From its history and culture to that mouthwatering food and intoxicating music, it’s easy to fall under the spell of New Orleans. The city is a mix of flavors and sounds—the aroma of just-baked beignets, jazzy tunes spilling out on the streets from neighborhood bars—and buzzy hotels from which to take it all in. Here are the best luxury hotels in New Orleans.
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Luxury Hotels in New Orleans
Maison de la Luz
Complete with top-notch service, Maison de la Luz is the ultimate luxurious guest house, right in the heart of New Orleans’s CBD. It has 67 suites, each decked out with high-quality bed linen and luxury furnishings, giving it a Parisian feel. Breakfast is served on the first floor, with options such as the Louisiana crawfish and spinach benedict – it’s a house specialty. Enjoy nightly wine and cheese in the guest-only Living Room before going out to dinner.
Hotel Peter and Paul
Every so often, a hotel comes around that’s so special, it warrants an entire trip just to experience it. Hotel Peter and Paul is one of those places. What was once a vacant church complex is still a spiritual experience, albeit now geared more towards design and architecture lovers than church-goers. Just 71 rooms occupy the old schoolhouse and convent, kitted out with antiques plucked from European estate sales, religious tapestries, stained-glass windows, and custom details like trompe l’oeil painted armoires and gingham-patterned drapes. Head to the rectory and you’ll find a tiny coffee shop in addition to The Elysian—a standout bar and courtyard restaurant from the team behind James Beard-nominated wine bar Bacchanal that serves up serious atmosphere and even stronger craft cocktails. Don’t miss the weekly events held in the nave, from yoga classes to concerts.
The Drifter
On gritty Tulane Avenue, this low-slung 1956 motel is a beautiful homage to the life and times of the footloose Beat Generation. You’ll still find the original awning and neon road sign beckoning drivers off Route 61, but inside, everything is newly nostalgic. Troweled concrete walls, palm-leaf wallpaper, and Oaxacan tiles give fresh life to the 20 guest rooms, while Frette linens and Aesop amenities add a touch of luxe. In the pool area, a giant disco ball casts prisms of light over waiters handing out Japanese beers, sakes, and frozen cocktails. In lieu of a restaurant, a café serves up baked goods and La Colombe coffee while a host of rotating food trucks parked nearby whip out dishes from Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, and beyond. Altogether, it’s a unique departure from the French Quarter’s typical bijou boutiques—and affordable to boot.
W New Orleans
The renovated W in the French Quarter marries urban chic with traditional Vieux Carré architecture in a fabulous location, the best of all worlds. Spacious rooms themed jazz or tarot are decked out in bold art and niceties like Bliss spa products and uber comfy bedding. The central pool is a chill lounge scene. You’ll want to sit a spell at the bar at SoBou, the latest venture from the Commander’s Palace branch of the Brennan family. Head bartender Laura Bellucci concocts brilliant craft cocktails using fresh herbs, tinctures and homemade bitters. Move into the dramatically lit dining room for chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez’ playful menu of modern Creole bites.
Omni Royal Orleans Hotels
Centrally located in the heart of the French Quarter, just two blocks from Jackson Square, the Omni Royal Orleans offers understated luxury and comfort. The hotel’s 346 guest rooms deliver high-end amenities, with some even offering balconies overlooking the action. The Rib Room on the main level is one of the city’s best loved meat palaces, is a local fave. Other amenities include a heated, year-round rooftop swimming pool, a rooftop fitness center with lots of natural light, concierge assistance, 24-hour room service, a barber shop, a beauty shop, mending and pressing services, shoeshine, and currency exchange. Although the Omni caters to both business and leisure travelers, the VIP treatment makes even a business trip feel like a vacation.
St James Hotel
Housed in a stately 1880s building, the St James Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in New Orleans which has a warm, charming feel, complete with a cobbled courtyard and luxurious lobby. Each of the 84 rooms features hardwood floors and muted colors. Start your day with a complimentary European breakfast of croissants, jam and hot coffee, plus be sure to make a reservation at the Chophouse New Orleans next door for a succulent steak prepared Pittsburgh-style (charred exterior).
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