Dallas is perhaps the most mythologized city in Texas. Surrounded, literally by five picturesque lakes, the city has outgrown from its “cheerleaders and cowboys” fame to a modern, bustling metropolis. Its distinctiveness and accepting nature are also what make the city so gay-friendly, and there are numerous hotels to prove the same. Gay hotels in Dallas, including the gay district ones, not only boast a friendly staff but also a slew of amenities and luxuries. In fact, Dallas boasts of not one but two thriving gay neighborhoods, both of which are just minutes from Downtown. The gay friendly district of Oak Lawn in Dallas is home to gay bars, stores, restaurants, and hotels. Meanwhile, the Cedar Springs “Strip” boasts some of the most gargantuan nightlife venues you’ll have ever seen in your lives! Almost every place boasts an outdoor patio, making it perfect for mixing and mingling.
Judging by the city’s gay-friendliness, ‘Big D’ seems like an appropriate nickname for Dallas! But, that’s not all that Dallas is famed for. For instance, Dallas Zoo is one of the World’s Largest Zoos, and will take you an entire day to explore! The city is also home to the historic Sixth Floor Museum, one of the Best Places To Visit in Texas. And, of course, the city is home to a string of museums that hold within their folds thousands of years of art that culture vultures will love. So, pack your bags and head for a gay sojourn to this dazzling southern city. To that end, here are the top 11 gay friendly hotels in Dallas, including ones in the gay district.
The Joule
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The Joule is unarguably one of the most luxurious and romantic gay hotels in Dallas. Set in a downtown 1920s neo-Gothic structure, the hotel exudes a modern and playful vibe that’s hard to resist. The lobby is especially exceptional with a slew of dramatic art installations such as intricate tile mosaics and a giant steel wheel. The hotel has a plethora of unique and personable amenities, such as the 7th-floor rooftop pool. What’s unique is that a part of the pool hangs over Main Street! Lounge at the pool terrace and bar which is a favorite gay hangout spot in the city. However, the best of them all is the subterranean spa, which is nothing short of an otherworldly getaway, complete with a stunning relaxation pool and a roster overflowing with treatments. It’s what makes the Joule one of the Best Spa Hotels in Dallas.
Aside from two retail boutiques, the hotel also has a personalized “Taschen Library” filled with books about art. Two eateries, the Italian-based Americano and modern Texas brasserie CBD serve lip-smacking cuisine. The latter also has an exceptional cocktail program and serves a delicious breakfast that includes the likes of buttermilk pancakes and CBD omelet. Moreover, the stylish rooms are the epitome of thoughtful design. Splashes of deep colors complement the neutral hues. Spacious bathrooms with spa amenities, plush comforters, and an HDTV with Apple TV complete the place.
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Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh
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Discerning gay travelers looking for a luxurious and bespoke experience will love Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh, one of the best gay friendly hotels in Dallas. The hotel melds the 1920s history of the former Stoneleigh Hotel with Le Meridien’s European heritage. Thus, modern rendition of an Art Deco-era hotel, pairing the subdued but glamorous opulence with modern touches.
Le Meridien has a litany of amenities, including a business center, a 24-hour fitness center, concierge service, and the most heavenly outdoor pool with chaise loungers. Art lovers will love the complimentary access to Dallas Contemporary Art Museum via the hotel’s “Unlock Art” program. A sole but superb restaurant serves French bistro fare with a Texan twist. Even breakfast is a hearty affair, with ranch hand Benedict entice, southern tartine, and croissant French toast. Oh, and there’s a weekend make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, so make sure you’re here – on the weekend.
All rooms are traditionally styled with antique-like furniture, classic wallpapers, rich brocade curtains, and whimsical vintage artwork. If you want to splurge, go for one of the nine Tribute Suites, but all rooms nevertheless come with spacious bathrooms with spa toiletries and luxury linens.
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Kasa Dallas Love Field-Medical District Apartments
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Kasa Dallas Love Field-Medical District Apartments is one of the best gay hotels in Dallas’ gay district. The chic and stylish aparthotel makes for excellent budget accommodation in the heart of the gayborhood. Despite being affordable digs, these apartments don’t skimp on facilities, which is what makes them so popular with gay travelers. There’s an outdoor swimming pool as well as a fitness center, depending on what you’d prefer. Free Wi-Fi aside, you’ll also find a lovely sun terrace that’s a wonderful spot for sunbathing with views over the Oak Lawn neighborhood. During evenings, gather around the barbeque for an alfresco dinner with some great company.
Since it’s an aparthotel, all units here come with separate living rooms with sofas and flatscreen TVs as well as full kitchens. Appliances like coffee machines, microwaves, and fridges help you whip up quick meals at a moment’s notice, which you can relish together in the living room while watching a movie or on the dining table.
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Warwick Melrose
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One of the favorite gay friendly hotels in Dallas with LGBTQ travelers is the gorgeous Warwick Melrose, which is also one of the best hotels in Dallas’ gay district. In fact, it sits right down the street from some of its best gay bars and clubs. Equipped with a whole lot of excellent amenities, this hotel exudes a sensuous charm that makes it one of the Most Romantic Hotels in Dallas. So, if you’re in the city with your partner for a romantic getaway, you know where to stay.
Designed in 192, all 205 rooms and suites retained their old-world elegance, but boast plush modern flourishes. Hence, you’ll see lavish touches such as deep rich colors, dark wood furniture, and marble baths large enough for two. Additionally, the 20 suites come with four-poster beds as well. Finally, all of them offer some of the best views in the city from floor-to-ceiling windows.
Every inch of the impeccable Warwick says elegance, right from the Grand Ballroom to the vintage Library piano bar where you can sip on drinks while stealing some quiet moments with your partner. The outdoor pool with sun loungers under red umbrellas is divine, and a great place to people-watch. In fact, it’s quite gay-popular too, in case you were looking to meet someone. Winding up the facilities here is the 4-diamond restaurant that serves all meals.
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Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
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One of the loveliest gay hotels in Dallas’ gay district is Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. This glamorous Turtle Creek hotel oozes sophisticated vibes a la old-world Hollywood. This is evident in its offerings such as the sexy Mansion Bar, which serves fantastic cocktails and features live music. Its restaurant, on the other hand, is an iconic romantic Dallas dining destination. Take a table by the fireplace and gaze into each other’s eyes by the fire. There’s even an on-site fitness center if you’re looking for one. However, the best feature is the sun-kissed outdoor pool, where you can enjoy cocktails on your perch after a swim. In fact, it’s one of the Best Hotel Pools In Dallas.
What also makes this hotel so gay-popular is that Oak Lawn’s gay scene is but a hop, skip, and jump away. So, if you were looking to impress someone, then this would be the place to do so. Decked out in neutral hues with just a hint of gild, the elegant rooms at this hotel feature, amongst other mod-cons, a well-stocked minibar. French windows open out to patios with lush views of the surroundings, making for a very romantic ambiance. The cherry on top is the deep-soaking tubs in the marble bathrooms, which are primed for romance!
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Virgin Hotels Dallas
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Yet another of the best hotels in Dallas’ gay district is Virgin Hotels Dallas, which is a Dallas Design District hotel with some serious soul. Amongst the first digs to be rolled out as part of the bold brand’s swanky stays lineup, this also happens to be one of the swankiest gay friendly hotels in Dallas. The rooms and suites feature signature colors of the Virgin brand – think fiery reds and oranges. What’s more, there are several unique features that make this place so popular. One of them is the bespoke sliding doors in every suite that makes for two distinct rooms rather than one. Moreover, thoughtfully little extras such as street prices on the minibar sodas and snacks, signature red sofas, and yoga mats elevate the quality of your stay here. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows and posh bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs add to the exclusivity.
Begin your day with a superb American or à la carte breakfast at the onsite restaurant, which also serves lip-smacking main meals. The standout is the outdoor rooftop pool along with the pool bar, which is also one of the hottest places to see and be seen in the city. A fitness center aside, it’s the Commons Club that is the cornerstone here. An open-to-the-public policy with a members-only vibe is what ensures that everyone gets a perch, a drink, and a meal here.
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Hotel ZaZa Dallas Uptown
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ZaZa might sound like a wonky word, but in Dallas, it’s one of the city’s sizzling hotspots. One of the most dazzling gay hotels in Dallas, Hotel ZaZa Uptown is where the posh come to the party! So, you’ll see large groups celebrations a girls’ weekend, bachelorette parties, and what-not. Gay travelers who love a good old rowdy pool scene will love the ZaZa, where the pool has an excellent nightlife ambiance complete with the stylings of a DJ. And, of course, it’s chock-full of beautiful people out and about, lending it a very upscale and chic cruisey vibe. After a pool visit, head to the spa for a relaxing body scrub or a massage. Indulge in a romantic meal at The Dragonfly, the hotel’s equally extravagant restaurant.
Over-the-top interiors mean that the hotel might be a boutique one, but it’s certainly not for a quiet getaway. The rooms, bungalows, and suites reflect that as such, complete with soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and garden terraces. The granite and marble bathrooms are no less, which feature shower areas so huge that they can fit in a lot of people if you catch our drift! Also, if you’re looking to go all out with your gang, book one to the seven themed suites.
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The Adolphus Hotel, Autograph Collection
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One of the most luxurious gay friendly hotels in Dallas is the Adolphus. The hotel evokes memories of a bygone era and keeps the spirit of the past alive, while having upgraded to amenities that have LGBTQ travelers, and the rest of us, hooked. Everything about the hotel screams splendor, whether is the decadent Spa Adolphus with a range of massages and body treatments or the glamorous lobby gift shop. The zenith of everything here is the supremely relaxing rooftop pool where you can swim, relax, sip on cocktails, and munch on snacks. It’s what makes Adolphus one of the Best Hotels with Rooftop Pools In Dallas. There’s a coffee shop, a private athletic club, and a grand ballroom, but the real jewel is the hotel’s gorgeous dining room, The French Room.
This 1912-established baroque-style hotel is what brought European reality and luxury to the Lone Star State, ad the digs reflect just that. In fact, discerning LGBTQ travelers with an eye for lavish designs will love the 400 rooms and suites here. All elegant rooms have French-inspired details and dark wood furnishings, besides mod-cons such as coffee makers, TVs, and spa-like bathrooms. Finally, most of them enjoy bird’s-eye views of the city.
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The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton
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Tucked in northeast Dallas, The Highland Dallas is one of the most well-priced and value-for-money gay hotels in Dallas. The chic and cosmopolitan hotel originally started life as the Hilton Inn in the 1960s. today, it effusively fuses mid-century architecture with modern energy and decor. Rooms and suites, albeit slightly traditionally decked out, feature vibrant and modern furnishings and décor. Seating areas, flatscreen TVs, minibars, and spacious bathrooms with bathtubs are the mainstays in all of them.
Furthermore, the hotel has a bevy of amenities for the comfort and convenience of the guests. The in-house restaurant, for instance, is one of the finest steakhouses in Dallas. Start your day off with a dip in the pool, which has one of the best pool decks in the city. It’s fringed by sunbeds, alfresco seating, and cabanas, and you can lounge here all day long with drinks and snacks. After that, work out in the 24-hour fitness center or pamper yourself with a massage at the Exhale spa. Finally, meet up with your date for after-dinner drinks out on the patio.
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Omni Dallas Hotel
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The Omni Dallas Hotel wears many, many crowns. Firstly, it’s one of the best gay friendly hotels in Dallas, with a prime downtown location. Not only does it have some of the most lavish rooms and suites in the city, but it’s also chock-full of amenities. Rooms at the Omni Dallas are also amongst the largest in the city. Since it sits in a highrise structure, all rooms also enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views. Besides mod-cons, private bathrooms with huge shower areas and even kitchenettes in the suites makes for a memorable living experience here. So, it’s no surprise that staying here is considered one of the best Honeymoon Ideas in Texas. At Omni, you know you’re in for a great time with your partner.
But, that’s not all that this hotel is famed for. To begin with, the Omni has not one or two but seven dining options, including a poolside restaurant, a sports bar, a farm-to-table restaurant, and a steakhouse. After a hearty breakfast, enjoy a swim in the pool before getting a massage or a body treatment at the spa. At night, the hotel puts on a terrific performance and changes colors, with its beautiful lights lighting up the cityscape. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the Best Hotels in Dallas, Texas.
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W Dallas
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It might not be located in the gay district, but there’s no doubt that the W Dallas is one of the absolute best gay hotels in Dallas. The brand is famed across the world as being very gay-friendly, and the Dallas out[post is no exception. What’s more, it lies just south of the Oak Lawn gayborhood, so you can’t get any closer to Dallas’ gay scene! The rooms and suites are huge here – in fact, some suites are more than 1,000 square feet in size! Nevertheless, they all offer fabulous views of the city and come with sexy open-concept bathrooms which couples on a romantic sojourn will absolutely love. Subtle Texan accents such as bandana wallpaper and cowhide furniture add to the hotel’s overall whimsical vibe.
The rest of the hotel has the same snazzy vibe, especially the fabulous 16th-floor infinity pool dubbed the Wet Deck – and boy, it is. Designed to feel like you’re living on the edge, it always has some or the other mini-pool party on weekends. So, if you’re looking to meet people, get down on the Wet Deck. Finally, the fantastic on-site restaurant serves lip-smacking fare, so make sure you book a table here before you leave town.
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Just So You Know:
- Did you know that Dallas is home to the largest LGBTQ church in the world? Yes! Behold the Cathedral of Hope, which lies in the Oak Lawn gayborhood and has more than 4,000 local members. Do check out the 78-feet-tall bell tower that commemorates HIV/AIDS victims.
Get Some Culture in Dallas:
- Dallas Pride + Music Festival: Dallas’ most significant annual LGBTQ event which is one vibrant and fabulous celebration of diversity and queerness. That said, it still embraces its political roots. Expect lots of outrageous pride outfits, glitter, wild parties, and rainbow flags.
- Texas Bear Round-Up: One of the country’s most significant LGBT festivals, this one celebrates the bear community. This event, albeit small, sees a ton of fur, fun, and frolic and sees cubs, bears, otters, and their admirers. Expect lots of pool parties, dances, and entertainment.
- Dallas Southern Pride: This is Dallas’ official annual celebration for Black LGBTQ individuals who celebrate the spirit and essence of Black culture and richness.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Dallas:
- Station 4 (S4): This multi-story bustling Dallas icon sits in the heart of the Cedar Springs strip hosts some of the finest drag queens in the world. Expect lots of drink specials that vary every night.
- The Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall: This was voted as one of the world’s top gay bars by TripOut and is a favorite with celebrities such as Lady Gaga. A laidback honky-tonk ambiance makes both city slickers and cowboys feel right at home. What helps are the cheap drinks.
- Zippers: A laidback and relaxed gay bar that’s full of gorgeous go-go boys and their admirers. They host everything from show-tune extravaganzas to open mic and drag shows. Oh, and did we mention the rotating roster of sexy men stripping? Um, yep.
Best Gay Saunas in Dallas:
- The Club Dallas: This famed Southern chain of private gyms and saunas comes to Dallas with its immaculate offerings that include a gorgeous outdoor pool. There’s even a “Cowboy” whirlpool, private dressing rooms, a fully equipped circuit gym, and a relaxing sauna and steam room. Furthermore, it’s open 24 hours!