• French Quarter – Historic heart, but also the main area. The nightlife is here so you may find it noisy at night, especially on Bourbon Street.

• Garden District – Quieter but still very historic, with grand mansions, and the St. Charles streetcar.

• Frenchman Street – This is Bourbon Street for adults. It’s tamer, cleaner, but really just as active.

…Click for more info on the NOLA neighborhoods

This modern, social, and centrally located alternative to traditional hotels is one of the top-rated in the U.S. 

A great option for solo or social tavelers, the HI New Orleans has everything from shared dorms to private rooms, and has the added benefit of daily activities and a lively social atmosphere.

The shared dorms have privacy curtains and personal outlets or private rooms that feel closer to hotel quality. It has a large communal kitchen, a game room, co-working spaces, and plenty of organized social activities, from pub crawls to walking tours, that make it easy to meet other travelers. 

The property sits on the edge of the French Quarter, right across from the Saenger Theatre on Canal Street, making it easy to explore both downtown and the Quarter on foot. 

Inside, the design is sleek and contemporary, with bright common areas, colorful murals, and a lively atmosphere that draws a mix of international backpackers, solo travelers, and groups. 

Security is excellent, with keycard access and lockers provided, giving peace of mind even in shared spaces. 

While it doesn’t have the historical charm of older French Quarter hotels, HI New Orleans makes up for it with affordability, modern amenities, and a vibrant community vibe. For budget-conscious travelers who still want to be in the heart of the action, this is arguably the top hostel choice in the city.

The Chateau Hotel is a charming mid-range option tucked into a quiet corner of the French Quarter, just steps from Jackson Square and the Mississippi Riverfront. 

Housed in a historic Creole townhouse, the hotel exudes old-world New Orleans character with its wrought-iron balconies, exposed brick, and leafy courtyards. 

A highlight of the property is its small outdoor pool, which can come in handy on those hot Louisiana summer afternoons, surrounded by shaded patios perfect for a drink or morning coffee. 

Rooms are modest and traditional rather than flashy, with simple furnishings and classic décor that reflect the building’s age and charm. 

The location errors on the side of peaceful, offering easy access to Bourbon Street’s energy while remaining quiet enough to relax at night. 

While it’s not the most luxurious option in the city, the Chateau Hotel strikes a balance between comfort, location, and historic atmosphere.

Hotel St. Pierre is one of the most atmospheric budget-friendly boutique hotels in the French Quarter.

Set in a collection of restored 18th-century Creole cottages, the property feels worlds away from the high-rise hotels in the area, with brick courtyards, wrought-iron balconies, and two small outdoor pools tucked between lush gardens. 

Rooms lean simple rather than luxurious, but they’re full of character, with exposed brick walls, antique-style furnishings, and historic details that nod to the neighborhood’s past. 

The location is ideal for exploring: you’re close to Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street, and Jackson Square, but on a quieter corner where you can retreat from the Quarter’s late-night noise. 

Amenities like the bathrooms will feel a bit dated, but that’s part of the charm! 

It definitely feels like you’re staying inside a piece of New Orleans history rather than a generic chain. If you prioritize location, charm, and affordability over luxury, this is one of the most authentic stays you’ll find in the Quarter.

This is a hidden gem, for in-the-know people only. 

If you drive an hour north of New Orleans, over Lake Pontchartrain on the longest continuous bridge over water in the world (aka Lake Pontchartrain Causeway), you end up in an area referred to as ‘the Northshore.’ The towns that make up the area are Mandeville, Covington, and Abita Springs (yes, like the brewery).  

The Southern Hotel is in Covington – a small, charming city with a walkable historic downtown, two thousand art galleries (I’m pretty sure), and a growing food and music scene. 

The building was originally built in 1907, had lives as a boarding house, then parish offices before it sat vacant in the 1980s and 90s. In 2011, preservationist, community advocate, and attorney Lisa Condrey Ward, restored the building, alsong with the next door 1937 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse. 

That post office wing of the hotel is now a 5-room (including a few suites) bungalow-type situation, used for groups. The decor is beautiful. It reminds me a bit of Miami, with some pinks set against green leaves, but maintains the small-town Southern charm, with upscale design, art-filled interiors, and peaceful garden settings. It’s often for bachelorette parties, which I can totally see happening here. 

If you come here do it in the shoulder season when the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall is open. It’s a ramshackle wooden building from 1895, considered the oldest surviving jazz hall in the world. It has no air conditioning, so shows are seasonal — usually fall through spring, when the weather cooperates. It’s famous for its intimacy and authenticity, and for its roster, which includes every famous jazz musician you can think of.

Southern Hotel is a unique stay, very clean and mellow compared to its neighbor New Orleans, and often a destination for weekend escapees. Perfect if you want a stylish retreat away from the city’s bustle. 

I definitely thought this hotel was going to be meh. 

I was staying in it because of the novelty of staying directly across from Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar – my favorite (and the oldest in New Orleans), but I really wasn’t expecting much other than that because the images on the website aren’t that great, especially compared to the luxe hotels that were on my itinerary for that trip. 

But Lafette’s was my favorite hotel on that trip, over places that are twice the price.  

It just feels New Orleans. There’s no better way to say it. When we walked in we were greeted by a very attractive 25-year-old man, who we found was the son of the owner, and 40. 

They have a bar inside the hotel that serves the famous purple drink. The real bar is next door, but why not? This way it’s a 2-minute commute from your bed, rather than 3. There’s a piano in the main room, and outdoor hang areas both upstairs and down, the former overlooking Lafitte’s action.

The owner is a retired cop who hangs out there sometimes and has pictures of himself with every celebrity you’ve ever heard of, plastered all over the walls of both the hotel and the bar. 

The haunted lure is that there’s a young girl who visits people on the 2nd floor. We didn’t realize this until we had made the reservation so we were on the 3rd floor but I’d love to hear if you stay on the 2nd if you encounter any visitors!

If you’ve been living under a rock, Jean Lafitte was a French pirate and privateer based in New Orleans in the early 1800s. He smuggled goods and slaves but also aided Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans, cementing his place in Louisiana legend. 

It’s good vibes at Lafitte’s, I can’t recommend it enough. 

The Pontchartrain Hotel is a charming but sophisticated New Orleans landmark in the Garden District. 

First opened in 1927, the building has hosted countless artists, writers, and celebrities over the decades, giving it a reputation as one of the city’s most atmospheric hotels. 

Its interiors are richly decorated with vintage furnishings, patterned wallpaper, and an eclectic mix of artwork that nods to the city’s cultural heritage. 

Rooms are spacious and stylish, with plush bedding, retro details, and large windows offering views of St. Charles Avenue or the Mississippi River. 

Dining is a major highlight: Jack Rose serves playful, contemporary Creole cuisine in a lively setting that’s become an Instagram favorite, while the rooftop Hot Tin Bar draws locals and visitors alike for its panoramic skyline views. The hotel also has the Bayou Bar, a cozy cocktail spot once frequented by Frank Sinatra and Truman Capote, adding to its historic allure. 

Conveniently located along the St. Charles streetcar line, it’s easy to explore the Garden District or hop into the French Quarter. With its mix of history, glamour, and unbeatable nightlife, the Pontchartrain is a destination in itself and one of New Orleans’ most iconic boutique hotels.

Peter & Paul is one of the city’s most unique boutique properties. This stunning boutique hotel is a conversion of a 19th-century Catholic church, rectory, convent, and schoolhouse in New Orleans’ Marigny neighborhood, blending history with bold, design-forward creativity. 

Each building has its own personality: richly colored rooms in the rectory, serene spaces in the convent, and playful dorm-style touches in the schoolhouse. But the best part, in my opinion, is the former church-turned-dramatic-bar-scene and gathering space. 

The design is imaginative but respectful of the original architecture. Peter & Paul has been praised by design magazines like Architectural Digest as one of the most extraordinary hotel conversions in the U.S. It consistently earns 9+/10 reviews and has become one of the most Instagrammed boutique hotels in New Orleans.

The Roosevelt New Orleans may be the city’s most iconic luxury hotels. 

Its marble-clad lobby, gilded chandeliers, and towering columns immediately transport you to a bygone era of elegance, with a hint of Titanic. 

The hotel is perhaps best known for its legendary Sazerac Bar, where the famous cocktail was perfected and where murals by artist Paul Ninas set the scene for decades of New Orleans history. 

The rooftop pool has cabanas and frozen cocktails, and it cozied in between buildings, giving you the feeling that you’re in a large metropolis, and providing refuge for those hot New Orleans days. 

The large rooms and suites mix classic design with modern touches, including marble bathrooms and plush Waldorf bedding. 

With nearly 125 years of tradition, the Roosevelt isn’t just a place to stay — it’s part of the New Orleans story itself.

A boutique hotel housed in a 19th-century Victorian mansion on St. Charles Avenue, with only 14 rooms, a chic pool, and a cocktail bar that draws both locals and tourists. 

The hotel is as much a social hub as a place to stay, thanks to its lively restaurant and cocktail bar, which draw both locals and visitors for seasonal menus and creative drinks. Outside, a courtyard frames a small swimming pool, one of the rare boutique hotels in the city where you can lounge poolside with a craft cocktail. 

Its location on the St. Charles streetcar line makes exploring Uptown and the Garden District easy, while still keeping downtown within reach.

It’s one of the most stylish boutique hotels in New Orleans without being over-the-top expensive, and the top most searched hotel in New Orleans in 2025.

Google image New Orleans and this is the hotel that you see on the corner. No really, do it. 

The Royal Sonesta is an iconic Bourbon Street hotel famous for its wrought-iron balconies, festive Mardi Gras decorations, and live jazz club. It’s as much a landmark as it is a hotel.

This large, full-service property blends modern luxury with a classic New Orleans atmosphere. Its 483 rooms and suites range from sleek contemporary spaces to traditional designs with French doors opening onto the Quarter – like in your wildest New Orleans dreams…

A highlight is the lush courtyard with its palm-lined outdoor pool. 

Dining and nightlife are major draws: Desire Oyster Bar is beloved for its fresh Gulf seafood, Restaurant R’evolution offers fine-dining Creole cuisine, and the hotel’s jazz club, The Jazz Playhouse, brings nightly live music in an intimate, sophisticated setting. 

The location doesn’t get better. Turn the corner and you’ll be at either Jackson Square, the riverfront, or other ‘NOLA’s best’ bars and restaurants. 

Despite its central spot on Bourbon Street, many rooms face inward to the pool or courtyard, so they’re quieter. Best of both world’s, it realy doesn’t get better than this.

The Windsor Court is New Orleans’ grande dame of luxury hotels and a NOLA- European luxury hybrid classic. 

Its ethos is based on British timeless elegance, to which it stays true in every detail of the hotel. It’s super refined but it’s bold, which you feel as you enter the grand courtyard and are greeted by a fountain with a statue of St. George, the patron saint of England, and luxury sedans. 

The owner was an art collector, and ordained the space with $10 million of fine art, sculptures, paintings, tapestries, and antique furniture, preserved with care. I recommend grabbing a drink and strolling through the property for a mini British museum-quality artwalk. 

Head to the Polo Club (the owner was a Polo fanatic, too) to grab a drink from one of the largest Cognac collections in the city. If you’re there in the evening, stay for live local jazz music performed by Stefan Moll, John Royen and David Boeddinghaus. Our friends from Mississippi who come here regularly told us that the Saturday live jazz is a reason to come here even if you’re not staying in the hotel. 

The Windsor Court is famous for its refined service; recognized by Forbes, Travel + Leisure, and other important publications. Go to its lounge and you’ll find regulars who stay here every time they’re in the city. If everything else disappeared, they would stay for the company. The people who work there are basically hired to be your friends. We went up to get a quick bite and left 5 hours later with a new friend group, and a concierge bestie who made reservations for us, and was just so helpful and sweet. 

The rooms here are also their own thing. They’re some of the largest suites in the city. The one we stayed in was literally bigger than my apartment in San Francisco. I’m not going to lie, staying here will make you feel rich. You’re getting ready in marble bathrooms with those old-timey vanity tables, Diptyque amenities, and the most comfortable body pillow I’ve ever laid on in my entire life.  

There is a jazz brunch in the The Grill Room on Saturdays where you can eat elevated pub fare and listen to live local jazz by Christopher Kohl Trio. It’s an atmospheric, relaxing tradition where the servers don’t rush you and you can just relax and absorb the old-world charm before heading into the chaos of the city. 

Before you head out to do the sinful things that we do in New Orleans, visit Le Salon for a proper British-style afternoon tea complete with harp or piano music. It’s soul-cleansing before you walk over to the Quarter – only a 6-minute walk, in heels.

Day-after mornings here are spent on the gorgeous rooftop saltwater pool, in black and white striped cabanas overlooking the skyline. If you’re really looking to recover, the spa’s wellness treatments use luxury product lines. 

Stay at The Windsor Court for timeless luxury, world-class service, and a true New Orleans classic.

The Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans is the king of the city’s luxury hotels, set in the landmark World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street. 

Its 34 stories rise directly over the Mississippi River, giving you access to the French Quarter, the Warehouse District, and the riverfront. 

Beyond the indulgent spa, rooftop pool, and sleek guest rooms, the property is home to two acclaimed restaurants: Miss River, helmed by James Beard Award–winner Alon Shaya, and Chemin à la Mer, a steakhouse with sweeping water views. 

At the top of the tower, the Vue Orleans observation deck offers 360-degree panoramas of the city and interactive exhibits on its culture and history, making the hotel not just a place to stay but also a destination in itself. 

Consistently rated among the top hotels in New Orleans, it combines mid-century history with modern luxury.