5 Best Hotels in New Orleans (Updated 2026)

New Orleans is one of my favorite places in the world. There’s something about this city. It’s magic. The people and energy make it impossible not to have a good time here. It really feels like it bounced back from Hurricane Katrina (I visited right after and it was a completely different city). I’m glad to see the city developing.

It is also a popular tourist destination. And not just because of Mardi Gras. Many conferences, music festivals and bachelor/bachelorette parties are held here. There is a lot to see and do here too. So there are tons of hotels to choose from. But not all are worth staying for.

So to save you time researching and ensure you have a great experience, here are some of my favorite hotels in New Orleans based on countless visits.

1. Villa Convent

Villa Convento is steeped in history. Located in the famous French Quarter, this building once served as a convent and is rumored to be the “House of the Rising Sun,” as featured in a famous 1960s song by The Animals. Personally, I love the old-world charm of this hotel. Impressive arched check-in desks, wood paneling and exposed brick walls, and hallway chandeliers. That’s really cool. No breakfast is served here, but complimentary local coffee and tea are available all day in the lobby. We also appreciate that the standard check-out time is 12pm. If you’re here for a party, you’ll appreciate that too.

The villas have attic, balcony, and courtyard rooms, as well as suites if you’re traveling with family or friends. All rooms are decorated with antique furniture, including beautiful wooden headboards and nightstands, and artwork on the walls. The rooms and attached bathrooms are a bit small and don’t have many amenities (this is a budget-friendly guesthouse, after all), but all rooms come with a flat-screen TV, seating area, and free toiletries. Some rooms have mini-fridges, but the lobby also has a fridge and microwave available for use by all guests. It’s the perfect choice for budget-conscious travelers who want to stay in the heart of the French Quarter.

2. Inn in the old prison

As the name suggests, this Victorian building and national historic landmark was an actual prison in 1902. It was later used as a library and is now a boutique hotel run by two brothers. Not everyone wants to stay in a former prison, but I personally love the history and think it’s very unique. There are also great amenities, such as a rooftop deck and a fully equipped guest kitchen (there is no restaurant, so no breakfast is served on site).

Each of the nine rooms here is different. If you don’t get scared easily, you can stay in the most budget-friendly room, literally called The Cage. There you can see the names of former inmates carved into the walls. Otherwise, the rooms feature high ceilings, original hardwood floors, and wood-paneled wainscoting on the walls that came from reclaimed Katrina debris (which I think is really neat). All rooms feature antique furniture and queen-size beds with memory foam mattresses. The bathroom features a shared shower/tub combo, classic subway tile walls, and complimentary toiletries.

The hotel is located in Tremé, an area off the beaten path. I especially love this area because of all the traditional Creole and Cajun food you can find here. A great choice for foodies.

3. St. Charles Coach House

The Lower Garden District’s historic St. This 3-star hotel on Charles Street was built in 1921. The entire complex has been renovated, so rooms have a warm, modern design, while the lobby and other common areas have a historic feel, with exposed brick. Although the hotel does not serve breakfast, Avenue Café, less than a block away, offers delicious breakfast options to suit all tastes.

Rooms are spacious and feature soft tones, minimalist design and plenty of natural light. All rooms include a desk, a comfortable chair to sit in, a Keurig coffee maker, a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and thick mattresses. I love that the newly updated bathroom has lots of counter space, bright and fun tile floors, free toiletries, and a walk-in shower with great water pressure (always a plus for me). Excellent, budget-friendly accommodation located in the leafy Garden District. Plus, the tram stops right in front, so you can easily explore the city from here.

4. Creole Gardens Inn

This friendly guesthouse is located in a historic 19th-century antebellum mansion in the Garden District. The couple who run it are warm and welcoming, and a fantastic (included) breakfast is served every morning, including freshly baked quiche, fruit, yoghurt and freshly baked sweet pastries (sticky buns, apple fritters and more). The tranquil interior courtyard is shaded by banana trees and is the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring.

The funky rooms range from tiny rooms in a cottage to spacious suites in a mansion. (Some rooms are supposedly haunted!) All rooms feature boldly painted walls adorned with unique local artwork, hardwood floors, and eclectic furniture such as four-poster beds and walk-in wood closets. Amenities are very basic but the beds are thick and comfortable and the large windows let in lots of light. If you are looking for a B&B where you can experience true Southern hospitality, I would say this is a great choice!

5. Housing transaction

This property is perfect if you’re looking for luxury but would like to stay in a larger hotel with more facilities. This 5-star hotel in the Warehouse District is truly beautiful. But the most important thing for me is that there is a variety of cocktail bars on site and you can enter through a secret bookshelf (it used to be a library). It’s also a really cool bar with red built-in bookshelves, colorful furniture, patterned rugs and great drinks. The classically designed lobby also features a cocktail bar, serving complimentary wine, cheese, charcuterie and fresh fruit every evening.

Breakfast is not included (and I think it’s a bit pricey), but it’s delicious and served in another beautifully designed room with lots of natural light. Hotel guests have access to the fitness center and swimming pool located across the street.

Rooms are spacious and elegant, with high ceilings, large windows and unique artwork on the walls. The huge bathroom is also beautiful, with a deep soaking tub, walk-in shower, tile floors and free toiletries. In-room amenities include a 55-inch TV, mini-fridge, blackout curtains, and a seating area with a sofa/chair. Another great thing is that you can have coffee or tea delivered to your room every morning (for free). I really like this hotel. It’s funky and interesting, yet stylish and luxurious, and it’s the perfect fit. And the location is great too!

The Big Easy is one of the must-visit places in the world. It has a rich culture and unique energy that no one can match. Plus, there’s tons of things to do (except frozen drinks on bustling Bourbon Street). No matter how much time you spend in NOLA, you’ll have the best stay by choosing from any of the hotels above!