From the lively historic French Quarter to the colorful boutiques of Magazine Street, New Orleans is a culturally rich city boasting some of the most enchanting neighborhoods in the country. There is also world-class music, a buzzy culinary scene, a year-round festival circuit, diverse heritage, and a bohemian reputation.
New Orleans has long been a hugely popular tourist destination, with over 18 million annual visitors in recent, pre-pandemic years — a million and a half coming for the city's biggest event, Mardi Gras.
So many tourists mean a plethora of great hotels and a rash of new properties have opened up in the Central Business District (CBD), including large chains as well as smaller, character-filled boutique properties. Of course, there are also historic, character-filled properties in the French Quarter.
I'm a New Orleans-based travel writer who has visited nearly every hotel in the city and the following list represents the best places you can stay in New Orleans.
Browse all the best New Orleans hotels below, or jump directly to a specific area:
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These are the best hotels in New Orleans, sorted by price from low to high.
Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery
Book Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery
It's not every day you get to stay in a converted chandlery (maker of supplies for ships) but this art-forward, converted 19th-century warehouse in the CBD offers guests that exact opportunity.
The interior boasts refined dark wood fittings that contrast with exposed brickwork, and a rotating display of work from local and regional artists creates a reassuringly cultural space. There's even a vending machine with miniature pieces of original art.
The brickwork continues as a visual motif into guest rooms themselves, which also come with a pleasing amount of space and light. Expect cheeky modern art, a comfortable white-tiled bathroom with a walk-in shower, and the option to order a selection of pillows and inspirational books.
Downstairs, the Caribbean brasserie of Compere Lapin is one of the city's most exciting restaurants, complemented by a bar with a well-curated craft cocktail menu.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Old No. 77 Hotel
The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Book The Troubadour Hotel
This intriguing property lies at the far edge of the CBD, and outwardly, seems to be just a fairly nondescript 1960s office block. But through the doors is a different story, with a kaleidoscope of colorful, sleek retro interiors and patterns, striking sculptures of musical instruments and design flourishes that switch between decades seamlessly. There are plentiful sofas for lounging on the ground floor and mezzanine, some nooks feel futuristic, others are straight out of a scene in Mad Men.
The rooms are a delight and the entry-level Troubie King dazzles with floor-to-ceiling windows and visually exciting geometric patterns amid blues and gray tones. Light fittings are just shy of kitsch, as are the locally-sourced artworks, and there are aspects of both 1970s and contemporary luxury about the place. The self-service cocktail kit and huge walk-in shower feel decadently adult.
The rooftop bar, Monkey Board, is as sexy as any in the city, with its taco stand and views, and restaurant Jayne has a great selection of elevated casual favorites.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of The Troubadour Hotel
Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
Book the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
After a 16-year absence from the city following the closure of their original property after Hurricane Katrina, Kimpton has revived this building with a new boutique hotel on the corner of Poydras and Tchoupitoulas. It's a plum location, with the Quarter just a couple of blocks away, and the casino, river, and attractions of the CBD all within walking distance.
The hotel's crown jewel is the Peacock Room, an aptly-named dining space that delivers a strikingly exhibitionist explosion of blues, teals, and eclectic interior design. By contrast, the rooms are an exercise in serenity, with some of those blue tones as accents, but clean lines, whites, and creams making for a pleasingly relaxing ambiance.
The hotel promises a full lineup of music and cultural events, and it's clear that Kimpton means to remake a mark in the Crescent City.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
The Higgins Hotel New Orleans
Book The Higgins Hotel New Orleans
Not many hotels in the world can say they are the sister property to a museum, but that's the case here at this unusual property neighboring the National World War II Museum.
The Higgins reflects a retro 1940s chic feel with an imposing, Gothic exterior that gives way to a glorious lobby, with Art Deco aesthetics and huge, floor-to-ceiling murals. Wartime artifacts and period music create an impressively evocative atmosphere, all designed to welcome the veterans and history buffs that make up most of the clientele.
Entry-level rooms are impressive, with inviting royal blues and gold hues in King Rooms that complement the military precision of clean lines and general tidiness. There's wartime-inspired artwork and kitsch posters as well as panoramic city views.
The hotel's amenities continue the theme, with Kilroy's lobby bar and rustic French restaurant Café Normandie both offering additional military aesthetics. Hilton Honors members can use the lounge, which boasts General Patton's piano.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of The Higgins Hotel
Ace Hotel New Orleans
Book the Ace Hotel New Orleans
A sister property of Maison de la Luz, the Ace Hotel New Orleans offers a reassuringly familiar experience to those familiar with other hotels under the brand in other major cities. As a relatively small national chain that enjoys a reputation for its minimalist-chic presentation and casual ambiance, there's an experiential consistency that young, out-of-town travelers are drawn to.
All of the room categories share the hotel's aesthetic, branding being high up on the list of Ace's priorities. Traditionalists may find them somewhat on the stark side, but minimalists will be much more at home. The bohemian aesthetics and colorful touches, like hand-painted wardrobes and matelassé quilts, add a level of character that isn't found in the international chains that make up the hotel's peers in the CBD.
The hotel also boasts an excellent rooftop with a pool and an excellent on-site Italian restaurant. During non-pandemic times, locals and visitors alike can be found spending evenings at the buzzing cocktail bar and music venue.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full review of the Ace Hotel New Orleans
The Pontchartrain Hotel
Book The Pontchartrain Hotel
This hotel reopened in 2016 after a 60-year hiatus and the refurbishment was a panoramic triumph. Though the hotel is away from Downtown in the Lower Garden District, it's a true destination property with 1940s glamour that was lovingly recreated throughout the building.
Details such as the gold leaf in the original elevators, staff uniforms, antique mirrors, curated art, and the cinematic period front desk that issues actual metal door keys to guests, all curate a retro aesthetic that is completely on point.
Guest rooms are equally vintage feeling and unmatched in style with European and Caribbean influences through tiki-style decor, velvet headboards, chaise lounges, antique medicine cabinets in immaculately tiled bathrooms, and original wardrobes.
Stand-out food and beverage options include the artfully decadent Jack Rose restaurant, but the real jewel is the rooftop bar, Hot Tin, which serves up the best views of the city alongside craft cocktails.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of The Pontchartrain hotel
The Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Book The Hyatt Regency New Orleans
This large convention hotel — still fresh from a $275 million renovation — lies in a plumb spot just behind the Louisiana Superdome. In terms of service and breadth of amenities, it stands alone in the city. Seven award-winning dining options and an outdoor saltwater pool are just a couple of the highlights.
The interior is a symphony of glass and steel, with futuristic elevators and striking windows that are a work of art in themselves and stretch for several stories with views of the stadium beyond.
There are 1,200 rooms, arranged in a horseshoe pattern around the central public space. They are cleaned to hypoallergenic standards and deliver everything you might expect from a successful international brand including a high standard for business design, with gold and ivory accents and a tech-forward feel.
The restaurants run the gamut of high-end to casual, with coffee shops, stores, and a 32nd-floor gym, meaning you don't have to leave the property if you don't need to.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans
The Royal Sonesta
Book The Royal Sonesta
There are odd touches of class to be found along New Orleans' tackiest thoroughfare, Bourbon Street, and this grand dame of a hotel is one of them. Taking up a whole city block, stepping inside immediately transports you away from the neon and noise outside into an elegant Art Deco lobby, replete with floral arrangements and sleek sofas.
The hotel boasts a 6,000-piece art collection, making it the most cultural spot on the street. Thanks to a 2016 complete renovation, the rooms feel fresh with royal blue bedding, maroon flourishes, and decor that feels whimsical without straying into pretension.
The hotel's flagship restaurant, R'Evolution, is one of the finest in the city providing a gourmet romp through the best cuisine in the South. There's an on-site jazz lounge for taking in the local music scene, and an outdoor heated pool that's a blessing year-round.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of the Royal Sonesta
Loews New Orleans
Book Loews New Orleans Hotel
Loews New Orleans Hotel is known for its pool and spa, as well as a beloved restaurant and bar that's among the higher ranks of New Orleans four and five-star properties. It sits in a small cluster of luxury hotels at the end of Poydras Street, just on the outskirts of the historic French Quarter. The Mississippi River is on the doorstep, and its understated elegance merges together with alluring amenities.
The Loews New Orleans Hotel has seven room categories, all with similar artwork and amenities, just varying sizes and views. A contemporary luxe aesthetic carries through all of the rooms and suites, mostly neutral greys, creams, and whites with royal blue accents and sleek decor that blends in rather than standing out. Those seeking exceptional views will want to make sure they book a River View room.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Loews New Orleans
Hotel Peter & Paul
Book Hotel Peter & Paul
The Marigny is a mostly residential neighborhood next to the French Quarter, and this hotel a considerate, discreet addition to its streets. Housed in a converted church, both the sacred space and the associated properties such as a schoolhouse, rectory, and convent were all repurposed to welcome guests.
The original architecture is still very much on display and interiors pay dutiful homage to the former lives of the buildings. Stained glass windows and swathes of richly colored fabrics frame the spaces and there's a casual holiness to the captivating ambiance.
The rooms are spread across three buildings, and given that the original structures have been preserved, come in a wide array of styles and sizes. There's a pastoral feel to most, with contemporary rustic decor and gingham furnishings. Religious iconography pops up, landing the rooms somewhere between a farmhouse and a seminary. The Elysian Bar is a destination spot with its decadent wall hangings and the striking curved and colorful columns of the bar itself.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Hotel Peter & Paul
Hotel Monteleone
Book Hotel Monteleone
Operational since 1886, this hotel is one of the very few family-owned properties of its kind, now under fifth generation management. Exterior lights up Royal Street with elegant Italianate architecture, and the lobby feels alive with old-school European charm. Exhibition cases show off a proud literary history with artifacts from Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams. Service harks back to the Golden Age of travel, and the hotel's famous Carousel Bar (literally designed around a slowly-rotating carousel bar) is a major tourist draw and has been welcoming guests and locals for cocktails for over 100 years.
There's a traditional, almost imperial feel to the rooms with brocade curtains and striped wallpaper, but it's the hotel's public spaces that really shine. As well as the Carousel Bar, the flagship restaurant Criollo serves Southern Classic and live jazz. On the rooftop, one of the city's best pools awaits guests, and the day spa, Aria, is also suitably welcoming.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Hotel Monteleone
The Roosevelt New Orleans
Book The Roosevelt New Orleans
One of the oldest hotels in New Orleans (it dates back to 1893), this magnificent building combines architectural styles from the Gilded Age, as well as Art Deco and Beaux-Arts flourishes. The block-long lobby is stunning, all done up in golden sophistication with murals, elaborate light fixtures, and period furniture.
Uniformed lobby staff dart between guests, and there's an ambiance of a grand, European hotel, including old-school touches such as a shoe-shine stand. Off the lobby are famed local institutions, such as the wood-paneled Sazerac Bar and legendary event space, The Blue Room, while live jazz music floats from The Fountain Bar.
There's a traditional feel to the rooms with dark woods and floral patterns, and suites offering a particularly good value. On-site restaurant Domenica offers upscale Italian classics, and the Waldorf Astoria-branded spa and rooftop swimming pool are elegant relaxation areas.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of The Roosevelt New Orleans
W New Orleans - French Quarter
Book the W New Orleans - French Quarter
This W hotel retains the brand's bold blacks and purple color schemes, with low lighting and oversized furniture. The arched entrance hides a beautiful courtyard with lanterns, easy chairs, and a secluded pool that is a rare treat for a French Quarter hotel as it is heated and surrounded by evocative wrought iron and cute cabanas, exuding Riviera chic vibes.
With a younger, hip clientele, the rooms are tech-forward and come with the signature W beds and a preppy, coastal look. Generously-sized rain showers and the hotel's own branded toiletries add to the comforts.
The restaurant, SoBou (South of Bourbon Street), serves an elevated Creole menu and the bar has a great cocktail program. All in, there's a definite laid-back, resort-style feel and the clamor of the surrounding French Quarter streets recede as soon as you enter.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
Book The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
This New Orleans branch of the global luxury brand dominates a city block on Canal Street and the edges of the French Quarter, in an imposing Beaux-Arts building. Once a high-end department store, it's now a sprawling, five-star hotel with all the amenities and comforts visitors would expect of a brand such as The Ritz.
The elevator to the lobby delivers a reassuring degree of exclusivity, and the lower floor is dedicated to the hotel's high-end spa and gym. Rooms err on the traditional side with opulent curtains, oversized embroidered headboards, and a plush blue velvet armchair that create a certain antebellum charm.
There's a club level in its own annex with even higher levels of indulgence. M Bistro, the flagship restaurant, has a Southern menu that locks in a sense of place, and the Davenport Lounge sees the wonderful jazz trumpeter Jeremy Davenport entertain with the classic American songbook for free on weekends.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
Soniat House Hotel
Book Soniat House Hotel
It's easy to walk right past this early 19th-century complex of high-end Creole cottages tucked away on a tranquil, residential stretch of the French Quarter. Stepping through the door, though, guests see flickering gas lamps and tropical foliage framing a stone-flagged courtyard.
Wrought iron balconies and public spaces are bedecked with period antiques that hint at the levels of sophistication within, and the hotel serves as a timeless iteration of Southern elegance.
The 31 accommodations differ in size and layout but all reflect rustic sophistication. Entry-level cottages come with canopy beds, gold and green color palettes, chandeliers, and antique ornaments. Doors open onto the courtyard, where guests can enjoy fresh-baked biscuits, preserves, and freshly-squeezed orange juice for breakfast, and there's also a well-stocked honor bar in a plush guest lounge for pre-dinner cocktails.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Soniat House Hotel
The Chloe
Book The Chloe
Hotels that insert themselves into neighborhoods have extra responsibilities to be welcoming and not intrusive. The Chloe, which opened recently in the Garden District, is managing its obligations with a charmingly amenable presence.
It's a former B&B that the new owners refurbished with an eye for striking interior design and a lively outlook that sells cultured bonhomie. The 14 rooms all have their own character but form a cohesive aesthetic, with a rustic-romantic mix of modern and analog touches such as a record player and a high-end Bluetooth speaker (the hotel's record collection is curated and there's an excellent library of vinyl at reception).
There's a laid-back bohemian vibe to the hotel, bolstered by a bijoux pool area that locals can buy day passes to (guests get priority) making for a lively scene with the poolside bar and lo-fi beats drifting out across the patio. The food and beverage service is outstanding, with both restaurant and bar serving up delightful dishes that are at once familiar and inventive, and the place has an impressively solid line up from chef to sommelier to bartenders. It's the city's newest place to be, but it's becoming so with a respectful doffed cap to its surroundings.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Windsor Court Hotel
Book Windsor Court Hotel
For an unlikely slice of British refinement in the CBD, this 5-star hotel comes complete with afternoon tea service and fine art depicting hunting scenes and high society. The exterior is unswervingly modern, but the inside offers a traditionally luxurious experience following a $22 million refurbishment.
The public spaces feel like a private members club with leather sofas and a lingering air of refinement and the heated pool is easily the most alluring in the city. The suites (it's an all-suite hotel) scream classic English vogue, with blue and gold overtones accentuating traditional patterns and views of the river from small private balconies. The all-marble bathrooms elevate the rooms even more, and though they are decidedly unflashy, they reflect a high standard of design.
The restaurant, The Grill Room, is one of the highest-rated in the South, with its murals and leather-backed chairs, and the Polo Lounge is a sophisticated spot for an after-dinner cocktail.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Windsor Court Hotel
Maison de la Luz
Book Maison de la Luz
This new (opened 2019) luxury hotel is a side venture from the Ace Hotel brand, and The Ace Hotel New Orleans is just across the street. This newer concept, however, is not like the minimal mod Ace properties you've come to know. Rather, it's far more exclusive and luxurious with a wholly unique design concept.
The 67-room property feels like you've slipped into the townhouse of a global traveler, who returned to New Orleans and decorated the property with curios they collected. The lobby is framed by glorious twin staircases and retro Art Deco flourishes complete the look. The rooms enjoy expert interior design, as well as indulgent amounts of daylight with high ceilings and huge windows. Quirky touches such as zodiac-themed coffee tables and sculpted snakes for shower door handles ramp up the visual curiosity, while stand-alone tubs and high-end mini-bar liquor reflect the 5-star status.
The lounge and restaurant downstairs evoke feelings of an Egyptian museum and French brasserie respectively, and the scarlet library of front bar Marilou is a decadent escape that also houses a secret bar within a bar behind a bookshelf for hotel guests.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Read our full hotel review of Maison de la Luz
FAQ: New Orleans hotels
Where is New Orleans?
New Orleans is located on the Mississippi River between the Gulf Coast and Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. It's an hour or so by car from the state capital, Baton Rouge, with Mobile, Alabama around a two hour drive to the east, and Houston, Texas around a five hour drive to the west. It is served by its own international airport and the I-10 Interstate.
Where should I stay in New Orleans?
Most hotels are located downtown, in and around the historic French Quarter and neighboring Central Business District (CBD). The city's downtown is compact and easy to navigate on foot.
Just beyond this is the Garden District, a more residential neighborhood but with lots of smaller boutique stores, cafes, and restaurants. This becomes Uptown the further you explore, giving way to huge mansions and eventually, universities and Audubon Park. Hotels along St Charles Avenue have the evocative streetcar passing by them and are a quieter option than downtown.
The French Quarter is much more lively, especially on Bourbon Street, whereas the CBD offers a neat compromise between location and tranquility.
How much does it cost to stay at a hotel in New Orleans?
The cost of a hotel room in New Orleans will vary according to its location, amenities, time of year, and the day of the week you plan to visit. Hotel pricing in New Orleans is also very sensitive to large festivals (such as Mardi Gras) and conventions.
There are budget and mid-range options that start at around $80 per night, but the more luxurious, boutique properties will start closer to $125 per night and upwards.
For a multi-day or weekend stay, budget for at least $500 off-peak, or closer to $1,000 for a peak time stay in a high-end property.
When should I visit New Orleans?
For better deals, as well as increased availability, visit during the quieter summer and winter months, when there are fewer crowds and less competition for rooms. Summer will see hot, sticky, humid weather, but that deterrent makes it far more affordable.
If you're set on a peak-season trip to New Orleans, plan to increase your budget or consider only visiting midweek for more affordable rates.
What is there to do in New Orleans?
Just walking around the French Quarter, with its famed wrought-iron balconies and historic architecture, is quite the experience. Bourbon Street is a rowdy, neon-lit thoroughfare that runs through the neighborhood, but there are hundreds of restaurants and bars and the antique stores of Royal Street.
The Mississippi River frames the city, and the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Harrah's Casino are also top attractions. The National World War II Museum is a world-class facility, and the city's parks, City and Audubon, are well worth exploring, the former being the location for the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA).
Walking along Magazine Street with its boutiques and cafes is a great weekend activity, and riding the streetcar along St Charles Avenue delivers some lovely sights.
Is it safe to visit New Orleans during COVID?
The CDC currently says that fully vaccinated people can safely travel in the US. Of course, there are still risks and we recommend following CDC guidelines, practicing social distancing, double masking, and washing hands frequently.
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