Gayfriendly Hotels: A Hidden Gem for Your Vacation

Traveling without boundaries is not always a given for gay and lesbian travelers. Those who prefer not to deal with awkward glances when holding hands with their partner while strolling through the hotel lobby should consider staying at a Gayfriendly Hotel.

But what exactly does this term mean? The good news is that you no longer need to search for such a hotel with a magnifying glass. Whether in Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, or Munich, there are many accommodations in Germany where gays and lesbians are as welcome as heterosexual guests.

That's precisely what it means when a hotel, hostel, or bed & breakfast raises the rainbow flag and labels itself as 'gay friendly', meaning gay and lesbian-friendly. Being gay friendly means that same-sex couples (and of course solo LGBTQ+ travelers) are warmly welcome.

There will be no whispers behind hands or derogatory comments at the reception or anywhere else in the hotel.

Gayfriendly Hotels are not only particularly liberal and open-minded travel accommodations - a good hotel flying the rainbow flag usually also provides local insider tips for its LGBTQ+ clientele. In which neighborhood can I meet like-minded people? Where are the best queer boutiques and stores? Which scene bar or club is currently popular? And which areas should I avoid?

Staying at a hotel designed purely for heterosexual guests might make it more difficult to quickly find such useful information.

Birds of a feather flock together? This old saying doesn't hold true for a Gayfriendly Hotel: Unlike accommodations that operate with the 'gay only' motto and cater exclusively to LGBTQ+ travelers, Gayfriendly Hotels welcome both same-sex and heterosexual couples.

It's obvious that gay or lesbian travelers and their partners will be offered a double room as naturally as any straight guests! And just so you know: In recent years, another type of hotel has emerged, humorously calling themselves 'heterofriendly'. These are mainly frequented by the queer community, yet are also open to tolerant heterosexuals.

You can identify a Gayfriendly Hotel by a rainbow banner outside or a corresponding sticker in the lobby. Important to know: A hotel that is gay friendly and displays the rainbow flag-the internationally recognized symbol of the LGBTQ+ scene-generally adheres to strict anti-discrimination guidelines on its own, which apply not just for you as a guest, but for all employees of the establishment.

However, there are no officially defined standards that a hotel must meet to call itself gay friendly.

Berlin, one of the most popular gay travel destinations worldwide, has taken an additional step forward for some time now: The 'Pink Pillow Berlin Collection' is the first quality seal for hotels in the capital that are particularly gay friendly.

The publisher is the tourism agency visitBerlin, funded by the Berlin Senate, which also requires participant hotels to meet certain demands. To be part of 'Pink Pillow', they must not only demonstrate involvement in a social project within the queer community-such as AIDS support-but must also commit to a charter that is visibly placed at the hotel's reception.

• All guests are equally valued regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin or religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

• We are socially engaged or supportive members of a network/project/association in the Berlin LGBT scene (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender).

• We create a work environment characterized by respect and tolerance towards all employees.

• We offer target-group-specific offers for the LGBTQ+ community. Please inquire at the reception or visit the following website.

So, in Berlin, as well as many other cities in Germany, homosexual travelers can travel with ease and be themselves without fearing discrimination. But what about other vacation spots? Could you immediately identify where in the world you, as a member of the queer community, can move freely?

Fortunately, the travel magazine 'Spartacus International Gay Guide' publishes the 'Gay Travel Index' each year: This guide quickly shows where gays and lesbians can travel safely-and in which countries you might not expect to find a Gayfriendly Hotel.

Holding hands on the beach, having a romantic candlelight dinner, or enjoying a dip in the hot tub together? In Sweden, the UK, and Belgium, this shouldn't be a problem-these countries rank 1 to 3 out of 194 nations reviewed for 'Gay-Friendliness'.

Conversely, it's best to avoid traveling to Somalia, Iran, or the United Arab Emirates (ranking 194 to 192 on the 'Gay Travel Index'). Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Yemen, Russia, and Jamaica are also considered particularly unfriendly towards gays and lesbians.

Travel Reporter