Research commissioned by les Deux Messieurs, the UK’s guide to gay friendly getaways, and conducted by Out Now consulting reveals just how important gay welcoming hotel staff are to LGBT travellers when making their hotel and holiday choices.

Ninety-two percent (92%) of respondents across the UK, Europe and the US cited that gay-welcoming staff were a consideration when booking a stay away; and to 54% of respondents said that whether staff were gay welcoming played a ‘very important’ part in choosing holiday accommodation.

Hugh Wright, editor at large at les Deux Messieurs, believes that knowing a hotel to be gay-welcoming is key.

“If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our travels, it’s that knowledge is key. Because, despite what the law says, gay couples are not always welcome. We hope that recent rulings against two different B&Bs at opposite ends of the UK, and action taken by a major hotel chain following an incident in one of their London hotels will see hoteliers take a more considered approach to same-sex guests.”

And that’s not all. Gay couples want to know they’ll feel comfortable at all stages of their stay, not just at check-in.

“Where’s the joy in staying in a gay friendly hotel in the country if the moment you step outside for a pint, the locals start hurling abuse at you or glower like you don’t belong? Knowing how you’ll be treated, as well as what the area has to offer, matters,” says Hugh Wright. “We try to test every touch point other gay couples might come into contact with when they go away - we eat in the hotel restaurant, order room service, and use the spa if there is one. We explore the local area, find fun and interesting things to do, and get to know its hidden secrets.  We report on it all, and more.”

Going away with your partner should always be a treat. With les Deux Messieurs, gay travellers and their friends can be reassured that the reviewers have experienced the hotel, B&B or self catering house, know it to be gay friendly and sincerely believe they are as welcome as any other guest. Travellers can also use les Deux Messieurs star-rating to guide them to an absolutely exceptional time away.