Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Hollywood! West Hollywood, in particular – is the place of cinema fame, glamor, sparkle, and celebrity haunt. We know that we’ve listed the hotels for Los Angeles before in another article, but it must be said that the area of West Hollywood deserves individual attention just as much as the city, especially regarding its relationship with queer travelers.
West Hollywood is well known as the gay center of Los Angeles, and there is hardly a better place in California to let your hair down and enjoy expressing yourself to no end.
The area has one of the highest concentrations of outwardly gay-friendly hotels in the entire country, and if that isn’t enough, there is also an array of resorts and luxury apartment buildings on offer. No matter where or how you like to stay while you’re abroad and exploring a new city, there’s a place in West Hollywood for you.
The famous Santa Monica Boulevard is not just the heart of what embodies the spirits that make Los Angeles internationally known, but it is also the core of the city’s queer center and the nightlife that makes it such a pleasure to visit.
If you’re the type who enjoys spending just as much time out in the town during the night as you do during the day, and if you appreciate the duality between luxury and embracing the party, then this is the place for you.
Not your scene? Not to worry! The neighborhood is also home to streets and streets worth of easily visit-worthy cultural sites, and the Sunset Strip has enough stores and restaurants for a lifetime spent out exploring new things and eating to absolute satisfaction. Every taste and range of budget are met, whether you’re on a light holiday or pulling out all the stops and emptying the wallet.
Even if West Hollywood isn’t the place for you, and if you’re interested in other parts of the city – Malibu, for example, the center of Hollywood and its production studios, or the Downtown area – then you’re easily in walking or public transport distance from some of the city’s other most notable regions.
Although a few make statements officially, 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.
So – if you’ve got the stomach for a truly amazing night out on the town and are looking for a place to stay that fully encompasses what it means to be in West Hollywood, with all of its shine and glamor, then let us move on! It’s time to review the eight best gay hotels in West Hollywood.
In this article we will cover...
The Hollywood Roosevelt
Here we have it – our first gay hotel in West Hollywood and one of the best. Bedecked with four stars and a long history of customer satisfaction and ripe business, the Hollywood Roosevelt is famous for its large, fancy pool, great views, and tight-knit connection to the feel of the LA streets and their lively, summery culture.
In sync with its name, the Hollywood Roosevelt has had more than its share of celebrity guests from the golden age of Hollywood, and it continues to serve as a reliably luxurious experience for all who walk through its doors.
Another highly-praised aspect of the Hollywood Roosevelt is its dining experience – pumped up to the next level by the no less than five food joints and bars that share the hotel’s building and administration. Suppose you’re looking for a culinary multi-complex right at home while you stay abroad.
In that case, Hollywood Roosevelt is the place for you – without mentioning all of the other equally varied options you can find in the nearby streets and neighborhoods.
There’s even a 24/7 club within the building, meaning guests can venture out at any time of the day or night to truly embrace the ‘city never sleeps’ feeling that Hollywood truly makes its own.
The rates of the Hotel Hollywood Roosevelt aren’t that high in the sight of its location and its luxurious air, so if you’re looking to maximize your top-shelf Los Angeles experience while remaining just a little bit lighter on your wallet, then this is the place to invest in doing so. The service at this hotel certainly pays off, and the professional attitude of the staff certainly makes a convincing case that this hotel is more than suitable and safe for queer travelers.
Montrose West Hollywood
Set just a little further away from the Sunset Strip and the very heart of the city’s goings-on than the rest of the hotels on this list; the Montrose West Hollywood takes advantage of every inch of peace that it is afforded, transforming an area known for its liveliness and loud culture into an oasis of relaxation and tranquility.
The rooftop terraces and outdoor pool of this hotel are points of sheer bliss and offer perfect points to glance out over the impressive skyline of Los Angeles and the summery feeling that comes with each structure and front of the city’s surroundings.
This factor isn’t just reserved for the terraces, public spaces, and the pool. The vast majority of the rooms in Montrose West Hollywood have balconies that allow guests to experience that same feeling of wonder from the comfort of their rooms, which makes for the perfect romantic setting for a couples’ getaway.
Suppose it is something you’re interested in. In that case, the hotel also offers upgrades to add a separate living or dining space to your room, and there is a 24/7 in-room dining service available with service from the guest-exclusive restaurant below. There’s also a fitness center and massage facilities for those invested in their self-health!
As is the case for some of the larger hotels at the end of this list, the Montrose West Hollywood also has space available for business meetings and social events such as parties and weddings, and the slightly separated atmosphere of this hotel and the ability of its guests to truly let go of stress makes for a perfect location to hang out with friends and perhaps even make new ones while you’re in the city and experiencing the truly intoxicating strength of its party atmosphere.
1 Hotel West Hollywood
Now this is a true independent five-star hotspot. It’s not often that we see a non-luxury- franchise hotel rise to such a level of decadence as the 1 Hotel West Hollywood does, but the miracle of the Sunset Strip – as we’ve said before and will continue to press for the rest of this list – is that it simply makes luxury happen, no matter what.
Although the 1 Hotel West Hollywood is without a doubt one of the most expensive or perhaps even the most expensive hotels on this list, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth stretching out your pockets just a little for, especially if you’re looking to splurge on a romantic getaway or if you want to experience the very tippy-top of what makes the high life of Los Angeles like it is, and what it feels like to be in the same league with some of the city’s brightest stars.
For all of its glamor and glitz, it is certainly refreshing that the 1 Hotel West Hollywood doesn’t lose sight of the community around it, and thus it is with great relief that we present the fact that this hotel is officially marketed as LGBTQ+ friendly.
Numerous reviews and accounts from queer travelers confirm this positive impression, as well as celebrating various other points about the decadence of the 1 Hotel West Hollywood, such as its excellent dining, stunning pool, and on-point sense of fashion.
If you like eye-candy halls, rooms, and common areas, and if you’re a sucker for excellent city views, then the windows of this hotel are sure to have you captivated for hours. The location of the 1 Hotel West Hollywood is truly amazing and blows almost all of its local competition out of the area thanks to the building’s stature.
Elan Hotel
We try to balance economical options with luxury choices in these lists, and it is to the earlier category that the Elan Hotel belongs. That isn’t to say that it is not worth an eyebrow raised in pleasant surprise, however.
Being just a little more affordable than the rest of the hotels on this list doesn’t take anything away from the sheer wow factor that the Elan presents, and although I’m sure you’ve seen more than enough stunning hotels on your exploration of gay hotels in West Hollywood – which is quite simply just a trademark of the Sunset Strip and its glamorous surroundings.
There’s still a little more to be surprised about regarding this particular location. Beverly Center is a couple of minutes’ walk away, as does the beating heart of the famous Sunset Strip.
The rooms of the Elan Hotel are still top-notch and up to LA standards, so visitors mustn’t fret about the lower prices coming back to bite them when it comes to individual spaces and maintenance. This room for relief and relaxation continues into the hotel’s amenities, including event space, room service, and many lovely common areas to take a break and perhaps even a bite in.
Class doesn’t have to come in an overly flashy and expensive package, and a practical yet still sparkling approach to luxury and providing a gateway to West Hollywood want the Elan Hotel excels.
Although the Elan Hotel isn’t explicitly marked as LGBTQ+ friendly on any major sites, several queer patrons have reviewed the hotel positively in the past, so once more, the location proves itself to be a reliable, affordable, and splendid option for holidayers or businesspeople looking for a gay hotel in the very heart of Los Angeles.
Andaz West Hollywood
When one considers Andaz’s full title – Andaz West Hollywood – a Concept by Hyatt – it is no surprise that this location is both immensely stylish and a bit of a stretch of the wallet. One only needs to glance at Andaz’s exterior to get a taste of what lies within, and those expectations will not be disappointed either.
The Andaz may only be a four-star establishment, but those four stars are well earned, and the dedication of the staff is clear in each little thing that builds up the hotel from its foundation to a palace of luxury treatment.
On-paper benefits of staying at this hotel include a fitness center and gym, breakfast, parking and valet service, and – of course – room and laundry services that come complimentary to guests.
The Andaz is also home to its very own in-house yet independent restaurant, which is dubbed ‘the Riot House’ and contains not just amazing food options but also a bar section for those looking to have a drink and relax in the company of fellow travelers and LA locals enjoying the atmosphere.
Indeed, the atmosphere is very important to the Andaz, as is culture, and this fact is more than clear thanks to the hotel’s permanent art installations and amazing dedication to independent expression. This attitude extends to queer travelers and gay rights, and the hotel has proved itself to be extremely supportive in the past.
It truly seems as though no place of accommodation in the area is immune to the queer energy of the surrounding neighborhood, which is all the better for both this list and travelers looking to enjoy a wonderful time in West Hollywood as a queer traveler without having to worry about conflict or discrimination!
Hotel Ziggy
Many of the hotels on this list are firmly rooted in luxury and formality, but what about those who don’t like the stiff-collar feel but are still interested in having the all-needs-catered experience of their lives?
Welcome the Hotel Ziggy – a colorful, lively location that takes all of the creative, queer-friendly energy that the Sunset Strip and the West Hollywood neighborhood cultivates and forms it into an explosion of luxurious accommodation and cultural significance. The rooms are amazing, the inner courtyard is an oasis, and the rooms are top-notch.
Hotel Ziggy is armed to the teeth when it comes to providing top-shelf service to its customers, including valet parking, bell calling, and much more regarding culinary pleasures. Like many of the hotels on this list, this location has a pool, but the hype points don’t stop there.
One of the more bizarre and uncommon benefits of staying at the Hotel Ziggy comes in the form of its dedicated on-site golf course, which is sure to be a thrill for those invested in the sport or if you’re looking to give it a try to widen your horizons while on holiday.
The Hotel Ziggy is pet-friendly, which makes it one of only two on this hotel that can bear that label, and it has received quite an impressive flood of good reviews from queer travelers over the years thanks to its attentive, hands-on, and quite friendly and personal staff and management attitude.
No matter what your preferences in hotels are, and no matter how you like to spend your free time, Hotel Ziggy and its surrounding neighborhood are sure to have something for you, even if you’re just interested in hanging around the Hotel’s splendidly decorated common areas and soaking up the city’s energy.
Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza Hotel
It suffices to say that Best Western hotels are a surefire go-to no matter the location and that this one in the center of the Sunset Strip is a perfect example of that statement.
Although the brand name is one most commonly associated with reliability and affordability, the Strip seems to have a luxurious, emanating effect on all of the locations around it, and as such, even this humble hotel is a glimmering beacon of luxury and exclusive energy.
Three stars get the Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza quite a lot, from a stunning outdoor pool with truly magical surroundings to free breakfast and direct access to some of the best parts of the Strip – all for relatively low prices when one considers the hotel’s incredibly central location.
If all of these points aren’t enough to convince you that the Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza is truly a remarkable place to work staying at, then a quick scour through the hotel’s reviews will make clear just how strong the impact of its surprisingly high level of performance is.
Among some of the most praised points of the hotel are its wide-open doors that make room for and accommodate absolutely anyone, which is especially important for those traveling with pets and children, and that the staff of the hotel is willing to go through almost absolutely anything to make sure that everything goes well for their guests.
The Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza also has room for events and business affairs, meaning that if you’re looking for a place to hold that birthday party, get together, or even your wedding, then this is the affordable, concise, and amazing place to do it without completely taking yourself out of pocket and into a deep world of complicated planning procedures.
Mondrian Los Angeles
Just as we started off this list of gay hotels in West Hollywood with a top-shelf luxury location, we should follow the tradition that most of these lists hold to and end with one. Built up as a modern tower of fashion and pleasure, the Mondrian is a wide-reaching place of accommodation that focuses on curating the very best Sunset Strip experience for its guests, bringing in every possible aspect of the party life that the area is so known for and imbuing it into the walls of the hotel itself.
This includes the Strip’s loud and proud queer community. To dive a little deeper into this subject, the Mondrian Los Angeles has another factor helping it keep up with the rest of the pack in that it is also registered as officially LGBTQ+ friendly. That fact is a plus to see, but it truly comes as part and parcel with the laid-back, progressive atmosphere of the area!
If you’re interested in a more widespread experience while hanging out at the Mondrian Los Angeles, you’ll be pleased to find that it offers much more than just comfortable rooms and well-designed common spaces.
There are also two very competent and highly rated restaurants in the same building that belong to the hotel, a store, and an ATM, so if you need just about anything, it’s there and ripe for the taking.
The hotel also includes a wonderful outdoor pool, kitchens in the vast majority of rooms, a fitness center, and a wonderful breakfast bar to state that early morning hunger after a night on the town! Room service with proper dining food is available 24/7, so you needn’t wait until the sun rises to enjoy the Mondrian’s wonderful fare.
Gay Hotel Map Of West Hollywood
Feeling a bit lost while planning your journey to West Hollywood? 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 so 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 West Hollywood! So, pack your rainbow flag, and get ready to experience the ultimate gay-friendly holiday in West Hollywood.
