Get Cozy with Europe’s 6 Best Gay Hotels for Autumn

Oct. 07 2023

by Lachlan

Sure autumn might mean cooler days, more layers, and less time outside, but that doesn’t mean the fun needs to stop! As we shelve the shorts for another year, and get out our best collection of sweaters and jeans, we also turn to a cozier way of life: nights in by the fire, nestled under rugs with red wine and tea. Our accommodation preferences also change when we go on vacation. Rather than looking for the perfect LGBTQ+ place to stay with a rooftop swimming pool, hotels with open fires, dreamy beds, and cozy in-house restaurants become the prio. To inspire your next trip this autumn, we’ve scoured Europe’s best LGBTQ+ hotels of the season to help you get cozy on vacation and forget about those warmer days. Here’s our top picks. 

Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa - Paris 

Paris is always a good idea, and it’s an even better idea in the cooler months. What could be better than exploring the City of Light under night lights? Not much we say, other than a stay at the dreamy Pavillon de la Reine & Spa hotel of course! Nestled right by the beautiful Place des Vosges, and just a stone’s throw from Paris’ gay bars and clubs, this hotel is the perfect place to stay if you want to live Paris life to the fullest.

Rooms provide everything to give you a cozy feeling from the minute you walk in: dark woods, abundant throws and quilts, and lavish bathrooms. And if you want to go extra indulgent, pencil in a visit to the in-house day spa and choose from the many treatments available. 

_{Images: ©FB/Pavillon De La Reine}

Hotel Amstelzicht - Amsterdam

When you think of autumn, the idea of cozying up somewhere intimate definitely fits the brief. This is why we think the cute Hotel Amstelzicht is the perfect place to stay in Amsterdam if you plan to venture up north this season. The 3-star hotel is set within a typical townhouse dating back to 1659, and as the name would suggest, it overlooks the beautiful river Amstel.

Rooms pair heritage features like wooden overhead beams with modern furnishings to ensure you can enjoy a comfortable stay from start to finish. If you’re seeking a central location for your next vacation to Amsterdam, this place ticks the box! 

_{Images: ©FB/Hotel Amstelzicht}

Ham Yard Hotel -  London

Come rain or shine, Soho in London is the go-to place for the city’s local LGBTQ+ scene, and luckily for you, the flamboyant Ham Yard Hotel is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from all the action. Located right by Piccadilly Circus, the five-star hotel is the kind of place you could retreat to all weekend if you were looking for mode-hibernation.

Bold colors, prints, and fabrics are paired together all throughout the hotel, and while bold, it totally works. And in keeping with the autumn theme, we have to mention that bathrobes and slippers are provided, along with gorgeous baths to unwind in when it’s cold out! 

_{Images: ©FB/Ham Yard Hotel}

The Late Birds Gay Resort - Lisbon

Okay maybe Lisbon might initially seem like the kind of place to visit in summer, but actually autumn is perfect. Less crowds and less heat, which will make the city’s 7 hills easier to conquer while sightseeing! And once you’ve eaten as many pastel de nata and walked as much as possible, retreat at the dreamy Late Birds Gay Resort. A gay oasis any time of the year, this cute resort is the kind of place where can leave all your worries at the door and sit back and relax in luxury.

Depending on the weather (and how brave you are) take a dip in the communal pool, otherwise if getting cozy is on the agenda, unwind in one of the 16 gorgeous guest rooms. No detail has been forgotten here: enjoy the finest Portuguese mattresses, Castelbel Porto toiletries, floor-to-ceiling windows, and beautiful Riga hardwood floors. We’ll meet you downstairs for a cocktail at in-house Get Home Late.  

_{Images: ©FB/The Late Birds Lisbon}

 Axel Hotel Berlin - Berlin

We don’t need to tell you how great Axel Hotels are. After all, the straight-friendly hotel chain has managed to successfully open hotels across the globe, everywhere from Maspalomas to Barcelona and Miami Beach. And also Berlin! If your sights are set on the German capital this season, a stay at the adult’s-only Axel Hotel Berlin goes without saying.

Mingle with other LGBTQ+ travelers in the hotel by day, hit up the city’s clubs together by night - match made in heaven! In keeping with the usual staples of an Axel Hotel, you can enjoy well-appointed rooms, a fitness center, and a rooftop terrace overlooking Schöneberg and beyond. The in-house Urban Bar is the perfect place to kick-start your evening with new friends! 

_{Images: ©FB/Axel Hotel Berlin}

Loved this? Get inspired by our round-up of the USA's best gay hotels on the East Coast and West Coast