Gay-Friendly Hotels in Las Vegas

The Encore, one of Vegas' top luxury hotels, is also one of the most welcoming to LGBT travelers. A special "pride concierge" (reachable at 702-770-LGBT) can provide information about Vegas' gay-friendly bars, entertainment, and nightlife. The hotel's website has an extensive gay-travel section, which posts information on special travel packages. Encore's sister hotel next door, the Wynn, shares the Encore's gay-friendly approach. It has hosted LGBT events in the Blush Boutique Nightclub, and same-sex ceremonies can be arranged in the hotel's wedding salons.

Luxor hosts a number of regular gay and lesbian events, including a weekly LGBT pool party, "Sunkissed Sunday" -- the "only LGBT pool party in Las Vegas," according to the hotel -- and a fashion show called Closet Sundays that's held at Luxor's CatHouse restaurant and lounge. The Luxor wedding chapel offers same-sex commitment ceremonies, and the hotel's LGBT web page advertises a "special pride offer" discount for guests arriving Sunday through Thursday.

Tropicana Las Vegas is a TAG-approved hotel and the host of Sin City Shootout, the World's largest gay sports competition. The hotel also donates to Human Rights campaign galas and has booths at Pride festivals around the country. In addition, it is a corporate member of the Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce of Nevada.

Out Traveler, in naming Mandalay Bay its favorite Vegas hotel, says that this famous Strip hotel "is so queer-friendly it's sometimes called Mandalay Gay." The giant property is home to great bars (Red Square was voted best bar in America by Playboy Magazine), an 11-acre pool complex, and a casino nominated for a 2009 Gay.com Travel Award. Mandalay Bay is part of the gay-friendly MGM Mirage hotel chain.

Caesars Palace is part of Harrah's, another hotel chain named as gay friendly by 365gay.com. The Colosseum theater at the hotel, recently host to dinner shows by Cher and Bette Midler, has been called "the gayest performance space in town!" by the travel guide GayCities.

Planet Hollywood is near some of Las Vegas' best gay nightlife. The gay club Krave, which bills itself "the first and only alternative club on the strip," is located in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile shopping area. A popular group of gay bars off the Strip are within walking distance.

Another Harrah's property that markets itself to the gay community, the Paris provides information on restaurants, shops and nightlife at its LGBT-specific web page. The site -- featuring pictures of same-sex couples posed in front of the hotel's signature replica Eiffel Tower -- also lists special package deals (a recent one included tickets to Bette Midler's show).

Also part of the gay-friendly MGM Mirage hotel group, New York New York is home to Cirque du Soleil's sensual Zumanity. Its LGBT microsite links to gay-friendly hot spots in the city and provides information on commitment ceremonies at sister hotels Luxor and Mandalay Bay.