Behind the badge
We keep it simple, transparent and friendly. Every hotel we feature earns one of four QueerStay badges: Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Each badge builds on the last, so Platinum means they’ve ticked every box all the way down the list. And if you’re heading somewhere less welcoming, look for our Safe Haven badge - your sign that a warm embrace is waiting behind the front desk.
Our kind of place
We look for stays that make queer travellers feel seen. Some we scout out, some are tipped by the community, and others apply to be considered.
1
2
Show us the receipts
Before any hotel makes it onto QueerStay, they’ve got to prove they walk the walk. We ask for real-world evidence of how they treat queer travellers.
3
Welcome to the club
Once they’ve shown us proof, we list them on QueerStay and spread the word. We check in every 24 months to keep things honest and up to date.
Platinum
Fully affirming. Pride-worthy in every way.
Platinum hotels don’t just accept queer travellers, they actively celebrate us. Staff introduce themselves with pronouns. Bathrooms are gender-neutral. The hotel supports LGBTQ+ organisations, throws inclusive events, and updates its training regularly. They’ve earned every stripe.
1
Training that sticks
The hotel submits full documentation showing hotel-wide LGBTQ+ training, repeated every year and reviewed for impact, often including modules on intersectionality, unconscious bias, and active allyship. We want to see systems, not slogans.
2
Built-in inclusion
They’ve added permanent inclusive features, like gender-neutral public restrooms, custom room signage or pronoun options at check-in, and back it all up with photos or floor plans. These aren’t temporary Pride month tweaks; they’re part of the blueprint.
3
Proof of Pride
They share confirmed evidence of their support for the wider LGBTQ+ community, like being IGLTA or TAG certified, showing long-term sponsorship of Pride events, or regularly donating to queer nonprofits. We don’t just take promises, we check for proof.
Gold
Consistently inclusive. You’ll feel right at home.
Gold stays go beyond hospitality, they're tuned in. Staff are trained. Packages feel personal. Marketing shows a full spectrum of love. You’ll often find Pride cocktails, guides to the queer scene, or even LGBTQ+ events happening onsite.
1
Trained top to bottom
The hotel provides verified proof that staff across all levels, from reception to management, have completed thorough LGBTQ+ inclusion training, updated annually. This means the culture runs deeper than just surface-level gestures.
2
Always showing up
Marketing, social and guest materials visibly reflect LGBTQ+ travellers year-round, not just in June. We ask for screenshots, campaign records or examples to confirm they show up for us 365 days a year.
3
Beyond the basics
They can show receipts for real-world LGBTQ+ offerings, whether it’s a custom Pride package, hosting queer-led events, or maintaining an up-to-date in-room guide to queer spaces in the city. It’s not performative; it’s programmed in.
Silver
Friendly. Thoughtful. A step beyond the basics.
Silver hotels are where things start to feel more considered. They might not have rainbow flags in the lobby, but you’ll spot gender-neutral language on forms, see a mix of couples in the marketing, and get tips on where the local queer bars are without having to ask twice.
1
Forms without fuss
Booking or check-in forms are designed without assumptions, allowing you to skip binary titles and use your preferred name - subtle things that signal respect from the start and reduce the mental load on queer travellers.
2
Front desk ready
The hotel shows that front-of-house staff have completed LGBTQ+ awareness training, with clear evidence like training logs or content snapshots. They’re better equipped to be respectful, informed and unflappable when it counts.
3
Inclusive by default
They provide tangible examples of inclusive language and imagery in their marketing or guest materials, like showing same-sex couples in promotional photos or avoiding gendered assumptions in their welcome messaging.
Bronze
Baseline welcome. No awkward vibes.
Bronze hotels get the basics right: polite staff, no weird looks at check-in, and a location that feels comfortable to walk around in. They’re not shouting about Pride from the rooftop (yet), but they’ve got a public inclusion policy and they’re safe ground for LGBTQ+ travellers.
1
Policy that protects
The hotel shows proof of a non-discrimination policy that covers LGBTQ+ guests and staff, with clear wording around sexual orientation and gender identity, not just vague mentions of “diversity.” We check for this before anything gets listed.
2
Willing to learn
Staff understand the basics and agree to correct mistakes if guests raise them, such as misgendering or uncomfortable assumptions. It’s not about perfection, it’s about their willingness to listen, learn, and make things right when flagged.
3
Safe on arrival
The location is confirmed safe through community reviews or local guidance, meaning you won’t find yourself navigating hostile areas just to get to your hotel. We cross-reference this with on-the-ground feedback and trusted local sources.
Safe haven
Safe spaces in places that aren’t always safe.
The Safe Haven badge is a little different. It’s for hotels in countries where the laws or culture aren’t as inclusive, but the hotel staff go above and beyond to protect and welcome LGBTQ+ guests. Discreet, thoughtful and incredibly important.
1
Protection over politics
The hotel provides a robust internal inclusion policy that protects queer guests, even if local laws don’t. This includes how they’ll respond to outside complaints, protect your privacy, and handle discriminatory behaviour discreetly but firmly.
2
Privacy comes first
Staff are trained in safety-first hospitality, particularly around guest privacy and the specific needs of trans and non-binary travellers, including things like room allocation, ID checks and handling unwanted attention. And yes, we ask to see the training.
3
Support beyond check-in
They offer a confirmed list of local queer-friendly support services, from vetted taxi contacts to LGBTQ+ clinic info and embassy resources, so guests have help available beyond the hotel walls if they ever need it.
Get in Touch
This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content.