Best New Orleans Hotels

Set on three acres nestled among the antebellum homes in the Garden District, Maison St. Charles has 113 guest rooms and 15 suites. The location is insulated from the frenetic French Quarter yet it’s just a short streetcar ride to the city center. There are a variety of rooms from the queen economy to the Royal Suite and the Universal Suite. All have a large television, mini-refrigerator, microwave oven and free high-speed Internet access so your choice really depends on how much space you require. There’s also an outdoor pool and hot tub and onsite gated parking. The Quality Inn is one of the best New Orleans hotels for the moderate price.

Nestled in the Central Business District near Lafayette Square, the Lafayette is a historic landmark built in 1916. With only 44 rooms, it’s small but romantic with wrought iron balconies, French doors and marble floors that add to the ambiance. There is also valet parking and you can catch the St. Charles Avenue street car right outside of the hotel.

Tradition is the order of the day at the Le Pavillon Hotel. On entering Le Pavillon, the hotel’s heritage and high standards are on full display. Calming classical music flows through a lobby studded with Louis XV bronze cherubs, crystal chandeliers and priceless antiques and paintings. Built in 1907 and impeccably restored, the rates are very reasonable (under $300 per night) for the quality of the property. A number of movies have been filmed at Le Pavillon in recent years and it’s popular with celebrities and politicians. Rooms feature traditional style furnishings and the suites are some of the most exquisite (and expensive) in New Orleans. This may come as a surprise, but in keep with its dedication to tradition Le Pavillon serves free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the evenings (it all started when a homesick guest asked for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—a request that so charmed the management that they kept offering the nostalgic treat long after the guest had left). Even many of the staff have been here for decades. We love the rooftop pool for its amazing views of the city. If you're looking for old town charm and classic tradition in a city of anything goes Le Pavillon is one of the best places to stay in New Orleans.

If you like hanging with the backpacker crowd and you're looking for a cheap and fun place to, this is it. There are male, female and coed dorm rooms along with private rooms of varying sizes and quality. India House has a funky decor that makes you feel right at home and there's a rear courtyard with a barbecue area and swimming pool. You officially must be an American student or foreign traveler to stay here, but that requirement seems to be enforced more to keep undesirable guests away.

In the French Quarter on Decatur Street near the corner of Canal, this small hotel has been welcoming guests for more than 80 years. There are 62 rooms and suites with the basic amenities (irons, clock radios, television and in-room coffee and tea). It's not the most luxurious hotel in town and it shows its age, but it is one of the best deals in the French Quarter if you're just looking for a place to sleep and take a shower. Considering the great location—there are more than a dozen restaurants and lounges in a two block radius—you're unlikely to spend much time in the room anyway.