Best hotels in new orleans — we’ve been researching and testing travel strategies for years, and this guide covers everything you need to know. This post contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We have stayed in New Orleans multiple times and vetted these picks personally.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Choosing where to stay in New Orleans matters more than in most cities. The French Quarter puts you in the center of everything — the music, the food, the history, the noise. The Warehouse Arts District puts you in a quieter, more design-forward neighborhood a short walk from the action. The Garden District wraps you in magnolia-shaded residential charm. Each creates a fundamentally different New Orleans experience, even if you spend your days in the same places.
This guide breaks down the best hotels in New Orleans for first-timers by neighborhood, budget, and travel style — the properties worth your money and the ones worth skipping.
French Quarter Hotels: Stay in the Heart of It All
Staying in the French Quarter means waking up inside New Orleans history. The architecture, the sound of jazz drifting in from the street, the proximity to Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street and the river — it’s the most immersive base in the city. It’s also the loudest, especially on weekends. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper and not in a room facing a quiet courtyard.
Hotel Monteleone
The grand dame of French Quarter hotels, in continuous operation since 1886. The Hotel Monteleone is genuinely one of the great American hotels — 570 rooms across a historic building with marble floors, a rooftop pool, and the legendary Carousel Bar, a slowly rotating cocktail bar that has hosted Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway. It’s literary history, architectural history, and a seriously good hotel all in one. The location on Royal Street puts you a block from the best of the Quarter without the full Bourbon Street assault.
Best for: First-timers who want a classic, storied experience. Couples celebrating a milestone. History lovers.
Check rates and availability at Hotel Monteleone on Booking.com
Maison Dupuy Hotel
A charming French Quarter property built around a beautiful courtyard and pool. The Maison Dupuy delivers the quintessential New Orleans hotel experience — wrought-iron railings, lush tropical plantings, the sound of the city outside but calm inside. Rooms are well-sized and recently updated. The location on Toulouse Street is excellent — close enough to walk everywhere, far enough from Bourbon to sleep.
Best for: Families, couples, anyone who wants authentic French Quarter character without paying top-of-market rates.
Compare French Quarter hotels on Booking.com
The Catahoula Hotel
A boutique hotel in the Central Business District with a rooftop bar, excellent design sensibility, and a location that’s walkable to both the French Quarter and the Warehouse Arts District. One of the best value boutique picks in the city. The cocktail program is exceptional — the bar is a destination even for non-guests.
Warehouse Arts District Hotels: Design-Forward and Walkable
The Warehouse District is New Orleans’ most dynamic neighborhood for food and contemporary art, and it’s become an excellent hotel base. You’re a 10–15 minute walk from the French Quarter, close to the National WWII Museum, and surrounded by the city’s best contemporary restaurants.
The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center
Built by the National WWII Museum and opened in 2019, the Higgins is one of the best hotels in New Orleans. Named after the New Orleans boat builder whose Higgins boats were used in the D-Day landings, the hotel is beautifully designed with WWII-era detailing, an outstanding restaurant (1940s-era American food, done brilliantly), and a location directly adjacent to the museum. Even if you’re not attending the museum, this is a great base.
Best for: History buffs, couples, anyone who appreciates excellent hotel design.
Check rates at The Higgins Hotel on Booking.com
Ace Hotel New Orleans
The Ace brand reliably delivers thoughtful, locally-influenced design, and the New Orleans property is one of their best. Set in the historic Barnett Shoe Factory building in the Central Business District, the Ace has a rooftop bar with views of the city, a buzzy ground-floor restaurant, and rooms that feel genuinely creative rather than generically modern. Great for younger travelers and design-conscious visitors.
Virgin Hotels New Orleans
A stylish, technology-forward hotel in a converted 1940s office building in the CBD. Rooms (“Chambers”) are smartly designed with dedicated work and lounge areas. The rooftop pool and bar are among the best in the city. Strong choice for solo travelers, groups, and business visitors who want a fun, social hotel experience.
Garden District Hotels: Beautiful, Residential, Peaceful
Staying in the Garden District puts you in one of America’s most beautiful neighborhoods — antebellum mansions, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, Magazine Street’s galleries and restaurants. It’s quieter than the Quarter, more residential, and best suited to visitors who want a neighborhood experience rather than maximum nightlife access. The St. Charles streetcar connects you downtown in 20 minutes.
The Columns Hotel
A Victorian mansion on St. Charles Avenue that has operated as a hotel since the 1880s. The Columns has elegant, individually decorated rooms, a wide front porch that’s perfect for evening drinks as the streetcar rumbles past, and a beautiful bar that locals actually use. It’s not a luxury hotel in the modern sense — it’s something better: a beautiful, lived-in, storied place that feels distinctly New Orleans.
Best for: Couples, literary travelers, anyone who wants to feel like a guest in the grandest house on the street.
Compare Garden District hotels on Booking.com
Luxury Hotels in New Orleans
New Orleans has a handful of properties that deliver genuine world-class luxury. These stand apart for service, amenities, and the elevated experience they create.
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
The most storied luxury hotel in New Orleans, in operation since 1893 and recently restored to its full grandeur. The lobby is spectacular — a 300-foot corridor of marble, brass, and golden light that sets the tone immediately. The Sazerac Bar, birthplace of the Sazerac cocktail, is a mandatory stop for anyone who takes cocktail history seriously. The Roosevelt is the correct answer for a special-occasion New Orleans stay.
Check rates at The Roosevelt New Orleans on Booking.com
Hotel Le Marais
A boutique luxury property in the French Quarter with beautifully appointed rooms, a courtyard pool, and the kind of personalized service that larger hotels can’t match. If you want French Quarter access with a quieter, more intimate hotel experience, Le Marais delivers.
Budget-Friendly New Orleans Hotels
New Orleans can be done on a budget — the city’s best pleasures (the music, the food trucks, the architecture, the parks) are largely free or inexpensive. Staying affordably is possible with the right picks.
India House Hostel — Mid-City hostel with a strong community vibe, pool, and regular social events. One of the best hostels in the American South. Well-located on the streetcar line.
La Quinta Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown — Reliable, clean, and well-located for a national brand option. Good for families and those prioritizing location over ambiance.
Search all New Orleans hotels by budget on Booking.com — filter by price, neighborhood, and guest rating to find the right fit.
New Orleans Hotel Booking Tips
Book months ahead for Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (late April/early May) and Mardi Gras (usually February) bring enormous crowds and prices that can triple. Book 6–12 months ahead for these periods.
Check noise levels. French Quarter hotels on Bourbon Street can be extremely loud on weekends. Ask specifically about room location and proximity to the street when booking. Booking.com reviews are useful here — filter by “quiet” in the review highlights.
Parking is limited and expensive. Most French Quarter and CBD hotels charge $35–50/night for parking. If you’re renting a car, factor that into your accommodation budget — or stay in the Garden District where street parking is more available.
Compare Booking.com and Expedia for rates. New Orleans hotels vary significantly in pricing between platforms. Booking.com and Expedia are both worth checking, especially for larger properties where loyalty rates may apply.
Where to Book Your New Orleans Stay
- Booking.com New Orleans — Best for comparing neighborhoods, reading detailed reviews, and finding flexible cancellation options
- Expedia New Orleans — Good for flight + hotel bundles and loyalty rewards
- Hotels.com — 10-night rewards program and frequent New Orleans deals
For the full picture on visiting the city, read our complete New Orleans travel guide covering food, music, neighborhoods, and everything else that makes this city one of America’s most essential destinations.