The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré or the Quarter to locals, sits on a crescent in the Mississippi River and is one of the oldest residential communities in the United States. It’s also the perfect area to stay during a visit to the Big Easy – as proven by these undeniably charming boutique hotels.
Filled with interesting and vibrant neighborhoods, the French Quarter is the cultural hub of New Orleans, offering travelers who prefer a more personal, intimate place to stay the unique opportunity to explore the city’s historical and cultural character without having to set foot outside its premises.
If you’re after the full package, check out our four-day tour of the city – which includes a guided tour of the French Quarter – but if you’re just looking for a smart place to stay, read on for our top recommendations.
Hotel Mazarin
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
Courtesy of Hotel Mazarin / Expedia
In the heart of the French Quarter, the competitively priced Hotel Mazarin is a luxury boutique hotel that features 102 modern, spacious rooms and a lush, arched courtyard decorated by European-style fountains. It sits less than a block away from the restaurants and nightlife of Bourbon Street and only three blocks from Jackson Square, convenient for those looking to discover the Quarter’s main attractions on foot. You get free wifi and local calls, artesian bottled water, with a wine bar on-site as well as valet parking and complimentary continental breakfast.
The Saint Hotel, Autograph Collection
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
Courtesy of the Saint Hotel / Expedia
On the border of the French Quarter and the Central Business District, the eight-story, 166-room Saint Hotel Autograph Collection is a premier boutique hotel on Canal Street. Inside the luxury complex, you’ll find an on-site restaurant, a fitness center and the famous Burgundy Bar, where live entertainment and happy hours fill the scene almost every night. All rooms include free wifi and internet, plus a heavily stocked mini bar, flat-screen TV and iPod dock.
The Cornstalk Hotel
Hotel, Villa
Courtesy of the Cornstalk Hotel / Expedia
The Cornstalk Hotel exudes a quiet, Victorian charm amid extravagant period decor, from stained glass to antique furnishings, all situated on the refined Royal Street. This central location shields guests from the noise of Bourbon Street and offers a more traditional New Orleans visit. Featuring bright, fully furnished rooms with additional fireplaces and chandeliers, the hotel itself acts as a time machine into the Old South. Well-suited if you’re looking to spend quality and classy time in the city, waking up for coffee on the communal balcony before heading out to embrace the Quarter.
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Bienville House
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
Courtesy of Bienville House / Expedia
Bienville Hous, in the Quarter, is surrounded by some of the best restaurants, bars and shops in New Orleans. Each room in this boutique hotel is decorated in a specific and unique theme. Bienville House is an ideal resting spot after a busy day of sightseeing.
Le Richelieu Hotel
Hotel
Courtesy of Le Richelieu Hotel / Expedia
Le Richelieu Hotel’s constant redecoration means it is reliably up to aesthetic and modern standards. The hotel relies on luxurious decor, oil paintings, Persian rugs and antique furniture to match the luxury and glamour of the city’s historical cosmopolitanism. It is entrenched in the New Orleans narrative, as the location played a part in the October Rebellion of the 18th century and was the home of the Beatles’ Paul McCartney for several months during his stay in New Orleans. Living up to its reputation for luxury, the hotel boasts a café for guests, a gorgeous lobby and a saltwater swimming pool.
Hotel Maison de Ville
Boutique Hotel
Courtesy of Maison De Ville / Expedia
One of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter, the Hotel Maison de Ville is an intimate hideaway full of history located near all the city’s downtown attractions. Refurbished in 2012, the luxury space features atmospheric rooms in a main building and cottages, as well as an idyllic tropical courtyard – the perfect tranquil escape from the busy French Quarter. Each of the rooms has its own unique character, some paying homage to famous past guests including Tennessee Williams. Protected from the noise of nearby Bourbon Street, Hotel Maison de Ville is a New Orleans gem, complete with creaky wooden floors and period decor, perfect for a romantic getaway (rather than family vacation).
Audubon Cottages
Hotel, Cottages
Courtesy of Audubon Cottages / Expedia
Audubon Cottages is a historic collection of one- and two-bedroom suites located in the French Quarter. Featuring a beautiful Tuscan-style courtyard and a heated saltwater pool, this boutique inn is only a 10-minute walk away from the Historic New Orleans Collection and Jackson Square, as well as the New Orleans Jazz Park and the French Market. While property features include a shared saltwater pool (said to be the oldest pool in New Orleans), a lush garden, self-parking and a business center, guests can enjoy different room amenities inside one of their seven fully furnished suites. This accommodation is the perfect choice for anyone who is looking to experience all the benefits of the French Quarter from a secluded boutique hotel.
