That is why visible support during Pride is only part of the picture. Continuous messages and actions that support diversity and equality for the LGBTQ+ community can have a meaningful impact year-round. With that in mind, this article shines a spotlight on hotel brands that are showing support for the LGBTQ+ community both internally as employers and externally as hosts to travellers.

What is an LGBTQ+-friendly hotel?

The LGBTQ+ community is made up of many individual communities with different opinions, needs and preferences when it comes to accommodation, but there are a few common threads. Many LGBTQ+ travellers look for hotel properties that publicly support our community through meaningful messages on important moments like Pride, Transgender Day of Visibility and World AIDS Day. But visible support is only part of the picture. We also look for accurate, thoughtful representation that reflects the diversity and nuance of the community. Authenticity matters, and travellers increasingly expect brands to move beyond outdated stereotypes.

Darren Burn, who runs LGBTQ+ travel brand OutOfOffice.com, said, "In the five years I've been working in this sphere, I have seen a marked increase in the number of hotels that want to attract the LGBTQ+ community. The impact this then has on equality policies is positive and means that hotels can now genuinely say that diversity is good for business. I, for one, am hopeful that diversity and training for employees and brands are here to stay — not just because there is a commercially sound reason for doing so, but because it's the right thing to do as well."

Supporting the LGBTQ+ community as a business goes beyond marketing and public relations. Uwern Jong, Editor of OutThere Magazine, noted that many independently owned properties go above and beyond but don't receive as much recognition because they lack the public relations reach of bigger brands. 

“The staff at 137 Pillars Hotels and Resorts in Thailand have also gone the extra mile,” Uwern noted. “I work with them to promote the brand to LGBTQ+ travellers, but I was also recently involved in the development of their 360-degree LGBTQ+ inclusivity strategy, driven by individual team members across all areas of the company. Sometimes when I do such projects, I feel like I’m preaching to a group of people who are obliged to be there, but it was so heartwarming to see how involved and enthused the entire team were in the subject, delivering ideas that were personal, unique and trailblazing.” 

How we chose these hotel brands

This list focuses on hotel brands that show visible, year-round support for LGBTQ+ travellers and employees. In putting it together, we looked for a mix of:

• inclusive workplace policies and employee support

• LGBTQ+ staff networks or training programmes

• benefits and policies that support LGBTQ+ employees and families

• partnerships, donations or other support for LGBTQ+ organisations

• visible signs of inclusive representation in marketing and guest experience

• support for independent LGBTQ+ media, creatives or community organisations

This is not a definitive ranking, and policies can change over time, so travellers should still check local laws, destination context and individual property policies before booking.

Marriott

Marriott has a long history as an industry thought leader in LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion. It was the first hotel group to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits back in 1999, which predates the majority of marriage equality initiatives worldwide. For more than a decade, they’ve been included among The Best Places to Work on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index with a 100% score since 2014. Marriott has long had an enumerated nondiscrimination policy and health care coverage that is inclusive of transgender medical needs. 

In 2014, Marriott launched an advertising campaign supporting the LGBTQ+ community called #LoveTravels. Since the launch, Marriott has consistently invested financially in LGBTQ+ creatives. YouTube sensation Amber Whittington of Amber’s Closet has worked with Marriott since 2017. 

I caught up with Amber during a launch event for Marriott’s World Pride New York City campaign in 2019. We attended a panel discussion sponsored by ONE, Marriott’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group. ONE works directly with LGBTQ+ employees and offers training and programs for all Marriott staff on issues of LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion for customers and business partners. 

Amber shared: “I never felt tokenised by Marriott at all as I have with other brands. I felt like they always invite queer creators that represent different aspects of the community to give as much representation as possible. And it was always clear that the people they chose to represent Marriott are activists that truly care about the community and not just another influencer. One thing about Marriott is that they walk their talk. They do things for the LGBTQ+ community all year long and not just during Pride month. They take care of us and make us feel respected for what we do, and they give us the freedom to post what we want our audience to see. I get excited to work with them every single time.”

Where to stay

Delta Hotel by Marriott in Toronto, Canada, is an excellent option under the Marriott umbrella. In 2018, they hosted a group of LGBTQ+ media people during the annual conference hosted by IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association. Delta Hotel by Marriott continually supports LGBTQ+ creatives and even goes as far as hiring writers to create dedicated LGBTQ+ content for their site. 

Hilton 

Hilton goes the extra mile to provide training and professional development opportunities for employees who are not as familiar with LGBTQ+ culture. They also offer excellent benefits for LGBTQ+ team members. 

In 2017, Hilton began offering employees an Adoption Assistance Benefit of up to US $10,000 per adopted child to help offset qualified expenses. While the program benefits all employees, it disproportionately supports LGBTQ+ team members. 

Rick Nelson is a US-based Hilton employee. Rick spoke about his husband and their journey to adoption with Hilton’s Parental Assistance Program in an episode of TED’s WorkLife with Adam Grant. Just 10 days after completing their adoption application, Rick received a call at work that their son Ben was ready to be picked up. Rick spoke with his boss, who told him not to worry about the time off and to enjoy being a new father. Hilton made this easy for Rick through its equitable parental leave policy. During the interview, Rick acknowledges Hilton’s role in helping him become the father he’s always wanted to be.

Where to stay

Devin-Norelle is a black nonbinary transgender person who works in LGBTQ+ media. Devin-Norelle uses the pronouns ze and zim. After checking into Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook, New York, ze had a pleasantly surprising experience with the staff. The general manager texted Devin-Norelle asking about zi’s stay to ensure ze was enjoying the Hilton experience. During the conversation, in an effort to be inclusive, the manager asked, “Do you prefer the staff use “Mr or Ms when they’re addressing you?” Ze recognised the effort the manager was making to be inclusive and explained that ze is nonbinary and uses neither Mr. nor Ms. The manager responded, “Would Mx be better for you?” Devin-Norelle was floored that the manager even knew of that honorific title for nonbinary people and was impressed by the level of empathy and customer service the hotel displayed during zi’s stay. 

MGM International 

MGM has gone above and beyond to put financial backing behind LGBTQ+ people and through lobbying efforts for LGBTQ+-affirming policy. This brand has long been a corporate partner of LGBTQ+ nonprofits that are globally recognised, like the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network. But MGM has also contributed funding at great depth to smaller LGBTQ+ organizations, pride events and policy campaigns around the world. 

A few notable contributions include their founding sponsorship of the Las Vegas chapter of the Human Rights Campaign in 2004, a US $75,000 contribution to Marylanders for Marriage Equality in 2012, and in 2013, MGM Resorts donated US $300,000 to The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada to support the construction and opening of its new building. MGM also encourages its individual hotels to contribute toward LGBTQ+ initiatives. 

For 10 consecutive years, MGM International has been rated with high marks on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. Its supplier and construction diversity programs are leading initiatives that incentivise the purchase of products and services from companies that are at least 51% owned by someone from a marginalised community, including LGBTQ+-owned businesses. The program was created to equal the playing field between small, independently owned businesses and large global supply chains. MGM has committed to spend at least 10% of domestic biddable equipment, supplies and services with diverse suppliers — including women, the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and people with disabilities — by 2025. So far, the program accounts for more than US $3 billion dollars in contracts to businesses owned by members of marginalised communities. 

Where to stay

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City is an MGM-owned property that proudly supports the LGBTQ+ community through its OUT at Borgata program. Borgata is also a contributor to Garden State Equality through financial and in-kind donations that are specifically earmarked to a fund providing assistance to transgender people seeking legal support for name change documentation. 

Red Carnation

Red Carnation Hotels is a smaller hotel brand that is well known for its exceptional service and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. It has achieved this excellence with a dedication to diversity in hiring and management. 

When I spoke to Billy Kolber, the CEO of HospitableMe and a long-time travel writer, about Red Carnation’s commitment to our community, he emphasised that Red Carnation and its sister brands under The Travel Corporation have made diversity and inclusion a large part of its core ethos. 

Billy said: “Something we’ve recently helped them with is the launch of Red Carnation IDEA: Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Action. It’s a Business Resource Group dedicated to all aspects of diversity and building allyship among all of its employees. The ‘identity circles’ within the Carnation IDEA include expected identities, like LGBTQ+ and women, but also make space for less commonly acknowledged issues like lower-income employees and new parents. This focus on building and leveraging diversity, support and understanding within their staff enables Red Carnation to authentically welcome diverse travellers, and make sure that inclusion and diversity are considered in everything they do.”

Where to stay

Red Carnation owns four of the top 10 rated hotels in London, but Rubens at the Palace is the ideal location for royal history buffs. Located directly across from Buckingham Palace, Rubens at the Palace offers a beautiful high tea service that is fit for any queen.

Accor

Of all the hotel brands in this piece, Accor was mentioned the most by industry professionals during interviews. Accor Hotels hasn’t been in the LGBTQ+ space as long as many of its competitors, but its work in the community demonstrates a unique perspective and commitment. 

When speaking with Kenny Porpora, the co-founder of HospitableMe, a company specializing in LGBTQ+-inclusive training for hospitality brands, he had high praise for Accor. 

“Accor was the first of the big five hotel brands to sign on as a partner to the Proud Certified training program,” Kenny said. “Thirty percent of LGBTQ+ travellers fear judgment when they check into a hotel, and many hotel employees are unsure how to provide services to populations they are less familiar with. Providing training eases that fear on both sides.”

In May 2025, Accor co-hosted an event titled "Together for the Eradication of LGBTI+ Phobia" with the LGBTI+ Business and Rights Forum in São Paulo, bringing together public authorities, company representatives and civil society organizations.

Uwern Jong, Editor of OutThere Magazine, is another well-respected professional in the world of LGBTQ+ travel who also had high praise for Accor. 

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with many hotel brands—both large and small, and let’s not forget the fabulous independents too—that go beyond to ensure that their brand and people are welcoming of LGBTQ+ travellers,” Uwern said. “In my decade of leading OutThere Magazine, I’ve learned to discern between those who have taken the important step to actually be part of our community and those who just ‘court’ us for our spend. Accor Asia Pacific, the owner of brands from the illustrious Raffles to the contemporary-chic SO/ resorts, has proven to me just how invested they are in the community. Beyond the marketing projects and events we work on together, I’ve been involved in internal Pride activities that involve the entire staff based in Southeast Asia, and they have clearly and openly demonstrated how inclusive they are in their dealings with team members.”

Where to stay

Mama Shelter London, which is an Accor property, has worked with English transgender activist Max Slack, who said they had never felt more welcomed in a hotel. Staff immediately asked their pronouns, and Max was continuously made to feel included upon their stay. 

What to look for in an LGBTQ+-friendly hotel brand 

Truly LGBTQ+-friendly hotel brands are honouring LGBTQ+ people both publicly and internally all year round, not just at Pride. They’re providing training and support for their employees through resource groups, inclusive benefits packages, and policies. No matter where you’re travelling, one of these brands will have you sleeping soundly during your next adventure. Always be sure to do your homework and check government safety expectations for LGBTQ+ people, before setting off on your next adventure. 

The hotel brands that stand out most are the ones showing support year-round, not just during Pride. Inclusive policies, staff training, employee networks and visible community support can all make a difference. Even so, it’s always worth checking local laws, destination context and individual property details before you travel, as LGBTQ+ experiences can vary widely from place to place.