Best Hotels in New Orleans

Best Hotels for Your Travel Guide

New Orleans isn’t just a city — it’s a living, breathing jazz solo. You know those places where every brick seems to hum with stories? That’s the French Quarter at dawn. Balconies dripping with bougainvillea, the faint scent of chicory coffee and gumbo lingering in the air, and a trumpet’s wail curling around the corner like smoke.

Looking for the best hotel New Orleans has? These places are not about thread counts or fancy lobbies. They’re front-row seats to the city’s soul. Think creaky floorboards that’ve witnessed a century of Mardi Gras secrets, or courtyards where jazz musicians unwind after midnight gigs. One minute you’re sipping a Sazerac in a moody, gaslit bar; the next, you’re dodging second-line parades on your way to a po’boy shop.

Location matters. In the French Quarter, history slaps you in the face (in the best way). Over in the Garden District, it’s all slow sighs — stately mansions, oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and porches made for sweet tea sipping. But here’s the thing: whether you’re steps from Bourbon Street’s chaos or tucked into a quiet Creole cottage, the city’s heartbeat never fades.

Why settle for a hotel when you could crash where the walls have better stories than most people? Exactly.

Key considerations when choosing your stay:

• Location and accessibility to major attractions
• Historic significance vs. modern amenities
• Price point and value for money
• Dining options and entertainment
• Local character and atmosphere

Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans: Pure Luxury

Imagine a building that’s been around since 1908, its Beaux-Arts facade still winking at its past life as the Maison Blanche department store. Inside? Time folds. Crystal chandeliers flirt with sleek marble floors, and jazz hums in the air like it’s part of the wallpaper.

Rooms here don’t just pamper — they time-travel. Sleek four-poster beds draped in linens softer than a trumpet’s high note. Bathrooms with clawfoot tubs begging for a long soak after a day of crawfish étouffée and streetcar adventures. And those windows? They frame the Quarter like living postcards — glimpses of wrought-iron balconies and the distant clop of horse-drawn carriages.

But let’s talk about the spa. Twenty-five thousand square feet — roughly the size of a small city block — dedicated to melting stress. Ever had a massage inspired by voodoo traditions? Picture this: warmed bayou stones, crushed herb poultices, and hands that seem to conjure away every knot. You’ll float out feeling lighter than a beignet’s powdered sugar topping.

Highlights include:

• M Bistro’s farm-to-table dining experience
• Live jazz at the Davenport Lounge
• Award-winning spa facilities
• Personalized concierge service
• Walking distance to Bourbon Street

Four Seasons New Orleans: Elegant Comfort

Forget “just another luxury hotel.” This place? It’s the Mississippi River’s new favorite dance partner. Housed in the old World Trade Center — yeah, the one that once buzzed with suits and stock tickers — it’s now trading spreadsheets for champagne flutes.

Floor-to-ceiling windows turn the river into a living painting: barges crawling like beetles, sunlight hitting the water like a cymbal crash, and the skyline doing its best impression of a jazz crescendo at dusk. Rooms here aren’t just sleek — they’re stagehands for the city’s greatest show. Beds dressed in linens crisp as a trumpet’s staccato, bathrooms with soaker tubs deep enough to drown your Bourbon Street hangover, and rain showers that hit like a Zydeco beat.

But the real magic? Alon Shaya’s kitchen. Imagine gumbo that tastes like your Creole grandma’s (if she had a Michelin star), or oysters so fresh they practically whisper swamp secrets. The hotel’s design winks at the city too — splashes of Mardi Gras gold, art that nods to Congo Square drum circles, and chandeliers that look like frozen jazz hands.

The Four Seasons walks a tightrope between velvet-rope luxury and the messy magic of New Orleans. One minute you’re sipping a Sazerac at the rooftop pool, watching steamboats churn the river; the next, you’re three blocks away, elbow-deep in a po’boy shop’s napkin debates.

Notable features:

• Miss River restaurant by Alon Shaya
• Chandelier Bar’s craft cocktail program
• Infinity pool with panoramic views
• Full-service spa and fitness center
• Private art collection

Windsor Court: Royal New Orleans Stay

The Windsor Court doesn’t just host guests — it kidnaps them into a Wes Anderson film with a Southern accent. The best place to stay in New Orleans where the doormen tip their hats like Victorian butlers, but their drawl is pure bayou. Forbes threw four stars at it, but honestly? The real flex is how it mashes up English manor-house vibes with New Orleans’ sweat-and-brass soul.

Let’s start with the art. You’re not walking down a hallway — you’re time-traveling through a Sotheby’s auction. Tudor-era portraits side-eyeing you as you pass, Turner-esque landscapes dripping with misty drama, and a Churchill sketch that probably winks when you’re not looking. It’s like the British Museum had a love child with a jazz club.

Beds dressed in linens so crisp they could’ve been ironed by the Queen’s ghost. Bathrooms swathed in Italian marble — the kind that makes you want to slink into a clawfoot tub with a gin fizz and pretend you’re in a Fitzgerald novel. And those balconies? They’re not just for sipping coffee. Lean out, and you’ll catch the Mississippi whispering to tugboats, or the skyline doing its best impression of a lit-up piano keyboard after dark.

One of the New Orleans best hotels offerings include:

• The Grill Room’s award-winning cuisine
• Traditional English afternoon tea service
• Polo Club Lounge’s live jazz performances
• Luxurious spa treatments
• Rooftop pool with city views

Hotel Monteleone: Historic Charm

Run by the same family since 1886 (yes, 1886), this French Quarter gem has hosted everyone from literary giants like Tennessee Williams to Hollywood stars who’ve scribbled their names in the guestbook. Rumor has it Truman Capote liked the pillows so much, he even called it home for a while.

Now, let’s talk about the Carousel Bar – the real showstopper. 25 velvet stools, a merry-go-round of cocktails, and one full spin every 15 minutes. Take a seat, and you’ll slowly glide past tourists swapping Mardi Gras tales and locals debating the best gumbo in town. Turning 75 this year, it’s still crafting mint juleps that’d make Hemingway smile. Pro tip: Snag a seat by 4 PM, or you’ll be elbow-deep in the crowd.

The Monteleone feels both frozen in time and refreshingly now. Walk through the doors today and you’ll find gas lamps casting a warm glow over plush bedding, and hallways lined with black-and-white photos of jazz legends. They’ve struck that perfect New Orleans balance – honoring the past without becoming a museum.

You won’t hear robotic staff reciting scripted welcomes here. Instead, expect a doorman who remembers your coffee order and a concierge who’ll sketch you a map to the secret jazz joints. That’s the Monteleone, one of the best New Orleans hotels, magic: it doesn’t feel like a hotel. It feels like your eccentric great-aunt’s mansion… if your aunt had a rotating bar and a Pulitzer Prize guest list.

Distinctive features:

• The legendary rotating Carousel Bar
• Criollo Restaurant’s Creole cuisine
• Heated rooftop pool
• Literary author suites
• Prime Royal Street location

Roosevelt New Orleans: Waldorf Luxury

Forget “hotel” — this Waldorf Astoria icon is NOLA’s grand dame, one of the best New Orleans hotels dripping with more history than the Mississippi has mud. Since 1893, she’s hosted presidents in tuxedos, jazz legends with trumpets, and at least one princess who definitely snuck her corgi into the Presidential Suite.  

Step into the lobby and time warps. Gilded columns tower like frozen champagne bubbles. Crystal chandeliers cast shadows that could tell stories of secret deals and stolen kisses. And that scent? A mix of aged bourbon, polished mahogany, and the ghost of a thousand jazz cigarettes.  

In December The Roosevelt goes full *Gatsby*. Forty thousand twinkle lights turn the place into a bayou snow globe. Christmas trees sprout like sequined mushrooms. Kids press noses against animated toy displays while adults sneak spiked cocoa. Local secret: The real magic happens at 10 PM, when the crowds thin — you’ll hear the marble floors sigh with relief.  

The Sazerac Bar isn’t just a watering hole — it’s liquid time travel. Those Paul Ninas murals? They’ve watched over more scandals than a French Quarter balcony. Order the namesake cocktail (they invented it here in 1938) and let the rye whiskey tell you tales. Pro tip: The bartenders know 87 ways to make you feel like royalty. Ask for the “Huey Long Special” – it’s not on the menu, but it should be.  

The Roosevelt doesn’t preserve history — it wears it, like a diamond brooch on a velvet glove. You don’t stay here. You *court* here. Even the elevators move like they’re doing you a favor. 

Signature experiences:

• The famous Sazerac Bar
• Domenica Restaurant by John Besh
• Guerlain Spa treatments
• Rooftop pool and fitness center
• Historic lobby and architecture

Pontchartrain Hotel: Boutique Vibes

If you are looking for a quiet and private place in the best hotels in New Orleans, then the Pontchartrain Hotel is your ideal choice. Located in the heart of the Garden District, this hotel has been attracting visitors since 1927. Such famous personalities as Tennessee Williams stayed here.

A recent renovation has transformed this historic hotel into a modern boutique hotel that retains its uniqueness. The rooms are expertly decorated with a mix of ancient and modern elements, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and freshness.

Standout amenities:

• Hot Tin rooftop bar with skyline views
• Jack Rose restaurant’s innovative cuisine
• Silver Whistle Café’s famous blueberry muffins
• Period-inspired décor
• St. Charles Avenue streetcar access

Virgin Hotels New Orleans: Modern Edge

Virgin Hotels, one of the top-rated hotels in New Orleans, brings a fresh and lively energy to the vibrant warehouse district. This new hotel challenges traditional hotel concepts with its innovative “chambers” and engaging social spaces. It perfectly blends the lively spirit of New Orleans with Virgin’s modern flair.

Known as “wards,” the rooms feature a patented Virgin ergonomic bed, a separate walk-in closet (called “The Dressing Slam”), and high-tech amenities that will thrill any modern traveler. The rooftop pool and lounge, offering panoramic views of the city center, quickly became one of the hottest spots in town.

Modern amenities include:

• Innovative room layouts with sliding privacy doors
• Multiple dining and entertainment venues
• Rooftop pool and observation deck
• Pet-friendly accommodations
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Nopsi Hotel: Stylish Simplicity

When exploring where to stay in New Orleans, the NOPSI Hotel offers a unique blend of industrial chic and sophisticated comfort. Housed in the former headquarters of New Orleans’ Public Service Inc., this architectural gem maintains many original features from its 1920s construction.

The nine-story brick building showcases soaring ceilings, restored terrazzo floors, and elegant archways. The lobby, once a payment center for utility bills, now serves as a stunning reception area where history meets luxury. The rooftop pool and bar, Above the Grid, offers a modern oasis with spectacular city views.

Distinguished features:

• Public Service restaurant
• underCURRENT bar and patio
• • Rooftop pool and bar “Above the Grid”
• • Historic architecture and details
• • Central CBD location

Hotel Peter & Paul: Unique Retreat

For those seeking the best place to stay, one of the top hotels in New Orleans, with a truly unique story, Hotel Peter & Paul delivers an extraordinary experience. This meticulously restored former church, school house, rectory, and convent complex has been transformed into one of the city’s most distinctive hotels.

Each building offers its own personality and design aesthetic, from the dramatic religious architecture of the church to the intimate spaces of the rectory. The rooms feature handmade furniture, European antiques, and religious artifacts that pay homage to the property’s sacred past.

Distinctive elements:

• The Elysian Bar’s acclaimed cuisine
• Four unique buildings with different styles
• Religious architecture and details
• Local artisan-made furniture
• Peaceful Marigny location

Higgins Hotel: Retro New Orleans

Part of the nicest hotels in New Orleans collection, the Higgins Hotel offers a unique World War II-themed experience. This Art Deco masterpiece, affiliated with the National WWII Museum, transports guests to the 1940s while providing modern luxury amenities.

Named after Andrew Higgins, the New Orleans-based manufacturer who produced the landing craft used in D-Day, the hotel features period-appropriate décor, historical artifacts, and themed dining venues. It’s not just a hotel; it’s a living museum celebrating the Greatest Generation.

Notable features:

• Rosie’s on the Roof restaurant
• Kilroy’s bar and lounge
• WWII-era décor and memorabilia
• Direct access to WWII Museum
• Period-inspired rooms and suites

Your Ideal New Orleans Hotel

Choosing from the best hotels in New Orleans requires careful consideration of your priorities. Location plays a crucial role — the French Quarter offers immediate access to major attractions, but comes with higher prices and more noise. The Garden District provides a more residential feel, while the Warehouse District offers proximity to museums and contemporary art galleries.

Consider these factors when booking:

• Season and local events (prices spike during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest)
• Proximity to your must-see attractions
• Noise levels (especially in the French Quarter)
• Budget considerations
• Desired amenities
• Don’t forget to check top 10 hotels in New Orleans list

The best place to stay New Orleans has to offer isn’t just about luxury amenities or location — it’s about finding a property that resonates with your personal travel style and helps you experience the city’s unique culture and charm.