Cosmopolitan Sydney has long been one of the world’s favorite vacation destinations, and its vibrant gay culture makes it an LGBT hotspot too. It’s one of Australia’s most gay-friendly cities, along with Melbourne and Canberra. A great portion of the action revolves around western Oxford Street. So, it was no surprise that many of the gay hotels in Sydney we found, as well as the gay nightlife, were here. Some Sydney LGBTQ-friendly bars or pubs are also called hotels, though they don’t usually offer a place to sleep. Of particular interest to us was the “Golden Mile” between Paddington Town Hall and Hyde Park. It’s the epicenter of the city’s LGBT culture, and we had a lot of fun exploring it.
If that wasn’t enough, the city also has gay-favorite nudist beaches and the amazing annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. But what we found interesting was that Sydney’s gay culture was sewn into the fabric of the city. Aside from Darlinghurst (through which Oxford Street runs), the suburbs of Elizabeth Bay, Surry Hills, and Potts Point count significant numbers of same-sex couples among their residents. We also visited the northern part of Bondi Beach, another popular gay hangout. It falls under the purview of Lifesavers With Pride, which is a section of the North Bondi Patrol composed of LGBT lifesavers and allies.
Besides exploring the gay scene, we found a ton of other places to go and things to do in Sydney. Hence, we landed on a vibrant itinerary to explore the most vibrant city of the “Land Down Under.” Why not take a look at its amazing LGBTQ-friendly accommodations too?
Table of contents
Vibe Hotel
11
While looking for a hotel with a great “vibe,” little did we know what we’d stumble upon. A cornucopia of luxurious delights awaited us at the four-star Vibe Hotel. This gay-friendly property boasted close to 200 guestrooms, each equipped with air-conditioning, a mini-bar, and digital TV. Since we wanted space to spread out, we went for the Executive room, which came with a bathtub in the bathroom. We worked out in the spacious fitness center on the hotel’s rooftop, followed by a heavenly dip in the outdoor pool. After working up an appetite, one of the best things we did was dig into the delectable Mediterranean cuisine at the Fino Par restaurant.
Vibe Hotel is on Goulburn Street, mere steps away from Oxford Street’s gay scene. A 6-minute stroll brought us to the cozy Bear Bar, an intimate pub for bears and their friends. Meanwhile, getting to the steamy Sydney Sauna is just a quick walk of 7 minutes. We loved exploring the heritage-listed Hyde Park, Australia’s oldest public parkland, which is also within walking distance. It’s home to the iconic Archibald Fountain and beautiful theme gardens, and the venue for cultural events like the Food and Wine Fair.
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Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
10
Most luxurious hotel. As the city’s oldest five-star hotel, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth knew a thing or two about giving us a luxury experience we won’t forget anytime soon. We could take our pick from more than 400 opulent rooms and suites. Our Superior King room came with an indulgent bath in the bathroom, thoughtful turndown service, and spectacular views of Sydney’s central business district (CBD).
French influences are everywhere here, from the Garden Court Restaurant’s culinary creations to the exclusive Soirée’s brilliant elegance at the Wentworth bar. The 60s-inspired bar was a great place for pre-boozing cocktails before heading out to explore Sydney’s gay scene.
One of the top gay hotels in Sydney, Australia, the property is in the CBD, close to historic government buildings on Macquarie Street. The Chifley Plaza shopping center, with its upscale shops and restaurants, is a 2-minute walk from the hotel, while Oxford Street’s gay bars are a half-hour bus ride away.
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Novotel Sydney Central Hotel
9
The fact that Novotel Sydney Central puts up decorations to celebrate the annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras shows why we picked this Sydney accommodation. For the sporty types amongst us, the 24-hour fitness center was ideal. Meanwhile, those of us who preferred a laidback holiday headed to the outdoor pool. And since all of us are gourmands, we really appreciated the seafood and contemporary Australian cuisine at the hotel’s heritage-listed restaurant and bar. The spacious rooms and suites have everything we expected from a luxury hotel, including climate control, an ensuite bathroom, cable TV, and a refrigerator. Our Superior King Room with Balcony was particularly great because we could see Sydnet’s sights from a wonderful vantage point.
Located in the heart of the Haymarket suburb, this Novotel outpost was a great base as we wanted to engage in many shopping expeditions. Close by is bustling and colorful Chinatown, home to Paddy’s Market, Market City, and of course, the ebullient Chinatown Night Market. We even added to our stash of naughty toys at the Pleasure Chest adult store, just a 4-minute walk away. And, for fun in the sun, we headed to the LGBTQ-popular clothing-optional hangout of Obelisk Beach.
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Adge Hotel & Residences
8
Best aparthotel. Bold and fashionable are just a couple of words we’d use to describe Adge Hotel & Residences, a five-star apartment hotel in Surry Hills. Adge Apartments is in the Surry Hills suburb, a known foodie haven with endless restaurants and cafes. Sydney’s gay nightlife is just a stone’s throw away. If you’re in the mood to cruise, you only need a couple of minutes to walk to the men-only Trade Club Sydney, a popular gay bar and nightclub. And for a night of culture, the historic Capitol Theatre is the place to be. Just a 9-minute walk from Adge Apartments, it’s the venue for world-class musicals, opera, and ballet.
Coming back to the hotel, it made for the perfect base for our extended stay in Sydney. The colorful carpets and contemporary furniture here accurately reflect Sydney’s urban lifestyle. Since there are just 12 spacious 2-bedroom apartments here, staying at the Adge is an intimate affair. What’s more, all residences feature a full kitchen with European appliances, open-plan spaces for dining and lounging, and laundry facilities. Since we wanted to indulge, we opted for the loft penthouse, which offered sweeping views of the city.
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DeVere Hotel
7
Best value for money. When we were searching for value-for-money gay accommodation in Sydney, we stumbled upon the delightfully pleasant DeVere Hotel. Located in the trendy Potts Point suburb, the hotel was surrounded by hip bistros and edgy fashion shops that we loved checking out. Even the King’s Cross area, which is widely known for its adult bookshops and strip clubs, was within easy reach. Plus, we swam and sunbathed at the hilt at North Bondi Beach, which is a haven for the LGBT community.
Many of its 100+ guestrooms and studio apartments have gorgeous views of Elizabeth Bay or the bustling street scene. Our room, which was the Premium Double Room with views of the bay, was slightly larger than the rest of the rooms. Plus, we also had the convenience of tea and coffee-making facilities. Our mornings began with a wonderful buffet breakfast at the Apollo Restaurant. It’s also we enjoyed Greek and Mediterranean cuisines later in the day. A business center, where one can check e-mails to catch up on work, completes the place.
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Meriton Suites Zetland
6
Best suites hotel. Tasteful luxury is the name of the game at Meriton Suites Zetland, a five-star aparthotel that was a hit with discerning travelers like us. The massive complex offers upwards of 300 suites, many of which come with balconies. Moreover, all are air-conditioned and come with satellite TV, fully equipped kitchens, and separate living and dining areas. For our party of six adults, the three-bedroom terrace suite was like our very own hedonistic getaway. It had tons of space in the form of a living room, two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and a dining area. The star feature was the terrace with alfresco furniture, which offered mesmerizing views of the city.
“Good suite hotels are so rare to come by, and that too affordable ones. Meriton Suites was a delight in all aspects and was instrumental in making our Sydney holiday memorable.”
WOW Travel
We spent our days on the property swimming laps in the large indoor pool and relieving our tired muscles in the bubbling jacuzzi. Besides free Wi-Fi everywhere, the property also has a fitness center, outdoor spaces, and a lush garden. What we loved was that less than 5 km (3 miles) northwest of the hotel is Newtown, which is considered the lesbian capital of Australia. This is where we had amazing fun at the Imperial Erskineville, a vibrant bar that holds fun-filled drag shows and raucous-themed nights. This bar also made a noteworthy appearance in the movie “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”
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Pullman Sydney Hyde Park
5
Undoubtedly, among the top gay hotels in Sydney, Australia, is the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, which boasts everything that a grand hotel could offer. This stunning hotel is 23 floors of pure awesomeness, offering a bevy of spectacular amenities. We’ll start with the rooftop pool and recreation deck, where we spent hours together on days we weren’t exploring the city. Fitness freaks among us hit the 24-hour gym while the gourmands and foodies headed to the onsite restaurant for some world-class breakfast.
But what we especially loved about the hotel were its spacious rooms and suites, which are amongst the largest in the CBD. What’s more, they all come with Signature Pullman mattresses, mod-cons such as flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges to make for a pleasant stay. Our room came with jaw-dropping views of Hyde Park and made for a wonderful stay. The five-star Pullman Sydney Hyde Park Hotel overlooks its namesake park and is an easy walk from Oxford Street’s famous gay bars and nightclubs.
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Big Backpackers Hostel
4
Affordable accommodation needn’t be shoddy accommodation, as the Big Backpackers Hostel shows. Not just that, but we had a whale of a time socializing at this amazing hostel. Our favorite area was the rooftop garden, a venue for various functions, from zen yoga meetings to casual barbecue get-togethers. We found everything from female-only and male-only dorms to mixed ones, all of them with neat shared bathrooms. There are also private rooms with en suite bathrooms, double-glazed windows, and air-conditioning for those who want the hostel experience but with privacy. Thanks to the free breakfast and Wi-Fi, we found that it offers good value for money.
Big Hostel is in the gay-centric Surry Hills suburb in the CBD, just a few minutes from the 19th-century Belmont Park. The 1940 Art Deco building of the Golden Age Cinema is perfect for classic and cult movie fans like us. And when we wanted to go clubbing, we made our way to ARQ Sydney. This popular gay nightclub is a mere 14-minute walk from the hotel and is known for outrageous drag performances and lively DJ sets.
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Medusa Hotel
3
With just 17 guestrooms, the Medusa Hotel felt more like a luxurious B&B to us than a hotel. We saw LGBT visitors from near and far at this five-star property due to its charming ambiance and exceptional service.
Each room is bright and airy, with low-key colors and minimalist furnishings evoking a classic feel. And with large windows and intimate balconies, there’s plenty of natural light. Since we were on our (umpteenth) honeymoon, we went for the Grand Room, which came with a fully equipped kitchenette where we whipped up romantic meals. A minibar, a plush bed, and a luxe bathroom made our stay all the better. When we fancied eating in, the hotel even arranged for deliveries from local restaurants. We loved the romantic courtyard at the hotel, which had a Mediterannean-meets-Miami feel to it. The ornamental reflection pool was heavenly to swim in, after which we lounged on the white chairs under the parasols.
Since the hotel sits in the heart of the Darlinghurst neighborhood, we were close to all the gay-friendly pubs. Meanwhile, Oxford Street’s lively gay bars and clubs are a less than 10-minute walk from the Medusa Hotel.
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QT Sydney Hotel
2
Staying at the QT Sydney Hotel was like stepping back into the past – to the 1920s in particular. It occupies two historic buildings that used to house the Gowings Department Store and State Theatre. Staying here exposed us to iconic elements from both institutions. The era’s high fashion is showcased in original Gowing’s glass display cabinets, while the rooms have maintained their original timber floors. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the best hotels in Sydney.
We had the choice of 200 contemporary rooms and suites with whimsical trinkets, furry throws, and moody lighting. Moreover, the color themes are absolutely hedonistic, ranging from glam golds to racy reds. We especially loved the QT King-size bed in a corner suite, which has a gel mattress, a coffee/tea maker, a minibar, and a slick bathroom. The highlight? The 24-hour room service with local T2 teas and complimentary coffee pods picked us up after a big night out at the city’s gay scene.
The hotel’s barbershop is also a Gowing’s remnant. Art Deco, cinema Baroque, and Gothic influences can be seen in the wonderfully eclectic rooms and throughout the hotel. Finally, its location and proximity to Oxford Street make QT Sydney among the most popular luxury gay hotels in Sydney, Australia.
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Crystalbrook Albion
1
Best boutique hotel. Crystalbrook Albion, in the heart of Surry Hills, is one of the best boutique hotels we’ve stayed at. It sits in a unique 1903-built heritage building that was a school convent earlier. Today, a 2018 transformation with the 1920s and 1970s influences in the interior makes it a sought-after LGBTQ-friendly hotel. The rooms and suites feature an eclectic mix of modern and heritage details. Our spacious Superior King Room had a tea/coffee maker, a separate seating area, a TV, an iPad, and even wine/champagne!
Our days began with a complimentary continental breakfast, but we really loved the 24/7 honor bar with excellent yet affordable snacks and beverages. Heck, there was even an espresso coffee machine and a jar of French lollipops and Lindor Balls, all of which were also complimentary. A staff member even gave us the heads-up about the ‘secret’ rooftop garden, which was perfect for evening drinks and even breakfasts. Chocolates, lolly pops, 24/7 coffee, and a minibar we could actually afford? Are you surprised that we love the Crystalbrook Albion?
All in all, we agreed that this hotel is one of the most LGBTQ+ inclusive hotels we’ve ever stayed at. This attitude is greatly influenced by the location’s contemporary yet eclectic vibe and appearance.
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Our Verdict!
Each and every one of the gay accommodation in Sydney is amazing. However, we liked a few of them a little more than the others due to their specific features, which we’ve listed below:
- Best boutique hotel: Crystalbrook Albion
- Best suites hotel: Meriton Suites Zetland
- Best value for money: DeVere Hotel
- Best aparthotel: Adge Hotel & Residences
- Most luxurious hotel: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Just So You Know:
- The Sydney-based organization Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP) was instrumental in galvanizing Australia’s early gay rights movement in the 1970s.
- Sodomy used to be punishable by death. The last person to be hanged for it in Sydney was Thomas Parry in 1839.
- Sydney is the birthplace of Ian Thorpe, a retired swimmer who has five Olympic gold medals under his belt. He came out in 2014 in a televised interview.
Get Some Culture in Sydney:
- Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – Held every March, this is the biggest Pride event in all of Oceania. The festivities include Bondi Beach drag races, a queer film festival, and a parade that closes Oxford Street to traffic.
- Red Rattler Theatre – This theater in Marrickville, which was established by five local queer artists, stages avant-garde performances, film screenings, workshops, and out-of-this-world parties.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Sydney:
- Stonewall Hotel – This is actually not a hotel, but one of Sydney’s most happening gay clubs holding themed events throughout the week. Come on a Wednesday for the Malebox pick-up night or on a Thursday for Boys Bar Up.
- Universal Sydney – Laser lights, spectacular shows, multiple dance floors, and pulsating DJ sets greet revelers at this double-decker gay bar on Oxford Street.
- Palms on Oxford: This underground LGBTQ+ Sydney club has no cover charge and is really, really good. The DJs spin tracks from the 80s and the 90s, there’s zero judgment, and a diverse, unpretentious crowd of all ages dominates the scene.
Best Gay Saunas in Sydney:
- Sydney Sauna – The self-proclaimed premier gay sauna of Sydney is on Oxford Street and is open 24/7. In addition to sauna and steam rooms, it’s also home to cruise areas, a video lounge, and private rooms.
- 357 – Find this gay sauna on Sussex Street near Chinatown in the CBD. It’s the city’s only gay sauna with a fully licensed bar. There’s always something going on here, from Wednesday Naked Midday Parties to Sunday Foam Parties.
