North Carolina’s capital might be Raleigh, but its largest city is scintillating Charlotte. Historic sites, a host of museums, and vibrant neighborhoods make this city a real jewel of the South. Since it’s conservative in politics and style, Charlotte has a vibrant albeit comparatively limited gay scene. That said, we had absolutely no problems finding the best gay friendly hotels in Charlotte. The city celebrates Charlotte Pride in August and even Black Gay Pride in July and has a smattering of gay bars and clubs. While we didn’t find a separate rainbow flag-flying neighborhood in Charlotte, we did find a host of gay-friendly ones.
Plaza Midwood, for instance, has a discernible gay vibe with lots of gay-friendly restaurants, lounges, and cafes. What’s more, it’s also home to the long-running gay bookstore and pride shop White Rabbit. It’s no surprise that we spent hours here! Even the historic, formerly industrial South End and NoDa (North Davidson) are now cool areas with a couple of gay bars. Besides a nice gay nightlife, we found many other top things to do in Charlotte, including the NASCAR Hall Of Fame, Freedom Park, and Mint Museum. We were even able to visit the North Carolina Zoo, one of the World’s Largest Zoos, which is just an hour away. Are you going to Charlotte in winter? It’s a great base to visit Asheville, one of the best US winter vacation spots. So, if you’re planning a trip to the southeastern U.S. coast, then Charlotte should definitely be on your gay itinerary!
Table of contents
Charlotte Marriott City Center
11
Best chain hotel. We start our list of the best LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Charlotte with Charlotte Marriott City Center, where the entire philosophy is customer satisfaction at all times. It was an excellent and well-located city center option for us as we wanted to explore the city and its gay nightlife. In fact, it lies just a few streets from Petra’s and The Bar at 316. There’s a lot we liked about this hotel, especially its first-rate rooms. Featuring modern decor, all rooms also come with cable flatscreen TVs, small fridges, and coffeemakers. Since we wanted to upgrade, we went for the executive rooms. They even offered us access to the M Club Lounge and its complimentary snacks and beverages.
The rest of the hotel is equally impressive, such as the free Wi-Fi in public areas. On days when we weren’t exploring the city, we’d work out in the 24-hour fitness center. Plus, we’d enjoy excellent meals at the on-site restaurant. We even found there to be a coffee shop and co-lab space on-site, which serves locally roasted coffee and plays soft music in the background. On days when we’d spend time indoors, this was the best place for us to be.
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Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel
10
With an Uptown location and one of the city’s hottest lounges, the gay-friendly Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel didn’t even have to try and sell itself to us. We party revelers, along with the local LGBTQ social butterflies, were drawn to it like bees to honey! Not only does it have one of Charlotte’s hottest lounges, but also some of the city’s best gay bars and clubs are within walking distance.
The Kimpton brand is known for its pizzaz, and this Kimpton property is no exception. It’s jazzy and fashion-forward but never over-the-top or in-your-face. We especially loved the rooms and suites, which boasted a zany look with upholstered headboards and chrome-accented furnishings. The sleek marble bathrooms took the experience a step further and even feature bathtubs for a luxuriating and romantic experience. The best bit? All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views of Charlotte. We landed a real winner with a corner room, which came with a wraparound glass window.
The hotel’s best feature is the rooftop bar Merchant & Trade, which served bar snacks and craft cocktails 19 levels off the ground. Aside from a well-equipped fitness center, the hotel also has a rather picturesque yoga deck as well as in-room spa services for relaxation.
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Omni Charlotte Hotel
9
It literally feels like we were at the center of Charlotte’s universe while we were staying at the Omni Hotel, one of the best gay-friendly hotels in Charlotte. The Uptown location itself is incredible; it lies smack dab in the heart of the city’s gay nightlife. Furthermore, it’s connected to excellent shopping, entertainment, and dining avenues in the city. As for the hotel itself, it’s buzzing and energetic in its own right. It’s no surprise that it’s constantly named among the best hotels in Charlotte, North Carolina. A superb breakfast buffet awaited us first thing in the morning, which was a great way to cure the previous night’s hangover. After breakfast, we headed straight to the divine rooftop outdoor pool, which is circled by sun loungers. We’d lounge on our plush perch and enjoy superb views of downtown Charlotte.
But there’s more. The hotel also has a host of drinking and dining options, right from bagels and coffee to cocktails and quesadillas. If that wasn’t enough, it even offered us, and others, access to Charlotte Athletic Club. It’s connected to the hotel via a walkway so that our hair didn’t frizz as we made our way there. Moody and sensuous were our first thoughts when we saw the rooms and suites here. We saw neutral hues with pops of teal and gold, plush carpets, and huge windows with scenic views. But it’s the bathrooms that took our breath away; think dark wood furniture, marble vanities, and deep-soaking tubs.
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The Ivey’s Hotel
8
Best boutique. There’s nothing traditional or staid about The Ivey’s Hotel, a boutique hotel with gay-friendly and stylish flair. Right from the stylish decor to a not-so-regular check-in process, we were treated like royalty at this Uptown Charlotte hideaway. The location can’t get any better. It’s right across the street from the Blumenthal Center and within walking distance of Uptown sights, including Charlotte’s gay bars. The chicness extends to the rooms, which possess a comfortable and seductive New Orleans-meets-Paris vibe. With just 47 rooms, staying here was an intimate and exclusive experience. Plus, we even found Dean & DeLuca gourmet snacks, Nespresso machines, iHome docking stations, Bose soundbars, and 400-year-old French oak floors in all of them. Our pick? Go for the rooms with floating bathtubs, as we did with the King Suite with the balcony.
Even though it’s a boutique hotel, every amenity of this hotel is about going the extra mile to make us feel at home. Our days began with a delectable and hearty full breakfast every morning. It included everything from freshly ground coffee to locally sourced pastries. When we weren’t out exploring the city or the gay scene, we’d happily retire to the library to indulge in hand-picked champagne and wines, charcuterie, and cheese.
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Morehead Inn
7
Best heritage. Nestled at the southern end of the gay-friendly South End neighborhood is Morehead Inn, one of the most gorgeous LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Charlotte. The beautiful 1917-built property sits in a lovely Colonial Revival house and is peppered with Victorian-era antiques. We had the choice of just 12 rooms at this inn, all of which offered tons of natural light and separate living and sleeping areas. Since we wanted something special, we went for the Hawthorne suite on the second floor. It has a porch that overlooks the quaint backyard and the lush gardens. During fall and spring, this room, along with a few others, is extra special with just the right amount of romance we wanted on our vacation. Nevertheless, all rooms come with ensuite bathrooms, which also have bathtubs!
The rest of the accommodation is equally charming and worth exploring. The main room, which was recently redone, is a great place to hang out. The library-like room with a grand staircase and beautiful birds looked like it was straight out of a movie set! We spent much time capturing gorgeous pictures for our Instagram. What’s more, the place has lots of outdoor spots to enjoy the gardens and the weather. So, we’d even sit on the rocking chairs or the cushy alfresco furniture on the porches and enjoy a cup of coffee. Last but not least, there’s a sumptuous breakfast that’s served every morning in the dining room. Think grits, bacon, toast, eggs, and more – yum!
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The Ritz-Carlton
6
The lineup of Range Rovers, Teslas, and Rolls-Royces lined up in the driveway of the Ritz Carlton Charlotte was the first sign that we’d entered somewhere special. The granddaddy of luxury hotels in the region possesses all the possible bells and whistles we expected from a hotel of this fame and then some. We wanted a self-indulgent vacation, and we knew we’d come to the right place when we saw the bi-level penthouse spa, complete with a pink Himalayan salt room! What’s more, we even got a hell lot of pampering from the staff with decadent chocolate and honey-based treatments. After a relaxing spa session, the hotel took relaxation up a notch at the lush rooftop with a chef’s garden and million-dollar views of Charlotte. It’s the environmentally friendly hotel’s crown jewel – literally!
The rest of the hotel is equally great. We grabbed a drink at the renowned wine, scotch, and cocktail bar before heading off to party at Charlotte’s gay bars. Plus, two other restaurants offer delicious meals. Even the rooms here are great, and we especially loved the 55/65-inch huge flatscreen TVs! Moreover, the modern and elegant interiors feature coffee/tea-making facilities and swish bathrooms.
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The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel
5
Most luxurious. One of the most lavish gay friendly hotels in Charlotte is the spectacular Ballantyne, which has all the trappings of a luxury hotel without us having to leave the city. Delivering the best of both worlds, the hotel is a gentleman’s club and library with a dash of Hollywood glamor. This is the aesthetic channeled by the rooms, complete with brass accents and tufted headboards. A dove grey palette with pops of color punches up the atmosphere, while the full-length mirror is a very thoughtful addition found in very few hotels. The best bits are the minibars, huge windows with excellent views, and marble bathrooms with luxury bath amenities, slippers, and bathrobes.
“As discerning travelers, we absolutely loved the well-designed touches like the color palette, full-length mirror, and marble bathrooms. It was like living in the lap of luxury.”
WOW Travel
Clearly, luxury is king at this glossy hotel, which welcomed us with a jaw-dropping two-story lobby. When we wanted to relax, we had the choice of both an indoor and an outdoor pool, both of which are sprinkled with sunbeds. The outdoor pool is innately Floridian in character, with lush foliage surrounding it and a gazebo by the side. While there’s a gym, we preferred grabbing the complimentary bikes and heading off around the property or going walking along its trails. After a long outdoor session, a trip to the excessive spa is a must. If you’re a foodie like us, you’ll be thrilled by the choice of stylish Southern fare served at the restaurants. They also dole out afternoon tea and have what is one of the largest whiskey collections in all of the Carolinas.
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Grand Bohemian Charlotte Hotel, Autograph Collection
4
Glamor radiates from every nook and corner of the fabulous boutique Grand Bohemian Charlotte Hotel. Tucked right in the heart of Charlotte’s Uptown, this hotel oozes style and immensely appealed to us design-loving peeps. Think of it as an Alice in Wonderland-esque environment with sculptural furniture and ostentatious modern art.
The style begins in the shimmering and immaculate mirrored lobby and extends to the dimly lit cocktail bar with live music. The bar was the perfect place for a pre-jaunt drink or a nightcap before we retired to the amazing rooms. The Argentinian-inspired rooms and suites are another story altogether. Splashes of turquoise and fuchsia up the ante on style and zing. Adding to the glamor quotient are the Bluetooth speakers, portable steamers, and in-room Starbucks (yes!). Did we mention the floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek black shower areas for two? If romance is on your mind, then this hotel is certainly the place to be.
The rest of the hotel is no less spectacular, whether it’s the sixth-floor terrace or the fourth-floor gallery that has dinosaur-egg replicas. The best place is the 16th-floor rooftop bar, where you *need* to be escorted, by the way, making for a very, very exclusive ambiance. Four on-site dining options aside, we also found 680 wine bottles displayed at the Mico Bar!
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The Dunhill Hotel
3
This 1929-built historic Dunhill Hotel is one of the most lavish LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Charlotte. Amidst a sea of neverending new construction, this hotel flaunts its rich history and landmark status. We loved the intimate lobby with traditional furnishings and yellow walls that makes for an inviting atmosphere.
The rooms and suites echo the public spaces, complete with classic mahogany furnishings and warm yellow walls. We were excited to find free minibars, plush bathrobes, and nightly turndown service with signature chocolates in every room. The pinnacle of decadence is the Penthouse Suite, which has a marble floor and panoramic views of Charlotte. However, if you don’t want to spend that much (I know, right?), you could book the Deluxe Queen Room, which came with a separate living room.
The rest of the hotel is equally fabulous, especially the caring and warm service. What’s more, there are a bunch of unusual niceties, such as a wine social on Wednesdays and freshly baked cookies every afternoon. Plus, the restaurant serves delicious Southern fare – think sticky biscuits and sweet potato and poppyseed pancakes.
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Renaissance Hotel
2
The Renaissance Charlotte South Park Hotel is the quiet, impressive LGBTQ-friendly hotel on this list. LGBTQ travelers like us who’re interested in top restaurants and high-end shopping will absolutely love this hotel. Despite the hotel being a buzzing one, it doesn’t seem frenetic at all. This is evident right from the lobby, where even the atrium fountain sets a soothing tone.
Since this is a Marriott outpost, we had the choice of a host of classic Marriott rooms complete with top-notch amenities and thoughtful technology. iPod docking stations, coffeemakers, small fridges, and cable flat-screen TVs were swanky additions, while the huge floor-to-ceiling windows offered stellar views of the city. Above all, we loved the blue and white bathrooms, some of which even came with bathtubs, like our Executive King Room.
Whether you’ve come to Charlotte for a staycation, to party, or to explore, you’ll definitely spend time at this hotel exploring its amenities. As for us, we enjoyed a refreshing dip in the indoor swimming pool and lounged on the sun chairs next to it. Post a swim, we relaxed in the sauna, soaking off all the stresses in our bodies. Finally, the on-site restaurant and bar served delicious Southern fare and craft cocktails.
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The Westin
1
Sitting atop the best gay friendly hotels in Charlotte is the chic and modern Westin Charlotte, which sits in a funky high-rise in Uptown. Melding modern luxury and southern charm, this hotel is the epitome of comfort, style, and luxury in the heart of Charlotte. What’s more, it’s within walking distance of many of its amazing gay bars, allowing us to explore the city’s gay nightlife while you stay here too. The rooms feature archetypal Westin touches – think the “Heavenly” beds, rain showers in the bathrooms, and sleek and ergonomic workspaces. Huge picture windows with seating beside and free Starbucks are excellent additions to what makes for an extremely memorable stay.
The Westin’s amenities are second to none, especially the huge indoor pool area that’s peppered with sun chairs. The all-glass walls allowed us to enjoy views of the outdoors as we enjoyed refreshing dips in the pool. After a swim, we worked off those southern calories at the well-equipped fitness center. Did we mention that there’s a spa too? After a long day of exploring Charlotte and a night of partying, a massage is just what we needed to rejuvenate our minds and bodies.
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Our Verdict!
Charlotte certainly has an impressive lineup of LGBTQ-friendly hotels. We’ve made a specialized list and curated them below:
- Best chain hotel: Charlotte Marriott City Center
- Best boutique: The Ivey’s Hotel
- Best heritage: Morehead Inn
- Most luxurious: The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Just So You Know:
- Did you know that Charlotte has a gay rugby team? The 2004-founded Charlotte Royals support an inclusive environment and welcome members of all orientations. The action is both on and off the field, where people can play and learn about rugby while working with local charities.
Get Some Culture in Charlotte:
- Charlotte Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: This amazing tour of “Queen City” allowed us to explore the culture and art scene of historically important Charlotte. All we needed to do is download the app on our phones and immersed ourselves in a guided journey through this amazing city.
- Charlotte Pride: 2019 was only the seventh year when the Charlotte Pride Parade was held. Although the city has hosted LGBTQ parades since the 70s, it ended in the 80s, taking nearly two decades to relaunch. Charlotte’s Pride Festival is more than just a parade and features a film festival, discussions, parties, and more. The 2023 edition is all set to take place in the month of August.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Charlotte:
- The Scorpio: No matter your zodiac sign, the stars surely align at the sizzling Scorpio, which is the longest-running LGBTQ nightclub in Charlotte. The 1968-founded place is famed for presenting some of the Southeast’s best drag shows. When you want to drink cocktails and groove on the dance floor, this is where you should be.
- The Bar at 316: Tucked in a two-storeyed home in the historic Dilworth neighborhood, this 1980s bar is one of the oldest gay-friendly establishments in Charlotte. Do you have a date? The stunning second-floor patio is the perfect place to chat while sipping drinks.
- Petra’s: This cozy and low-key gay piano bar and cabaret is fun for hobnobbing after dinner. Whether it’s karaoke, video,s or trivia night, you’re going to have fun at this friendly neighborhood hangout.
Best Gay Saunas in Charlotte:
- Eros Men’s Spa: Cruise-y vibes are present all day, every day, at this steamy spa. With a Himalayan salt room, steam saunas, and a dry sauna, it’s a great place to hook up in the city.
