PHOTO: Soniat House

The 7 Best Boutique Hotels in New Orleans

Cameron Todd | December 21, 2017

The best boutique hotels in New Orleans are opulent Garden District mansions, historic French Quarter townhouses, revamped motor motels, chic downtown hideaways, and anything but run-of-the-mill stays.

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#7

Pontchartrain Hotel

Why it made the list

The goal of this St. Charles Avenue hotel's reopening was to honor the spirit of the original 1930s hotel. Each outlet, from the coffee shop to the rooftop bar, includes a funky mix of history and modern design. The parlor to the left of the check-in desk, with its Lil' Wayne portrait framed by florals, velvet and rattan furniture, is a perfect example of the idiosyncratic melding of what the city once was, and is today.

A team of hotel experts recently renovated this 1930s archit Read More

#6

The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery

Why it made the list

It's larger than your typical boutique hotel, but this industrial-chic former chandlery makes the list for bespoke experience and curated style. The shop sells local goods, and the hotel walls promote local artists. The restaurant, Compere Lapin, is one of the best and most exciting fine dining experiences in town.

Simple and elegant, Old No. 77 is a boutique hotel with a wo Read More

#5

Melrose Mansion

Why it made the list

At this large historic mansion, decor is left refreshingly simple with clean, monochromatic patterns, over-sized mirrors, and black-and-white photos of local musicians on the walls. The suites are a delight, with their full contemporary kitchens and bathrooms with giant vanities. The gym and sunny yoga room in the attic are surprisingly accommodating, and the giant pool and pleasant courtyard are beyond what you would expect from such a small hotel.

Spacious rooms, pleasant outdoor spaces, and one of the larg Read More

#4

The Drifter Hotel

Why it made the list

While the Drifter is known around town for its pool parties, gorgeous added details, like the hand-tiled floors the owner picked up from Guadalajara, make this renovated motel a unique, gorgeous boutique stay in its own right. Many nights poolside you can expect avant-garde, close-to-the-local scene entertainment: water ballets, drag fashion shows, DJs, and local food pop-ups.

A boutique hotelier recently revived an old Mid City motel o Read More

#3

Catahoula Hotel

Why it made the list

When the small kitchen isn't dishing out fresh ceviche and plantain chips, it is hosting eclectic local food pop-ups (vegan sushi is our personal favorite). The decor is chic without being overly precious: an old piano, espresso bar, classic French tiled floors, and larger-than-life local art out in the courtyard. The rooftop often hosts movie nights and other fun events with some local flair.

A stylish boutique hotel with outdoor hangout spaces, tucked Read More

#2

Soniat House

Why it made the list

Soniat House decor is far from a hodge-podge of period pieces: The owners here are professional antique collectors with a keen eye for interior design worthy of Architectural Digest (where the house has been featured). Throughout these historic townhouses, your eye will be drawn to the care and detail put into the home: The paintings on loan from the New Orleans Museum of Art filling the hallways, the gorgeous original staircase winding up to your suite, or the Japanese magnolia blooming in the brick courtyard.

Step through the stone carriageway and into the Soniat House Read More

#1

Henry Howard Hotel

Why it made the list

This mansion includes a mix of historic touches, like original Mardi Gras costume displays, and chic contemporary design, like its signature Magritte-style portraits, making it a nice balance between historic stay and modern boutique. One of the greatest luxuries is donning a waffle robe, offered in every room's armoire, and taking your complimentary morning coffee out to the second floor balcony, where views of the quiet street's live oaks and gorgeous architecture make for a blissful morning ritual.

A beautifully restored mansion with stylish Southern touches Read More

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