Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the stuff of dreams, of Hollywood, rugged surfers and celebrities galore. The movie capital of the world probably sees a larger footfall than any other city in America. Starry-eyed visitors seek out their favorite celebrities and revel in the city’s beautiful setting which is quite unparalleled. However, LA is much more than its beautiful landscapes, Hollywood, and fantastic food. It has a rich gay culture that is clearly visible everywhere but more concentrated in West Hollywood. This is where you’ll find the fabulous gay nightlife and the best gay hotels in Los Angeles. Although there are no exclusively gay hotels in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of gay friendly hotels to choose from.

While the West Hollywood gayborhood is one of the more sought after places by gays in the city, there are other places that are growing too. The DLTA area has undergone a transformation of sorts in recent years and has many great hotels that are within walking distance from the gay bars in the area.

Even if you’re in LA only for a gay event like the LA Pride or the DragCon, you’ll definitely want to explore all that this great city has to offer. There is a lot to see and experience in LA  and if you are one that parties hard at night and dons the tourist hat during the day, you won’t be disappointed. We recommend the Private 3 Hour Tour by SUV to get a more close-up and intimate view of the city. You could also throw caution to the winds and explore the city in style on the Private Mustang Celebrity Tour.

Andaz West Hollywood

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This concept hotel by Hyatt is just a five-minute walk from Sunset Strip. Andaz West Hollywood has the distinction of being the first hotel on the strip and attracted many legendary rockers in the mid-60s. Today, this gay-friendly hotel in Los Angeles is an eclectic gateway to iconic neighborhoods and districts of LA. It’s the ideal base to explore Universal Studios and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the best gay places to check out at night because there are so many in West Hollywood. The Abbey and Mickey’s, two popular gay nightspots are hardly a five-minute drive away.

The hotel is well equipped with a number of amenities such as the rooftop pool and onsite restaurant as well as a business and fitness center. Rooms at the hotel are tastefully furnished and equipped with amenities for a comfortable stay. Complimentary bathrobes and toiletries are also provided.

Ace Hotel

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Located in the center of the historic Broadway Theater District in Downtown Los Angeles, is the gay friendly Ace Hotel. The music-themed hotel which is part of the historic United Artists Building is in close proximity to the Fashion District and Staples Center. It’s a 15-minute walk to the popular rock’n’roll queer bar Precinct and a shorter walk to Redline, the newest gay bar in town. Ace Hotel is where a young and free-spirited crowd, especially musicians like to stopover. The lobby is a study in art with artsy decor adorning every part of it from the fuzzy walls to the checkered floor.

The tastefully designed hotel boasts of spacious comfortable rooms with huge windows that allow enough natural light. Rooms range in size and style from small rooms to large suites. An ensuite concept bathroom with free toiletries and a well-stocked mini-bar add to the comfort of the rooms. Guests can unwind at the rooftop swimming pool or the bar. The hotel’s rooftop bar is a popular place with guests and locals as it hosts regular events from live bands to DJs. You can also catch a show at the 1920s Spanish Gothic-style theater which is a part of the hotel.

Freehand Hotel

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Right in the center of the gay nightlife of Downtown LA is the gay friendly Freehand Hotel. Located in the former Commercial Exchange building, this unique hotel offers the ultimate LA experience. Boasting a rooftop pool with sun loungers and bar with panoramic views of the city, plus an inhouse restaurant serving Israeli cuisine, and a cafe, the hotel is a great place to base yourself. The strategic location puts you in the midst of all the action. Whether it’s gay bars and clubs or iconic attractions, you’ll find them all around you.

There are various rooms stylishly designed by Roman and Williams that you can choose from at this hotel. If you’re on a budget or interested in meeting other travelers, the shared room with bunk beds may be a good option. If you’re on a special trip and don’t mind splurging, then suites are highly recommended. Staying at the open space apartment style Loft Suite will give you sweeping views of Downtown LA.

The Garland

An oasis in the midst of all the urban sprawl is how most people see The Garland. This iconic boutique hotel in the heart of Hollywood was the brainchild of actress Beverly Garland and her husband in 1970. There’s a serene feeling much like staying close to Central Park in New York. The seven-acre property is extremely popular with gays because of its aesthetic appeal, its location and also because of its proximity to Universal Studios. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to Universal for guests.

Each room is tastefully designed with hand-picked furnishings to add to the charm of staying here. All rooms have a private balcony and are equipped with an in-room entertainment system Enseo which allows access to streaming apps. Complimentary toiletries, a refrigerator, and other amenities are a part of all the rooms here. The Suites are extremely spacious and beautifully furnished. Guests can also enjoy a relaxing dip in the hotel’s pool or unwind at the bar. Yoga at Beverly Park and an Urban walk are some of the other activities that the hotel offers its guests.

The London West Hollywood

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Beverly Hills evokes an image of charm and luxury so it’s no surprise that this gay friendly hotel in Los Angeles offers just that. Strategically located at the crossroads of Beverly Hills and central LA, The London West Hollywood puts you close to where all the action is. Gay bars and clubs are within walking distance from the hotel.

The hotel is the epitome of luxury with its tasteful decor and sophisticated comfort. One of the most popular venues of the hotel is the rooftop pool with a spacious sundeck and private cabanas. The panoramic view from the top is pretty awesome too. Guests can also dine and enjoy a round of cocktails at the rooftop throughout the day. Rooms at the hotel are spacious with oversized spa-like luxury baths. It also has a state-of-the-art fitness center, a 110-seat screening room, and a salon.

Le Parc Suite Hotel

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Chic and stylish, the Le Parc Suite Hotel in West Hollywood prides itself on being a place where celebrities check-in. Just steps away from the trending spots in Los Angeles this gay friendly boutique hotel offers the ultimate in comfort and style. It’s the ideal place to base yourself if you want to stay in a quiet retreat which is within easy reach of LA’s bustle.

The spacious accommodation has a modern design with top-class amenities. You can curl up in front of your private fireplace or enjoy the view from a private balcony. The suite also has a kitchenette and minibar. If you can pull yourself out of the comfort of your room, there are several activities to choose from. The hotel’s roof has a swimming pool, sun deck, and tennis courts. You can also indulge in spa services or enjoy a meal at the onsite restaurant.

InterContinental Hotel

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Another gay friendly hotel in Downtown Los Angeles is the luxurious InterContinental Hotel. When the hotel opened in 2017, it set a new record for being the tallest building on the West Coast. It is also the largest InterContinental property in the Americas. The 73-floor glass tower offers fantastic panoramic views of Los Angeles. You won’t need to request a room with a view as all the rooms have a wall of windows. Almost every floor of the hotel is outfitted with something to add to guests’ comfort of staying here.

With amenities ranging from yoga and a gym on the 7th floor to a poolside bar, steakhouse, and sushi bar, you’ll probably never want to leave the comfort of the hotel. For those looking to enjoy some great music, Spire 73, the open-air rooftop bar is where you should head. This high energy lounge is touted to be the highest in the Western Hemisphere and attracts quite a crowd. On Friday and Saturday, the lounge is open until 2.00 a.m. Another interesting feature of the hotel is the bathrooms on the 71st floor. The women’s facilities are inspired by Marie Antoinette’s Versailles and the men’s room offers the best view of the city.

The Tangerine

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Retro-chic with its motel-style grounds, the bright tangerine-colored hotel is a great place to base yourself if you’re keen on visiting the studios. Warner Brothers Studio is less than a ten-minute walk from here while Walt Disney, Universal and Burbank Studios are about a five to ten-minute drive from here. Besides the studios, there are plenty of other attractions of North Hollywood only a short drive away. If you’re looking for some gay fun head out to the Cobra, a gay Latin club which is about a ten-minute drive from here.

The Tangerine has a great atmosphere with a fresh scent of tangerine diffused into every space. A cascading waterfall, dark wood floors, and large windows welcome you into the hotel. The property is devoid of elevators and the only common areas are the cozy lobby and the heated pool lined with sun loungers. Each of the modernly furnished rooms has its own unique mural created by a Hollywood set artist. Equipped with modern amenities and stylish bathrooms, the rooms are welcoming and comfortable.

Petit Ermitage

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Petit Ermitage is an upscale, bohemian hotel that is artistic and trendy yet has a ‘home away from home’ feel to it. Located in West Hollywood, this gay boutique hotel in Los Angeles is about a 15-minute drive to Universal Studios but just blocks away from Sunset Strip and the pulsating gay nightlife. The hotel’s shabby-chic decor adds to the charm of staying here. You can see the attention to detail in every corner of the hotel from its antique-style furniture to the pool handrail. It also has an extensive art collection that features the likes of Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, and Willem de Kooning.

Labeled as an ‘all-suite’ hotel, the Petit Ermitage features spacious rooms with a well-stocked kitchenette. All rooms are equipped with the necessities that you would look for in a good hotel. Most rooms have a working gas fireplace and pull out sofas. The most outstanding feature of the hotel is the picturesque heated pool on the top floor with its chic deck. Every Monday the hotel hosts movie nights on the Firedeck complete with popcorn, milk, and cookies!

Luxe Rodeo Drive

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If you’re looking for something affordable at a plum location it couldn’t get better than the gay friendly Luxe Rodeo Drive. Rodeo Drive is one of the more upscale areas in LA renowned for its great shopping. Finding a reasonably priced good hotel in this location can be quite a task. Besides overlooking one of the ritziest shopping destinations in the world, the hotel is near the headquarters of quite a few entertainment conglomerates. The hotel is sandwiched between boutiques of Rolex and Michael Kors so if you’re here to splurge on shopping you know where to start. Sunset Strip is about a five to 10-minute drive from here while the other LA attractions are within a short driving distance. If you’re here for shopping and in a mood to do it in style, we recommend the shopping excursion down Rodeo.

For the location and price you pay, don’t expect sprawling rooms. However, the decently sized rooms are luxuriously outfitted with modern amenities and upscale linen. There aren’t many amenities to look forward to at the hotel except for a small restaurant and an onsite fitness center. Guests can sue the room spa treatments provided by the Luxe Hotel.

Hotel Shangri La

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For someone headed to Santa Monica, the upscale Hotel Shangri La is one of the best gay friendly hotels in Los Angeles. Sitting at the edge of downtown Santa Monica, it’s about a five-minute walk to the beach from the hotel. The iconic Santa Monica Pier is a little further away but still within walking distance. There are plenty of shopping areas around for the shopaholics. Venice Beach another popular tourist destination is a ten-minute drive from here while Universal Studios is much further. If you’re looking to explore the area you club it all into a day of sightseeing on the Los Angeles Highlights Tour.

Rooms and suites have minimalistic designs with subtly patterned accent walls and sleek dark wood furniture. Some suites have separate living rooms, full kitchens, and beautiful ocean views. The outdoor pool area features wooden decking and stylish black and white striped loungers.  Classy cabanas overlook the pool and hot tub. In the evening the hotel’s rooftop bar is transformed into a vibrant club-like venue with DJ sets several times a week.

Just So You Know:

• In the late 60s, ‘Ciro’s’ a popular Rock and Roll club introduced Sunday gay nights where gay men were allowed to dance together. Although it was illegal at the time, West Hollywood was open to it and so the very first Tea-Dances originated.
• On November 29,1984, West Hollywood was incorporated as an independent city and was the first city in America to have a majority of gays and lesbians on the city council.
• The residential area behind the Pavilions grocery store shows up as triangular in shape on the map and is called Norma’s Triangle. This area is dominated by gays and lesbians who live in vintage homes.

Get Some Culture in Los Angeles:

• Gay Days Anaheim – If you’re interested in a visit to Disneyland then this is one of the best times to see it. This unofficial event in October brings together a massive group of gays and lesbians for a weekend at Disneyland. Parties, scavenger hunts, gatherings, and a huge line up of fun is what you can expect on this Disney visit.
• Outfest Los Angeles – Being in Hollywood, it is but natural that a gay film festival will feature on its calendar. This 11-day event in June showcases some of the best films, parties, and panels. The oldest film festival in Los Angeles, Outfest is also acknowledged as the preeminent LGBTQ film festival in the world with over 150 films screened at state of the art venues.

 

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Los Angeles::

• The Abbey  – Home to some of LA’s biggest LGBT events, this gay bar, restaurant, and nightclub is an extremely popular gay night venue in West Hollywood. Lively lounge vibes, chic gothic decor, and some amazing cocktails make it a staple on the gay LA scene. What you can expect here is a friendly crowd, late-night gogo boys and drag.
• Mickey’s  – Another staple on the West Hollywood gay night scene is this vibrant 2-floor night club on Santa Monica Boulevard. The venue can accommodate up to 1,000 men who come here to enjoy the epic sound system, lights, and the large dance floor. Featuring weekday drag shows and a 4.00 a.m weekend closing time, its no wonder that Mickey’s brings in the crowds.
• Eagle LA – Located in Silver Lakes, is a popular gay hotspot where you’ll find leather-clad males. Unlike the other Eagle bars around the world, this one is more diverse and inclusive. One of the big draws of the venue are the regular leather events that are held here.

Best Gay Saunas in Los Angeles:

• Midtowne Spa – Located in Downtown LA, This 24/7 bathhouse is one of the best-designed saunas in LA. Large open spaces, lockers, sundeck, wet and dry sauna, whirlpool and private rooms are just some of what you can expect here. Although it’s just about a 25-minute walk from the hotels in Downtown it’s advisable to use a taxi or the secure parking.
• Flex Spa  – Not too far from Eagle and Faultline Bar in East Hollywood you’ll find this popular gay sauna. It’s where the crowds converge later at night. A small outdoor pool, steam room, private rooms, and video lounges are what you can look forward to at Flex.
• Roman Holiday Club – This is a good clean sauna but slightly out of the way in Van Nuys in the central San Fernando Valley. An indoor lap pool, whirlpool, steam room, dry sauna, and sun deck are some of the facilities available here.