11 Best 5 Star Hotels in the French Quarter New Orleans

When New Orleans was founded in 1718, the city developed around the Old Square, or Vieux Carré, also known as the French Quarter. It’s New Orleans’ (NOLA) oldest neighborhood, known as “The Quarter,” and is famed for its stunning architecture, Mardi Gras festival, and vibrant party scene. Moreover, the neighborhood is also walkable, another reason why it’s a perennially desirable spot for stays even today. As culture vultures, we wanted to stay in this enchanting neighborhood and indulge as well. And we were delighted by the many 5-star hotels in the French Quarter, New Orleans. Not surprisingly, the neighborhood is known for its traditional-style hotels, which are a testament to its past. But interestingly, the accommodations range from international chain hotels and boutique hotels to smaller, exclusive B&Bs.

So, the neighborhood’s luxurious stays cater to all kinds of traveler aesthetics, whether it’s grande-dame or boutique-exclusive. Here’s a detailed guide to the most luxurious stays in NOLA’s French Quarter.

Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans

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We begin with the Hyatt Centric French Quarter, which sits in the very heart of the gorgeous neighborhood. It might be part of a corporate chain, but we never felt so while staying here, thanks to its excellent location replete with many amenities.

The fact that it’s a full-service Hyatt hotel in NOLA’s leisure district meant that it was always going to deliver, and we loved the level of amenities, too. Aside from the confident, polite, and well-prepared check-in staff, the pristine courtyard pool area was highlighted. In fact, many of the ground-floor rooms open out to the pool deck. We weren’t surprised by the diversity of food and drink offerings either, as there’s a full-service restaurant, a poolside bar, a fish and grill restaurant, and even a Hard Rock Cafe attached to the Hyatt property.

The rooms and suites, even the entry-level ones, had a very pleasing amount of space, complete with cream-and-purple color schemes. We were impressed by the marble bathrooms, the diaphanous white curtains over the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the burgundy mini chaise-longues.

Soniat House

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Antique-lined grandeur as the backdrop, a timeless New Orleans ambiance, and an exclusive feel make Soniat House one of the most luxurious properties in NOLA’s French Quarter. We experienced high standards of hospitality throughout our entire stay experience at this historic Creole cottage complex, which sits on a tranquil, residential stretch of the French Quarter.

Flickering gas lamps guided us to a stone-flagged courtyard through a wooden door, all brimming with sweet-smelling foliage and banana plants. The 1829-built cottages are old-world sophisticated, with curated antiques and elaborate wrought-iron balconies. Given the personal check-in, we weren’t surprised that all 31 rooms and suites here differed in persona, with common themes of rustic chicness and antique furnishings. Our Deluxe Room opened directly to the courtyard and had a lovely canopy bed, European antique furniture, and chandeliers. That said, it had a modern bathroom with Molton Brown bath products.

The main amenity at this hotel was the elegant parlor, complete with fine art, period furniture, and an honesty bar that served cocktails in the courtyard. We also had access to the high-end facilities of the New Orleans Athletic Club. Despite no full-service kitchen, the all-day hand-delivered breakfast tray with café au lait, OJ, homemade strawberry jam, and fresh-baked biscuits was a standout. The best bit? We could simply pick up wine and cocktails from the honesty bar 24/7, leaving just our room number.

Audubon Cottages

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Most romantic. We wanted to stay close to Bourbon Street but away from the bustle, and we were looking for a bespoke stay experience. That’s why we chose the gorgeous and high-end Audubon Cottages, which provided both privacy and historic architecture in a plum French Quarter location. 

So what made the place so romantic? The entire setting! A small exotic greenery-framed alleyway led to the mesmerizing courtyard with even more foliage and a red brick exterior. This central space has various gates that lead off to multiple private courtyards, all hidden by trees and walls and with lots of privacy and exclusivity. The cottages themselves blended modern trimmings and historic character, and ours had a private courtyard with water features where we’d sit and enjoy our morning cup of coffee or an evening cocktail. On the inside, period details like antique portraits and hardwood floors complemented mod-cons like fridges, plush beds, and spacious modern bathrooms.

What we loved about this property was that they put us in touch with our butler-cum-host (every cottage has one) via text message/email a few days before we arrived. They’d be always on call for whatever we needed, making this the finest level of hospitality we’d ever seen. The standout was the much-vaunted saltwater pool, which is supposedly the oldest in the French Quarter (and, most probably, NOLA, too). It was the perfect place to swim in and lounge on the daybeds, with refreshments from the pool house.

Royal Sonesta New Orleans

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Occupying an entire block on Bourbon Street, Royal Sonesta New Orleans adds a touch of class to the city’s busiest thoroughfare. We stayed at this grand dame to experience hospitality, fine dining, and upscale amenities, and we weren’t disappointed in the least. Colorful floral displays, striking abstract art, and Art Deco sofas greeted us the minute we walked in. The staff is extremely friendly and witty, yet absolutely efficient, dealing with everything without any wrinkles. What’s more, the 6,000-piece art collection is complemented by a host of desirable amenities, including the elevated fitness center and the heated outdoor pool. Two restaurants, including an Oyster Bar, make for the city’s most inventive dining experiences.

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After the extensive 2016 renovation, the Royal Sonesta was spruced up to the max, including the rooms and suites. While the entry-level rooms got a notably fresh look, Club Level rooms and suites increased. We loved the maroon fittings and royal blue beds in our room, along with marble-framed bathrooms and a ton of mod-cons, including coffeemakers.

W New Orleans French Quarter

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Some parts of the French Quarter are nicer than others, and the intimately stylish W New Orleans French Quarter sits in a sweet spot. It’s set far back enough from Bourbon Street for serenity and is yet within a stone’s throw. Also, it’s one of the most flamboyant five-star hotels in the French Quarters of New Orleans.

When it’s the W, we don’t have to think about anything, and the French Quarter outpost wasn’t any different. We loved everything about this hotel, from oversized fittings and furnishings and the customary low lighting to the bold color schemes of purples and blacks. Even check-in was a slick affair with fruit-infused water in one of the “Living Rooms.” Aside from the brand’s patented ‘Whatever/Whenever’ service, the hotel has a host of amenities, like the fitness center and the awesome 3rd Block Depot Kitchen + Bar. It served inventive Southern cuisine in the form of all meals, strong drinks, and live music. However, the pool area is the crown jewel, sitting in a beautiful courtyard with easy chairs, lanterns, and cabanas. It was like the French Riviera had arrived in the French Quarter.

The rooms and suites, which are called “Wonderful,” “Fabulous,” “Mega,” “Spectacular,” etc., are tech-forward with signature W beds, luxe bathrooms with branded bath products, and coastal chic decor. If you’re here to unwind, pick rooms with views of the lush courtyard.

The Celestine

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History, timelessness, the old world, and the new make for a beautiful blend at The Celestine, a stunning European-style boutique hotel whose origins go back to the 18th century. It’s the place that inspired playwright Tennessee Williams to write “A Streetcar Named Desire,” and it’s also where he wrote it. Staying at the Celestine felt like sleeping at a friend’s house—the low-key rich kind. Think of a colorful personality, an intimate service, and great art; basically, everything a 1791 property will have.

“Staying at the Celestine allowed us to explore NOLA in all its authenticity!”

WOW Travel

Today, this reimagined 10-room property boasts a leafy courtyard with a babbling, three-tier fountain, which was our favorite spot on the property. It also had unbeatable acoustics: the faint echoes of a Mississippi riverboat horn, a three-piece Jazz band warming up somewhere, and sweetly chirping birds. Despite not having a kitchen, the parlor serves cocktails, beer, wine, and espresso drinks. Of course, the star is Peychauds at the Celestine, where pre-dinner cocktails and late-night tipples are the perfect way to end the day.

Rooms and suites at the Celestine boast Afro-Caribbean, French, and Spanish influences with a dollop of the ’50s glam flair. All 10 rooms are uniquely decked out with Parisian-inspired pendants, four-posters, 19th-century oil paintings, and local antique finds. Our Suite Madeline was definitely worth the splurge and felt like a chic atelier. Nevertheless, all rooms boast tempting minibars, lightweight Lekha robes, and stunning bathrooms.

The Windsor Court

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Best spa hotel. The Windsor Court sits a tasteful two blocks from the clamor of the French Quarter, allowing us to relax in tranquility right in the heart of it. This hotel boasts a wonderful blend of Southern hospitality, decadence, and English refinement that’s easy to see when you step inside. Besides the impressive collection of 17th-19th-century paintings everywhere, the public spaces are replete with plump fabrics and leather chairs, giving it the feel of a private members’ club.

Our bags had reached our rooms even before we got there, which spoke volumes about the efficiency of the staff, which had a dollop of endearing Southern charm. The hotel’s sense of grandeur extended to the Windsor Court Spa, where we unwound after a day of exploring the city. However, our favorite was the heated, saltwater rooftop pool with a massive sun deck and some of the best city skyline views. That’s why it’s one of the best NOLA pool hotels, too!

At 400 sq ft, even the entry-level rooms are spacious and amazing. Nevertheless, the vibe across all rooms is ‘Classic English Vogue’ with decidedly unflashy amenities and marble bathrooms. However, the unobstructed views of the mighty Mississippi River are the centerpiece everywhere, with the suites even having small private balconies. If you can, spring for a room with lounge access; three meals and drinks are served daily.

Hotel Monteleone

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As culture vultures, we were beyond thrilled to be staying at Hotel Monteleone, an impressively vibrant, family-owned French Quarter institution and one of the very few of its kind. This 1886-built hotel still commands a huge stretch of Royal Street and is truly a NOLA heavyweight. Interestingly, it’s enjoyed an organic evolution, but the opulent Italianate frontage has remained the same. On the inside, European-tinged, old-world charm melds beautifully with modern Southern hospitality.

The staff operate with hive-like efficiency and are warm and friendly to the boot. The splendid heated rooftop pool surrounded by tropical flora was our favorite haunt, followed by a lovely time at the Aria Spa. Aside from the fitness center, the restaurant and bar are the standouts here. We loved the Instagrammable Carousel Bar, which has an actual carousel as the centerpiece and rotates at a barely perceptible pace. Finally, the restaurant served all meals with regular live jazz performances.

While the rooms are nice, the suites are truly grand. They have minibars, plush beds, and luxurious bathrooms with bespoke bath products. What’s more, they’re extremely spacious, complete with a living-cum-dressing room with gilded, ornate mirrors and chairs, exquisite chandeliers, and French doors leading to the bedroom.

Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter

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Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter was perfect for us as we wanted to be in the heart of all the French Quarter action and enjoy four-star hospitality. This Bourbon Street hotel is one of the most coveted during the Mardi Gras parade, as its rooms and suites boast balconies directly overlooking the street where the parade goes by. So, if you’re in NOLA during Mardi Gras, you know which rooms to book and which ones will sell out fast!

Nevertheless, all rooms and suites at this Sheraton Hotel are amazing, with the most coveted of the lot obviously being the streetside ones. On the other hand, those facing the pool and the courtyard were quieter, so we’d chosen them as we weren’t here during Mardi Gras. What’s more, they all featured comfortable mod-cons, including minibars, flatscreen TVs, luxurious bathrooms with rain showers or bathtubs, and tea/coffeemakers.

The heart of all amenities at this historic hotel, which was formerly the Old French Opera House, was the tropical courtyard and the outdoor pool at the center of it. What’s even better was that after a swim, we’d sprawl on the loungers and order drinks from the pool bar. Aside from a gym and business center, the hotel also has a grab-and-go breakfast, a cafe serving delicious casual fare, and a bar.

The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel

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Most historic. The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, is one of the most historic hotels in New Orleans, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of NOLA’s oldest hotels, has more than 100 years of history, and has some of the grandest architecture around. Think a movie-set glamorous lobby with elegant tiles, period light fittings, murals, and old-world front desks. That, along with high levels of service and top-notch dining and staying experiences, make this property perfect for a top-notch indulgent stay in the French Quarter.

We found every five-star facility imaginable under the sun at this hotel, including a shoe-shine stand in the lobby! The concierge desk was among NOLA’s best, especially their dining and entertainment suggestions. Of course, we had to unwind at the decadent, Waldorf Astoria-branded spa in their world-class therapy suites. After a spa day, the stylish rooftop pool beckoned, complete with sweeping NOLA views. Are you here during the latter half of the week? The Fountain Lounge plays authentic NOLA jazz from Wednesday through the weekend while also serving delicious breakfasts. Finally, there’s a restaurant that’s open for lunch and dinner and serves contemporary Italian classics. 

The rooms and suites are different from the rest of the hotel and are more classic in style. Moreover, they have a traditional feel with floral curtains and cushions, plush headboards, and modern touches like Ferragamo bath products, Waldorf Astoria robes, and Posturepedic mattresses.

The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans

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Most luxurious. Sitting on Canal Street on the fringes of the French Quarter, the luxurious Ritz-Carlton New Orleans regally occupies an entire city block and delivers sheer exclusivity. The imposing Beaux Arts structure dates back to the 1920s and was once home to a prestigious department store. In fact, the elegant white brickwork is alive even today, complete with decorative flourishes. We loved that these elegant touches continued inside, with the highlight being the tranquil atrium with tropical plants and small trees.

Despite the street-level entrance, the third-floor lobby ensured that arrivals felt exclusive and discreet. Aside from high service levels, we loved that our experience started off so pleasantly. We were dying to try out the contemporary spa, one of the city’s few destination spas, followed by a dip in the swimming pool and the hot tub. Since we were here on the weekend, we got the opportunity to listen to the in-house jazz trumpeter, Jeremy Davenport, at the cocktail lounge on weekends. Besides this, the Ritz’s flagship M Bistro served every cuisine under the sun, including some delicious Creole fare.

The rooms and suites conform to the brand’s global standards, exuding a traditional sense of luxury. Think plush velvet armchairs, embroidered headboards, opulent curtains, and marble bathrooms. Our standard room on the Club Level was even more characterful, with fleur-de-lis motifs and canopies over the beds. Plus, our room came with our own concierge.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all of the wonderful French Quarter hotels, here are our absolute favorites:

• Most romantic: Audubon Cottages
• Most historic: The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel
• Most luxurious: The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans
• Best spa hotel: The Windsor Court

Where to Stay in New Orleans French Quarter?

While seemingly small, the French Quarter is 13 streets long and almost 7 streets wide, sitting right on the northern banks of the Mississippi River. Plus, it’s one of the top things to do in New Orleans. So, it’s important to choose where to stay, even if it’s in this small and charming neighborhood. We begin with the waterfront near Jackson Square and the French Quarter Riverwalk. It’s also well-connected as the tram line runs right along the water’s edge, making it easy to get to other parts of the city. Secondly, Bourbon and Canal Streets are on the southern fringes, which are the heart of NOLA’s French Quarter. Besides the main tram line running along it, the glitzy avenues are home to some of the city’s best stores, restaurants, and entertainment.

Louis Armstrong Park and Rampart Street make up the northern end and are close to some of the best historical and cultural venues around. These include the National Historical Park, the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, etc. Finally, there’s Esplanade Avenue, which makes up its quieter eastern end and ends right at the NOLA Jazz Museum.

Is the New Orleans French Quarter walkable?

Yes, very. The French Quarter is a complete destination experience and is very walkable. In fact, this French Quarter Walking and Storytelling Tour is very popular.

Why is Bourbon Street so famous?

Bourbon Street is the life of the party side of New Orleans, decorated by balconies and beads, pulsating with music, and lit by neon lights.

Is it better to stay in the French Quarter or downtown New Orleans?

If you have a shorter stay, staying in the French Quarter makes sense since everything is walkable. Even if you have a longer stay, staying in the French Quarter is an experience that you shouldn’t miss. So, you can divide your time between the French Quarter and Downtown.