The Clarendon Hotel and Spa

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix Arizona (2024 Updated)

Search and book Lesbian and Gay friendly hotels Phoenix, Arizona.

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.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Arizona, and same-sex couples are able to marry and adopt. Nevertheless, the state provides only limited protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Phoenix has a long history of being a  gay friendly resort and in downtown we can find a few gay friendly bars as well as Stacy’s at Melrose or Pat O’s Bunkhouse Saloon the most famous gay bars in Phoenix, Arizona.
Phoenix is the capital of the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona. Known for its year-round sun and warm temperatures, it anchors a sprawling, multi city metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun. It’s known for high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses and vibrant nightclubs. Other highlights include the Desert Botanical Garden, displaying cacti and numerous native plants.

Top attractions to visit in Phoenix

 

1. The Clarendon Hotel and Spa 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix Arizona

The Clarendon Hotel and Spa
The Clarendon Hotel and Spa

Located 3.9 mi from the Phenix Convention Center, this contemporary Arizona hotel offers modern accommodations and an on-site gym.

Guests at The Clarendon Hotel and SpaPhenix can enjoy stunning views of the city and mountains while relaxing with a cocktail at the hotel’s rooftop lounge.

In the area surrounding Phenix Clarendon Hotel & Spa, guests can discover the city’s theater district and shopping at Biltmore Fashion Park is 4.5 mi. Encanto Golf Course is 1.9 mi and the Japanese Friendship Gardens are 2.7 mi from the property.

This trendy boutique hotel is 2 miles from the Heard Museum and 3 miles from the Japanese garden at Ro Ho En.

Sleek rooms have Wifi, flat-screen TVs and Keurig coffee makers. Suites add iPod docks and pull-out sofas; upgraded suites have separate living rooms and pool views. Room service is available.

Wine-tasting sessions are complimentary. There’s a Mexican restaurant/bar, a spa, and a rooftop deck with city views. Other amenities include an outdoor pool with underwater speakers, a 50-person hot tub, and indoor and outdoor cabanas with flat-screen TVs. A resort fee covers parking, Wi-Fi, snacks and drinks, and access to a 24-hour gym.

The Clarendon Hotel and Spa is located in the heart of Phoenix, close to the convention center, museums, parks, shopping, theaters, sports venues and concert halls. Walking distance to two Metro rail stations – $4 for a 24 hour pass, the system runs 24 hours (except 1am to 4am Monday through Thursday) and provides direct access to the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport SkyTrain. Full service spa on site. El Techo, our gorgeous rooftop SkyDeck overlooking the city skyline and surrounding mountain ranges, and the Oasis pool area with heated pool and jacuzzi and the world’s largest outdoor water wall.
As a gay man or anyone looking for a great place to stay in Phx this is it. The rooms are unique the staff is amazing. It’s walking distance to all gay and straight things in downtown Phx. The owner is there and very humble and helpful.
 I found this hotel online and the location was ideal, along with actually being a gay-friendly hotel, since I am also gay. However, that had nothing to do with my hotel decisions during this trip, and was more like an added bonus. It was also even better in discovering that they also featured a Mexican restaurant within their property since Mexi food is also my total favorite. I miss that a lot living on the East Coast, since either Mexican or spicy food fare options is hard to come by.
The hotel has 3 floors of rooms and a rooftop, which thankfully was already finished construction when I went there just recently based on previous reviews.
I got a one bedroom suite! It was very spacious, had a living room separate from the bedroom which was also huge! I love the bright colors in the room and in the hotel that gave it its artsy, hipster, funky vibe. The artwork is mounted on a slide and doubles as a sunshade during the morning hours in the bright Arizona desert sun-very functional! The room had a see through fridge, granite countertop bar, a Keurig coffee maker, huge flat screen TVs and a huge amenity basket when you can buy wine, sunscreen, a Tshirt, electronic cigarette, olive oil(?), a scorpion lollipop, etc. Inside the bedroom, the bed and pillows are comfortable, air condition is right on (and completely necessary), has a huge closet with blow dryer and ironing board, robes, another huge TV and lots of mirrors! The only thing I would ask for is counterspace!
The bathroom, though adequate, is disproportionately small to the rest of the room. However, my trip did not suffer because of it. Their soap, shampoo and conditioner are on dispensers, another environmentally conscious choice. The rooms look out into the central courtyard where the pool is, which is the nerve center of the hotel. The pool is huge and the jacuzzi can hold 20-30 people, a fabulous idea! There are cabanas for rent and there is a small indoor pool bar. I think it would be better if the bar was outside and there will be more people inclined to buy a drink if it were.
However, the bartender was super nice and friendly but not very intrusive nor do you feel under pressure to order. A design flaw is having wet bikinied guests have to go through the lobby to take the elevator to the rooms, maybe it’s also a decided advantage to provide restaurant patrons something to ogle at while waiting for their tables-the hotel has a decidedly young and attractive clientele, gay friendly but not a turn off for families who mix in just as well.
The restaurant is great for everyone, though, and should be enjoyed 🙂 Gay/Lesbian welcoming and prices are decent.

The hotel allows locals to use the pool area (for a fee), including the rental of “cabanas.” The pool area was incredibly busy and loud on the Sunday afternoon that I arrived. Not with hotel guests, but with locals. The parking lot was full of their vehicles, and it was not easy to find a covered parking place. Depending on your point of view, that might be very positive and fun. For me, it didn’t feel like an “urban oasis.” It felt very Vegas pool party. I’m not against that, but it wasn’t what I was looking for.

You’ve got the popular hotel, the popular restaurant, and the popular pool area. They all intersect in the lobby. It’s a busy place. The front desk hands out free snacks on request (peanuts, cookies, candy, etc.) You also have to go to the front desk for your ice.

I saw a lot of interracial (heterosexual) couples, plus a lot of gays, plus a lot of families with kids, plus a general ethnic mix. Everyone (staff and customers) was friendly and polite. It was a safe, positive, young crowd.
Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix
Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix

How much does a room costs at The Clarendon Hotel and Spa?

Prices start 124$/night for King Room. The King Suite is  161$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This suite features a separate sleeping area.

Where to book online – The Clarendon Hotel and Spa – Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix Arizona – you can find the best hotels deals in Phoenix during Phoenix Tequila Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Phoenix AZ on Booking.com or Hotelscombined.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

2. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix AZ

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape

Located at the Phoenix CityScape, this Phenix city center hotel features rooms with flat-screen cable TVs and a rooftop pool and bar. The Phoenix Convention Center is half a mile away. Guests can enjoy a free wine hour is offered in the lobby from 17:00 until 18:00.

A large private bathroom offering free toiletries and plush bathrobes is available in every guest room at the Palomar Phoenix Cityscape, a Kimpton Hotel. Some rooms boast sweeping views of the city.

Blue Hound Kitchen features locally grown organic ingredients and offers seasonal produce, free-range meats and sustainable seafood for lunch and dinner. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape features Luster Bar, located on the rooftop off the pool area, where guests can enjoy specialty cocktails.

This hip Kimpton hotel is within a 7-minute walk from U.S. Airways Center, 3rd Street/Washington light rail transit station and the Phoenix Convention Center.

The colorful, contemporary rooms have Italian linens, yoga mats, and glass walk-in showers. Studios and suites add soaking tubs, views, and minibars with premium and organic products. Room service is available.

Free perks include morning coffee in the living room, an evening wine hour, access to an adjacent gym and loaner bikes. The rooftop features an outdoor pool and a hip cocktail lounge. There’s also a gastro-lounge, a salon and a spa.

Stylish Sophistication. Artistic Expression. In constant pursuit of the extraordinary in urban downtown Phoenix. With big-city flair befitting the nation’s sixth largest metropolis, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix is contemporary, connected, and cosmopolitan. The prime downtown location in the shopping, dining, and nightlife hub known as CityScape positions guests among the best of the city, while upping the ante of upscale style and comfort. Impressively sleek design breathes chic peace and serenity into some of the largest rooms in Phoenix-at least 410 square feet-and takes luxurious comfort to a grand scale in the hotel’s suites, spanning up to 1,700 square feet. It’s a new frontier of four-star amenities, an ideal setting for guests to contemplate their next inspiring adventure while gazing over the urban landscape and distant mountains.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix’s third floor plays host to a stunning and inviting rooftop with a pool, cabanas (all with views of downtown Phoenix), and LUSTRE Rooftop Bar, an open-air bar with local and seasonal specialties. This spectacular perch is where guests and locals soak in the atmosphere, lounge poolside, feast on fresh juice by day and sip a cocktail by night, while reveling in the impeccable, exclusive service. The hotel’s tailored environment also lends itself to 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Catering from Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails, famous for innovative fare, adds that last delicious detail. Intentionally understated and attracting the driven esthete, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix wraps guests in a sharp, curated atmosphere.

A brand new Kimpton in downtown Phoenix in the center of things sharing a sparkling high rise building with condos. We stayed for two nights in January for a mini winter break from snow and cold. We had a corner king on the 5th floor.

Like other Kimptons we’ve visited, the Palomar has a young hip vibe with pulsing music and a young staff. There’s also a nice pool on the third floor along with a poolside bar (Lustre) and a restaurant.

Our room had modern furnishings but wasn’t as interesting design-wise as some of their other properties we’ve visited in Portland or Palm Springs. this one seemed much more subdued in character. The bathroom was grand in size but surprisingly had only a single vanity (one demerit) and the shower didn’t have a door, just partial glass wall so water tender to spray out into the room-I found this design shortcut slightly annoying as instead of a warm cozy delight it’s more like showering in a drafty locker room.

As with all the kimptons, I’m always pleased with the friendly attentive service at the front desk and valet stand. Whoever is in charge of hiring these front of house spots knows what they are doing.

 The location itself is prime- you are within walking distance to all of the vibrant day and nightlife that downtown Phoenix is building its reputation on- definitely in the heart of everything. A special shout out to Lauren at the front desk for the terrific welcome, follow up with a text message to make sure that I was happy with my room (which was amazing!), and then who also made sure to invite me back when I was departing. I definitely felt like one of the family- thank you, Lauren!
The views from the room are some of the very best in Phoenix, and the design felt extremely fresh as if the room had been recently renovated. The bathroom, with a combo shower and soak tub, was spacious, well lit, and overall stunning. I can’t forget to mention some of my great experiences at Blue Hound, the restaurant at the Palomar, as well. We had some great cocktails, a NY strip and the spinach brûlée at the bar on our first night- I highly recommend both for dinner.
Then, I discovered on the next morning that the brunch was extraordinarily enticing as well… egg & pork belly tacos (simply wow), the ancho coffee brisket hash (very tasty and thankfully lighter than anticipated), all paired with some incredible bloody Mary’s- I’ve never had one with bourbon (called the Frontier) before, but it won’t be my last. The service in the restaurant and bar, while I do not recall their names, was also very friendly and attentive.
Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix AZ
Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix AZ

How much does a room costs at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape?

Prices start 219$/night for Deluxe King Room. The Premier King Room is  237$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room features a seating area, a flat-screen cable TV and a mini bar. A private bathroom is also included.

Where to book online Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape – Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix AZ – you can find the best hotels deals in Phoenix during Phoenix Tequila Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Phoenix AZ on Booking.com or Agoda.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

3. Westin Phoenix Downtown 4* – LGBT Friendly Hotels Phoenix AZ

Westin Phoenix Downtown
Westin Phoenix Downtown

Located at Arizona State University’s downtown campus, this eco-friendly hotel is a 10-minute walk from the US Airways Center. It features on-site dining, an outdoor pool and a gym. Spacious rooms have free Wi-Fi.

Floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city are provided in each room at Westin Phoenix Downtown. Rooms are traditionally styled with warm colors and include a sitting area with cable TV. Also featured are designer bath amenities and bathrobes.

The Downtown Phoenix Westin showcases the Province Restaurant, an American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South Africa and Spain. The hotel also has 24-hour room service.

A 6-minute walk from Symphony Hall, this classy hotel is also an 8-minute walk from the Phoenix Convention Center.

Refined rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows have flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, WiFi (fee) and coffeemakers. Club rooms offer free WiFi and access to a lounge with complimentary continental breakfast and evening snacks. Suites add sitting areas and free-standing tubs.

There’s an elegant restaurant that serves contemporary American cuisine. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, an exercise room, and a patio with a fireplace.

This hotel was very nice, clean and in the perfect location. The check in and check out was quick. The rooms were clean and decorated nice with a great city view. The service inside the hotel was great with no problems. The service inside the hotel bar was good as well with lots of local brewery beers on tap. This hotel is a short walk to Chase Stadium, Restaurants and the convention center.

We never had to take the local transportation but there is a bus stop at the front doors as well as the light rail . The gym is small but it has some light weight dumbbells, weights machines and cardio machines that will get you a workout on the road.

They are nicely appointed with quality toiletries, towels, with excellent large showers. It’s surprising, however, that the baths have only one sink. The closet and shelving area is large with an adequate number of hangers, and iron and ironing board. The bedding is very comfortable with a not too heavy duvet. The working area has lots of outlets and USB ports with a comfortable work chair. Service is prompt and sincere, they make even the smallest thing right.

The restaurant, Province, has an attractive menu and the quality of food and its preparation and presentation is very nice. The hotel offers for $40 extra per person per night a comfortable meeting room that serves breakfast. The food is tasty, abundant, and of wide-variety from cucumber juices to sausage and bacon with hash browns and scrambled eggs. Coffees, teas, espresso, water, etc. are all available throughout the day and evening, however, alcoholic drinks are only sold. Finally, the light rail stop is across the street and will get you quickly to museums, restaurants, and entertainment venues. I will certainly return.

This is a great hotel all around. Lobby is very inviting and modern. Staff very friendly at check in and throughout my stay. Hotel elevators require a key card to get to the rooms which adds a level of security for the guest rooms. Room was very clean, modern and spacious with lots of closet space, a large desk, bench area near the bed, big screen TV, lots of USB and regular outlets. Amenities also include a safe, coffee maker, and refrigerator. The bed is “heavenly” as they call it and it truly is heavenly so comfortable. The Westin even provides a vial of lavender oil to give you an extra touch of relaxation and sleep. The bathroom is so spacious, large sink counter space, large shower area and as a women who needs to do her makeup has great lighting. Love the raindrop shower head.

They only have valet parking for about $35 night which is about the norm for most downtown hotels. Lots of restaurants and bars within walking distance. Great hotel and would definitely stay here again.

Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix
Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix

How much does a room costs at Westin Phoenix Downtown?

Prices start 209$/night for Deluxe Room, Guest room, 1 King, City view. The Corner Studio Suite, Studio Suite, 1 King, City view is  309$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room has a sofa, iPod dock and minibar.

Where to book online – Westin Phoenix Downtown – Gay Friendly Hotels Phoenix AZ – you can find the best hotels deals in Phoenix during Phoenix Tequila Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Phoenix AZ on Booking.com or Agoda.com or Hotels.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.