Best Hotels in New Orleans: Where to Stay And When to Visit

The Best French Quarter & Downtown Hotels for Your New Orleans Vacation

Whether you call it New Orleans, NOLA, or the Big Easy, your vacation to this lively and historic city will long be remembered. Famous for its architecture, jazz scene, and world-renowned cuisine, New Orleans is a one-a-of-kind Southern U.S. city that welcomes millions of visitors annually from around the world.

Key to an enjoyable stay in any destination is choosing a hotel that is located as close as possible to many of the sites that you plan to visit. Do you want to be within walking distance of shopping, nightlife, or museums, or is the hotel and its amenities more important to you? And in New Orleans, for example, do you prefer a smaller boutique hotel close to the energetic nightlife, or a larger one with a wide range of in-house facilities?

The world-famous French Quarter the area that is best known in New Orleans. With its exuberant nightlife, wonderful architecture, and a historic charm that can’t be replicated, no matter where you stay you will undoubtedly spend time here. The other NOLA area that is home to dozens of hotels is known locally as the Central Business District, “CBD”, which is of course, Downtown New Orleans. The CBD is preferred by guests seeking modern accommodations in larger hotels that are ideal for business or leisure travelers. These properties are often easily recognizable as members of the Hilton, Marriott, Westin, IHG, Hyatt, or other major hotel groups with properties worldwide.

Let’s take a closer look at hotels in the French Quarter and Central Business District, plus some interesting places to stay that are a bit off the beaten path. Bear in mind that these are some popular places in various price categories, and that there are scores of hotel options to consider. Be sure to take a look at the full listing of New Orleans hotels available on the Travelated website, where you will find very competitive pricing and properties that fit your needs.

1. Hotel Mazarin

Address: 730 Bienville Street, New Orleans, 70130, LA, US

Hotel Mazarin – This three-star rated four-story boutique hotel fits beautifully into the neighborhood. With 102 rooms, hotel amenities include a lounge/wine bar with live evening entertainment, health club, and a cordial Parisian feel that surrounds a central Mediterranean-style courtyard. Rooms are tastefully decorated in period furnishings, and marble enhanced bathrooms. Numerous dining spots are located a short walk from the property, as is downtown shopping.

2. ONE11 Hotel

Address: 111 Iberville Street , New Orleans, 70130, LA, US

One11 Hotel – Rated four stars, this intimate eight-story boutique hotel features just 83 rooms with a terrace or balcony, and many have river views. Amenities include an outdoor pool with beach chairs and loungers, a sun deck, and three restaurants including the Batture Bistro + Bar for casual meals and evening beverages. Accommodations are extremely attractive with soft wood tone furnishings, plus French-style windows. The heart of downtown is just a half-mile easy stroll away.

3. The Saint Hotel, New Orleans, French Quarter, Autograph Collection

Address: 931 Canal Street, New Orleans, 70112, LA, US

The Saint Hotel New Orleans French Quarter – Rated four stars, this boutique property offers 71 beautiful brick-walled rooms with white lacquered furniture in a historic eight-story building dating back to 1909. Hotel amenities the highly regarded Resurrection dining room and a comfortable bar, plus a fitness center. This quaint hotel is a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, where guests can relax and step back in time, with all that the French Quarter and Bourbon Street have to offer just outside the front doors.

4. La Galerie French Quarter Hotel

Address: 131 Decatur Street, New Orleans, 70130, LA, US

La Galerie French Quarter Hotel – This three-star rated property is located on the edge of the French Quarter, making the Central Business District also within easy walking distance. Housed in an 1813 building, 71-room, three-story boutique hotel tends to be more affordable than many nearby hotels in the same category. Rooms are tastefully decorated in white with blue accents and feature extra-large windows looking out at the historic neighborhood. Hotel amenities include an on-site restaurant, with plenty of local shops and places to grab a meal any time of day within a short walk.

5. Hotel Monteleone

Address: 214 Royal Street, New Orleans, 70130, LA, US

Hotel Monteleone – Rated four stars, this elegant and historic property features 570 rooms in a stunning 14-story Mediterranean stone building. Still owned and operated by the family which opened the hotel in 1886, the Monteleone is the oldest operating hotel in NOLA. If it’s all about location, the hotel is perfectly located just around the corner from Bourbon Street, and moments from the city’s largest collection of antique stores. There is an on-site restaurant, fitness club, outdoor pool, business center, and frequent live music in the bar. Rooms are moderately priced due to the larger size of the property, but extremely comfortable and stylish. Along with a superb French Quarter location, Mr. B’s Bistro, the oldest Creole restaurant in New Orleans, is directly across the street.

6. Le Richelieu Hotel in the French Quarter

Address: 1234 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA , New Orleans, 70116, LA, US

Le Richelieu Hotel in the French Quarter – A delightful three-star rated hotel with 91 rooms, Le Richelieu is another surprisingly affordable and comfortable place to stay in the Big Easy. With the attractions of downtown less than a mile away and the nighttime action of Bourbon Street even closer, this hotel is an excellent choice for your home away from home in New Orleans. Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool, and a terrace for first-floor rooms or a balcony if you’re upstairs on the second. Start your day with breakfast in-house or choose from a wide array of French Quarter restaurants for great food any time of day.

7. Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Address: 717 Orleans Street, New Orleans, 70116, LA, US

Bourbon Orleans Hotel – This four-star rated historic hotel in the heart of the French Quarter features 252 comfortably appointed rooms with large windows and French shutters. The hotel is known for having a high percentage of suite accommodations. Housed in a historic 1819 building, the Bourbon Orleans sports two on-site restaurants including one specializing in Cajun Creole cuisine. There is also an outdoor pool, sundeck, and fitness center to enjoy. If you want to stay on-property one evening after a long day exploring the city, head for the bar/lounge for some live entertainment and refreshing beverages.

Other French Quarter hotels

A few other French Quarter hotels that you may want to consider include the Four Seasons New Orleans, Loews New Orleans Hotel, the Best Western Plus French Quarter Courtyard Hotel, and the Inn on St. Peter (a French Quarter Guest Houses Property).

1. NOPSI Hotel New Orleans

Address: 317 Baronne Street, New Orleans, 70112, LA, US

NOPSI Hotel New Orleans – Rated five stars, the name means New Orleans Public Service, Inc., the company which occupied the none-story brick building and was responsible for the city’s transit, gas, and electricity a century ago. Converted into a 216-room luxury hotel, NOPSI’s upscale furnishings and amenities include an outdoor pool, sun deck, terrace, fitness center, an excellent restaurant, room service, a bar with live music on select evenings, and a central location making most of downtown and the French Quarter within walking distance.

2. Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Address: 550 Baronne Street, New Orleans, 70113, LA, US

Virgin Hotels New Orleans – Technically in the Warehouse District but within a short walk of both the French Quarter and the heart of downtown, this four-star rated property features two restaurants and a bar in the public areas, plus a rooftop dining spot adjacent to the outdoor pool. Guests also enjoy the sundeck and fitness center. The 14-story property has 238 modern, colorfully decorated rooms that are also soundproof, which may just come in handy in this festive city.

3. Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans

Address: 820 Poydras Street, New Orleans, 70112, LA, US

Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans – Rated three stars, this popular nine-story hotel offers 214 comfortable guest rooms in a prime location just six blocks from the National World War II Museum. Amenities include an on-site restaurant and bar, an outdoor pool, health club, and hot tub. As a predictable southern U.S.-based hotel chain, Drury is a smart choice for families seeking reasonable rates, daily free breakfast, and excellent value. The five-star rated property is not only luxurious, but it’s kid friendly at the same time.

4. voco St James Hotel by IHG

Address: 330 Magazine Street, New Orleans, 70130, LA, US

voco St. James Hotel by IHG – This three-story, four-star rated hotel is ideally located for exploring the French Quarter, Warehouse District, and the CBD. Housed in a restored 1833 building, guest amenities include an outdoor pool, health club, a café-style restaurant, Chophouse New Orleans with an attractive bar on-site, and 100 elegant rooms with attractive furnishings.

5. The Mercantile Hotel

Address: 727 South Peters Street, New Orleans, 70130, LA, US

The Mercantile Hotel – A 10-story property with 100 comfortable, soundproof rooms with brick walls, the three-star rated hotel is a moderately priced option in the Central Business District. With a location that is walkable to the French Quarter, popular sites in the CBD, and a downtown casino, the Mercantile’s old-time atmosphere and brassy bar make for a wonderful place to start and end each day in NOLA. There’s a multitude of famous and not-so-famous dining spots within a short walk, and shopping at Canal Place Mall is just 10 minutes away.

6. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Address: 921 Canal Street, New Orleans, 70112, LA, US

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans – With 527 rooms on 14 floors, this five-star rated luxury property is ideally situated on Canal Street, with the French Quarter and Central Business District both within minutes on foot. The Ritz offers everything you’d expect from such a storied chain: elegant, oversized rooms, upscale dining in two restaurants with Cajun/Creole specialties, room service, an indoor pool, fitness center, health spa plus massage, and lavish public areas for relaxing or conducting business. The Ritz isn’t an inexpensive option, but guests always feel like they are getting what they pay for, and then some.

Other Central Business District Hotels

If staying with a particular hotel brand is important to you, there’s no shortage of big-name properties in the CBD: JW Marriott New Orleans, The Eliza Jane – in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, the Higgins Hotel New Orleans – from the Curio Collection by Hilton, Q&C Hotel and Bar, New Orleans – Autograph Collection, and the Hilton New Orleans.

Planning Your New Orleans Getaway

It’s unusual for a city the size of New Orleans to have so many incredible accommodation options, but the sheer number of great hotels in all price categories is testament to a unique destination that should be on everyone’s short list of places to see.

Searching for that perfect hotel for your New Orleans stay is easy with Travelated. While there are more than 175 properties offered in NOLA, by narrowing your search to either the French Quarter or downtown, you will find it a much more manageable and enjoyable endeavor. Whether you prefer a five-star luxury experience or are perfectly happy with a three-star comfortable hotel as your base, Travelated has the right hotel for you.

Chances are you won’t be spending a huge amount of time in your room while here, so we suggest saving a few dollars where you can. If money isn’t a big concern for you, congratulations, and have at it here. There is no shortage of upscale hotels in the Big Easy.

Keep in mind that nearly every hotel offers paid parking, and that finding free parking will take you quite a distance from the heart of the action. So be sure to include parking fees in your budgeting calculations.

As for the weather, February through May and the October/November time period offer the best temperatures with lower humidity. December and January are the coldest months, but if you’re coming from the north, even these months will be agreeable for you.

How about June through September you ask? Well, let’s just say it will be hot, it will be humid and steamy from frequent late day storms, and it can be oppressive sticky. If you’re okay with that, this is also when you will find the best hotel prices in New Orleans. The most expensive rates, of course, will be during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and when the NFL’s Saints are playing at home in the Superdome.

New Orleans Thrives on Tourism

Just the name New Orleans conjures up thoughts of a city that is action packed. And that it is. While the city hasn’t fully recovered population that was lost after Hurricane Katrina which barreled through in late August of 2005, the resilience of its people has been remarkable.

Not a huge city by any means with a current population of 362,000 in the city proper and just over one million in the metro area, New Orleans feels a whole lot bigger. All of the tourist related infrastructure has been rebuilt or built anew, and the energy of the French Quarter, Central Business District, and other unique neighborhoods is unmistakable. From the varied tourist sites to the vitality of the French Quarter, there are only a handful of American cities that deliver like New Orleans does. Come for the history. Stay for the music and world-class cuisine. This is a destination that you don’t want to overlook in your future travel plans.