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Where to stay in New Orleans

Royal Street’s family-owned grand hotel with the Carousel Bar, and a restored church and school in the Marigny near Frenchmen.

  1. Hotel MonteleoneLuxury · French Quarter, on Royal Street$$$$
  2. Hotel Peter & PaulBoutique · Faubourg Marigny, steps from Frenchmen Street$$$$
Standout pick
Hotel Monteleone · $$$
Easy choice
Hotel Peter & Paul · $$
Best time
Mar–May · Oct–Nov
Ideal stay
3–4 days
Hotel budget
$150–$350 / night

New Orleans is a city to walk, so stay close to the French Quarter. Our exclusive pick is the family-owned grand hotel of Royal Street, home of the Carousel Bar; our accessible pick is a boutique hotel in a restored church and school in the Marigny, steps from Frenchmen Street. Prices are shown as a level, from $ to $$$$: rates move with the season and the room, so check the live price before you plan.

Hotel Monteleone

$$$$
Pick no. 1 · The standoutLuxuryFrench Quarter, on Royal Street

Family-owned historic hotel in the French Quarter, since 1886

Photos: Hotel Monteleone, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

The family-owned grand hotel of Royal Street since 1886, with the revolving Carousel Bar and a rooftop pool.

  • The Carousel Bar & Lounge
  • Rooftop pool
  • Acqua Bella
  • Criollo Restaurant
See prices (official website)Opens the hotel’s official website.

Why we picked it

We would book it for the stories and the address. The Monteleone has been run by the same family since 1886, literary greats from Ernest Hemingway to Tennessee Williams frequented it, and the Carousel Bar still turns every 15 minutes to live jazz. From Royal Street, Jackson Square, the galleries and the riverfront are a short walk, and the rooftop pool is a real break on a hot afternoon.

Best for

  • First-time visitors
  • Literature and cocktail lovers
  • Couples
  • The Carousel Bar, turning since 1949, with live music every night
  • A heated rooftop pool open year-round, with the Acqua Bella poolside bar
  • Family-owned for five generations, a National Literary Landmark and a member of Historic Hotels of America

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • The Carousel Bar & LoungeRevolving bar since 1949, live music seven nights a week, 11 am to midnight
  • Rooftop poolHeated, open 6 am to 10 pm year-round
  • Acqua BellaPoolside bar on the roof, in season
  • Criollo RestaurantGulf seafood and Louisiana cooking, with a jazz brunch
  • Spa AriaTreatments on site
  • Fitness center24/7, with Peloton bikes and French Quarter and river views
  • Wi-FiComplimentary in all rooms and public areas
  • Literary historyNational Literary Landmark; Literary Suites named for great authors
  • ConciergeRestaurant, theater and tour bookings from the lobby desk
  • Pet-friendlyDogs and cats, no weight limit
  • Valet parking$50 a night plus tax

Hotel Peter & Paul

$$$$
Pick no. 2 · The easy choiceBoutiqueFaubourg Marigny, steps from Frenchmen Street

Boutique hotel in a restored church, school, rectory and convent, 71 rooms

Photos: Hotel Peter & Paul, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

A 71-room hotel in a restored church and school in the Marigny, with a heated pool and Frenchmen Street steps away.

  • Marigny Lido pool
  • Pool bar
  • The Elysian Bar
  • Brioche in Bed
See prices (partner link, Trip.com)Official website Opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners.

Why we picked it

We would book it for the Marigny and the atmosphere. Sleeping in a former schoolhouse or convent, among antiques and local craftsmanship, is very New Orleans, and Frenchmen Street’s jazz clubs are a few steps away. The heated pool and The Elysian Bar make it easy to stay in on a slow afternoon, and parking costs a fraction of French Quarter rates.

Best for

  • Music lovers
  • Design lovers
  • Couples
  • A former Catholic church, school, rectory and convent, restored over four years, with no two rooms alike
  • Marigny Lido, a heated outdoor pool for hotel guests, with a seasonal pool bar
  • In the Marigny, steps from the live music clubs of Frenchmen Street

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • Marigny Lido poolHeated outdoor pool for hotel guests, daily 10 am to 6 pm
  • Pool barSeasonal cocktails and Gulf Coast-inspired dishes
  • The Elysian BarAll-day dining with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
  • Brioche in BedBrioche, pastry, juice and coffee delivered to your room for $35
  • Honor BarAlways open, for guests
  • The ChurchA deconsecrated red-brick church by New Orleans architect Henry Howard, with live music and events
  • 24-hour front deskWith concierge help and tour and ticket assistance
  • Wi-FiAvailable for all guests
  • ParkingHotel lot, $15 plus tax per night
  • Electric car charging

French Quarter classic or Marigny character: how to choose

One hotel sits in the heart of the French Quarter; the other is a short walk downriver, by the music clubs of Frenchmen Street.

Planning the rest of your trip? Our New Orleans travel guide covers the festivals, the streetcars, swamp tours and where to eat.

Our New Orleans travel guide

Hotels in New Orleans: your questions

Where should I stay in New Orleans for a first visit?

Stay in or right next to the French Quarter so you can walk everywhere. Hotel Monteleone is on Royal Street in the Quarter, a short walk from Jackson Square and the river. Hotel Peter & Paul is in the Marigny, just downriver, steps from Frenchmen Street’s live music. Read our New Orleans travel guide

How far ahead should I book a hotel in New Orleans?

Book a year ahead for Mardi Gras and several months ahead for French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest in April and May, when prices double. For other dates, book as soon as your plans are fixed. Use the See prices button of each hotel for live availability.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

March to May and October to November, for pleasant temperatures and the main festivals. Summer is hot and humid, and hurricane season peaks from mid-August to early October. When to visit New Orleans

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Take a taxi or ride-hail from Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY). Hotel Monteleone has no airport shuttle and quotes $36 by taxi for one or two people, or from about $45 with ride-hail apps.

Do I need a car, and what does parking cost?

No: walk and use the streetcars. If you arrive by car, valet parking at Hotel Monteleone costs $50 a night plus tax, while Hotel Peter & Paul has its own lot at $15 a night plus tax.

Which of the two hotels suits families?

Hotel Monteleone has a rooftop pool and Iberville Tower suites with a sofa bed that sleep up to six. Hotel Peter & Paul has Two of Queens rooms for four, bunk rooms and a heated pool, in a quieter residential neighborhood.

Can I book these hotels directly?

Yes. The See prices button under Hotel Monteleone opens the hotel’s official website. For Hotel Peter & Paul it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners. Both open in a new tab.

Exit 10And now?Our New Orleans guideWhat to do, where to eat, getting there

Hotel picks for other destinations

Picked by Kylian Dev. These are editorial picks: no hotel paid to be here, and we never describe a stay we did not make. Facts come from each hotel’s own website; the Trip.com buttons are partner links (how we make money).