There is nowhere else in the world like New Orleans. A characterful fusion of French, Creole and American influences, the city has long been famed for its beautiful architecture, cracking cuisine and iconic live music scene. Whether you’re dreaming of catching jazz in a tiny neighbourhood bar, admiring grand mansions, tucking in to steaming bowls of gumbo or partying the night away during Mardi Gras, this corner of Louisiana really does have it all. Many of the best boutique hotels in New Orleans are housed in striking restored residences, perfect for romantic weekends away. Trips with friends are great fun too; as are family holidays, with plenty of scope for exploring world-class museums, touring lively markets and enjoying magical steamboat rides on the Mississippi River.
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46 rooms Begin your explorations in the French Quarter, where historic buildings with ornate wrought-iron balconies line lively streets. Royal Street and Bourbon Street are particular highlights, with buzzy bars, galleries and Creole eateries. The St Louis Cathedral, overlooking Jackson Square, is one of the USA’s most photographed buildings, whilst the 1791-founded French Market is amongst the oldest. New Orleans’ atmospheric above-ground cemeteries, known as ‘cities of the dead’, are also not to be missed.
Art aficionados will adore meeting artists in Jackson Square, or taking guided tours of the city’s street art scene. The galleries of Magazine Street, and the New Orleans Museum of Art are also well worth visiting. When it comes to green spaces, the whole family will love 1300-acre City Park, with its beautiful botanical gardens and sculpture gardens. Louis Armstrong Park, home to Congo Square, where jazz music has its roots, is another favourite. The antebellum mansions of the Garden District have been carefully preserved, and you’ll find wide, tree-lined boulevards ideal for scenic strolls.
Venture beyond the city limits for boat trips on the Mississippi, or to glide between Spanish moss and cypress trees as you spot alligators, raccoons and myriad birds on swamp tours. Come evening, sample Sazerac cocktails and savour flavoursome shrimp po’boy at Creole eateries as jazz spills from umpteen doorways. Travel during the annual Mardi Gras celebrations to see the city at its most lively, though the best boutique hotels in New Orleans fill up fast!
When it comes to where to stay in New Orleans, many visitors make a beeline for the legendary French Quarter. The heart of the action when it comes to the annual Mardi Gras festivities, this network of characterful streets is bursting with bustling bars, Creole eateries and live music venues. There’s a buzz throughout the day and evening here, so it’s a brilliant base for partygoers and sociable travellers. Hotels are housed in heritage buildings, many of which have been beautifully preserved.
Just across Canal Street, the Central Business District and neighbouring Warehouse Arts District have a more contemporary feel, with converted loft spaces, remodelled warehouses-turned-hotels, and easy access to New Orleans’ top museums and galleries. This is a particularly popular area with families.
For a more tranquil, laid-back experience, look to the tree-lined streets of the Garden District. Many of the best boutique hotels in New Orleans are clustered around this neighbourhood, with its striking antebellum mansions and manicured gardens. Couples in search of romance and solo travellers seeking a slower pace need look no further.
A little further upriver, Uptown also promises leafy streets, friendly neighbourhood bars and an unhurried residential feel.
Most of the boutique hotels in New Orleans are housed in heritage buildings; particularly those in the French Quarter or the Garden District. Former family homes, many dating back to the late 19th century, have been transformed into small B&Bs or hotels with period features including balconies, high ceilings and polished wooden floors. These are sometimes managed by the owners' descendants, who offer guests a warm welcome and local recommendations aplenty.
In some cases, larger-scale warehouses and commercial buildings have been transformed into sophisticated hotels with stylish contemporary interiors. These are more likely to boast multiple restaurants and bars, soothing spas and swimming pools. Families will appreciate the facilities offered at bigger hotels, as will groups of friends seeking live music events or an evening buzz to kickstart a night out on the town.
When it comes to big, bold and beautiful hotels in New Orleans, you're spoilt for choice!
