Famous for its annual Mardi Gras, dusk-till-dawn nightlife, legendary music heritage, and Gumbo soup, New Orleans is one of America’s most unique cities. Ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the city has undergone tumultuous times in recent memory, but its spirit and character has helped it rise again and today its pulsating vibrancy is as stark as ever.
New Orleans’ hospitality sector was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Katrina, but with visitor numbers now returned to healthy levels, it hotels are once more doing a roaring trade. Among the city’s most popular places to stay are its Bed & Breakfasts, which combine cutesy charm with affordable prices. Here are 10 of the best.
Marigny Manor House
Rooms from $192/ night
Located in the heart of the city, Marigny Manor House features free WiFi, a pretty garden area, and a communal hot tub. Guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom and patio for some outdoor privacy. Each mornings guests can tuck into a hearty American breakfast to kick off their day. Notable nearby landmarks and attractions include the popular St. Roch Market food hall, which is just around the corner. For those arriving by air, New Orleans International Airport is just over 25km away.
Maison Perrier
Rooms from $179/ night
In the southern environs of New Orleans’ Uptown district, Maison Perrier is housed in an historic building dating back to 1892 and features a range of eye-catching ornamental woodwork and antiques. Home-cooked breakfasts are served daily and complimentary cookies and other sweet treats are also available throughout the day. On Fridays and Saturdays a fruit and cheese board are on offer, too. For those keen to admire New Orleans’ finest architecture, the grand and leafy residential thoroughfare of St. Charles Avenue is a few blocks away and is lined with impressive mansions.
Ashton’s
Rooms from $182/ night
Situated close to New Orleans’ historic district, Ashton’s has its own free private parking, making it convenient for those arriving in their own transport. Other on-site services amenities include free WiFi, a choice of à la carte or American breakfasts served each morning, and a charming garden and terrace. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a cable flat-screen TV. The green expanse of Gayarre Place and its distinctive monument can be found nearby.
Rose Manor
Rooms from $136/ night
Ideal for those who enjoy waterside living, this characterful property benefits from a scenic setting overlooking Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans’ West End neighbourhood in the northern parameters of the city. There’s free WiFi in all areas and free parking and fax/photocopying facilities are also available for the convenience of guests. Each room contains a private bathroom, a work desk, a flat-screen TV and ironing facilities. Elsewhere in the B&B, there’s a patio area and a communal lounge.
Creole Gardens Guesthouse and Inn
Rooms from $96/ night
A relaxing garden and terrace, a shared lounge, a hot tub and a shared kitchen are the notable amenities at this guesthouse perched close to the Mississippi River. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with free WiFi, a shared bathroom, a seating room and a dishwasher. Uptown New Orleans Historic District is just over 3.5km away and Audubon Nature Institute is also easily reachable by car.
De La Reguera House
Rooms from $92/ night
Boasting impressive vistas of its garden and terrace, the guest rooms at De La Reguera House also come with air-conditioning and either a seating or dining area – or sometimes both, depending on the unit. Continental breakfasts are served on a daily basis to set you up for a hard day’s sightseeing. Activities that can be enjoyed nearby include fishing. The historic Bourbon Street is around 8km away.
HH Whitney House
Rooms from $145/ night
Housed in a stunning mid-19th century Italianate-style building on New Orleans’s Historic Esplanade, HH Whitney House oozes character and charm. This continues on the interior too, where high ceilings, fans, a beautifully designed swimming pool and hot tub, and period pieces dotted throughout add to the appeal. Guest rooms come with free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and a bathrobe and slippers. Free snacks and beverages are available in the common kitchen and there’s also a formal parlor area. The French Quarter is half-a-mile away and the vast natural beauty of City Park, New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Walda & Sydney Besthoff Sculpture Garden are also within easy reach.
Inn at the Old Jail
Rooms from $171/ night
For a unique B&B experience in New Orleans, the Inn at the Old Jail in the Mid-City district is hard to beat. Converted from a police jail and patrol station, the property has retained a number of characteristics that pay homage to this heritage, including police memorabilia and antiques on display and a library named after the highest-ranking female officer in NOPD history. Amenities include free WiFi, free parking, a sun terrace and garden, and a shared kitchen. Gayarre Place Monument and St. Louis Cemetery are both within comfortable walking distance.
Chez Palmiers
Rooms from $101/ night
One of the only properties on this list to feature a swimming pool, HH Whitney House is located in the city’s Faubourg Marigny district, a brisk 15-minute walk from St Louis Cathedral and the French Quarter. Services and amenities include luggage storage, free WiFi and free parking. Guest rooms are air conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom, and some also have a comfy seating area separate to the bed. A number of friendly bars and restaurants can be found close by.
Lions Inn
Rooms from $95/ night
Also in the Faubourg Marigny district, close to the river, the Lions Inn has its own spa and wellness centre complete with a hot tub and outdoor swimming pool. Other notable amenities include free WiFi, a picturesque garden with its own picnic area, and a choice of continental or Full English/Irish breakfasts served up each morning. Guest rooms are air conditioned and come with a private bathroom. The New Orleans Mint, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and French Market are all within half-a-mile of the property.