The World’s Most Unique LGBTQ-Friendly Hotels

Jan. 20 2024

by Lachlan

Ready to jet-set in style and make your next vacation utterly Instagrammable? Whether you're into cozying up with a local misterb&b host and building friendships across borders, or you're all about the freedom of a chic downtown apartment, we've got you covered. Craving something extra special? 

Why not check into a one-of-a-kind LGBTQ+ friendly hotel that screams creativity? Perfect for those looking to splash back onto the travel scene with a bang, these standout spots promise to crank up your cool factor and flood your Instagram with likes. Dive into our top picks for unique LGBTQ+ hotels across the globe that not only welcome you, they celebrate you!

STF Långholmen Hostel - Stockholm

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Ever thought about spending the night in jail? In Stockholm, you can do just that at the STF Långholmen Hostel. That said, we’re referring to a free jail equipped with dreamy beds, showers, and all the amenities you could ask for for an enjoyable stay. Housed in a refurbished 1800s prison building, STF Långholmen Hostel is located on the central Stockholm island of Långholmen. Different ‘cell’ types are available, with some equipped with private bathrooms. Visit in the warmer months and enjoy the picturesque garden, which is the perfect spot to mingle with other guests.     

Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection - Álava, Spain

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Bold, unique, and ashamedly famous, Spain’s Marqués de Riscal Hotel is what unique LGBTQ-friendly accommodation is all about. Lauded by many as an architectural masterpiece, this avant-garde hotel was designed by Frank Gehry and combines design, art, gastronomy, wine, and an incredible landscape to create a truly memorable experience. Beyond the unique exterior, rooms offer sweeping landscape views and black marble bathrooms, while the in-house restaurant serves local Spanish fare. Those looking to find their inner Zen should make a beeline for the indoor pool, Finnish sauna, and hammam.

Hotel Gaythering - Miami Beach

Things don’t get much more unique than the iconic Hotel Gaythering in Miami Beach. This exclusively gay hotel is housed in a typical MiMo-style building circa 1958 and offers the choice between shared or private rooms. But the uniqueness doesn’t stop here. Once inside your room, enjoy a bold color scheme of black, red, charcoal and quirky decorative items such as chess boards, rabbit masks, and exotic plants. After unpacking, head downstairs to the hotel’s in-house bar and enjoy a craft beer on tap. Stop by at the right time and experience one of the regular drag and trivia nights. We told you this place was unique!

Grand Hotel Central - Barcelona

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LGBTQ travelers flock to Barcelona any time of year thanks to its incredible gay life, golden beaches, and delectable local cuisine. But Catalan’s capital also has its fair share of LGBTQ-friendly hotels, and in terms of something unique, we have to give it to Grand Hotel Central. What sets Grand Central apart from other hotels is its incredible infinity pool on the rooftop. Enjoy a cocktail on one of the sun lounges, then take a dip in the pool and appreciate the sweeping skyline views of Barcelona. Housed in an elegant building dating back to 1926, Grand Central also offers guests a period-style experience, with rooms and common areas all reflecting the sort of opulence you can expect from a top LGBTQ-friendly hotel in Barcelona. 

Wilderness Hotel - Finnish Lapland, Finland

Looking for something that gives you chills in the right way? You need to lock in a stay at the very unique Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos. Located in the Saariselkä Fell region of Finnish Lapland, this LGBTQ-friendly resort offers aurora cabins, glass igloos, and traditional wood chalets. But let’s face it, if you’re after that unique aspect, you can’t go past the igloos. Complete with a bedroom, glass roof, and luxury bedding, you’ll be more than snug in your igloo as you marvel at the views outside. Wilderness Hotel Muotka offers a memorable and immersive experience in the Finnish Lapland, allowing guests to connect with nature, experience traditional Finnish hospitality, and create lasting memories in one of the most beautiful and untouched wilderness areas in the world.

Treehotel - Harads Forest, Sweden

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Want to escape the hustle and bustle of life on the ground and enjoy the perks of sleeping high up in the treetops? Venture to Sweden and lock in a stay at the unique Treehotel. Located in the Harads Forest in Swedish Lapland, the Treehotel blends cutting-edge architecture and design to create a truly individual experience. The tree rooms are suspended 4 to 10 meters above ground and can be accessed by ramp, bridge, or electric stairs. They also feature underfloor heating to guarantee a toasty stay. Unique and set within a picturesque location, this is one LGBTQ-friendly hotel you won’t forget about anytime soon. 

AxelHotel - Madrid

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Chances are you’re familiar with AxelHotel Madrid, but that doesn’t mean it’s no less unique or fabulous. Referred to as a ‘straight-friendly hotel,’ AxelHotel Madrid is famed for its impressive rooftop terrace, which is the perfect spot to salute the late afternoon with a cocktail in hand. Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of a stay at AxelMadrid, however, is the ‘do disturb’ signs, which you can place outside your door come evening, should you wish to invite any fellow guests to your room. In terms of the hotel’s 88 rooms, enjoy an avant-garde style that pairs lavish furnishings and bright colors to create a unique guest experience. 

Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses - Hapuku, New Zealand

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New Zealand is revered across the globe for having incredible landscapes, excellent political and social rights, and of course, being the backdrop for The Lord Of The Rings movies. To celebrate your experience in the Land of the Long White Cloud, why not check in to the picturesque Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses? Situated between the mountains and the sea, this unique LGBTQ-friendly lodge boasts stunning views of Kaikoura and the Pacific Ocean. But it’s not just the views that will leave you drooling here. Rooms are decked out with luxurious features, including open fires, freestanding baths, and dreamy pillow-top beds to guarantee the perfect slumber. 

Loved this? Check out our round-up of 10 Gorgeous Gay Hotels You Should Have Stayed at by Now. 

Cover image: Hapuku Lodge & Treehouses