The Pelham

The Pelham Hotel resides in a historic landmark building that was once the plantation of Jean Baptist Lemoyne de Bienville, the founder of New Orleans. Interiors evoke Old World charms, with lots of oil paintings adorning the walls of the marble-floored lobby, which features high ceilings and a glass chandelier hanging above a seating area with wingback chairs and thick rugs. The hallways have a more recent look, with crown molding on the walls and doors that harken to a faux-Victorian style popular in the '90s. The interiors are pleasant, if a bit dated, though the decor might not suit all tastes and some guests might find it fusty. 

The hotel is ideally located for sightseeing: it is just a block away from many of the luxury shops on Canal Street, a few blocks from the Aquarium and Riverwalk mall, and about a 15-minute walk to the heart of the French Quarter. The area immediately surrounding the hotel consists of mainly commercial buildings that close after dark, but the hopping nightlife of the French Quarter is a short stroll away, and there are a few bars and restaurants in the vicinity. A bus that stops about 10 blocks away gives direct access to the New Orleans airport (one hour total travel time) and there is also a bus stop serving several lines just down the street from the hotel.

Crackle wallpaper, floor-length drapes, reproductions of 18th-century paintings, and four-poster beds add to the old-fashioned ambience of these elegant, if slightly dated, rooms. Larger rooms have a small extra nook with wingback chairs and high ceilings give these fairly small spaces an airy feel. Some rooms, however, lack windows and are a bit dark due to this. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, radio alarm clocks with iPod/MP3 connections, work desks, and free Wi-Fi, though lack mini-fridges or tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms have standard-issue tub/shower combinations and black granite vanities.

As with many downtown locations, parking is somewhat of a problem, and here is solved by a valet service that ranks on the pricey side. Other amenities include free coffee in the lobby as well as free Wi-Fi. The property is adjacent to a popular local eatery, The Ruby Slipper, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though the hotel does not have a restaurant or bar of its own.