Take a look at the best boutique hotels in French Quarter.
With a gorgeous Tuscan-style courtyard complete with a heated saltwater pool; seven exclusive one- and two-bedroom cottages; top-notch services; and a central location in the French Quarter, the Audubon Cottages is a great pick for travelers looking to splurge. Just note that there are no amenities aside from the pool and that parking is available only at the hotel’s sister property a block away.
The mid-range Grenoble House is a charming hotel that draws couples and families seeking a central location in the French Quarter and near Bourbon Street. The hotel has a pool in an attractive outdoor courtyard, a gift shop in the lobby, and a limited free breakfast. Its 17 large suites are homey and include separate living rooms and full-size kitchens. But the furniture throughout is somewhat dated, and guest should note that they must leave their keys with the front desk when leaving the hotel. Travelers seeking a more style-conscious hotel in the same area with additional amenities may want to consider the Dauphine Orleans Hotel.
The Hotel Mazarin is an upper-middle-range boutique located in the heart of the French Quarter, just half a block from both Bourbon and Royal Streets. The 102 rooms are charming and elegant, featuring black-tiled bathrooms, iPod docks, and coffeemakers. Unfortunately, thin walls create noise issues for all rooms. Wonderful freebies include expansive breakfasts with hot and cold fare, welcome drinks at a nearby bar, and Wi-Fi. Although there are no spa, pool, or full restaurant, a popular wine bar with outdoor seating is on-site, as is a gorgeous greenery-filled courtyard that provides a respite from the crowds outside. This is a solid pick for those looking to explore the main tourist attractions on foot and who don't mind a little late-night noise. Travelers wanting a quieter boutique should consider the Inn on St. Peter.
Hotel Le Marais is a mid-range boutique located in the heart of the French Quarter, set half a block from both Bourbon and Royal Streets. Its 66 rooms are contemporary and well-sized, albeit a bit bland and generic, and some have furnished balconies. Quality amenities consist of flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, bathrobes, and free Wi-Fi, though there are no mini-fridges and many guests have complained of noise from the street, neighboring rooms, and elevators. Great freebies include daily breakfasts with hot and cold fare, welcome drinks at the bar, and in-room bottled water. The highlight here is arguably the lovely courtyard with a small heated saltwater pool and ample seating. This is a good pick for travelers wanting a hotel with a quiet atmosphere that's still near all the action. It's worth comparing rates with the similar, but more charming Hotel Mazarin.
Housed in an 18th-century building, French Market Inn is a charming, reasonably priced hotel in the French Quarter loaded with period details and personality. The lower-middle-range hotel has an attractive brick courtyard with a fountain and even a small outdoor pool. Its 120 rooms convey the property's history with exposed brick walls and ornate decor; some rooms also have balconies. However, past guests have complained that rooms pick up street noise, and the inn lacks any dining options (not even breakfast). For a similar historic hotel in the French Quarter, travelers could consider Grenoble House, which also includes a free breakfast.
This historic mid-range hotel, located right on the famous Jackson Square (once called Place D'Armes), is the essence of old world charm and perfectly situated for sightseeing. Built in the 18th century, there is a quaint, yesteryear feel throughout the property, which consists of eight renovated town homes surrounding a courtyard with a swimming pool and fountain. Accordingly, none of the 84 guest rooms appear identical, and many have amazing, authentic attributes like exposed brick walls and wrought-iron balconies overlooking the square. The hotel feels intimate and personal while still offering modern in-room amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. It lacks an on-site restaurant and fitness center, and the only business-friendly amenity is a single computer for guest use.
Located in a quiet residential area on the outer edges of the French Quarter, this upscale hotel is an elegant mélange of renovated Victorian Gothic mansion and modern bed-and-breakfast. Fourteen simple but comfortable rooms, five of which are housed in an addition behind the main structure, offer plush beds, contemporary decor, and marble bathrooms. The rest of the property showcases a tasteful mix of old and new: modern white leather couches next to picture windows, marble floors, and contemporary art pieces. A small outdoor lap pool and tiny fitness center round out the amenities. The few complaints usually focus on the conspicuously less-than-luxurious continental breakfast that is included in the room rate. Travelers might also want to consider comparable properties such as the upscale Soniat House or the Hotel Maison De Ville.
Located in the heart of the French Quarter and just one-minute away from lively Bourbon Street, Olivier House Hotel is a charming two-and-a-half-pearl, boutique-style property with 42 guest rooms. This old courtyard mansion has oodles of Old World charm. Guest rooms are arranged around two delightful inner courtyards filled with plants and trees; while the balconies provide views of the greenery and swimming pool below. Rooms and suites are decorated in an old-fashioned style with antique furniture, fireplaces, and oil paintings. Downsides include noise and lack of a restaurant or breakfast service. A similar historic property in the French Quarter worth considering as an alternative is the mid-range Hotel Provincial.
The St. Philip French Quarter Apartments consists of 16 fully furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments and suites with fully equipped kitchens. Each unit has its own quirky design, but all are spacious and homey. Common space consists mainly of a fun interior courtyard filled with plants, pink flamingo statues, and other decorations depending on the season. Be aware that units are spread over four floors, and there is no elevator.
Located on the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, the Lafitte Guest House is a three-pearl boutique hotel near the city’s most popular areas. Built in 1849, the hotel is an attraction in itself, doubling as an art gallery and filled with classic French decor from another era. Its 14 rooms are elegant and include flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, though bathrooms are small and are starting to show their age. A free breakfast buffet, shared kitchen, and a business center round out the amenities, plus there's an attractive courtyard that makes for a lovely spot to gather with other guests. Many guests complain of noise issues due to the Bourbon Street location, however; for something that's a bit quieter, travelers might want to check out the Grenoble House, another French Quarter property that has the added perk of a pool.
Straddling two busy French Quarter streets, the historic Bienville House is as an urban oasis, with tropical rooftop terraces and a soothing courtyard. This boutique hotel has fewer than 100 rooms, a parlor-like lobby and friendly touches, such as free lemonade and cookies in the afternoon. High ceilings make the rooms feel spacious, but the decor is unremarkable, and Standard Rooms lack windows.
The 31-room Soniat House is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel in the French Quarter. Located on a quieter street, this hotel provide a good option for those wanting to explore the area and its history while avoiding the party scene on Bourbon Street. Built into a cluster of three historic townhouses, the hotel presents like a bed-and-breakfast, with large, individually styled rooms full of antiques. All the rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished, though some may be more worn than others and walls are thin. The resident cat adds to the Soniat House's homey feel, but guests with pet allergies may want to look elsewhere.
The three-pearl Inn on St. Peter is a charming, small hotel in the French Quarter, housed in an early 19th-century building with a leafy courtyard. It’s in a quiet location, so it’s a good choice for those who want to stay near Bourbon Street (a three-minute walk) without the noise. Its 29 guest rooms and suites have homey details, like hardwood floors, rich-looking fabrics, and plush, pillow-top bedding. Mini-fridges don't come standard, but all units are otherwise nicely equipped with flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, and some open to the building's wraparound balcony. Bathrooms have Carrara marble tile and come stocked with Aveda bath products. Features are extremely limited, with no breakfast or on-site restaurant. Travelers who want a distinctive small hotel that's a step up in terms of amenities can consider the nearby Place d’Armes Hotel.
This 76-room mid-range hotel has an amazing location in the French Quarter, not even a block from famed Bourbon Street. Housed in a historic 19th-century townhouse, the Prince Conti Hotel has plenty of New Orleans charm. Its age does show, though, inside the building, which is in need of some upgrades. There are few on-site amenities, and the rooms feature outdated furnishings, like tube TVs. The hotel does offer free Wi-Fi for guests, comfy beds, and great breakfasts at the on-site Conti Cafe. The rates are quite reasonable for the French Quarter, and the property is a good option for travelers seeking a convenient location -- and little else. The French Market Inn is also worth a look, for those who prioritize modern digs over proximity to Bourbon Street.
Authentic and funky, this historic boutique -- located in a residential area on the French Quarter's far edge -- allows guests to experience the neighborhood as the locals do. It's also an easy walk to Frenchman Street, an exciting area in the Marigny experiencing a renaissance in live music and tapas-oriented restaurants. But while the old-world decor is charming enough in the lobby, it's less impressive in the slightly worn rooms, and bathrooms are in dire need of renovation.