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Before you decide where to stay in New Orleans, put some thought into what you want to do during your visit. Are you interested in history and architecture? Do you want to be where the party is? Are you in town primarily to eat—and to eat well? Do antebellum mansions pique your interest? Do you need to be close to the business district and convention center? New Orleans is a fairly compact town, but if you stay Uptown, you'll need to travel a bit to reach the Quarter. Although most hotels favored by visitors are in the French Quarter, Central Business District (CBD), or Warehouse District, there are also great options farther afield.
The French Quarter is a destination unto itself. With fascinating architecture, vibrant nightlife, chic shopping, and incredible restaurants, you could spend several days without leaving its confines.
Hotels in the CBD, many of them chains, cater to business travelers as well as tourists; most are larger than those in the French Quarter, and have more amenities. Many of the Warehouse District's hotels actually occupy facilities once used to store cotton or other goods. In most cases, thoughtful renovations have kept the original purpose as a design motif, making for an interesting architectural style.
Just across Esplanade Avenue on the north and east of the Quarter is the Faubourg Marigny. Originally a Creole plantation and one of the first "suburbs" of New Orleans, it remains a residential area today, with a bustling nightlife and restaurant scene centered along Frenchmen Street.
To the west, upriver of the city's center, the Garden District and Uptown neighborhoods offer streets lined by the spreading boughs of live oaks, excellent stores, interesting architecture, and more outstanding dining and music venues. You'll find several newer, boutique hotels in the Garden District around St. Charles Avenue.
This white-column 1883 Victorian hotel drips with local charm and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—guests especially enjoy the lovely, wide veranda. A dark, intimate lounge serves up delicious cocktails, the restaurant (sit outdoors if possible) is excellent, and there is a live jazz trio every Monday in the ballroom.
Outfitted with two local chef-driven restaurants, the sparkling Chandelier Bar in the lobby, a swank spa, and a rooftop pool, this landmark 34-story tower overlooking the Mississippi River oozes contemporary glam and five-star hospitality. Spacious and white-washed modern rooms spare no luxury, from high count linens and upscale room amenities. Curated experiences are offered for the VIP of mind.
A former Catholic orphanage is now perhaps the city's most stylish hotel: this sprawling, red-bricked estate, with a maze of wide verandas and inner courtyards flanked by palm trees and tropical plants, creates a luxurious oasis you won't want to leave. Here you'll find a generous pool and outdoor bar, as well as two restaurants (casual French-Vietnamese bakery, and high-end Coastal Italian dining room), with lovely design details throughout. All this, plus a guest-only lounge and revolving calendar of cultural events, curate a New Orleans experience you won't soon forget.
A sophisticated sibling of the Ace Hotel next door, this five-star boutique guesthouse is intimate and unique, with a playful and regal decor inspired by magical realism and the city’s Caribbean, European, and Latin American influences. Exclusivity is key here: the entire property belongs to guests only, including the chic parlor and breakfast room, where you’ll enjoy a generous European-style continental breakfast and daily wine and cheese. There's even a speakeasy-like lounge with a hidden door, granting private access to Bar Marilou, a sexy Parisian library bar. Prices reflect a luxury hotel, but so does the experience.
One of the city's most regal hotels sits on Canal Street, with luxurious rooms and suites occupying what was once the Maison Blanche department store. Rooms are furnished with local art and antiques, feature oversize marble bathrooms and plush linens, and are within walking distance of most attractions and minutes from the Convention Center. Rooms on the club floor come with a concierge, a private lounge with fireplaces and snacks, and terrific city views. The spa regularly tops lists as one of the best in the country. Plan to spend at least one evening soaking up the sounds of Grammy-nominated musician Jeremy Davenport in the Davenport Lounge.
Just steps from the French Quarter, this renovated Victorian mansion turns on the grandeur with antique furnishings, hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, and large chandeliers—and lots of luxurious, modern conveniences. The rooms include king or queen beds dressed in fine linens, along with modern amenities that include Wi-Fi, mini-refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and iPhone docking stations. Baths are marbled and sumptuous; three rooms have Jacuzzi tubs, and one has a private patio. Cocktails are served each evening in the formal drawing room. Complimentary wine and cheese are served each evening in the parlor.
One of the more elegant options in the French Quarter, this large white-marble landmark is a replica of the grand 1800s St. Louis Hotel, with columns, gilt mirrors, and magnificent chandeliers: traditional elegance in a central location. All rooms have marble baths; some have balconies. The lobby-level Rib Room is a classic see-and-be-seen restaurant. The rooftop pool has one of the city's best views of the French Quarter.
This hip, colorful hotel with eye-popping design has stylish and thoughtfully outfitted rooms, friendly and welcoming service, and a diverse and non-stop entertainment program featuring DJs, burlesque, and an assortment of live music. There is a serene rooftop bar and pool for lounging
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