Where To Stay (Best Hotels) - New Orleans
New Orleans, like its dazzling blend of French, Spanish, Cajun, and Creole cultures - has a diverse selection of hotels that showcase the local beauty of the city. They are spread out amongst the diverse neighborhoods of the French Quarter, Marigny, Garden, Central Business District, and Bywater.
Many of the hotels are near the fantastic New Orleans streetcars, making it very easy to explore the city since there are so many things to do in New Orleans!
Here are some of our favorite hotels and places to stay in New Orleans:
Maison de la Luz
One of the most enchanting and unique hotels in New Orleans - Maison de la Luz is conveniently located in the Central Business District only minutes from the French Quarter and right on the St. Charles Streetcar Line.
When you enter the hotel lobby, it’ll seem like you were whisked away to a Wes Anderson movie with Art Deco fonts, tiled floors, and a grand staircase greeting you.
The living room is full of artwork and furniture from Egypt, Asia, and other exotic locations. We found it to be a great place to lounge with friends or to soak in the creative energy.
The rooms are equally dazzling with bespoke touches like metal snake shower handles, serpent coat hangers, golden pineapple ice buckets, antique radio, and a gilded floor mirror.
You’ll definitely want to also check out the stunning Bar Marilou, with its scarlet library design, tiger stripe floors, velvet green seats, and delicious drinks! Make sure to ask about the secret bookcase that opens up to a private salon full of interesting artwork and curiosities.
Pontchartrain
Pontchartrain, a historic hotel, delivers a timeless experience harking back to its heyday in the 1940s when luminaries such as Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth frequented the premises.
The rooms are an interesting mix of antique cabinets, posh velvet couches, and tiki-style artwork. We loved the glass ‘medicine’ cabinet filled with old pharmacy bottles located next to the bathroom mirror.
Make sure to check out Jack Rose, one of the best places to eat in New Orleans! The decor is fun and modern with an unexpected, but triumphant portrait of Lil Wayne holding one of the signature Mile High ice cream desserts.
Afterward, make sure to check out the Hot Tin rooftop bar for one of the best views of New Orleans.
Ace Hotel New Orleans
The ultra-cool Ace Hotel is a hotspot for well-heeled millennial travelers due to its edgy interiors, happening rooftop pool, and fun entertainment programming.
The airy lobby is well appointed in a mix of modern and retro stylings with several rooms to camp out in as you walk in further. The bar area is especially visually stunning and a great place to swing by in the later afternoon or at night.
You’ll also want to check out the attached restaurant Josephine Estelle. It exudes Art Deco goodness while making some of the best Italian food in New Orleans.
Eliza Jane
Named after the legendary Eliza Jane who founded the Daily Piscayune newspaper and was the first woman in the country to publish a major newspaper - the Eliza Jane Hotel was also formerly a collection of warehouses which is still part of the architecture today.
We loved the European tiling at the front lobby as well as the Wes Anderson colors at the check-in area. As you walk in further you’ll notice the exposed beams in a nod to the history of the warehouses before.
There’s a lovely outdoor courtyard area that has made many appearances on Instagram. The chill ambiance in the courtyard is good for social hangouts day or night.
Rooms are well-appointed with many vintage and industrial elements incorporated into the design. The bathroom, with its shiny subway tiles and strikingly beautiful tub, was a major highlight.
Make sure to check out Couvant, the delightful French Brasserie serving up purist French cuisine.
Ritz Carlton
Located in a perfect spot on Canal Street and right on the edge of the French Quarter, the Ritz Carlton New Orleans offers up a refined and luxurious experience that stays true to the Ritz Carlton brand.
The third-floor lobby means you’ll feel worlds away from the chaos of Canal Street and the outdoor courtyard atrium adds to the sense of tranquility.
Rooms are large and comfortable with plush velvet armchairs and marble bathrooms. Club Level rooms add an extra level of luxury with bed canopies, private concierges, and access to the Club Lounge with complimentary food and drinks.
Hotel Peter & Paul
Situated in a former mid 19th-century church and former Catholic school, this stunning property merges the old architecture with modern touches and stylish vintage furniture.
Located near the super happening Frenchman Street in the Marigny neighborhood, you’ll be near many interesting local options.
The Elysian Bar is also one of the most stylish places to hang out for a drink and has quickly become one of the go-to places for many locals.
Houmas House
New Orleans has plenty of plantation estates that showcase the history, architecture, and culture of the deep south. The Houmas House is one of the plantations that you can visit and also stay overnight in!
Soniat House
Located just two blocks from Bourbon Street, when you walk into Soniat House you’ll feel like you stepped back into time with its flickering gas lamps and elaborate wrought-iron balconies.
Each room has its own character and is filled with chandeliers, canopy beds, and antique European furniture.
Hotel Monteleone
This opulent hotel featuring Italianate architecture is located right on Royal Street, just a few blocks from Bourbon Street, and retains much of its grandeur from the late 1800s.
You’ll want to check out the Carousel Bar, even if you’re not staying here. It is in fact a spinning carousel and decorated with beautiful circus colors and animal motifs.
Audubon Cottages
The Audubon Cottages are set on a quiet corner inside the French Quarter where you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the chaos of Bourbon Street, which is only a block away.
The cottages and private courtyards blend into each other, adding to the privacy and tranquility of the space.
Some cottages share courtyards while others have their own private spaces along with whirlpools.
Henry Howard
Located in the Lower Garden District, this beautiful 19th-century townhouse converted into a hotel is a perfect place to explore the lovely Garden District.
Rooms are comfortably appointed with vintage furniture and interesting artwork from the family collection.