Joy Hwang
Joy Hwang
New Orleans is a town to “laissez les bons temps rouler” or “let the good times roll.” Whether watching jazz at Preservation Hall or joining a party with a street band in Crescent City (and the inevitable cocktails and bar hopping that will follow) the Big Easy will quickly put you into a spin—and cast you under its spell. Take a carriage ride through the historic Vieux Carré—and pass the steeples of the striking St. Louis Cathedral—or take a bite of a warm beignet to experience the magic and immediately start thinking about a return visit. The mystery lurks around every corner, too, thanks to voodoo influences, intriguing ghost stories and eerie but beautiful cemeteries.
The best hotels in New Orleans, found throughout NOLA’s distinct neighborhoods, aim to capture this same spirit. Each one of our selections shows off stunning architecture, opulent décor, fine cuisine and the kind of service you can only find in the South—from a bohemian boutique hotel to a residence-like mansion. Below, our picks for the best hotels in New Orleans.
Joy Hwang
Hotel Peter And Paul in New Orleans
Joy Hwang
Like so many New Orleans hotels, Hotel Peter and Paul, in the laid back yet lively Marigny neighborhood, is steeped in history. The guest rooms and common spaces are set in a restored rectory, convent and schoolhouse. Each building’s interior design is slightly different, but everything feels cohesive with religious influences and antique furnishings. We’re particularly fond of the Rectory building’s guest rooms furnished with canopy beds draped in red fabrics, freestanding limestone bathtubs and twinkling chandeliers.
While you can’t sleep in the property’s other building the Church—and the property’s namesake—Hotel Peter and Paul does host events and brunches there. For brunch and dinner; coffee and cocktails, the Elysian Bar (overseen by the team behind local crowd pleaser Bacchanal Wine) is open seven days a week.
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A suite at the Ritz Carlton New Orleans
Joy Hwang
A $40 million renovation in 2019 brought even more shimmer to this Beaux Arts architectural jewel on Canal Street; The Ritz-Carlton refreshed its guest rooms and updated its spa. Accommodations—done up in soothing shades of blue and gold—have French Quarter views and hardwood floors. The 25,000-square-foot spa is the largest in New Orleans with 20 treatment rooms and a café, and treatments inspired by the city itself like the Voodoo Ritual and the Southern Ceremony (which includes a citrus body scrub and an age-defying facial). Other things that make this the ultimate luxury escape in NOLA range from the understated: the hotel’s interior courtyard filled with feathery sago palm trees and the over-the-top the 6,500-square-foot-suite known simply as the Residence with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, herringbone floors and a gallery-curated art collection.
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A view of the Hotel St. Vincent in New Orleans
Joy Hwang
To garner buzz and attract the coolest kids in and out of town, hotels need the right recipe of ambience and amenities. The Hotel Saint Vincent checks all the boxes with its historic 19th-century digs, slightly unexpected Lower Garden District location, whimsical design and buzzy bars and restaurants like a location of the French bakery meets Vietnamese café, Elizabeth Street Café.
Guest rooms have high ceilings that make them feel larger, clean mid-century-inspired furnishings and moody, dark gray walls that are punctuated by bright floral wallpapers. The stylish bathrooms have pink-tiled walk-in showers and retro-inspired sinks (some even have claw-foot tubs). Common spaces are also inviting, including the large courtyard pool surrounded by a deck made of Saltillo tiles and pink-striped lounge chairs. The Paradise Lounge, with its palm and floral print wallpaper and ratan chandeliers, is Instagram perfection.
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The lobby of The Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans.
Joy Hwang
This historic hotel is where Eloise might have checked in if she skipped New York and went to New Orleans instead. Now managed by Waldorf Astoria, the Roosevelt has all the five-star amenities you might expect from a Waldorf including a world class spa, but it’s close to Bourbon Street and has a legendary bar. With Art Deco details like murals by Paul Ninas and a bar made of African walnut wood, in addition to expertly mixed cocktails, the Sazerac Bar is one of the world’s great hotel bars. Guest rooms are simple and elegant with white linens and writing desks. Feel far from the excess of Bourbon Street at the scenic rooftop pool or at Domenica, a classic Italian restaurant serving bubbling Napolitano-style pizzas.
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The Chloe Hotel in Uptown, New Orleans.
Joy Hwang
If your idea of the perfect vacation involves living more like a well-heeled local than a tourist, check into this Uptown gem on oak-lined Charles St. Designed by famed architect Thomas Sully in 1891, the mansion is situated next door to many of New Orleans most elegant residences. The Chloe’s 14 unique guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling curtains and handsome wood and marble bathroom vanities, and many of the rooms feature couches and seating areas. Guests are treated to artisan-made goods like bath salts, soaps and hand-woven robes as well as record players with curated vinyl selections. Each room comes with its own unique twist—like an armoire that leads to a sunny relaxation corner or a spa-like bathroom. Despite all the thoughtful touches, the Chloe’s best feature may be the tiled front porch where sitting in a rocking chair and looking out at the oak trees whisks you back to the 19th century.
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The grand entrance of the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.
Joy Hwang
The regal Hotel Monteleone has held court on New Orleans’ Royal St. since 1886. Whether you’re staying there or not, you’ll probably want to have a peek inside. The hotel’s famed Carousel Bar is the only place in the city where revelers can sip a French 75 while taking a spin on a Merry-Go-Round, and it has been said that the French Quarter begins in the majestic lobby with coffered ceilings and crystal chandeliers. The family-owned hotel’s historic features have been meticulously maintained over the years, including the ornate sculpted façade. The 522 guest rooms come in a variety of sizes and layouts (suites have garden Jacuzzis) making it a good choice for families and large groups. Beloved by famous American authors and writers—the hotel has a Literary Landmark designation—Literary Suites inspired and named for writers such as William Faulkner and Eudora Welty, come with parlors and marble and granite bathrooms.
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A chic guest room at the Maison de la Luz in New Orleans.
Joy Hwang
In the city’s revitalized Warehouse District, Maison de la Luz exemplifies New Orleans’ one-of-a-kind design aesthetic with its historic architecture and sumptuous interiors. The hotel is in the former City Hall building and designers maintained many original features like 18-foot-ceilings and windows, but added guest rooms with wainscoting, dark blue bed frames and cozy seating nooks. Guests can enjoy complimentary happy hour drinks and bites in a variety of common spaces including Bar Marilou, the City Hall’s former library. With built-in bookcase lined walls painted deep red and low slung velvet furnishings (there’s a secret entrance for hotel guests), it’s a space where you will want to linger over an expertly mixed cocktail. The hotel’s top notch cocktail program was created in partnership with Parisian culinary group Quixotic Projects. Maison de la Luz guests also get access to the amenities such as the rooftop swimming pool and daily yoga at their sister property, Ace Hotel New Orleans, across the street.
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The entrance of the Henry Howard Hotel in New Orleans.
Joy Hwang
In a darling double-gallery townhouse, the common areas of Henry Howard Hotel—named for a celebrated architect—have charming period details like crystal chandeliers and antique furnishings. Just inside the front entrance, the Parlor is one of the standout spaces with grand 15-foot ceilings, original crown molding and handsome red-pine floors. Guests also love the fanciful wallpaper, four-poster beds with brass detailing and quirky local artwork in each of the 18 guest rooms. Personable staff members are happy to share knowledge about the history of New Orleans and where to find everything from the crunchiest fried chicken to the best live jazz on nearby Magazine Street. One block from the Mardi Gras parade route, this is a choice reservation to snag during the festivities as you can watch it from the hotel’s balcony.
A room view at the One11 Hotel New Orleans.
Who Will Love It: The chic and savvy traveler and visitors traveling with pets
All-Star Amenities: Courtyard pool; rooftop with river views; pet friendly program for dogs of all sizes are welcome; suites with terraces
What Not To Miss: Cocktails and canapes at Batture Bistro and Bar; taking in the views from the rooftop
Location: Sugar District
With light-filled rooms and contemporary décor, One11 in the Sugar District Waterfront is a nice alternative to New Orleans’ more opulent mansion hotels. The riverfront neighborhood is technically part of the French Quarter, but it has its own identity. It was filled with sugar cane factories once upon a time, and the industrial structure that houses One11—the former Louisiana Sugar Refining Company—has huge windows, original beams and exposed brick walls giving guest rooms the feel of cool urban lofts. One11 Hotel’s eighth story rooftop, with panoramic French Quarter and Mississippi River views, is reserved just for guests, while the lobby lounge with sectional seating and a long bar brims with locals as well as hotel guests.
The French Quarter is one of the most popular areas to stay in New Orleans. This historic area, which is famous all over the globe for its vibrant party scene and its annual Mardi Gras Festival, is also rich with beautiful architecture and stunning homes. In addition, the French Quarter is home to some of the most amazing restaurants in New Orleans, whether you’re looking for a famous beignet for a snack, or a fancy 5-star dining experience. The area is also easily walkable—another reason many visitors choose to stay here.
If you’re interested in taking part in the annual Mardi Gras festivities, the best time of the year to visit New Orleans is end of February, when the holiday typically takes place (this changes slightly every year depending on when the Easter holiday falls). But the best time to visit New Orleans regardless is between February and May, when the weather is in peak season and before the hot and humid summer months set in. Another great time to visit that is not quite as crowded is December or January, when the city is typically less crowded.
July is typically the wettest month of the year in New Orleans, but rainy season spans from late spring to mid-summer on average. The driest month of the year is usually the month of October.
As a passionate traveler with a media career spanning more than 15 years, I’ve stayed at and reviewed some of the top hotels and accommodations in destinations like Mexico, France and Italy, as well as off-the-beaten path locales. As an avid skier, I’ve hit the slopes in Aspen, Jackson Hole and Banff, but some of my most treasured experiences are posting up for cocktail hour in the bush during safari in South Africa, sailing through Drake’s Passage to reach Antarctica and making the trek to Machu Picchu. All these once-in-a-lifetime experiences aside, a city close to home—New Orleans—is one that continues to call my name and win me over with its huge personality and excellent grub.
