gay friendly hotels asbury park nj

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels Asbury Park, NJ

Search and book Lesbian and Gay friendly hotels Asbury Park, NJ.

Lesbiangaybisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in the United States have evolved in recent decades. However, LGBT Americans may still face some legal and many social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents, particularly in states with large conservative populations, such as in the Deep South; in rural areas; and in some Native American tribal nations.

U.S. federal law does not explicitly include protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In June 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sexual orientation and gender identity are included under “sex” as a prohibited ground of employment discrimination in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of Florida may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity became legal in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, and same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since January 6, 2015.
New Jersey is frequently referred to as one of the United States’ most LGBTfriendly states, with several gay establishments and venues throughout the state, notably in Jersey City, Asbury Park, Maplewood, Atlantic City, Ocean Grove, Edison and Cape May among others.
Asbury Park has a long history of being a  gay friendly town and in downtown we can find a few gay friendly bars as well as Gypsy Bar & Planet Rose the most famous gay friendly bars in Asbury Park, NJ.
Asbury Park is a small seaside city on the New Jersey coast. It’s known for its sandy shore and beachfront boardwalk lined with shops, arcades and cafes. The city’s live music venues include the Stone Pony, which has hosted native New Jerseyans Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, and the 1920s Paramount Theatre. The Silverball Museum’s video games, arcade games and pinball machines date from the 1930s to the present.

 Top attractions to visit in Asbury Park

1. The Empress Hotel Asbury Park 3* – Asbury Park Gay Hotels

asbury park gay hotels
asbury park gay hotels

Situated on the waterfront, Empress Hotel is steps away from the beach. It features a large pool with a sun-lounger terrace.

Rooms at the The Empress Hotel Asbury Park are spacious and include a coffee maker and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.

The Empress has a lively bar that features contemporary furnishings and under-counter mood lighting. Several restaurants serving international cuisine are located a 5-minute walk away.

The Empress Hotel Asbury Park is a 3-minute walk from The Stone Pony and is 0.6 miles from the Paranormal Books and Curiosities & Paranormal Museum.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this vibrant hotel is a half-mile from the Ocean Avenue boardwalk and 8 minutes’ walk from the Paramount Theatre.

Straightforward rooms (some poolside) have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, coffeemakers, and private balconies with seating. Some rooms have ocean views.

There’s an outdoor pool with sun loungers and a tiki bar serving cocktails. Other amenities include a buzzy nightclub, a restaurant and a game room.

Setting the standard for Asbury Park, the Empress Hotel has 101 rooms. Across the street from the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent to historic Ocean Grove, our hotel offers breathtaking views of the beach, Wesley Lake, and our oversized pool. Sunbathing or jogging, shopping or swimming, the Empress is the perfect access point for the boardwalk, beach, revitalized shopping district, and dozens of area attractions.
Our poolside Tiki huts, world-class dance club, and customized professional service offer everything for a relaxing getaway or the perfect party. At the Empress Asbury Park, the royal treatment is yours.
My partner and I stayed here last night with our Greyhound and everything was perfect!
We had a great room on the top floor with a balcony with an amazing view. Our room was spotless and I think the mattresses were brand new. Very comfortable.
But make no mistake, this isn’t a luxury hotel… My husband and I stayed for one night while traveling for a wedding- what a treat for the night! While the Empress is known for the Paradise club and the gay scene, it is not a high brow place. Instead it’s a place you go to hang out, be near the beach and generally hang out (see, I said that twice).
We enjoyed the in lobby bar and dancing for a bit at the club (off season so not terribly crowded but full of energy). The room was clean and spacious for a beach property but not super up to date or stylish. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The beach is 500 steps away! On the beaten path, this is a great little hotel because it has found its niche and keeps focused on it.
The rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable, and our room and a few others had a great view of the beach. The bar and pool area is a great (gay) nightlife spot and we enjoyed the free access to these with our room rate. The hotel is also really well located near the beach and other points of interest.
LOCATION: Fabulous! It’s across the street from the beach, has a central spot on the boardwalk, and is an easy 15-minute walk from the train station if you come in from NYC (you won’t need a car) and a 10-minute walk to the fabulous restaurants on Cookman Avenue or Moonstruck, the best restaurant in Asbury Park, or the beer garden, a fun spot.
APPEARANCE: The lobby has a fun, retro vibe to it. Every room has a balcony. The bed was hard in a good way– we slept great– and the room is fine. The bathroom is claustrophobic– very narrow tub, nowhere to put your stuff while you shower, so small the toilet paper dispenser was under the sink.
POOL: Loved it! It has a sign saying no one under the age of 21 unless they’re a guest. We were stunned that there were no children at the pool at all either day we were there– just lots of adults, gay couples, hetero couples, and groups, hanging out, having drinks, relaxing. The pool is quite large and even had a giant eggplant floatie which I spent about six hours on in two days!
NIGHTCLUB: It’s on a roof in the pool area and you sign a waiver when you book online saying you’re aware the nightclub is there and makes noise until 3 A.M. We stayed on a Thursday night and requested a room on the other side of the building, which we got, and did not hear a thing.
OVERALL: The Empress isn’t fancy, but it has a fun, inclusive vibe to it, comfortable rooms, a great pool where the tiki bar makes fabulous Bloody Marys, is a fun and easy getaway from NYC even if you don’t have a car, and we’ll definitely come back,especially if the Asbury Hotel prices keep going up.
Interesting mid-century hotel. Very diverse clientele, all types and sexual orientation – not an all gay hotel,but LGBT friendly. Great mix of friendly people. Mostly middle aged and lively group. Housekeeping was great and handled every little request. Our room was small but comfortable with tiny balcony.
gay hotels asbury park nj

How much does a room costs at The Empress Hotel Asbury Park ?

Prices start 148$/night for Standard King Room.

Rooms are 43 square metres.

Where to book online – The Empress Hotel Asbury Park  –  Gay Friendly Hotels Asbury Park you can find the best hotels deals in Asbury Park during Sea.Hear.Now which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Asbury Park on  Booking.com    or  Agoda.com or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

2. The Asbury 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Asbury Park

The Asbury
The Asbury

The Asbury is located in Asbury Park, 1,000 feet from Asbury Park Boardwalk and the beach. The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool and rooftop bar with views of the sea.

The lobby at The Asbury also operates as a cafe, bar and music venue with live shows, game nights and gatherings. Asbury Lanes is a bowling alley, music venue and diner on site.

Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Some units feature a seating area for your convenience. Every room is fitted with a private bathroom equipped with a shower. Extras include free toiletries and a hair dryer.

This trendy hotel in a restored 1950s red brick building is a 4-minute walk from the Asbury Park Boardwalk and 5 minutes’ walk from the Asbury Park train station.

Chic rooms have desks, flat-screens and free Wi-Fi, plus sleek bathrooms with rainfall showers. Upgraded rooms include sitting areas; suites add mini fridges and separate living rooms. Upgraded suites feature dining areas and Nespresso machines. Simple TV-free dorms have bunk beds and sleep up to 8 people.

There’s an airy, cool lobby bar and a pool table. Seasonal amenities include 2 rooftop lounges, 1 with an open-air cinema, plus an outdoor pool, and a beer garden with food trucks.

The Asbury mashes up Asbury Park’s Victorian-era history, rock-n-roll present, and shiny future into a new kind of social hub. The Asbury is your fantasy vacation postcard come to life. Inside The Asbury, a happening lobby will become the action-filled center of the hotel with everything designed for perpetual motion. The front desk and check-in doubles as The Counter, a grab-and-go kitchen where guests can fetch keys, order coffee, or buy something from the retail store. A ground-floor lounge will become Asbury Park’s rec room, with ping-pong, pinball machines, board games – and a communal table for travelers who want to feed off the energy and get some work done.
A quintet of new venues will make The Asbury a compulsive hangout for guests, locals, and visitors, consisting of Soundbooth, a casual lobby bar, Salvation, our rooftop bar with stunning views of the town and ocean, The Baronet, rooftop garden, theater and concert venue, and Beer Garden, featuring authentic food and beer trucks. The hotel also features Asbury Hall & Lawn, a 4,800-square-foot, flexible indoor/outdoor event space unlike any other on the Jersey Shore for either an intimate social gathering or a fun filled company retreat.
Overall, it is a nice hotel in a good location with good service. It’s a short walk to the boardwalk, Stone Pony, downtown, etc. As other reviews note- the decor is very minimalist with very low beds/furniture that makes it awkward to sit/hang out in the room. The front desk and other staff were very friendly and helpful.
The pool is large and the bar service by the pool was very good. The place tries very hard to be hip/gay friendly to the point that it’s a bit over the top (for example the dj at the pool played the worst mix of music I have ever heard). Overall, it’s a good place for a stay in Asbury.
The crowd is a mix of young and old, gay and straight. Dress code was very casual although they do have a stricter dress code after 9 according to the website. The views are amazing but you can’t really see them if you are seated. Music starts around 9 pm and they have various types of music by local artists. A nice place to spend some time before or after dinner.

We came this weekend for to enjoy some local wineries and go out in the Asbury gay bars. As before, the Asbury Hotel did not disappoint. Staff as always were professional, friendly, and gave us a great room. Hotel is centrally located to Boardwalk, several bars including Paradise, Tides, and WonderBar.

As we had heard of the Haus of Mimosa drag act, we were thrilled to learn they would be at the Asbury this weekend for drag brunch. The food was delicious (special props for the Monte Cristo French Toast), the mimosas were great and the entertainment was awesome. We had a great weekend and the Asbury Hotel and its wonderful staff made it all possible!

Ultra modern, clean, gay and lgbt-friendly. The interior lobby creates a great sense of community. The rooftop is gorgeous and cozy. Talented live nightly entertainment and a well designed pool atmosphere made us not consider going to the beach.
Pretty nice IKEA-ESQUE is the style of the mostly white painted rooms. Liquid soaps for hair and body (the body soap scent was a bit manly). No lotion provided. No ice machines on the floors. They will bring a little pail of ice to the room whenever you want though. Mattresses are a bit firm for me and hubby, but they sufficed. Your can text for whatever you need which I found to be pleasingly contemporary. The friendly and helpful staff were right on it.
gay friendly hotels asbury park nj
gay friendly hotels asbury park nj

How much does a room costs at The Asbury ?

Prices start 211$/night for Queen Room. The Deluxe King Room is  287$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room features air conditioning, tile/marble floor and seating area.

Where to book online – The Asbury  –  Gay Friendly Hotels Asbury Park you can find the best hotels deals in Asbury Park during Sea.Hear.Now which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Asbury Park on  Booking.com  or  Agoda.com or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Hotel Tides 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Asbury Park

gay hotels in asbury park
gay hotels in asbury park

This stylish hotel is 3.5 blocks from the Ocean Avenue Boardwalk, 2 blocks from Sunset Park and 1 mile from the restored Asbury Park Casino.

Eclectic rooms feature flat-screen TVs, premium linens, iPod docks and rainfall showerheads, plus free Wi-Fi; upgraded rooms add sleep machines. There is stair-access only.

Freebies include continental breakfast and limited off-street parking. The lobby features an art gallery and furnishings designed by local craftsmen. A trendy bar/restaurant serves New American cuisine, and an outdoor pool with a porcelain deck has seasonal hours. Full spa treatments are available.

If you’re looking for a trendy hotel in Asbury Park, look no further than Hotel Tides.

Given the close proximity to Stephen Crane House (0.3 mi), guests of Hotel Tides can easily experience one of Asbury Park’s most popular landmarks.

The rooms offer a flat screen TV and air conditioning, and getting online is possible, as free internet access is available, allowing you to rest and refresh with ease.

In addition, as a valued Hotel Tides guest, you can enjoy a pool and free breakfast that are available on-site.

While staying in Asbury Park, you can check out a popular French restaurant like Pascal & Sabine, which is serving up some great dishes.

If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Asbury Park Boardwalk (0.4 mi), Paramount Theater and Convention Hall (0.4 mi), or Hot Sand (0.8 mi), which are popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance.

Great staff, impeccably decorated and furnished, friendly boutique feel, quiet area.

his hotel caters to the gay community – of the 8 groups we saw staying here, 6 were gay couples. This wasn’t obvious to us until we arrived, and we initially felt a little out of place with our 4 year old. But both staff and guests were great and made us feel welcome.

We had an awesome stay at this hotel with another couple. The staff is very friendly and check-in was easy. The common areas are very nice and the pool area cozy with a cool bar.

This place is pretty cute. The decor is fabulous. Ryan was very friendly and a jack of all trades. A wearer of all hats. He was on reception, the bartender, a server, what can’t this guy do? We had a very delicious dinner, accompanied by some good drinks.

The fish was cooked to perfection and was well-seasoned. My only negative is the insulation for soundproofing, it’s not great. I could hear the lobby phone ringing through the floor from my room on the second level. I could also hear all the housekeepers in the morning. The shower head was at a ridiculous height, intended for giants, which I am not. The vibe in this place is nice though. Check in early though as reception is not 24 hours.

The hotel has a cute cozy bar and lounge area with a fabulous restaurant. I hate to write a good review since for years The Tides was Asbury Park’s best kept secret. The pool is open during the summer and has a small bar as well.

The modern rooms are small but clean and well kept. You can easily walk to the boardwalk or take a cab to Cookman Avenue. If you eat at the restaurant be sure to try the short ribs or scallops which they are known for. The waiters are excellent especially Chris and Carl.

Hannah is the cutest bartender on the weekends and provides great service. I absolutely love this place and feel very comfortable there.

This hotel is charming, well managed and a delight to stay at. The bed was super comfy, the room was very clean and nicely decorated.

asbury park hotels gay
asbury park hotels gay

How much does a room costs at Hotel Tides ?

Prices start 137$/night for Hotel Tides. 

Where to book online – Hotel Tides  –  Gay Friendly Hotels Asbury Park you can find the best hotels deals in Asbury Park during Sea.Hear.Now which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Asbury Park on  Booking.com  or  Agoda.com or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.