The 13 best cheap hotels in New Orleans

Located just between the Garden City and Central City districts, this delightful hostel is the perfect base for exploring the city’s bars, restaurants and live-wire night spots. And, if you’re too tired to head back out, there’s always the option of a 24-hour on-site bar that’s ideal for an oh-go-on-then last drink of the night. Although The Quisby keeps luxury to a minimum, it’s cutely decorated and not without its own charms. Inside, you’ll find a lovely mixture of vintage and contemporary flourishes, ensuring the whole place has a quirky, personalised feel.

The mood? Friendly, fierce and loads of fun.
Location perks? When Mardi Gras hits town, the parade is on your doorstep – literally.
Budget range? Mid-range for a hostel in a key location.
Time Out tip: Stop partying just long enough to visit the nearby Ogden Museum of Southern Art to explore the rich and varied history of visual art in the South.

Fan of a good bit of folklore? This Creole townhouse, built in 1833, might just be the house famously known as “The Rising Sun”. And, if you believe that, then you’ll also be keen to know the joint’s former Madam is said to haunt it. Whether or not that’s true, it’s certainly a lovely, idiosyncratic place to stay in and, for money-saving travellers, there are three low-cost rooms available.

The mood? A pinch of gothic brings out the best in old-school New Orleans style.
Location perks? Live it up in the French Quarter while reaping the shut-eye benefits of being on a slightly less hectic street.
Budget range? Mid-range, great location.
Time Out tip: Head out early to join the queue for fresh pastries right across the street.

With its shabby chic décor, stone-paved courtyard, whimsical garden and views of the Mississippi River, this recently renovated French Quarter hotel is a gem. Built originally in 1772 for a baker by the name of Dreux, the ground floor functioned as a boulangerie for many years. The imminent Baroness Pontalba converted the bakery into an inn in the 1830s. Staying in a historic French Quarter hotel for cheap is a tough ask, but booking one of the Value Rate Rooms here is one of the best deals in town. Plus, it helps that the rooms are effortlessly charming, with exposed brickwork, muted tones and plush features aplenty.

The mood? Vintage decadence to light up your Instagram.
Location perks? Everything the Vieux Carré has to offer, and more.
Budget range? Great price for a very pretty (and fab-located) hotel.
Time Out tip: Take a seat in the courtyard and enjoy a quick snack to refuel.

Le Marais is so peaceful and serene, it’s easy to forget that you’re actually in the thick of the French Quarter. This reprieve sits quietly next to the Bourbon Street bustle and the Royal Street hustle, offering guests full hotel amenities and comforts. It draws its name, ‘marais’—which translates to “marsh", a nod to New Orleans swampland—from the famous Parisian neighborhood.

The mood? Poolside cocktails OR early morning gym sesh – you decide.
Location perks? Bang in the French Quarter but so peaceful you might (occasionally) forget that.
Budget range? Book in advance and you can grab a bargain.
Time Out tip: Freshen up with a dip in the hotel’s saltwater pool.

With burnt rouge hues and rich shrubbery that recall past eras, The Olivier House Hotel has 42 unique rooms that make up one of the best budget crash-pads in New Orleans. Beginning life as a private home to Madame Olivier, the Creole Greek revival style home passed through a fair few families until 1970, when it was acquired by the Danner family to be run as a boutique hotel. And though it may be just a tad pricier than the other hotels in the city, the location is pretty impressive. At three blocks away from Jackson Square, it's totally worth the extra pennies. Plus, if you want to travel with your furry friend you're in luck, because this hotel is pet-friendly.

The mood? Historic French Quarter home turned into a luxe boutique hotel.
Location perks? One block from Bourbon Street, baby.
Budget range? Spend the little bit extra without regrets.
Time Out tip: Get your R&R fix in one of the interior courtyards.

This cozy hostel is clean, accommodating and offers a mix of shared and private rooms for the common wanderer. Like all hostels, it’s great for those looking to make new friends. The Auberge is located in the budding neighborhood known as Central City, home to a new restaurant seemingly every day, and is conveniently located between historic uptown and downtown NOLA.

The mood? Student vibes at a friendly, lo-fi hostel.
Location perks? Super close to the historic Garden District and less than 5km from the French Quarter.
Budget range? Cheap and very cheerful.
Time Out tip: Looking for new pals? You’ll have a few more after a stay here.

Made by Marriot with millenials in mind, Moxy started in Milan, Italy and will soon be found across big cities all around the world. The hotel is known for sleek and tech-forward rooms, but the New Orleans Moxy stands apart for its infusion of city-specific flavor. Guests are welcomed with a cocktail at check-in and can enjoy onsite frivolities like burlesque shows, having their futures foretold with tarot cards, or acupuncture. 

The mood? A hipster hangout with all the pluses of a large hotel.
Location perks? A Downtown dream just below the French Quarter.
Budget range? Savvy bookers can get some really great rates here.
Time Out tip: Finish (or start) the night in the hotel’s own stylish bar.

Nestled right in the heart of the French Quarter’s historic section on Chartres Street, Hotel Provincial is an elegantly decorated dwelling for a traveler looking for a transporting experience. But all those plush drapes and curtains might be hiding something sinister as the hotel is believed to be haunted by a Civil War soldier, from the days when the plot of land was home to a military hospital. With various buildings making up the hotel, this ghost has quite a bit of roaming to do. But with such good prices on offer, we might just tolerate a ghostly visit or two during the night.

The mood? Resident ghost and secluded drinking spots for an ‘only in New Orleans’ experience.
Location perks? A French Quarter location that still allows for a good (and quiet) night’s sleep.
Budget range? Pay a little more for a genuinely unique hotel.
Time Out tip: We love that courtyard pool – and so will you.

An affordable option from the Marriot group of hotels, Aloft is a modern and stylish chain that offers the comforts of a big hotel but at a much slimmer price. Located in the Central Business district and near the Superdome and the Smoothie King Center, this is a great choice for anyone coming in to watch a sports game.

The mood? Big city sheen with artsy flourishes.
Location perks? The Superdome is super close.
Budget range? From ‘a real steal’ to mid-range depending on dates and room type.
Time Out tip: If you’re bringing a pooch, this place is one of the city’s pet-friendly hotels.

Appropriately named given its distinguishing wrap-around balcony, this Marigny B&B is a home away from home. It sits above Silk Road Restaurant, which offers a unique fusion of Indian-Asian-Creole cuisine, and is a short cab ride to Frenchman street venues like The Spotted Cat and Snug Harbor. For best prices, book a room in the summertime.

The mood? Your home from home, but with a better balcony.
Location perks? Another hotel right on the Mardi Gras parade route map.
Budget range? Reasonable rates for a very comfortable stay.
Time Out tip: Morning coffee on – where else? – that lovely balcony.