6 of the best gay-friendly hotels in London

London’s gay-friendly hotels are some of the world’s best. You could stay in an Austin Powers-inspired hotel in Kings Cross or relax in a boutique hotel with a designer garden in Kensington. To help you choose, we’ve narrowed the list down to six of our favourites.

Hazlitt’s is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. We love its vintage charm. Picture oil paintings hanging above elaborate fireplaces, four-poster beds draped in velvet throws, and Victorian-style bathtubs with polished golden taps. Since opening in 1718, this boutique hotel has welcomed many prestigious guests, from film directors to fashion designers. Its location on Soho’s Frith Street is fab. You’ll be a short stroll away from some of London’s top gay bars, but you’ll also feel a world away from the city buzz as soon as you step inside its grand doors.

The Piccadilly is a contemporary urban haven with excellent service, incredible food and tempting spa treatments. If you’re after a hotel in the heart of the city, this West End hideaway is for you. Take a wander outside and in less than 15 minutes you can be shopping on Oxford Street, dining in Chinatown or partying in Soho. The hotel has won several awards, including a Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor in 2019. Its restaurant and bar, Hankies, serves Indian street food with a twist. Try the pre-theatre menu, washed down with an ice-cold IPA, before heading out to see one of London’s world-famous shows.

The Zetter Townhouse may have only opened in 2015, but this luxurious retreat is like an 18th Century time-warp. Its quirky style makes it feel more like a historic Georgian home than a central London hotel. We love that about it. In one room, you’ll find walls painted in ruby red and decorated with wooden carvings; and in another, there will be fringed lampshades casting shadows on a mosaic carpet. Our favourite thing about this townhouse hotel is its award-winning cocktail bar. Snuggle up on the sofa among the age-old books and fireplace, Negroni in-hand, or book a table for afternoon tea – Vogue named it one of London’s best. 

Described as a home for the free spirit, Blakes London is not your typical city hotel. It’s artsy and bohemian, but still ultra-luxurious. Expect walls painted in black, vibrant green palms, botanical prints and labyrinth-style staircases. British designer Matthew Williamson created the garden space, which feels like a little city oasis with sleek monochrome shades and loads of plants. Blakes is tucked away in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where you can browse fashionable boutiques and enjoy lunch in swanky cafés, or hop on the tube for a day of sightseeing in the city centre.

Don’t let this hotel’s humble name fool you. The Standard is one of a kind. Overlooking Kings Cross, this eccentric fun-loving hotel is housed in an old Brutalist-style office block – and it doesn’t take things too seriously. Its interiors are inspired by films such as Austin Powers and 1970s sci-fi classic, Logan’s Run. Think brown leather sofas, shagpile rugs, retro lighting and curved walls. Locals love the street-facing bar, Double Standard (try the bottomless brunch), and St Pancras train station is only a two-minute walk away, so you’ll be within easy reach of the city’s must-see sights. 

We’re super excited about this one. Salt Hotels has a small collection of boutique retreats based in the USA. Its focus lies on exquisite design, chic interiors and creating a homely feel for its guests. It’s all about big ideas for intimate spaces. Each hotel is managed by a team of hospitality innovators, from sommeliers to a wellness coach. We stayed at Salt House Inn in Provincetown and loved it. It’s clean-cut, yet cosy and full of character, with bright white walls, cool industrial lighting and exposed beams. This new hideaway will be Salt Hotels’ first London venture and we’re expecting great things, so stay tuned.