H10 Casanova combines one of Barcelona’s handiest central locations with easy access to the Gayxample. The hotel sits on Gran Via close to Carrer de Casanova, putting many of the main gay bars and clubs just a few blocks away while Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla are around ten minutes away on foot. The building has been converted into a contemporary boutique-style hotel with comfortable air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, minibar, safe and room service. Downstairs there’s a stylish lounge bar and breakfast restaurant, while upstairs you’ll find the seasonal Sky Bar terrace, solarium, gym and plunge pool. There’s also a Despacio spa offering a steam bath, hydrotherapy facilities and a range of treatments — very welcome after either a long sightseeing day or a rather enthusiastic night out. Urgell and Universitat metro stations are both nearby, although this is one of those locations where you can comfortably spend much of your stay exploring Barcelona on foot.

Just around the corner from Piccadilly Station, Malmaison Manchester Piccadilly has an excellent location for the Gay Village without feeling like a nightlife hotel. The converted former warehouse has the bold, slightly theatrical interiors associated with Malmaison, with stylish rooms and suites, a Chez Mal brasserie and bar, 24-hour room service and treatment rooms for massages and spa therapies. Canal Street is only a short walk away, while the Northern Quarter and city-centre shopping are equally easy to reach. It is a good middle ground if you want more personality and facilities than a budget hotel without stepping up to Manchester’s most expensive luxury options. GayMapper tip: Make sure you book the Piccadilly hotel rather than the newer Malmaison on Deansgate if proximity to the Gay Village is your priority.

Medusa is a lovely option if you prefer small, individual hotels to big city chains. Set in a handsome Victorian townhouse on Darlinghurst Road, it puts you right in one of Sydney’s most LGBTQ+-friendly neighbourhoods, with Oxford Street’s gay bars and clubs only a short walk away. There are just 18 individually styled rooms and suites, so the atmosphere feels much more personal than at one of Sydney’s larger hotels. Rooms include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, streaming facilities and tea and coffee equipment, while some add balconies or patios. At the centre of the hotel is a pretty Moroccan-inspired courtyard, a peaceful spot for coffee or a quiet break before heading back out. Darlinghurst and neighbouring Potts Point are packed with cafés, restaurants and independent shops, while Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Garden are also walkable. This is a particularly good choice if you want to stay close to the gay scene but prefer somewhere intimate and quietly stylish rather than party-focused.

For a completely different Seattle stay, swap the big downtown hotels for this handsome early-1900s house in Capitol Hill. Seattle Gaslight Inn has just nine individually styled rooms, giving it an intimate bed-and-breakfast feel, with beautiful original woodwork, inviting shared spaces and a surprisingly lovely heated outdoor pool and patio. The location is particularly good for LGBTQ+ travellers. You’re already in Capitol Hill, with the main gay bars, clubs and queer nightlife around Pike/Pine within walking distance, while Capitol Hill light rail makes trips into downtown straightforward. Rooms range from more affordable options using a detached shared bathroom to larger rooms and suites with private facilities, so it’s worth checking exactly which category you’re booking. GayMapper tip: This is the one to choose if you want to actually stay in the neighbourhood rather than travel over from downtown each night.