Where to Stay in New Orleans
There are plenty of excellent hotels in New Orleans, and if you really want to capture the flavor of the city look for one of the restored historic houses and mansions, many of which contain well preserved original features. Most people choose to stay in or close to the French Quarter, but there are also great hotels in the Garden and Arts Districts.
French Quarter Hotels
If you’d like a little historic luxury close to the French Quarter, Melrose Mansion could be the perfect hotel for you. The restored Victorian mansion is located on Esplanade Avenue and has every amenity you could want including a large swimming pool and a lovely courtyard with fountains.
Another historic and luxurious choice in the French Quarter, at the foot of Royal Street, is the Hotel Monteleone, which has a spa, rooftop pool, and the famous Carousel Bar. For an extra edge bear in mind that the Hotel Monteleone is one of America’s most haunted hotels.
For something a little different check out the Audubon Cottages, a historic collection of seven cottages in the French Quarter which have the feel of a secluded private hideaway in the heart of New Orleans. The cottages share use of a saltwater pool and are linked to the Dauphine Hotel, another lovely historic French Quarter hotel with a peaceful courtyard.
Bourbon Street Hotels
If you want to stay on Bourbon Street itself, think about the Royal Sonesta Hotel which is distinctly New Orleans with its traditional gabled windows, French doors, and wrought-iron lace balconies. As well as luxurious rooms you’ll find tropical courtyards with outdoor pools and cafes, restaurants, and jazz bars.
You could also consider Inn on Bourbon, a beautiful hotel that stands on the site of the legendary French Opera House, and that has balconies overlooking Bourbon Street so you can throw beads to the crowds beneath. A more affordable choice on Bourbon Street might be La Maison Marigny, an elegant bed and breakfast close to Frenchmen Street.
Garden and Art District Hotels
One of New Orleans best known hotels is the Columns Hotel on St Charles Avenue in the upper Garden District, near to Audubon Park. It is the only remaining example of a large group of Italianate houses that Thomas Sully designed in the late 1880s, and has some stunning features such as a mahogany stairwell which rises to meet an extraordinary domed stained glass skylight. With just nineteen rooms the Columns Hotel is a cozy and affordable choice.
Another beautiful hotel in the Garden District is the Queen Anne Hotel, a late nineteenth century Victorian mansion. Four poster beds, marble bathrooms and sparkling chandeliers will make your proposal vacation particularly romantic.
If you’d like to stay somewhere with a more contemporary vibe, the Hotel Modern in the Arts District is worth a look. The stylish interiors aim to capture New Orleans’ unique mixture of old world charm and new world diversity, and combined with very personalized service you are sure to have a memorable stay.
