Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Memphis, Tennessee

Tucked on the western banks of the Mississippi River in the heart of Tennessee is mesmerizing Memphis. Elvis fanatics and blues lovers aside, the city has drawn an increasing number of LGBTQ travelers over the years. It might lack the vibrancy of Nashville, but Memphis does have an active and out-and-about gay scene. This is evident in the many gay friendly hotels in Memphis that we found while researching where to stay in the city. Many of them lie in the middle of or close to the Memphis gay scene, which is the buzzing Cooper-Young neighborhood on the southeastern edge of downtown. Besides the location choice, we also chose hotels based on the budget, amenities, staff efficiency, helpfulness, and the general LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere.

Not only did we find many LGBTQ-friendly bars in Cooper-Young, but we also found an adult bookstore and the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Tenessee and the Deep South might rank low on the LGBTQ-friendliness radar, but Memphis is slowly coming into its own. Hence, Memphis is a worthy LGBTQ-friendly destination with many other sights to see, especially if you’re on a sojourn to the southern states.

That said, there’s so much more to do, see, and explore in this gorgeous southern city. We started our exploration with the iconic Memphis Pyramid, which is one of the largest pyramids in the world! Who’d have thought that that list would feature a city from the American South? We ticked off a lot of things on the list of top things to do in Memphis, such as the National Civil Rights Museum, the iconic Beale Street, and the Memphis Zoo. So, why not pack your bags and head to the “Home of the Blues”?

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Peabody Hotel

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Best Southern hotel. We were craving the indulgence of the era bygone, so we stayed at what is still one of the South’s true “grande dames,” the sophisticated Peabody Hotel. Having thrown open its doors in 1925, it’s one of the best gay hotels in Memphis today. What we loved about this hotel is the location, as we could walk down to Memphis’ best gay bars from here.

The Peabody is a class act from top to bottom, which is evident the moment we stepped into the lobby, complete with a marble fountain with resident ducks! That’s where the hotel derives its name from, the Peabody ducks that live on the rooftop but make daily treks to the lobby fountain. We weren’t surprised that the hotel features a host of luxury amenities. A southern-inspired breakfast later, the indoor pool beckoned to us with its moody and sensuous setting. With sunbeds by the side, it’s a wonderful place to unwind and enjoy some quiet moments with a special someone. The romance continued with the couple’s massages at the full-service spa. Some of us wanted to work up a sweat – and an appetite – and headed to the fitness center.

After a day -and night – of revelry, we took the party back to the vintage rooms. Inspired by a bygone era, the well-designed rooms only seem to egg our romantic thoughts further. Swish mod-cons aside, we loved the luxurious bathrobes, huge beds, and lovely bathrooms with a large shower for two.

River Inn of Harbor Town

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Best inn. Wanting to stay away from the bustle, we chose the elegant and intimate River Inn of Harbor Town. Tucked right in front of the lush Greenbelt Park on the banks of the Mississippi, the inn feels as though we were in another world altogether. We loved everything about this contemporary boutique hotel, right from the tranquil and upscale settings to the personal service and attention to detail.

As we checked in, we were warmly plied with complimentary wine. The wonderfully outfitted rooms come with four-poster beds, reclaimed wood floors, and antique fixtures. Plus, the windows are actually able to open here, allowing us to breathe the fresh Memphis air. We read the daily newspaper that was delivered along with our full gourmet breakfast in the comfort of our bed. We chose a room with a jetted tub and fireplace for a romantic vacation. Did you know they serve truffles and port wine during turndown service? Sigh.

The rest of the inn is no less exceptional. We enjoyed meals at the incredible French restaurant Paulette’s just off the lobby and lighter fare at Tug’s Casual Grill. If you’re here during summer, seasonal snacks are served on the charming rooftop terrace. Downtown and Cooper-Young might be a 10-15-minute drive, but this place is so worth it!

The Memphian, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

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The Memphian, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is yet another excellent gay-friendly accommodation in the town. This hotel, which sits in Overton Square, is one of Memphis’ most culturally rich spots. So, it’s perfect for LGBTQ travelers who have a love for diving into a city’s culture.

Despite the design capturing the history of Memphis, it’s elegant and modern. We give brownie points to the unique indoor/outdoor rooftop bar and lounge Tiger and Peacock, which serves drinks based on one’s zodiac sign! The other eating place here, the restaurant Complicated Pilgrim, is anything but complicated. We dined on true-blue (and delicious) Southern food such as shrimp and grits, salmon BLTs, and biscuits and gravy.

Choose from 90 standard rooms, 5 junior suites, and 4 suites, of which the latter feel like design-centric apartments. A blend of bold and muted golds, browns, and greens keeps the tone casual, while the animal motifs and the wooden accents add a splash of interest and coziness. Moreover, all rooms come with Lavazza espresso makers and fridges, which is a saving grace for brewing coffee in the morning. And since we have an eco-friendly bent of mind, we liked the efforts made towards sustainability. These include water stations encouraging reusable water bottles, reduced housekeeping frequency, and electric car charging ports.

Moxy Memphis Downtown

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We, along with the rest of Memphis’ LGBTQ community, are obsessed with the Moxy Memphis Downtown, an adults-only boutique accommodation in the heart of downtown. We experienced hospitality in style at this Southern-inspired modern hotel, complete with a Southern porch. The “Porch,” as it’s known, sits on Main Street and is nothing less than an outdoor play space. Not only does it have ping pong and a bocce ball court, but it also has two fire pits where we saw everyone enjoying romantic dates with their partners. Later on, we listened to some great music with local brews and craft beverages at Bar Moxy.

One of the best bits about Moxy Group is their rooms, and the Memphis outpost is no exception. We had the choice of a host of smart, stylish, and cozy rooms, all of which come with large flatscreen TVs and luxe bathrooms with complimentary bath amenities. But that’s not all. Downstairs, we also found a business center to quickly check work e-mails and even a fitness center, where we worked off all those Southern food calories.

Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel

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While looking for full-service hotels downtown, we chanced upon the Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel, one of the best gay friendly hotels in Memphis’s downtown. Despite being a chain hotel, we appreciated the design details at this hotel. A greenery-filled lobby welcomed us to this modern place, which even has a grand piano right in the lobby.

Our days began with hearty breakfasts at the Southern-inspired restaurant, which also served other meals. After a long and laidback breakfast, we’d either set out to explore the city or head straight to the heated indoor pool area. A divine turquoise pool sits right at the center, with sunbeds to the side and excellent views out of the all-glass walls. Some of us were fitness freaks who hit the fitness center instead. What’s great about this hotel is that even Memphis’ gay bars were within walking distance. So, we could walk down to explore Cooper-Young.

Going further, the rooms and suites at this hotel are the ultimate nests for relaxation. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, spacious decks, and even Starbucks coffee. We wanted to splurge a bit, so we went for the Club Room, which got us access to the Club Lounge with complimentary refreshments.

Big Cypress Lodge

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Staying in what is one of Memphis’ most surreal hotels, the five-star Big Cypress Lodge, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tucked inside the famed Memphis Pyramid, this 28-storeyed feat of engineering has America’s tallest free-standing elevator. It even has a swamp with huge cypress trees and live alligators! Talk about grandiose. What’s more, the hotel is also a gay-friendly accommodation – and a lavish one at that.

We loved the whimsically-designed rooms here. The rooms are designed like treehouses, fishing, and duck hunting camps, and feature screened porches and fireplaces. Luxurious touches include the most decadent beds in all of Memphis, handcrafted furniture, and jetted tubs in bathrooms. It might have come off as cheesy had it not been for the incredible attention to detail and excellent service. We chose the Governor’s Suite, which is all about wanton luxury with a full kitchen and a wraparound balcony with million-dollar views of Memphis. It’s no wonder this hotel is one of the best in Memphis, Tennessee.

If that wasn’t enough, the resort has much to explore. These include a shooting range and an ocean-themed bowling alley. When we wanted to unwind, we hit the heavenly spa for a facial or a massage. When the hunger pangs came calling, the on-site restaurants are great, especially the Lookout restaurant atop the pyramid. It boasts stupendous 360-degree views of Memphis.

Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis – Beale Street

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If you’re looking for value-for-money gay friendly hotels in Memphis on the iconic Beale Street, then check out The Hampton Inn & Suites. This affordable option for LGBTQ travelers lies just a few streets from some of the city’s best gay bars and Memphis’ major attractions. For Instagrammers and social media-obsessed digital nomads amongst us, the free Wi-Fi throughout was an absolute blessing.

We enjoyed a great start to the day with a free hot breakfast buffet every day. Think fresh fruit, bacon, waffles, coffee, tea, and more. Aside from a fitness center, we also enjoyed taking refreshing dips in the indoor pool, which was a welcome change from the heat and humidity outdoors. When hanging around the hotel all day, we did enjoy the complimentary coffee/tea in the quaint lobby lounge.

You’ll like the rooms and suites at this hotel, besides the unbeatable location. Separate living areas, full kitchens, and huge windows with excellent views are the mainstays in all rooms. However, we’d suggest that you pick a suite with a balcony, like we did, for brilliant views of Beale Street.

Comfort Inn Downtown

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Yet another great LGBTQ-friendly downtown Memphis find is Comfort Inn. What’s great is that it’s within easy walking distance of Memphis’ gay bars, Cooper-Young, and many of its best attractions. That’s one of the reasons why we chose this hotel, apart from the value for money bit, of course.

Coming to the hotel, it’s bright and immaculate and comes with a huge choice of spacious rooms. Rooms and suites are spacious and allowed us to spread out. They also came with carpeted floors and huge floor-to-ceiling windows with wonderful views. A basic kitchen setup allowed us to cook meals when we didn’t want to eat outside. We also made ourselves hot brews using the coffeemaker and savored the quiet early morning moments by the window. The granite bathrooms left us surprised, for they even came with bathtubs.

What makes this hotel a great value pick is the host of amenities. A free hot breakfast aside, this place even has a fitness center, business center, and a garage. However, we found their best feature to be the rooftop outdoor pool with sun loungers. We could lie on the sunbeds and soak in panoramic views of the city.

The Guest House at Graceland

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Most luxurious. Since we’re huge fans of ‘The King of Rock and Roll,’ The Guest House at Graceland, which lies 20 minutes south of Memphis, was perfect for us! One of the most lavish gay friendly hotels in Memphis, the hotel is a reflection of Elvis Presley’s personal style and taste. In fact, it sits just a few steps away from The King’s very own White House. However, any impression that the aesthetic would be gaudy was quashed when we saw the place, for it was elegantly lavish.

The sophistication and chic are evident almost everywhere, whether on-site restaurants or the theater. The hotel is full of lounge areas for you to unwind and relax. The tropical lawns are the perfect setting for the heavenly pool, next to which sit plush sunbeds and a pool bar. We spent an entire day by the pool, swimming and drinking cocktails from the bar. We also dug into dishes featuring contemporary twists on Elvis’ favorite foods. After some sampling at the complimentary PB and Jelly Bar, we hopped on to the complimentary shuttle to downtown Memphis and explored Cooper-Young.

All rooms here are modern and spacious, complete with rain-head showers in the bathrooms and gleaming mod-cons. Do you have money to splurge? We’d highly recommend one of the 20 lavishly themed suites, one of which was what we picked. That’s because they’ve been designed by Mrs. Priscilla Presley herself!

Hotel Napoleon

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Best chic boutique hotel. Discerning travelers like us will love the sound of the chic boutique Hotel Napoleon, which lies right in the heart of downtown. The gay-friendly hotel sits in a former newspaper office building and boasts a breathtaking early 20th-century stone-veneer facade.

“We couldn’t get enough of the grand exterior, which jazzed up our Instagram! But we were bowled over by the rooms, the servicem and the amenities, all of which were the epitome of millenial cool.”

But, this historic exterior is highly deceptive, for inside, we found what is possibly the chicest space in downtown Memphis. Think lobby speakers playing techno, industrial-chic decor, and rooms stuffed with all the tech we could imagine. All in all, it created an ambiance of effortless cool. We loved the rooms and suites at this hotel, which come with Bluetooth stereos, 50-inch flatscreen TVs, and excellent bathrooms with bespoke toiletries and huge for-two showers.

The rest of the hotel is similarly exceptional. Settle down for a delectable à la carte breakfast at the farm-to-table restaurant. It’s also where we would enjoy a craft beer or two in the evening. A fitness center, a 24-hour front desk, and room service make up the rest of this place.

The Westin Memphis Beale Street

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Located right on Beale Street, The Westin tops the list of the best gay friendly hotels in Memphis. Sitting right in the heart of all the action, it’s within walking distance of all downtown sights, including the Cooper-Young gayborhood. But it’s not just the location that made us choose this hotel; it was also everything else it offered.

Firstly, we had the choice of a host of modern guestrooms and suites offering sweeping views of Memphis landmarks. What’s more, we loved all they provided, right from the pillow-topped beds to the swanky mod-cons, including tea/coffee-making facilities. In order to splurge, and splurge well, we went for the corner rooms. They came with wraparound windows that offered excellent views of the Memphis skyline.

There’s a lot to do at the hotel itself, starting with a workout in the well-designed fitness studio. We enjoyed a great breakfast and meals at the on-site seafood restaurant and sipped on cocktails at the lobby bar. Concierge services helped us explore Memphis as well as the city’s best entertainment and dining venues.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all of Memphis’ gay-friendly hotel choices, we preferred some hotels over others for the specific features that they offer. That’s why we’ve come up with a smaller, more curated list of hotels especially known for their specific features. They’re listed below:

• Most luxurious: The Guest House at Graceland
• Best Southern Hotel: Peabody Hotel
• Best chic boutique hotel: Hotel Napoleon
• Best Inn: River Inn of Harbor Town

Just So You Know:

• Memphis’ gay scene was far more progressive and out-and-about earlier. While coming out is anything but a picnic for many people in the LGBTQ community, that’s exactly how they chose to come out in the 1970s. In 1976, they celebrated “Gay Day” with a picnic in the lovely Audubon Park.
• By 1988, there were 14 official LGBTQ bars operating in the city. Today, there’s a huge mural inside Dru’s. It logs the names of nearly 110 bars that once served Memphis’ gay community.

Get Some Culture in Memphis:

• Mid-South Pride: Memphis’ main Gay Pride event takes place in downtown Memphis every October. This vibrant and community-oriented festival features discreet HIV screenings, a VIP lounge, a car show, a truck park, 200+ vendors, and live entertainment.
• Tri-State Black Pride: Along with Mid-South pride, this is the other hugely important pride festival in Memphis. It celebrates Pride with parties, talks, brunches, and more in June at different venues across the city.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Memphis:

• Mollie Fontaine: This elegant two-floor lounge is considered amongst the most favorite hangouts for LGBTQ locals in Memphis. Set in a stunning historic mansion in the historic district of Victorian Village, this one has well-crafted cocktails, lots of cozy spots, and live piano music. If you have a date, then this is where you should be.
• Pumping Station: This pulsating gay bar is a favorite with guys into Levi’s and leather, bears, and their admirers. Oozing a cruisey atmosphere, this place has excellent drink specials and a lushly landscaped two-level deck. P.S: Steps at the back lead to the famous-infamous “treehouse” section, where you’ll find all sorts of activities. They have activities planned for every day of the week.
• DRU’S BAR: This Midtown staple is one of the best LGBTQ bars in the city, complete with a jukebox and a stage set for karaoke. They also host events such as comedy shows and drag shows.
• Otherlands: Not all gay bars have to be cocktail bars, right? They can be coffee bars, too, like Otherlands. This quaint, quiet, hipster-like place boasts a non-judgemental and soothing atmosphere where you can get together with LGBTQ youth and talk over coffee or tea. They even have a gift shop that sells clothes, bags, candles, incense, and jewelry.

Best Gay Saunas in Memphis:

Unfortunately, there’s no gay sauna in Memphis currently. However, with a definite rise in the city’s gay scene, we’re hoping that they make an appearance soon enough!