9 of San Francisco’s best hotels for LGBT+ travellers

There’s a moment, just after you check in and close the door behind you, when you pause and breathe in for a second. You scan the room. You exhale. And you instinctively ask yourself: Can I fully be myself here? For LGBT+ travellers, that quiet moment speaks volumes.

In San Francisco, a city so deeply woven into the fabric of queer liberation, you might expect every hotel to tick every box. But the truth is, some places go beyond rainbow stickers and surface-level slogans. They understand what safety, celebration, and comfort actually look like because they live it.

This guide is for those places. Hotels where love isn't second-guessed, where staff don’t hesitate over pronouns, where your presence is never met with a pause. Some are bold, others are quietly elegant. But all of them share a common thread: they honour who you are without making it a performance. These aren’t just hotels with good lighting and rooftop bars (though I’ve got those covered, too). They’re places that LGBT+ travellers consistently return to, recommend, and remember for all the right reasons. Because when you’re far from home, it’s not just about where you sleep. It’s about where you’re seen.

Having spend almost half a decade living in San Francisco during my lifetime, I’ve come to know the city for what is really is – and this guide will showcase my top picks of hotels that truly ‘get it’.

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Best for: Easy Castro access, vintage vibes, and travellers who want zero pretence.

Why I love it: There’s something deeply comforting about a place that knows exactly what it is. Beck’s offers simple pleasures, retro realness, and an unshakable sense of queer history. It feels like home for anyone who’s ever danced down Castro Street at dusk.

Beck’s Motor Lodge is a time capsule in the best possible way, a mid-century roadside gem parked right in the heart of the Castro. Don’t let the “motor lodge” label fool you: the rooms are fresh, functional, and quietly stylish, with retro touches that nod to its 1950s roots without leaning too hard on the theme. There’s a sun deck for lazy mornings, free parking (a rarity in San Francisco), and you’re quite literally steps from iconic queer bars, drag brunches, and rainbow crossings. It’s casual, clean, and confidently low-key, the kind of place that doesn’t try to impress, but still manages to charm.

Address: 2222 Market Street, San Francisco

Price: From £137

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Best for: Maximalists, romantics, and anyone who believes more is more.

Why I love it: There’s a raw, unapologetic authenticity in every gilded corner and floral flourish, as though the walls themselves are telling you it’s OK to be as loud, expressive, or quietly reflective as you need to be. It’s a rare space that doesn’t try to curate perfection but instead leans into personality, and that makes all the difference.

Noe’s Nest is where vintage opulence meets queer eccentricity, wrapped up in velvet drapes and antique chandeliers. This Victorian mansion-turned-B&B in the Mission is packed with curated chaos. Think leopard-print throws, stained glass, and unapologetically plush decor in every room. Breakfast is served in a lush garden, and the vibe leans more towards Bohemian film set than cookie-cutter boutique. It’s run by longtime local Noe, whose presence and personality infuse every square inch. LGBT+ guests are warmly welcomed, not as a box-tick, but as part of the family.

Address: 1257 Guerrero St, San Francisco

Price: From £193

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Best for: Urban adventurers, theatre-goers, and anyone craving sleek comfort with a side of sass.

Why I love it: It strikes that perfect balance between cool and comfortable, the kind of place where you can be low-key fabulous or dial it all the way up. Zelos never tries too hard, and that’s exactly why it works.

Tucked into the beating heart of SoMa, Hotel Zelos is that stylish friend who’s always in the know, the one who’ll point you to the best martini, the grittiest fringe theatre, and the queerest art gallery you didn’t know existed. Rooms are sharp and contemporary, with bold pops of colour and oversized windows that let the city in (without the noise). The hotel’s Dirty Habit bar feels like a secret rooftop speakeasy: moody, lush, and just the right amount of mischievous. LGBTQ+ travellers are embraced with a sense of ease and inclusion that feels instinctive, not performative.

Address: 12 Fourth Street, San Francisco

Price: From £210

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Best for: Design devotees, social butterflies, and queer travellers who love a bit of spectacle.

Why I love it: It’s unapologetically loud and unafraid to shimmer, a celebration of design, difference, and daring to take up space. This is where you come when you want to be seen, celebrated, and maybe even a little bit spoiled.

W San Francisco is where bold aesthetics meet bold personalities. Nestled in the city’s arts district and just steps from SFMOMA, this glossy high-rise hums with creative energy, from the colour-soaked lobby to the skyline views upstairs. Rooms are sleek, sexy, and packed with personality, with signature W beds, mood lighting, and oversized windows that frame the city like art. For LGBT+ travellers who thrive in spaces that celebrate individuality and expression, this place is a sparkling match.

Address: 181 3rd Street, San Francisco

Price: From £1,121

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Best for: Design lovers, queer introverts, and anyone seeking peace with personality.

Why I love it: It’s the kind of place that feels like an exhale. Unfussy but intentional, creative but calming, it holds space for you to just be, which is sometimes exactly what you need in a city that never stops moving.

Tucked between Japantown and Pacific Heights, Hotel Kabuki is where modern zen meets San Francisco edge. A bold mix of Japanese design, California cool, and quirky maximalism, the interiors strike a fine balance between serenity and self-expression. The lobby feels like a living art gallery, the rooms are minimalist with just enough flair, and the hidden courtyard garden is a genuine escape from the city’s buzz. Add a full-service gym with skyline views, a locally-loved bar programme, and gender-inclusive amenities, and you’ve got a space that understands both aesthetics and identity.

Address: 1625 Post St, San Francisco

Price: From £204

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Best for: Tech-savvy travellers, urban creatives, and LGBT+ folks who want sleek design with a soul.

Why I love it: It’s that rare space where old San Francisco charm meets new attitude. It’s designed for people who move fast but still want to feel seen.

Sitting at the edge of Union Square and SoMa, Axiom Hotel fuses historical architecture with smart, modern interiors. Behind its Beaux-Arts façade is a tech-forward boutique stay with ultra-fast wifi, keyless entry, and a design aesthetic that’s clean, contemporary, and comfortably cool. The hotel partners with local artists and brings in neighbourhood energy through its on-site Commons Bar, which serves as a co-working space by day and social hub by night. The vibe is inclusive, progressive, and refreshingly unpretentious.

Address: 28 Cyril Magnin Street, San Francisco

Price: From £149

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Best for: Queer luxury lovers, design geeks, and couples seeking curated calm in the city’s cultural core.

Why I love it: It’s grown-up luxury without the performance. Everything’s intentional, refined, and quietly inclusive, like a deep exhale after too many try-hard hotels.

Anchored in the heart of SoMa, right next to SFMOMA, The St. Regis blends contemporary art, quiet grandeur and razor-sharp service. From bespoke butler offerings to rooms that feel like minimalist sanctuaries in the sky, everything here whispers understated elegance. The spa is a standout. Think warm stone rituals and an infinity pool with skyline views, while the hotel’s proximity to galleries and queer-friendly fine dining makes it a perfect base for sophisticated city explorers.

Address: 125 Third Street, San Francisco

Price: From £626

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Best for: Design-forward travellers, queer professionals, and anyone who loves tech-savvy comfort with a splash of personality.

Why I love it: It’s playful but polished: smart, inclusive, and refreshingly unpretentious. You feel welcomed by the vibe alone, long before anyone says hello.

Perched in the vibrant Mission Bay neighbourhood, LUMA is a sleek, modern stay just steps from Chase Center and Oracle Park. Floor-to-ceiling windows, voice-activated rooms, and curated local artwork give the hotel a distinctively fresh, future-ready feel. The rooftop bar, Cavana, is a buzzy spot with panoramic views and Latin American cocktails, perfect for a pre-show toast or relaxed evening out. It’s also a proud supporter of local Pride events and community-driven partnerships.

Address: 100 Channel Street, San Francisco

Price: From £171

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Best for: Glam queer travellers, vintage lovers, and anyone chasing old-school San Francisco elegance with a modern twist.

Why I love it: There’s a cinematic, slightly decadent charm that makes you feel like anything could happen here, in the best way. It’s bold, beautiful, and entirely itself.

Located just a short walk from Union Square, The Clift mixes century-old grandeur with playful contemporary design. Think: wood-panelled walls, velvet sofas, and a surrealist-meets-deco aesthetic that feels like stepping onto a queer Baz Luhrmann set. The historic Redwood Room bar, crafted from a single redwood tree, is legendary, and the hotel regularly partners with local LGBT+ organisations for events, fundraisers and Pride month programming.

Address: 495 Geary Street, San Francisco

Price: From £424

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Aidy Smith is an award-winning broadcaster, TV presenter, journalist and inclusivity spokesperson. Having begun his writing journey with The Independent back in 2017, he is frequently seen covering our wine and spirits guides for IndyBest with everything from gin and tequila and champagne and chardonnay. Having a keen eye for food and drink travel as the presenter of Amazon Prime’s award-winning The Three Drinkers’ series, Aidy also shares his top tips for the best hotels and destinations to quench your thirst for some gourmet exploration. As of 2025 Aidy donned a new hat, working with The Independent as a LGBT+ and neurodivergence travel specialist. Being the only global TV presenter with Tourette syndrome and a proud inclusivity advocate, he’ll be offering wisdom and inspiration to help his community get the very best out of their travel experiences. He can be heard on BBC Radio London, where he has a permanent food and drink segment called Thirsty Thursdays and you can also follow his drinks discovery page on Instagram at @Sypped or his neurodivergence advocacy channels on TikTok or Instagram at @DisLabeled

While the summer months bring hot spells, visit in September to November if you want to avoid large crowds.

Yes, San Francisco is home one of the largest and most prominent LGBT+ communities in the United States.

Some of the most popular venues include 440 Castro, Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, The Stud and Oasis to name a few.