Hotel Monteleone New Orleans

The Hotel Monteleone is located one street back from Bourbon Street, making it easily accessible to all the downtown attractions. However, it is quiet at night so you can actually sleep when you’re ready. It’s a safe, well populated area if you plan to party into the wee hours and then crash. Café du Monde, Jackson Square, riverboat rides, The Aquarium and The French Market are all within walking distance. Famous restaurants like NOLA, Antoine’s, ACME Oyster House and Court of Two Sisters are also nearby.

The hotel has some pros and cons. In addition to having an excellent location, the lobby is beautiful and the rooms are clean and well kept. The hotel is also home to The Carousel Bar, which many people like to visit in its own right. On the downside, you must use valet parking which costs $30 a day. Not to mention you have to tip each time you need to drive your car. That adds up fast. Also, the hotel’s pool is very small. It’s located on the roof which offers a nice view. Personally, I thought the setting was more agreeable to nice conversation and relaxation than swimming. As for the rooms themselves, while being very clean and adorned with local charm, they are a bit small. The bathrooms are extremely small for a luxury hotel and offer almost no counter space.

If you are headed for New Orleans for Mardi Gras in March or to just hang out in the live music scene, the Monteleone is a fabulous French inspired jewel for the average holiday traveller. From the chandeliers in the grand foyer to the trendy carousel cocktail bar, to the rooftop swimming pool and gym, oversized rooms and excellent concierge... For about US$120 a night you are at the doorstep of many cafes, restaurants and bars, and a close walk to the sumptuous French Quarter where streets of irresistable antique shops and art galleries await your visit. One of the highlights of our USA trip for sure.

this family owned hotel on royal st (just one block off bourbon and about 2 blocks off canal) is just the perfect location. it is close to the action yet quiet enough that you can sleep. i strongly recommend requesting a higher floor to ensure quiet. the rooms are ok, they are clean and big enough (but not as big as i would like them to be). there is a rooftop gym, which makes working out not such a bore with a view of the city on one side or the river on the other. there is also a rooftop pool, which is great on a humid day. but, beware, when there is heavy rain, the lobby could get flooded. no worries.... it recedes fairly quickly. it is just a function of the entire city getting flooded easily... something about the pumps not working too well.... but, you can wait out the rain at the bar. the carousel bar on the first floor is great for happy hour and has the novel concept of the bar rotating like a carousel.