The number of hotels in New Orleans’ French Quarter can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, this list will help narrow down your options.
The French Quarter is on the top of every visitor to New Orleans’ to-do list, and rightfully so. Each of the cultures that settled in the city during its founding have mixed to create an entirely unique cultural identity that you won’t find in any other city.
If you want to stay where the action is (and by action, we mean historic buildings, one of the oldest outdoor markets in the United States, fantastic Cajun food, and vibrant nightlife), here are six luxury hotels in New Orleans’ French Quarter you’ll love.
Audubon Cottages – historic offerings with butler service
Looking for a place that feels less like a hotel? Let one of the Audubon Cottages become your home away from home. The five historic cottages offer a little more privacy than one of the hotels in New Orleans’ French Quarter close to Bourbon Street.
The beautiful cottages are arranged around a pool and each have their own decor scheme, which feels a little more thoughtful than most hotels. The cottages have a rare five-star average on TripAdvisor, and have been praised not just for the accommodations themselves, but for the butler service.
Since the cottages are truly like an oasis, butler and valet services are run through a sister property, Dauphin Orleans Hotel, which is just down the street.
Omni Royal Orleans – a luxury hotel in New Orleans
This is actually the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour’s official hotel partner, and for good reason. On the corner of St. Louis and Royal, Omni Royal Orleans a short walk to Bourbon Street, but far enough from the nightlife for you to still get a good night’s rest.
The original version of this historic hotel was built in 1843, but eventually fell into disrepair by the turn of the century, and was finally razed to the ground by a hurricane in 1915. Some 40 years later, the hotel was rebuilt to replicate the original designs, so not only is it more structurally sound now, it has also maintained its historic beauty.
Today, it has all the amenities you could want plus a restaurant and an old-timey barbershop. If you’re visiting for business reasons, there’s also 24-hour business center available, but the best part by far has to be the rooftop, where you’ll find a fitness center, heated pool, and fantastic view over the romantic area. Talk about a hole in one.
Hotel Maison de Ville – an inspiring French Quarter luxury hotel
This boutique hotel is in a building that was first constructed in the 18th century, making it one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter. Originally a residence, it has been a hotel since 1940, and while it’s been continuously renovated over the years, it hasn’t lost that historic charm.
Hotel Maison de Ville was once occupied by Tennessee Williams while he was writing “A Streetcar Named Desire”, and you can actually book a stay in Williams’ old room. Since it’s so steeped in history, the rooms are on the smaller side, but it’s a sufficient trade-off for the old-world charm.
This hotel is the closest to Bourbon Street out of all the hotels on this list (just half a block away), which can be a pro or a con depending on what you’re looking for.
Hotel Monteleone – where the literary greats are celebrated
This hotel definitely has the biggest curb appeal, with its ornate Italian-inspired facade. The lobby is just as impressive as the romantic exterior with high ceilings and massive chandeliers.
Funnily enough, Tennessee Williams also stayed at this hotel, and you can also book his old room, the Tennessee Williams suite. The hotel’s other literary-themed rooms include the William Faulkner Suite, Truman Capote Suite, Ernest Hemingway Suite, and Eudora Welty Suite. There are also 55 luxury suites to choose from, all decorated in the 1800s style. The hotel has been n family-owned-and-operated since 1886.
The show-stopping element that really sets Hotel Monteleone apart is the Carousel Bar, a circular bar that rotates around the shell of an antique carousel, with a column of shelves at the center boasting a wide variety of liquors.
W New Orleans, French Quarter – modern, artistic offerings
This W New Orleans may be entirely modern, but it’s by far one of the most artistically designed W hotels you’ll find, with bright
It showcases a different side of New Orleans that pays homage to the history while looking toward the future. If you’re more concerned about having all the modern amenities and services than staying in a heritage hotel, this is the perfect place for you.
Highlights are the heated outdoor pool in the courtyard, and the hotel restaurant and bar, SoBou. Plus, it’s closer to the Mississippi River than it is Bourbon Street, meaning you’ll be well away from all the hustle and bustle of the city’s most popular tourist area.
Soniat House – boutique hotel in the French Quarter
For a quieter location that still has that 18th-century feel, there’s Soniat House. Each of the rooms here are decorated in — wait for it — historic fashion, fully restored to 80s Creole style. For the grandest experience, book one of the aptly named Grand Suites, which feature Jacuzzis, art on loan from the New Orleans Museum of Art, and a romantic wrought-iron balcony looking out over the street that you probably picture when thinking of the city.
Billed as the only small boutique hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter, there are 31 rooms and a private courtyard in the back, which is a perfect place to enjoy breakfast.
As for modern amenities, it has all the usuals, but note that you can only book the conference room for a meeting or event seasonally, between June 15 and September 15.
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, make sure you book a professional Blacklane chauffeur service in New Orleans to get you there in comfort.
Marlys Klossner
Marlys, a journalism major from Canada, now calls Germany home. She spends her days writing punchy copy and lovely long-form articles, and spends her evenings watching so-bad-it's-bad reality TV. Her prized possessions? Medals from her days as a synchronized swimmer.
