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New Orleans is a feast for the senses: warm beignets caked in powdered sugar, oak-lined avenues flanked by imposing 19th-century mansions, cobblestone streets winding through hidden Creole corridors. It's a distinct destination where a ferocious appetite for life and all its simple pleasures is embraced with an open heart (and stomach).
New Orleans is also a city of storytellers. It's no secret there are ghost tales aplenty, but beyond the supernatural side of Nola, some of the very best storytellers in town are the historic buildings that have been painstakingly preserved—many of which have been converted into beloved hotels. In fact, nearly all of the best hotels in New Orleans have a layered past and fascinating backstory. From private residences and former churches to hotels that have played host to some of the most important literary figures of the 20th century, choosing a place to stay in The Big Easy is choosing to take part in history.
So, whether you're planning an upcoming trip or need motivation to do so, keep reading for our guide to the best hotels in New Orleans, from the lively French Quarter to the leafy Garden District.
Plan more trips with these roundups:
- The Best Places to Stay, Eat, and Explore in Fort Worth
- What to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
- Your Complete Atlanta Itinerary
1
Bienville House
Neighborhood: French Quarter
An 80-room property in the historic French Quarter, Bienville House is a member of the Historic Hotels of America, with origins dating back to 1835. The interiors speak to this Old-World splendor with sumptuous suites and a lush courtyard encircled by wrought iron balconies that also features a saltwater swimming pool.
2
Hotel Monteleone
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Billing itself as the grande dame of Royal Street, this family-owned-and-operated hotel opened in 1886 and is well-known for its connection to literary figures, as well as its iconic bar featuring a slowly spinning carousel. In fact, guests can book one of the hotel's literary suites and stay where the likes of Truman Capote, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Ernest Hemingway all slept.
3
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
Neighborhood: French Quarter
For travelers keen on staying in the liveliest part of the French Quarter, this Bourbon Street hotel is the perfect pick. It's minutes from iconic landmarks, like Jackson Square, but also offers an interior courtyard to escape the busy city streets. Keep an eye out for artwork in public spaces of the hotel—many works were commissioned as an homage to the historic city.
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4
The Chloe
Neighborhood: Garden District
Housed in a striking 19th-century mansion, this 14-room boutique hotel in the Garden District feels akin to staying the night in an artfully eclectic (wealthy) friend's home. Every nook is thoughtfully designed, from the backyard pool and deck (complete with a bar for ordering frozen co*cktails) to the porch adorned with rocking chairs and sprawling palms. Also: Don't miss The Chloe's restaurant, serving highlights like smoked pork belly lettuce cups.
5
The Celestine
Neighborhood: French Quarter
This recently-opened boutique hotel planted in the heart of the French Quarter offers 10 stylish rooms. The property dates back to 1791, and its modern-day iteration offers interiors that blend French, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences (and a touch of 1950s glamour). The rooms are centered around a historic interior courtyard where Tennessee Williams is said to have penned A Streetcar Named Desire.
6
Columns
Neighborhood: Garden District
Step back in time at this 1883-era property listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Columns—a 20-room hotel that's named for the towering columns on its luxurious porch—sits on St. Charles Avenue, adjacent to the picturesque streetcar line. Soak in the neighborhood's charm with a co*cktail on the roof deck, followed by a stroll beneath the original 1883 stained glass ceiling.
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7
Hotel Henrietta
Neighborhood: Garden District
Newly opened and sister property to the Columns hotel two blocks away, Hotel Henrietta is a five-story, 40-room boutique hospitality concept. With balconies on every floor and avenue-view rooms overlooking historic St. Charles Avenue, it's a visual delight. Enjoy a mix of vintage and modern art within the interiors, plus a terrace with two scenic fire pits.
8
Dew Drop Inn
Neighborhood: Central City
As one of the city's newest hotel openings, Dew Drop Inn also happens to be one of its most legendary landmarks, with a background of serving as an influential music venue for black musicians of the '50s and '60s (think Ray Charles, Little Richard). Now, it operates as a 17-room hotel complete with a lively pool club and restaurant serving Creole comfort food.
9
Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
Neighborhood: French Quarter
This luxurious 34-story hotel is located on the scenic banks of the Mississippi River and in a central location along Canal Street in the French Quarter. When you're not savoring the views and plush beds in the lavish bedrooms, be sure to tap the concierge to arrange an experience for you, like an intimate concert at legendary Preservation Hall.
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10
Hotel Saint Vincent
Neighborhood: Lower Garden District
Perched on the corner of Magazine and Race in the leafy Lower Garden District, this 75-room hotel (initially constructed in 1861) is a favorite among design lovers. Dedicated to humanitarian Margaret Haughery, the founder of The Saint Vincent's Infant Asylum, this property offers several dining concepts, from a pool bar and French Vietnamese-style café to the all-day restaurant and guest-only bar named Chapel Club.
11
The Eliza Jane - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Neighborhood: Central Business District
This stylish hotels sits inside a collection of 19th-century warehouses, including a newspaper's former headquarters. (The property gets its name from the first female publisher of a major newspaper in the country.) The suites and rooms are decorated in rich jewel tones with brass and walnut accents, and amenities like plush robes and Keurig coffee machines will make leisurely mornings all the more enjoyable.
12
Hotel Peter & Paul
Neighborhood: Marigny
This design-forward hotel is housed within a former Catholic Church and school and set across several buildings (The School House, The Rectory, The Convent, and The Church), which ensures no two rooms are exactly alike. In addition to its note-perfect rooms, Peter & Paul also offers The Elysian Bar, an experience-driven restaurant, bar, and café from the team at James Beard-nominated Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits.
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13
Pontchartrain Hotel
Neighborhood: Garden District
This 1927-era hotel rises 14 impressive stories and is located in the Garden District, across from the neighborhood's beloved streetcar route. The design echoes the city's charm, with lacquered black and mint-green hues used as a nod to the mossy Spanish oaks found just outside. The hotel's food and beverage concepts are equally enticing: Watch the sunset on the Hot Tin-Rooftop Bar, followed by live music downstairs in the Bayou Bar where Sinatra and Capote were once regulars.
14
TheRooseveltNewOrleans, Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Neighborhood: French Quarter
This historic property originally opened in 1893 as "The Grunewald," but it was renamed "The Roosevelt" in the early 1920s after the 26th president. Throughout the 20th century, it garnered a reputation as a social hub, with Louis Armstrong performing here and the hotel's Sazerac Bar inventing its namesake co*cktail. These days, guests can enjoy stylish suites within an authentically historic atmosphere.
15
The Windsor Court
Neighborhood: Central Business District
Taking design cues from traditional English decor, The Windsor Court has been a Nola staple since its opening in 1984. Among the property's highlights are a rooftop pool and bar, as well as an afternoon tea experience complete with tea and scones.
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16
Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Neighborhood: The Warehouse District
Flooded with light and saturated with playful pops of color, Virgin Hotels translates its vibrant aesthetic to The Big Easy with ease. In addition to the well-designed guest room "chambers," there's also a rooftop pool with a wraparound lounge deck and full bar, as well as Commons Club: the hotel's restaurant concept.
17
Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
Neighborhood: Central Business District
From the French-inspired detailing on the cane beds to the hosted evening social hour, every detail at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot feels considered. Guests can also enjoy the Peaco*ck Room, a jewel-toned salon open all day, serving punch-bowl co*cktails and chef plates. Make time for brunch at King Brasserie & Bar (the Croque Madame is not to be missed).
18
Le Pavillon Hotel
Neighborhood: Central Business District
Originally opened in 1907 under a different name, Le Pavillon is ingrained in New Orleans history. Choose from one of 226 elegant guest rooms or one of seven distinct themed suites named after iconic streets, like the St. Charles St. suite with its 18th-century parlor decor—complete with a fireplace.
