooms is the striking black-and-white images of the Brisbane River. All rooms enjoy great views of the city or the river and feature everything from work desks to minibars. If you have the urge to splurge, the top-floor Privilege rooms have perks like espresso machines, slippers, bathrobes, mineral water, and chocolates.
Just So You Know:
- Australia’s only free monthly LGBTQ+ magazine, the Q Magazine is published out of Brisbane.
Get Some Culture in Brisbane:
- Brisbane Pride Festival – Brisbane Pride is the third-largest LGBTQ+ event in Australia and is an annual celebration of inclusion, diversity, and love. This four-week September festival sees quirky events, talk shows, parties, and lots of fun club nights.
- Big Gay Day – This is one of Australia’s most welcoming and treasured LGBTQ festivals, complete with a parade, stage acts, and carnival acts.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Brisbane:
- The Beat MegaClub – Established in 1983, this is Brisbane’s best and biggest gay nightclub. Right from DJs, parties, and affordable drinks, this Fortitude Valley club, one has it all!
- The Sportsman Hotel – This bar, bistro, and the hotel is one of the best gay meeting places in Brisbane.
- Club 29 – Welcome to what is the only gay cruise club in Brisbane, and also a fabulous sex-on-premises venue.
Best Gay Saunas in Brisbane:
- Wet Spa & Sauna – This is the city’s only gay sauna and spa. It also has the only gay swimming pool in the city! Wet also has private rooms, glory holes, a maze area, a sling room, and a private video lounge.