Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Copenhagen – a friendly old girl of the sea that is also a perfect travel destination for queer holidayers! Copenhagen is well known as a city of soaring life quality and social security, and as such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the city is home to an incredibly LGBT-accepting atmosphere.
No matter whether you’re using this famous merchant harbor as a springboard into the heart of Scandinavia or whether you’re looking to stay and enjoy the wonderful air and culture that Copenhagen calls home, there is sure to be a gay hotel here that both suits all your needs to a tee and fulfills all of your Nordic fantasies.
Denmark matches up incredibly when it comes to queer rights in general, especially thanks to the fact that the country was the first in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, which isn’t something that any other location can match.
The area of the city most frequented by queer crowds is the neighborhood known as Studiestrædet, and travelers are sure to have the time of their lives in this district’s queer bars, clubs, and hangout spots, but that’s not to say that there isn’t a fair spread of other gay locations throughout the city. Color is everywhere in Copenhagen, and one doesn’t have to look very far to find the place of their dreams to spend an afternoon enjoying the sea air and the wonderful culture.
This also applies to hotels, which are some of the best locations for queer travelers in the city to check out, and often provide perfect springboards into the city’s most frequented tourist sites and historical centers, where many tourists spend much of their time.
Copenhagen’s excellent public transport and laid-back feel means that moving about through the city is an absolute pleasure, and its relatively compact size means that nothing is too far out of reach, even if you’re looking to leave the city and venture out a bit into the countryside.
The Scandinavian convenience puts everything in the palms of your hands, and it doesn’t matter if you’re queer, what you like while traveling, or what particular comforts and amenities you need – the hotels on this list do an excellent job of filling every bill.
Obviously, in most cases, there aren’t going to be hotels out there marketed directly towards gay people or queer people in general. We know that, and therefore we’d like to note that the hotels on this list follow the same logic. Most of them have been listed as accommodating, friendly, and unjudgmental to, for, and by queer people in general, as well as being highly rated in general.
It’s time to head off to Europe’s door to Scandinavia and to experience our first taste of that wonderful Nordic culture! And what better place to start than with the city’s eight best queer-friendly and gay hotels, specially curated for our lovely readers and those with adventurous hearts!
In this article we will cover...
71 Nyhavn Hotel
Although the first entry on this list is somewhat pricey, we promise that every cent pays off. The Hotel 71 Nyhavn is a five-star location with an excellent service record, combining the old-style hospitality that the city of Copenhagen embodies so well with the modern pleasures of streamlined checking-in and out processes and amenities.
If that isn’t enough to start this gay hotel off on a good note, then one needs to look at the floor plan to know exactly how much is offered with a room. The food in the hotel’s in-house restaurant is one of the most highly-praised aspects about it – as well as the breakfast – and if you’re interested in hanging out in the common areas at night, there’s also a bar and several open sitting areas.
The rooms are top-notch, the views are exquisite, and the location puts visitors in the center of Copenhagen. 71 Nyhavn is a little stair-heavy on the inside, however, so if you need easier accessibility, then this might not be the hotel for you, or you may have to contact the hotel to see if they have any even-level rooms available for convenience.
Regardless of your preferences or needs, however, it goes without saying that this hotel is a pinnacle of style and that its practical uses aren’t without note either. The hotel’s staff are multi-lingual, which means that language won’t present any trouble as you go about your business, as is true with Copenhagen as a larger whole.
If you’re traveling with a child, the 71 Nyhavn is surprisingly kid friendly for a luxury hotel and gives enough private space for couples and single travelers to have enough space to just be themselves.
The Square
Although it’s not a four-star location like the 71 Nyhavn before it, when one arrives at the doors of The Square, it quickly becomes clear that this fact does not take an inch away from the length that the staff and, indeed, the management of this establishment go to curate an exclusive and luxurious accommodation experience.
The only noticeable thing about The Square’s missing star is its astronomically lower price tag, which speaks as a positive rather than a negative for all those who treasure the weight of their wallet!
Many of The Square’s other values demonstrate their importance – such as immaculate and stylish common spaces and rooms and a wonderful offering of room service and in-house food – but one of the best factors about it is, in truth, its surroundings and location.
The Indre By district that The Square and a good majority of the hotels on this list find themselves in is famous throughout the city as a hotspot for nightlife and a fusion of traditional and foreign culture, and this fact is clearer nowhere more than in the Studiestrædet that we spoke about earlier, and it’s front of gay bars and clubs.
If you’re looking for a sparkling, glamorous time out in the city, then the Indre By neighborhood is the place for you – and this is an advantage that The Square understands and capitalizes upon fully.
The Square’s neighborhood is also where the world-famous Little Mermaid statue is located, and while this landmark alone isn’t worth booking a hotel in the area to see, it still adds to the iconic atmosphere. And – if practical needs are important to you – it is also crucially close to public transport that reaches the city’s airport.
Generator Hostel
As we’ve said before in several other hotel review lists, hostels don’t generally get the best rap when it comes to casual travelers, but we are firm in the belief that this assumption often strays people away from the true gems of the niche. The Generator Hostel is undoubtedly one of these gems, and once one catches a glimpse of what it’s rooms and common spaces look like, there is no questioning that fact.
Not only are all of the spaces in this hostel in sparkling condition – with the opposite of this being the most common complaint travelers have about hostels – but they are also designed to be some of the most trendy and appealing spaces in the entire city.
The hostel’s bar, restaurant, and game area space is amazing for casual fun with friends and your special someone or even for socializing with other travelers, and there is even a hall for regular events and themed get-togethers. Long story short, if you’re looking for a rock-bottom budget option that still surprises every day with the level of its decadence and the amount of needs it caters to, the Generator Hostel is the place for you.
Much like the first two hotels on this list, the Generator is also located in the Indre By district and within a minute’s walk from the Studiestrædet gay village.
If you’re not a fan of urban jungles – which Copenhagen in no way is – then you’ll be more than happy to discover the adjacent King’s Gardens and the historic Rosenborg Castle, open for tours and casual strolls in the case of the former. A hostel within walking and eyeshot distance of a classically outfitted and publicly accessible castle – who would have ever thought!
Anderson Boutique Hotel
If we had to pick a middle-budget and middle-rank hotel out of all of the options on this list, then the Anderson Boutique Hotel would be the first choice. The array of options and conveniences it offers is substantial, all while keeping costs low and unnecessary worries out of the hair of travelers and potential guests looking to organize travel to and from the hotel.
And it isn’t ‘cheap’ when it comes to quality either. The Anderson Boutique is still a four-star luxury establishment, which shows in just about every corner of the hotel’s spaces and amenities.
Although it’s a bit more removed from the center of the Indre By district than many of the other hotels on this list, this fact makes it close to the gay scene of the Studiestrædet.
This is not to say that any of the other hotels are particularly far away from it, only that it is even easier to get involved and enjoy yourself while staying at the Anderson Boutique than usual. And why go to stay in a new city if you aren’t interested in immersing yourself in the culture of a new place and what exactly makes its heartbeat?
The Anderson Boutique has a full set of comprehensive amenities, ranging from an in-house restaurant and bar ensemble, much like the other hotels on this list, to a gym, free laundry service, and a free breakfast every morning that is sure to get your days in the wonderful city of Copenhagen off to a perfect start.
All practical needs are cared for by the hotel’s caring staff and streamlined check-in processes – just as we praised at the beginning of this entry – and nothing but a relaxing, stress-free time is left for guests to enjoy.
AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen
Although it doesn’t hold the same level of exclusive charisma that some of the top-shelf five-star hotels on this list do, it still needs to be said that the outside appearance of the AC Hotel Bella Sky is amazing. There aren’t a lot of tall buildings in Copenhagen as a whole – as is true with many European cities – but this place of accommodation makes for a good challenger.
A lot of the hotel’s size and energy comes from its location directly next to the Bella Sky Conference and Event Center, meaning that if you’re looking to attend a business event while you’re in Copenhagen – even if it’s not at this particular spot – all of the city’s business-traveler-angled resources hook up here perfectly, including unparalleled access to airports, public transport, and taxis if you need to get somewhere on short notice.
The overall appeal of the hotel is most absolutely driven home even deeper by the fact that the AC Hotel Bella Sky is explicitly listed as LGBTQ+ Friendly, which means that queer travelers can feel just that bit safer while they’re spending their days and nights with a calm, luxurious overview of the city.
The AC Hotel Bella Sky is also one of the only locations on this list to include the fitness studio ensemble that is common in business hotels around the world, and this fact is most probably one more thanks to the location’s proximity to the Bella Sky Conference center.
The only downside to this hotel – depending on your needs – is the fact that it is just a little separated from the general scene of the Indre Ry district – And not in the same direction that the Anderson Boutique is, but rather in the order of the business, modern skyline, and the hustle and bustle.
Copenhaagen Admiral Hotel
Just as the hotel’s regal name might entail, if there’s something the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel does right, it’s presenting elegance and doing it in a quite practical and cost-effective way. And a queer-friendly way, too, thanks to this gay hotel’s official stance on inclusivity and guest protection.
Although it’s not officially a five-star hotel, the luxury and style of the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel make it a strong contender even with the first and last hotels on this list with all of their bells, whistles, and high ratings.
Located in the very center of the Indre By district and nudging right up against the western half of the country’s seaside ports, the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is the perfect location for those who want to pair amazing views with amazing sites and amazing services, all thanks to the vast array of both nearby and directly in-house restaurants and eating areas that this hotel has access to.
Guest reviews of the Admiral Hotel are through the roof, with the vast majority of travelers coming away from their time here with star-struck eyes and half a mind to go directly back again, thanks to the sheer quality of service and attention to detail.
It’s a bit of a walk down to the Studiestrædet, but the Admiral Hotel doesn’t have to worry about that fact thanks to the neighborhood that it has cultivated about its base – rich with eateries, stroll spots, and clubs and bars for a wide array of good vibes and times.
And – if you’re not into social mixing and the night scene – there’s also the Amalienborg royal palace complex and the Rosenborg Castle within a five-minute walk, which adds to the general aura of luxury and mystique that the Admiral Hotel holds about itself and every aspect of its service.
Scandic Copenhagen
Here it is – the first and only gay hotel on this list not to be located in the Indre By district and its surrounding areas!
Although this change of scenery may be a bit of a turn-off at first before you learn about what the Scandic has to offer, one thing must be clear – there is a reason why we’ve broken away from the running trend of centrality with this hotel. Multiple reasons for it is in multi-purpose functionality that the Scandic excels, as well as numerous attack angles of satisfaction and practicality.
To start with, saying that Scandic Copenhagen is isolated from the main scene of the city would be unfair. The hotel is within an easily manageable distance of the city’s major roads and train lines, which means that you can hook back into the center of Copenhagen and the action of Studiestrædet with little effort. The unique benefits don’t stop there, either.
If you’re looking for a pool with your hotel – swimming outside being weather permitting, of course – then you’ll be overjoyed with the Scandic’s luxury, heated indoor swimming experience. This hotel is also fitted to the teeth with spa facilities, and the trained attendants are experts in what they do with making your time heaven.
In short, the Scandic’s strongest points are those that angle hardest into wellness and the more relaxed luxury, making for an amazing experience regardless of your specific preferences.
If you like kicking back and allowing a wonderful experience to develop about you, this is the hotel for you. Wake up in the morning to an amazing complimentary breakfast, or call the day-round room service up to your private hideaway for some delicious fare – the choice is all yours!
Hotel Nimb
Just as we began this list with a stylish luxury hotel, as we come to an end, it seems right that we end off with yet another one. If you’re interested in rooms that feel more like vintage Victorian estates than hotel spaces, and if you’re looking for common rooms that make you feel like a guest at an exclusive hangout for members of high society, then this is the place for you – counting on the fact that you can afford it, after all.
While the Hotel 47 Nyhavn at the beginning of this list excels when it comes to comfort, accessibility, and all-round service comprehensibility, the one thing it lacks is a strong connection to the city’s nightlife, and that is where the Hotel Nimb picks up in spades. If you’re the type likely to spend more nights out and about than inside relaxing in your room, then the location and spirit of the Nimb are more than likely to catch your eye.
Not only are the hotel’s facilities amazing, such as its in-house bar and relaxation spaces, but there’s also an in-house restaurant beneath the hotel that functions as an attraction all by itself, serving a wonderful mix of modern and traditional French food to both the guests of the rooms above and passers-by on the street below.
This wonderful eating fare is even available as room service, meaning that you can have the most amazing food delivered right to your luxurious room 24/7, with a large variety of extras potentially coming completely cost-free.
Other reviewers of this hotel have praised its proximity to the Tivoli Gardens, which make for an amazing backdrop and setting outside of the hotel and an excellent location to spend your days if you enjoy relaxing amongst nature.
Gay Hotel Map Of Copenhagen
Feeling a bit lost while planning your journey to Copenhagen? No worries, darling! Our detailed LGBTQ+ tailored map is here to guide you. We’ve pinpointed all the vibrant gay-friendly bars, exhilarating clubs, extravagant parties, cozy hotels, relaxing saunas, and soothing massage parlors to ensure you find the perfect spot.
And these aren’t just any spots; we’re talking about the creme de la creme of locations in the heart of the city’s vibrant gay scene. Think panoramic views, easy access to nightlife, and all the amenities to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
But hold on to your feather boas! These hot spots are fabulous; they vanish quicker than a drag queen’s five o’clock shadow. Don’t delay; book now to secure the best deals and locations. Remember, the early bird catches the best deals in Copenhagen! So, pack your rainbow flag, and get ready to experience the ultimate gay-friendly holiday in Copenhagen.
