The best hotels in New Orleans

The Windsor Court Hotel brings a delicate slice of English elegance to New Orleans. Spacious guest rooms span 23 stories, with a rooftop that includes a saltwater pool. The exceptional hotel has won many accolades—and is a AAA Four Diamond winner since 2000. The famous Le Salon Tea Room delights both visitors and locals with its famous afternoon tea service. While the hotel is a brisk walk from the city’s galleries and museums, guests can enjoy the hotel’s own impressive art collection. Ooh la la.

One of the coolest places to stay in the Marigny, Hotel Peter and Paul is housed in the former Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church and school. No two guest rooms are exactly alike, and the decor suits each location — rooms are housed in the church, schoolhouse, rectory and convent. The chic Elysian Bar (from the team at Bacchanal) is a must for cocktails and dinner, topping lists of the hottest spots in the city. For a sweet option, stop into Sundae Best, a funky ice cream counter with handmade treats.

If you're after something a little more accommodating than a single hotel room, how about an apartment? Factors Row, situated just outside the heart of New Orleans, boasts luxury apartments, perfect for guests needing somewhere for a longer stay. Each apartment features a flat-screen TV and seating area, plus a kitchen with a dishwasher, coffee machine, stovetop, and oven - just like at home, it'll be like you never left. As a guest, you'll have full access to the communal courtyard, a piano room, and a fully-equipped gym. 

The Mercantile Hotel sits in the center of New Orleans in the New Orleans Central Arts Warehouse District, a super trendy neighborhood perfect for anyone exploring the city for the first time. The hotel has a range of suites, ranging from a double-bed suite to a two-queen-bed suite, as well as an accessible queen-bed suite with ADA shower. Each suite features exposed brick walls for an urban and industrial vibe, and separate living/sleeping areas to make you feel more comfortable. Some rooms even have views of the river or city, if you're lucky to nab one. 

There are few things more charming than an exceptionally old building that’s been done-up with a ton of care and attention. And that’s exactly what you get with The Chloe, a Victorian-era mansion on St. Charles Avenue renovated by a group of design- and conservation-concerned locals. Each of the 14 guest rooms here is decked-out with exquisite touches, from local art to soaking tubs, while the front porch is gorgeous place from which to sit back, relax and watch the streetcars rattle by.

New Orleans’ edition of the famously-lux Ritz-Carlton brand can hold a candle to any of the chain’s finest establishments, anywhere in the world. In an early twentieth century building that once housed the Beaux Arts Maison Blanche department store – and behind a glorious historic façade – the Ritz has everything from Italian marble bathtubs to its own enormous spa and fitness center. The hotel itself is on Canal Street, a stones’ throw from the French Quarter and a short streetcar ride from the the Garden District.

The Roosevelt’s lobby is a destination in and of itself—glistening brass elevators, mosaic floors and dazzling chandeliers. At Christmas, many come to enjoy the tree-lined hallway and cascading lights. Celebrities like Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe have enjoyed the locale. But the most infamous fan of the hotel was local politician, Huey P. Long, who loved it so much he had a personal suite here. The hotel houses the city’s famous Sazerac Bar, which moved there in 1949.

This upscale hotel in the French Quarter opened in 1886 under the direction of Sicilian nobleman, Antonio Monteleone. What started as a 64-room hotel has grown into more than 500 rooms, and the business has remained in the family since its inception. Hotel Monteleone is perhaps most known for its revolving Carousel Bar, which slowly spins around as patrons swish their glasses and swivel in their seats. Beloved by acclaimed writers like Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Anne Rice and Truman Capote, the Hotel Monteleone is not to be missed, even for those not booking one of its opulent rooms.

Looking to take a breather in a quieter and less touristy part of town, but also want to stay somewhere a little on the swanky side? Well, the Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue is the hotel for you. Combining classic ornate styles with sleek modern fittings, the Pontchartrain also boasts a fabulous rooftop bar (with panoramic views over downtown), its own cute breakfast café and a dazzling restaurant. As for attractions, it’s probably closest to the World War Two museum.

For those wanting to be right in the thick of Bourbon Street nightlife, look no further than the Royal Sonesta. The structure is quintessential French Quarter architecture, with a wrought-iron balcony that wraps around the corner of the seven-story building. On the third floor is the Oasis Courtyard and pool, which overlooks the first-floor courtyard. Along with Bourbon Street’s many delights, guests can enjoy music at the Jazz Playhouse, seafood at the Desire Oyster Bar or lavish meal at Restaurant R'evolution.

During the renovation of the W in NEOL’s French Quarter, designers sought to blend the brand’s signature chic, clean style with the city’s sauntering, inimitable panache. The outcome is seriously impressive. A theme of ‘rhythm and shadow’ manages to bring out New Orleans’ musical history and mystical aura, making this an especially colorful, contemporary, characterful W hotel indeed. Needless to say, this one, being right in the middle of the French Quarter, also comes with a pretty unbeatable location.

Located on Magazine Street in the Lower Garden District, the Hotel Saint Vincent occupies an 1861 building that was formerly The Saint Vincent’s Infant Asylum. The imposing brick building is now a hip, must-visit destination packed with modern design touches in each of its 75 rooms. The public spaces include a lush courtyard, outdoor verandas, pool, lifestyle boutique, signature bars, and two full-service restaurants. With so many places to explore (and snap pics) in the hotel, you may never want to leave.

With stately columns gracing the entrance, glitzy chandeliers illuminating the lobby, an ornate flair to the rooms, and that whimsical nightly ritual of sharing complimentary PB and J sandwiches, Le Pavillon is a spot Marie Antoinette would approve of. Those looking for a next-level experience should book one of the themed suites (Governor’s Suite, European Castle Suite, Plantation Suite, Oriental Suite, and Art Deco Suite), each taking extravagance to a singular level.

This stylish hotel in a renovated 1908 building in the city’s CBD is a sister property to the Ace Hotel. The ornately designed rooms and suites boast towering ceilings and thoughtfully-curated amenities. The hotel’s cocktail lounge, Bar Marilou, draws crowds for its inventive cocktails, but you’ll enjoy an exclusive entrance as a guest. The Living Room, another guest-only space, offers nightly wine and cheese service.

As a property of The National WWII Museum, the Higgins Hotel is an ideal base for visitors in town to explore the award-winning Museum, but it’s in a prime location for exploring the whole city too. Located in the Warehouse District, the hotel offers easy access to the French Quarter and is a short ride on the streetcar to explore Uptown neighborhoods. The hotel features elegant decor with WWII-era touches that extend to the on-site dining options. Rosie’s on the Roof, a bar and cafe honoring the beloved icon Rosie the Riveter, has one of the best rooftop views in the city. Best of all, proceeds generated support the ongoing educational mission of the Museum.

In the heart of the CBD, this 202-room boutique hotel is in a prime location just close enough to walk to the French Quarter but far enough away to escape the hubbub and relax. Throughout the hotel and in the sophisticated rooms, you’ll find stunning custom art that pays homage to the history and musical legacy of the city. The two dining and cocktail concepts on site, Peacock Room and Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats, both offer twists on traditional favorites. Check out the evening social hour, a Kimpton standard, before heading out for the night.

Deluxe amenities meet total convenience at the Omni Royal Orleans. Right next to several of New Orleans’ most iconic attractions (Jackson Square, Bourbon Street and the Mississippi River, to name a few), it’s also lavishly decorated and boasts a stunning rooftop pool.

A boutique hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter, this setting is perfect for someone looking for that old-world “Vieux Carré” charm. Its lobby welcomes guests, then extends into the idyllic courtyard, and up the stairs to open-air hallways that lead to cozy bedrooms. For an added view, choose a room with a balcony that looks down onto Bourbon Street.

Swanky just begins to describe the new Ace Hotel in New Orleans’ Warehouse District. Design firm Roman & William went with a Dadaist, Art Deco style for the decor, adorning the lobby with found objects, moody dark tones of greys, greens, and mauve, and the original terrazzo floors that recall the building’s origins as a furniture warehouse. Enjoy onsite entertainment in the Three Keys Music Venue, libations and a dip in the pool in the Alto Rooftop bar and bites in the Josephine Estelle restaurant.

History buffs will love the quaint Hotel Maison de Ville, a local landmark and among the oldest buildings in New Orleans. In the late 1700s, colonist Jean Baptiste Lille Sarpy constructed the townhouse on Rue Toulouse—or, as the French would call it, “Maison de Ville.” In 1944, the 14 rooms of the carriage house were converted into what is now the hotel. Many a famous name has graced the hotel, most notably Tennessee Williams, who has a suite named in his honor.