The best gay-friendly hotels in Los Angeles

The Palihouse West Hollywood is a 37-room urban lodge that delivers the highlights of both a boutique hotel and a luxury residence. The result is a sophisticated Los Angeles accommodation option that’s entirely unique, bound to please even the most discriminating of globetrotters. Oversized suites feature fully equipped kitchens and chic living areas—of the sort it’s challenging to leave. (Though, should you feel so inclined, the Sunset Strip is just a few steps away.) Palihouse’s sunny rooftop cocktail lounge is popular with in-the-know travellers and locals alike; sweeping 360-degree views of West Hollywood and first-rate craft cocktails quickly explain why. When hunger strikes, head straight to Mardi, an alfresco bistro serving up hip Cali fare.

For a stay at one of Downtown Los Angeles’ longest-standing hotels, head to Hotel Figueroa. This landmark building has stood testament to the ever-progressing, artistic-leaning neighbourhood for nearly a century. And after a two-year renovation, Hotel Figuera is now more alluring than ever, a smart combination of contemporary Spanish design and original Spanish Colonial splendour. The 268 rooms and suites are spread across 14 floors, each eclectically designed to tell a unique story—a notable nod to the hotel’s popularity as a gathering place for progressive travellers with their own fascinating vantage points. Near the hotel are a slew of top-notch restaurants, galleries, and museums, but you’d be forgiven for not wanting to stray far from Hotel Figueroa’s two restaurants and three bars. The Veranda might be our favourite, a poolside Mexican restaurant that feels perfectly at home in its tropical surroundings.

A palatial retreat that could very well be mistaken for a Mediterranean chateau, The Peninsula Beverly Hills exudes opulence in each and every detail. The cosmopolitan hotel is hidden behind a lush tropical garden, a wonderfully calming oasis from the frenzy that is Los Angeles. Service is next-level, as you would expect from Southern California’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star-rated hotel—think a courtesy Rolls Royce to deliver you across Beverly Hills and lavish poolside cabana spa treatments. Rooms are airy and bright, with elegant French windows that open up to sweeping views. This level of luxury comes at a price tag, but it’s one that’s very much worth the splurge.

The Waldorf Astoria is nothing less than striking with its 12-story, geometric building proudly standing tall in posh Beverly Hills. The design legend that is Pierre-Yves Rochon spearheaded the interior decor; gold metallic detailing, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and state-of-the-art technologies come together to create an extravagant yet comfortable stay. Michelin-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is entirely at home at this venerable gay-friendly LA hotel; the elegant dining room serves up decadent French-Cali fusion cuisine. The brunch here is divine, particularly when enjoyed on the open-air terrace.

Old-school Hollywood lovers will swoon over Sunset Marquis, a storied hotel dating back to the early 1960s. A-listers from Bette Midler to The Ramones to Jennifer Anniston have found respite here, while legends like Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Rihanna have recorded hits at Nightbird Studios (now located in the hotel’s basement.) The rock’n’roll spirit lives on today, though you don’t have to be a celebrity to relish this gay-friendly Los Angeles hotel. Suites range from historic Spanish-style villas with private driveways to contemporary poolside suites, each decked to the nines.

Another gay-friendly hotel in Los Angeles with a history of wild debauchery is the Andaz West Hollywood, a playful hotel built in 1963—and the first high-rise hotel on the Sunset Strip. Legendary rockers like Jim Morrison, Led Zeppelin, and Little Richie all have rowdy stories from this iconic West Hollywood accommodation. Today, the vibe is decidedly more tranquil, though the sociable ambience and first-rate service haven’t changed one bit. Rooms feature local artwork and Calcutta mosaics, while suites offer the added bonus of a balcony and marble tub. The rooftop pool is dotted with scarlet red loungers and poolside cabanas, a delightful way to spend a lazy day.

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