With Valentine’s Day just a few weeks away, soar to new heights and discover a LGBTQ+ friendly travel destination with your partner? The day is a time to celebrate love in all its forms, and for LGBTQ+ couples, it’s an opportunity to explore destinations that embrace diversity and inclusivity. Travel Noire found seven LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations for you this Valentine’s Day.
From the historic streets of Chicago’s Gold Coast to the romantic canals of Bordeaux, France, there are countless places around the world that welcome LGBTQ+ travelers with open arms. If you’re seeking sun-kissed beaches and lively nightlife for a blend of relaxation and excitement. Alternatively, couples looking for a cultural experience can wander through the hip and lively neighborhoods of Sydney, Australia or East Village, New York.
Whether it’s a romantic getaway or an adventure-filled escape, these LGBTQ+ friendly destinations provide the perfect backdrop for celebrating love and connection on Valentine’s Day. Everyone deserves to experience the world safely and happily. This includes providing welcoming places and stays for LGBTQ+ travelers with their partners.
1. Viceroy Chicago - Chicago, IL
This historic hotel in Chicago’s Gold Coast is just steps away from legendary shopping, eating and entertainment on the Magnificent Mile. It boasts a rooftop bar and lounge with panoramic city views, on-site dining, and a seasonal rooftop pool.
Every modern Viceroy Chicago guest room has a flat-screen cable TV, luxurious lounge chairs, and free WiFi. There is also a fully supplied mini-bar and a coffee maker.
Somerset, the hotels posh restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and supper cuisine influenced by current Midwest flavors. Devereaux, the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, serves handmade drinks and small meals with a beautiful view overlooking the city. Room service is also available for guests’ convenience.
The hotel has a cutting-edge fitness facility, as well as 14,012 square feet of conference and event space.
A 10-minute stroll takes you to Oak Street Beach. Navy Pier and Millennium Park are both less than two miles away from the hotel.
2. Graduate Nashville - Nashville, TN
Graduate Nashville, located less than a mile away from Vanderbilt University, has a rooftop bar with city views, a restaurant and a karaoke bar. The hotel with complimentary WiFi is around 1.1 mi from The Parthenon and 1.4 mi from Bridgestone Arena, The Ryman Auditorium and Tootsies Orchid Lounge.
The Graduate Nashville, which is 8.7 miles away from Nashville International Airport, equips each hotel room with air conditioning and a desk. The front desk is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Every morning, Graduate Nashville serves an à la carte breakfast. Hot drinks are available at the Poindexter Cafè.
3. Tru By Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate - Glendale, AZ
Tru By Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate is located in Glendale, 17 miles from Copper Square and the Phoenix Convention Center. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness center and a common lounge.
This 3-star hotel has free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and a business center. The snack bar serves drinks to guests. Breakfast is served everyday and includes a buffet, continental and American selections.
Rooms at the hotel have a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Air conditioning and a closet are included in the rooms at Tru By Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate.
Guests at the hotel will be able to participate in activities such as hiking in and around Glendale.
4. Maison Fernand B & B - Bordeaux, France
Maison Fernand B&B, located in the heart of Bordeaux, offers continental breakfast and complimentary WiFi. This motel offers room service and a balcony for guests. The guesthouse is a 6-minute walk from Saint-André Cathedral, and Stone Bridge is less than a mile away.
Rooms at the guesthouse come with a desk, a flat-screen TV and air conditioning and a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. Each room at the hotel is furnished with bed linen and towels. Some rooms have a seating area.
Nearby attractions include the Great Bell Bordeaux, the Museum of Aquitaine, and the Saint Michel Basilica. The nearest airport is Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, which is 8 miles away.
5. Hotel Ilunion San Mamés - Bilbao, Spain
Hotel Ilunion San Mamés offers air-conditioned rooms, a common lounge, free WiFi and a patio in the heart of Bilbao. This 4-star hotel has room service as well as a 24-hour front desk. The hotel has a restaurant and is an 11-minute walk from San Mamés Metro Station.
Each room at the hotel has a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Each guest room has a closet.
Breakfast is served everyday buffet style, and it includes vegetarian and vegan alternatives.
Nearby attractions include the San Mamés Stadium, the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, and the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. The nearest airport is Bilbao Airport, which is 6 miles away.
6. Moxy NYC East Village - East Village, New York
The Moxy NYC is located in the East Village, New York. The East Village has a rich history as a hub for LGBTQ+ activism and culture. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was home to the Stonewall Inn, where the pivotal Stonewall riots ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Since then, the East Village has been a center for queer artists, activists, and communities, playing a significant role in shaping the progress of gay rights in the United States. The hotel features four eating and drinking venues, a 24/7 fitness center and weekly classes and, co-working spaces & cultural programming for guests and locals.
This 4-star hotel also has free WiFi, and free access to streaming apps including: netflix, hbo go, pandora, and is pet friendly. Breakfast can be purchased at Café d’Avignon Popup at the hotel’s Alphabet Café, and guests are welcome to complimentary drip coffee every morning.
Rooms at the hotel are high-tech, with a diverse range of room types available. Guests have access to amenities like rain showers and HDTVs equipped for streaming. They cater to music enthusiasts who can indulge in a retro turntable available at the front desk, paired with a curated collection of free vinyl LPs featuring East Village artists and beyond.
The Ready Rooftop Bar is an all-season concept that decorates its interior based on the time of year. In the winter, guests can expect snow hanging from the ceiling, birch poles, a faux fireplace, and much more. Guests will also be able to enjoy seasonal cocktails and desserts.
7. Harbour Rocks Hotel - Sydney, Australia
The Harbour Rocks Hotel in Sydney, Australia stands as one of the city’s premier destinations for welcoming and accommodating LGBTQ+ guests. The hotel offers three floors of stylish rooms equipped with conveniences including free wifi, LED TVs, private en-suites, and coffee/tea makers. The hotel features views of Sydney, and extends to amenities such as an on-site restaurant and a fitness center. Additionally, a lounge library for relaxation.
Sydney, Australia, boasts a vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community, which has played a significant role in shaping the city’s culture and identity. There are a plethora of bars, clubs, and events cater specifically to the community. Additionally, Sydney is home to various LGBTQ+ support organizations and advocacy groups, working to promote equality, inclusion, and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals in the city and beyond.
This 5-star hotel is a prime location in close proximity to a plethora of Sydney attractions. Just a stone’s throw away from iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Museum of Contemporary Art, Opera House, and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Scarlet restaurant is a delightful addition to the offerings at the Harbour Rocks Hotel. It offers international cuisine, specializing in fresh and local seafood. Eric’s Bar, the hotel’s bar, is where guests can enjoy a glass of fine boutique wine.