Truman Capote loved this hotel so much that he often told people that he was born inside Hotel Monteleone, and now that I’ve stayed there, I understand why he felt that way. This French Quarter hotel is the perfect location for anyone looking to spend the day exploring the lively neighborhood without enduring the chaos of Bourbon Street (though it is only a few minutes' walk away). The almost 150-year-old hotel has undergone a bit of a facelift, making for the perfect mix of historic charm and modern convenience.
I stayed in a king room in the Iberville Tower, the most recent section of the hotel to undergo renovations. The rooms in the tower go for about $50 more than the king rooms in the less-updated parts of the hotel. From where I’m sitting, that $50 is worth the upgrade. These sleek rooms feature a pull-out vanity with makeup lighting, a waterfall shower, white marble bathrooms and turn-down service twice a day.
Each room also has a doorbell, which doesn't feel necessary but is a fun little touch.
As a seasoned traveler, the most exciting thing about the rooms is how they’ve been adjusted for the modern world perfectly. On either side of the bed are easily accessible USB ports for charging, light switches that allow you to control the room's many lights without getting up, and a footlight below the bed that turns on when you get up and stays lit until you return to bed, so you don’t wake or disturb your travel companion. The pillows are soft and the toiletries smell great.
For the book lovers out there, the hotel also features some “literary suites.” These suites are decorated in homage to some of the many authors who stayed at the hotel, including Faulkner, Hemingway, and, of course, Capote.
Head down to the lobby and find the historic Carousel Bar and Lounge. This rotating bar, decorated to look like a carousel, has been in the Hotel Monteleone since 1949. It’s a beloved tourist attraction, and many visitors to the Quarter will stop by—whether they are staying at the hotel or not. There’s a line through the lobby for the bar that begins forming around 10am. The bar opens to the public at 11am, but Iberville Tower guests have the option to pay a small fee and enter the bar before it opens to get a spot right away.
Oh, and did I mention it has a heated rooftop pool?
The Neighborhood:
There’s never a dull night in the French Quarter. Expect to see revelers out at all times of the day. Public drinking is not only legal, but encouraged. Though it can get a bit chaotic, it’s also beautiful: lined with lovely Creole-style French Revival buildings. As the center of the city, it's home to many of its best restaurants and bars.
Nearby:
Bourbon Street For an all-night-long night of drinking, check out this famous bar-lined thoroughfare.
The Voodoo Museum: Perfect for those who want to learn more about voodoo and its historic presence in New Orleans.
Bottom of the Cup: For accessible fortune tellers specializing in Tarot, tea and palm readings.