Pod Brooklyn takes the familiar New York problem of tiny hotel rooms and turns it into part of the concept. The compact rooms are cleverly designed for travellers who expect to spend far more time exploring Williamsburg than sitting in their hotel. The buildings are linked by courtyards and outdoor spaces, including several roof decks, giving the property a sociable feel despite the small bedrooms. The Metropolitan Avenue subway is close by, while Bedford Avenue, restaurants and bars are all easily walkable. For LGBTQ visitors, Williamsburg has its own queer venues and Bushwick’s alternative LGBTQ nightlife is nearby, while the L train gets you to Manhattan quickly when you want a change of scene. GayMapper tip: Particularly good for solo travellers and short stays when location and price matter much more than having a large bedroom.

There are Orlando hotels with pools, and then there’s the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, whose 800,000-gallon lagoon comes with waterfalls, caves and a waterslide. Add a private lake, watersports, climbing, trails and two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses and suddenly missing one afternoon at Disney doesn’t seem such a tragedy. The location near Lake Buena Vista keeps Walt Disney World close, with complimentary scheduled park transport adding convenience. Rooms are light and contemporary, selected categories have balconies, and Four Flamingos by Richard Blais gives dinner a little more ambition than standard resort fare. This works best when you want Orlando to feel like an actual holiday rather than a military operation involving four theme parks and a spreadsheet. There’s plenty here for adults who simply want a pool day and a cocktail. GayMapper tip: Build a resort day into the itinerary – otherwise you’re paying for one of Orlando’s most impressive pools without actually enjoying it.

Ocean Lodge Santa Monica Beach Hotel has been sitting on Ocean Avenue since the 1950s, and its retro motel-style character is part of the appeal. More importantly, you’re just a few minutes from Santa Monica Pier and the sand. Rooms have been refreshed but remain fairly simple, with fridges and coffee makers rather than luxury-hotel extras. Restaurants line the surrounding streets, Venice is an easy trip south and the beachfront location means you can enjoy plenty of LA without getting into a car every morning. West Hollywood is another matter entirely, so don’t choose this expecting spontaneous nights on Santa Monica Boulevard. GayMapper tip: one of the better-value options if you want to wake up beside the Pacific and would rather spend your budget on the rest of the trip.

Hostal La Zona is one of the best budget choices in Madrid for gay travellers who care more about location, friendliness and value than having full hotel facilities. It has genuine LGBTQ+ credentials too: the property has supported LGBT movements since opening in 2001 and is specifically described as gay-friendly accommodation. The location is excellent. La Zona sits on Calle Valverde between Chueca and Malasaña, just over 100 metres from Gran Vía, so you can walk to the gay bars as easily as you can reach Sol, Callao and Madrid’s main central sights. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Many rooms also have exterior balconies, while coffee and hot drinks are available throughout the day. There’s no rooftop pool, spa or glamorous cocktail bar here — and that is precisely why it works. You get a welcoming, gay-focused place to stay in an exceptional location without paying Chueca’s increasingly ambitious hotel prices.