Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Frankfurt – a queer paradise hidden away from the eyes of tourists thanks to a dull reputation. Frankfurt is an amazing location for travel in general, but it is when it comes to the city’s attitude towards gay rights and cliques that it shines in our books.
Although Frankfurt is known throughout Europe and the entire world as the economic center of the continent and an absolute powerhouse of commerce, there’s a lot more going on in the metropolitan mass of Manhattan than just stocks and trading. So much more that we could write about the queer hotspots of the city for days and still not have scratched the surface.
If you’ve heard about the crazy, amazing nightlife culture that Berlin harbors in its popular districts, you will be thrilled to learn that Frankfurt’s downtown is just as lively and engaging, if not more so, thanks to its powerful modern Polish and metropolitan feel.
Unlike many other locations, the queer community of Frankfurt isn’t detached or decentralized from the heart of the city and makes up a fundamental part of the downtown area alongside many of its most important food, cultural, and hangout locations.
The specific section of Frankfurt’s downtown known for its queer establishments is known as the ‘Bermuda Triangle’, but there are also more than enough smaller, calmer neighborhoods and districts with gay influences spotted throughout the city to spend your entire holiday exploring.
Not only that, but many of the important touristic parts of the city, including its famous Old Town district, the skyscraper-lined cityscape as a whole, and the Romer plaza, are all within easy walking distance of one another and the queer districts! Nothing screams European more than easy accessibility by foot, after all.
Despite all of this, however, Frankfurt is known to be an all-welcoming and international city for a reason, and it would be contrary to the city’s spirit to focus on only one aspect of what it offers. Although there are some truly wonderful places in the world for queer people to explore, with Frankfurt being one of them, things that appeal to gay travelers aren’t always necessarily marketed toward them.
We know that, and therefore we’d like to note that the hotels on this list follow the same logic. Most of these wonderful hotels have been listed as accommodating and unjudgmental towards queer people in general and highly rated by previous guests and critics. No matter your taste or the size of your holiday budget, there will surely be something here in Frankfurt to appeal to you!
So, if you’re ready to dive head-first into one of Germany’s most contemporary, exciting, and welcoming cities, and if you’ve got your heart set on some deeply cultured and dazzlingly queer urban exploration, then let us waste no more time in getting on to the top of what the best eight gay hotels in Frankfurt has on offer!
In this article we will cover...
Hotel Scala
The Hotel Scala may only have three stars, but one thing is certain: if you’re looking to experience the queer scene of Frankfurt like a king, this is the perfect place to stay while doing so.
This establishment is a strong, middle-tier location that balances payoff and costs to a precise and ideal degree on just about every level of how it manages its accommodation and excels in providing a perfect place and just about every necessary service for those planning a holiday right in the very middle of the city’s gay quarter and the rest of its cultural offerings.
The rooms at the Hotel Scala may not be the most modern or attended to with the very best services like some of the city’s five-star locations, but they are more than simply serviceable – offering guests every comfort that they could need and opening up a wide window of opportunity for just about every taste. And that’s not to say that the location is dated or unattractive, either.
The opposite is very much true. On top of its aesthetic benefits, the Scala has a breakfast bar available every morning, wonderful views out over the skyline of Frankfurt, and – perhaps most importantly – a direct shot both by foot and by public transport to the city center, its central station, and the Main river.
The hotel’s very own in-house restaurant and bar ensemble has been highly praised by previous guests ever since the hotel opened, and as such, one needn’t even search for a place to grab a bit to eat between spending days out on the city exploring and nights partying amongst Frankfurt’s amazing nightlife. The Hotel Scala is the perfect beginning to this list and serves as one of the best gay-friendly hotels in Frankfurt.
NH Collection Frankfurt City Center
NH Collection hotels are somewhat returning to our travels through the world’s best gay hotels, and as such, it’s easy to understand why the high-rated and all-needs-met franchise’s Frankfurt location has made its way onto this list.
Even though the NH Collection Frankfurt City Centers somewhat mirrors the no-fuss and shiny but practical outlook of the Hotel Scala before it when it comes to hotel design choices, the punch that this location packs when it comes to in-house services and available amenities is ten times harder than our first hotel.
The NH Collection’s on-paper benefits stretch long and wide, including breakfast, much-coveted parking space if you’ve hired a car or came to the city with one, free Wi-Fi, wheelchair-accessible rooms for those with mobility needs, a fitness center if you’re looking to keep up an exercise regime, laundry and room services to keep you as comfortable in your suite as can be, and – of course – a restaurant and bar downstairs to keep you well fed without even having to venture out past the hotel’s lobby when you don’t feel like it or time is short.
The NH Collection is also the only hotel on this list to offer an airport shuttle service for guests who would either rather not hire a car to get themselves to and fro from the city’s prominent international airport or don’t want to take public transport into Frankfurt’s center after a long flight.
Overall, the NH Collection Frankfurt City Center is a good, solid location that offers a reliable, practical feeling to its guests and a bright outlook for gay travelers looking to make the best of both the city and the money that they’ve allotted for their holiday in Frankfurt. No problems, no extra costs, and no worries.
Hotel Victoria
The Hotel Victoria makes an impression immediately, and its quality is an effect that comes to stay even though it rocks four stars and a luxurious, old-style attitude that is brightly complimented by the hotel’s dedication to modern values and service.
The Hotel Victoria finds itself located smack-bang in the middle of the so-called Bahnhofsviertel surrounding the city’s central train station and, as such, is as tied into the comings and goings of busy Frankfurt as it is in its very own bubble of extravagance.
In case you can’t tell already, this location is without a doubt the most stylish and highbrow establishment on this list, and this naturally brings it a slightly larger price tag than the one attached to a night at the other hotels here, but we promise that you won’t regret it for a single moment if you’re ready to spend the extra few euros.
Gay guests to this hotel are bound to love it, and Victoria loves them back, too, thanks to its hands-on service mentality and respect for all of its customers.
As is the case for many of the other hotels on this list, reaching public transport is a laughable, almost instant affair when starting at the Hotel Victoria, and as such, guests can expect the city to be served to them on a silver platter while staying here.
The sheer number of eateries and restaurants in the district surrounding the Hotel Victoria is amazing, but if the cultural mix-mash of food options nearby isn’t enough for you, you can also try out the hotel’s in-house restaurant. No matter where you come from and where within this lively city you’re heading off to, the Hotel Victoria is waiting for you with open arms.
The Savoy Frankfurt
Two things can be said about the Savoy Frankfurt. One is that it is an incredibly affordable and excellently located hotel, and two is that no matter how low the price of room rates might sink here, one can be sure that the hotel’s provided services and proximity to public transport will push them even more down.
The Savoy has been recently suffering from somewhat of a discrepancy between the rooms it advertises and the rooms that some previous guests have received, but the fact remains that it is one of the most logical no-frills choices for accommodation in Frankfurt for guests, not hard-set on having the luxurious experience of your life while at their hotel. Gay travel in Frankfurt has never been easier, more central, or more convenient than when staying at the Savoy.
Although it remains a location that excels through convenience and affordability, as we said above, the Savoy does have a few points that set it well and truly above the city’s hostels and other budget accommodation locations, including its advertised swimming pool and restaurant and bar area.
There are also several casual eateries and food stands nearby, so no matter what you’re feeling like sinking your teeth into, there’s bound to be something of interest nearby.
If you’re looking for an easy accommodation experience with no more stress than simply checking in and out, then the Savoy Frankfurt is the location for you. It may not have the bells and whistles that some of the other hotels on this list have, and it may not be explicitly certified as queer-friendly, but what it does have is simplicity, privacy, and – most importantly of all – the ability to serve as an affordable platform through which to explore the city.
EXPO Hotel Frankfurt
The Hotel EXPO is a business traveler or the practical, goal-orientated holidayer’s dream, placing its guests within reaching distance of Frankfurt’s usual tourist scenes and historical center, its gay scene and inner city districts with their unique night culture, and – in addition to all of that – its shopping and event management facilities as well. No matter your plans in Frankfurt, the EXPO is here to help you and make carrying them out as easy as possible.
As the EXPO’s appeal to business travelers might imply, the hotel values giving its guests a bit of personal space and peace so that they can rest up well and heartily, and as such, it finds itself located down a small, quiet and quaint side street next to an otherwise busy shopping area.
This means that guests here have a strong connection to the metropolitan advantages of the city, such as public transport, the local hangout spots, and even the shopping itself, while remaining able to take a break from the hustle and bustle if it gets too much after a long day.
Some other advantages and points that the EXPO Hotel holds close to its chest are its in-house restaurant, sensible, serviceable rooms, and its stylish lobby and common areas.
The hotel even has a 24/7 front desk for your convenience, so no matter what time of day or even night it is, you can always turn to the EXPO to have your back and to give you a place to sleep for the night in quiet and safety. After all, a hotel that cares about the rest and peace of its guests is on track to becoming an excellent establishment, and this is a box that the EXPO ticks to a tee.
Mainhaus Stadthotel Frankfurt
Although it isn’t half as affordable to stay at as the Savoy that comes up next on this list, the Mainhaus Stadthotel makes up for it thanks to the fact that it is incredibly stylish and on point when it comes to both customer service and maintenance – a dedication that makes it one of the most modern and up-to-date hotels on this list despite its very respectable price tag.
Its rooms are slick, its staff is attentive, and its attention to detail is on point. By the same virtue, the Mainhaus Stadthotel may not be explicitly marked as LGBTQ+ friendly online, but queer travel blogs heavily recommend the location, and as such, it is more than safe to assume that it is just as welcoming to gay travelers as the rest of Frankfurt’s establishments.
The Mainhaus Stadthotel’s location has the perfect mix of centrality and space – giving its guests enough room to breathe but also an easy time with making it to and from some of the city’s most important sites, such as the Römer, the central Frankfurt train station, and – of course – the city’s queer quarter and its lively nightlife.
If you’re not interested in going out, however, there’s always the hotel’s in-house bar and restaurant, both of which are more than enough to fill the gap between meals out in fancy restaurants or long evenings partying with no time to eat.
As befits the Mainhaus Stadthotel’s modern yet practical air, the hotel is also home to a decently roomy conference and event area, so if you’re looking to plan any get-together while staying in Frankfurt, such as a wedding or a birthday, then this would most definitely be the casual-cool place to do so without breaking the bank or sacrificing on quality and comfort.
25hours Hotel Frankfurt The Trip
The other locations on this list typically excel in one aspect of what makes a gay hotel interesting, safe, and accessible, but when it comes to the 25hours Hotel Frankfurt The Trip, things aren’t so simple. This hotel is fusion, style, and comfort all rolled up into one powerful, colorful bundle, and all of these factors together propel it to a unique position of privilege upon this list.
Although it doesn’t have any official star rating, the 25hours Hotel Frankfurt ‘The Trip’ is well-known as one of the most popular gay-friendly locations on this list, and this status is more than enough to buy it the confidence that stars otherwise would.
The 25 hours are also marked as officially LGBTQ+ friendly on its site and online profiles, so that should close out any questions about the hotel’s dedication to queer protection and support. On top of that, the hotel is located within only a few minutes walk from the Frankfurt central station, enabling you to spread your wings throughout the entire city with ease.
Suppose you’re looking for a truly unique dining and environmental experience. In that case, you have to try the hotel’s in-house BAR SHUKA Restaurant & Bar – a highly-rated Middle Eastern fusion kitchen that is sure to put that last cherry on top of all the other benefits of staying here. There’s also a complimentary breakfast on offer to give you the perfect kickstart in the morning, so don’t skimp out on the protein while enjoying the cultured streets of Frankfurt!
Long story short, the 25hours Hotel The Trip is undoubtedly one of the strongest entries on this list thanks to its colorful cultural feel, unique taste of Frankfurt life, and practical plus points. Worth a try in every way!
Libertine Lindenberg
Now this location is a true embodiment of style, luxury, and convenience with a fashionable twist. Although the Libertine is one of the more boutiques and artistic hotels on this list, and even given the fact that its surrounding neighborhood deeply reflects the same feeling, this hotel is just as centrally located as the vast majority of the other hotels on this list – nestled between the touristic district of the historic St.
Georg Brunnen landmark and the centrally-flowing Main River itself – and the sheer amount of assorted benefits that guests staying here are treated to is nothing short of amazing.
One might be a little taken back at first by the fact that the Libertine mirrors the 25hours Hotel and the Savoy before it by not having an official hotel star rating, but – as we said for those earlier entries as well – one needs only have a good look at and inside the Libertine to understand just how high the tier of its service and attention to detail is.
The individual suites of the Libertine Lindenberg are well-commended for their intuitive, stylish design, with some even incorporating multiple levels and fully serviceable kitchenettes into their repertoire. If cooking for yourself isn’t your thing, however, there are rooms with attached kitchens and private cooks, and a gym, café, and food store downstairs for your freshness and overall convenience. How luxurious can this gay hotel in Frankfurt get?
The building that the Libertine is built within is a 19th-century townhouse, and while this old-time taste is strong and visible throughout the building, it does nothing to drag back the undeniable modernity of its style and its concrete dedication to queer travelers and support for the ability of gay holidayers to branch out into the nightlife of Frankfurt.
Gay Hotel Map Of Frankfurt
Feeling a bit lost while planning your journey to Frankfurt? 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 Frankfurt! So, pack your rainbow flag, and get ready to experience the ultimate gay-friendly holiday in Frankfurt.
