11 Best Mardi Gras Hotel Packages

Few cities in the world have a reputation for partying like New Orleans does. Every year, the city comes alive with the weeks-long Carnival season, which culminates on Fat Tuesday, a.k.a. Mardi Gras day. One of the most popular times to visit NOLA, Mardi Gras is a kaleidoscope of delectable Creole and Cajun cuisine, undeniable energy, and vibrant parades. In one word, it’s “lit.” Since it’s one of the most popular times to visit the city, it’s never too early to think about booking your stay. So, why not look for the best Mardi Gras hotel packages? The hotels around the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, the Garden and the Warehouse Districts are the most popular since they’re along or close to the parade routes. While they usually get booked up very fast, we’d managed to snag a package quite early on.

The best bit is even if you haven’t looked at them yet, it’s not too late. In 2025, Mardi Gras Tuesday, which falls on March 4th, might be the most popular day of the festival, but the two weekends prior to it are the liveliest times in the city. As the iconic Fat Tuesday approaches, the hotels get filled up quickly, so it’s best to get on with your booking. Here’s a guide to staying in New Orleans during Mardi Gras with the best package options.

Hotel Provincial

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If location is your top priority, then staying in the French Quarter doesn’t get any better than at Hotel Provincial. Sitting right in the heart of the French Quarter, the hotel is within walking distance to Bourbon Street, which is the heart of Mardi Gras. Furthermore, you can even walk down to the streetcar line, which will zip you to the Uptown parades.

So, what packages did Hotel Provincial have on offer? Firstly, they had a 10% off (half off parking) “Louisiana Local’s Rate” for, well, Louisiana locals. However, their bestselling offer is the “Multi-Night Discount,” where guests get up to 15% off their per night room rate for staying for 2 or more consecutive nights.

The rest of the hotel was equally amazing and perfect for resting amidst all the Mardi Gras madness. We especially loved the lushly landscaped, magical courtyard, complete with a fountain, trees, and seating, making it the perfect place to enjoy some quiet time. Modern and spacious rooms, a fabulous onsite restaurant, free Wi-Fi, concierge and room service, and a wonderful outdoor swimming pool wrap up the offerings here.

Hotel Indigo New Orleans

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Now this one is going to be a little different, especially for the 2025 edition of Mardi Gras. Are you a gay couple or a group of friends who want to attend Mardi Gras in style? We highly recommend Hotel Indigo New Orleans. Incidentally, the entire hotel belongs to the LGBTQ+ vacation company Vacaya from Feb 28th to March 5th – the entirety of Mardi Gras! Together, they have curated a spectacular five-night Mardi Gras experience, which is simply unmissable.

So, what does this hotel and this experience have in store for you during 2025’s Mardi Gras? First and foremost, it includes five nights of exclusive stays at the hotel. Secondly, the package includes VIP Grandstand seats to all major Mardi Gras parades on not just all day of Fat Tuesday, but also the previous Saturday and Sunday nights. Furthermore, it includes pre-parade cocktails and dinner on Sunday and VIP seats at Monday night’s Krewe of Orpheus Ball. Did we mention the included group transfers to all scheduled events that are non-walkable? Yes! Check out all the details here.

The Pontchartrain Hotel

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We wanted to enjoy all the parade route action while staying in comfort and luxury, which is why we chose The Pontchartrain Hotel. This unique staying experience in NOLA has a timeless elegance that has stayed on since the hotel’s origins in the 1940s. However, the rooms, which is one of the reasons we booked the hotel, felt like living in post-war luxury. Think well-curated antique-style furnishings, defiantly modern and plush beds, sleek bathrooms, and even bathtubs with La Labo products. Even the minibar felt like a Carnival treat, with barware and ingredients for Mad Men-era cocktails.

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So, why did we book this hotel for Mardi Gras? For one and only one reason: Bayou Bar! The hotel’s casual dining option, which served elevated bar food even in room service, was the perfect place to sip on Mardi Gras cocktails and enjoy the parade action right on the ground. We even retreated to the rooftop bar, Hot Tin, to throw beads at the parade!

The best bit was that the hotel offered a slew of packages even during Carnival time. Check them out on the hotel’s official offers page.

Blake Hotel New Orleans, BW Signature Collection

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Sitting directly on the parade route, the Blake Hotel New Orleans, BW Signature Collection offers a front-row seat to the parades — quite literally! Located at the corner of Poydras and St. Charles Avenue, it’s right where all of the Uptown NOLA Mardi Gras parades pass through from. Not only does the hotel have a huge second-floor balcony with great views of the parades, but they also have viewing stands right out front! So, we could be right on the street, up close to all the parade action. However, the best bit was that the hotel was also selling balcony tickets for the parade, which includes not just food but also beverages, including an open bar with alcohol.   

That’s just one of the, albeit main, reasons we loved staying at this hotel. Besides the spacious rooms, the hotel also had the lobby’s Cafe at the Square restaurant serving delicious Creole and Cajun fare. Interestingly, the hotel also had a bunch of other packages active during Mardi Gras, including AAA and AARP discount packages, military and government discount ones, early bird specials, and many options for members too.

Le Pavillon, New Orleans, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

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One of NOLA’s oldest grande dames, the Le Pavillon, New Orleans, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel was the perfect blend of traditions being welcomed into the 21st century. Sitting pretty on the borders of the French Quarter and CBD, the hotel has standout architectural details. Amazing minimalist rooms and suites and top-tier service aside, the hotel boasts a casual lobby bar, a fantastic rooftop pool, and complimentary glasses of milk and PB&J sandwiches in the lobby every night. Oh, did we mention that you can enjoy them even if you aren’t hotel guests? Yes!

However, the hotel’s Mardi Gras offerings are top-notch. They offer guests the options to buy Mardi Gras Bourbon Street Balcony Tickets, with the option of 3-7 hours and an open bar. Since the tickets are limited, they sell out quickly. However, you can spend about half your booked time at the Front Row of their second-floor Bourbon Street Balcony tossing beads to the parade crowds. Other stay packages include the “A Little Lagniappe” cocktail package, special ones for seniors and AAA members, and “Save on 5+ nights” package.

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

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The Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans has the distinction of being the only Five-Diamond hotel in the entire state! What’s even better is that it offers exclusive access to NOLA’s Carnival season, so we get to experience it just like locals. While their 2025 package isn’t out yet, their “Mardi Gras Like a Local” package from the earlier years costed USD 500. It included not only select evening parades, includes two parade viewing stand passes, but also parade dining at Herbsaint and even a Carnival Concierge for personalized service and insider tips.

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What’s more, they even have a “Park and Play” offer for 15% off the complimentary parking and nightly rate. In fact, one of the hotel’s customizable three-day itineraries include activities like “Making of Mardi Gras” Tour and even Mardi Gras-themed dinners! Other packages included the “Stay Longer – Third Night Free” package, the Hotel Credit package, and the one where you receive 25% discount on advance purchase. Check out all featured offers on the Four Seasons offers page.

It’s no wonder that the Four Seasons in New Orleans is all about modern riverfront luxury.

Residence Inn New Orleans French Quarter Area/Central Business District

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Sitting right behind its sister hotel, the JW Marriott, the Residence Inn New Orleans French Quarter Area/CBD is one of the best places to stay during the Carnival. They truly deliver a front-row experience to the festival and the parades especially by offering residents access to not just the St. Charles Avenue viewing stands, but also a unique viewing experience from their second-floor balcony overlooking St. Charles Avenue. Since the space is limited and revelries are unlimited, they request patrons to purchase their passes in advance. Do keep an eye out on their official experiences page where their Mardi Gras 2025 experience will be updated.

Opened Fall 2019. Newly constructed hotel features extra-large rooms with a modern residential feel. The hotel also boasts free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and modern rooms and suites.

The Royal Sonesta New Orleans

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Best hotel with Mardi Gras events. Staying in the heart of the French Quarter doesn’t get any better than at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans. It celebrates Mardi Gras in style with the “Greasing of the Poles event,” a Carnival season favorite at the hotel. The event actually originated to keep rowdy Mardi Gras partygoers from climbing the poles of the hotel’s famed Bourbon Balconies. It sees contestants competing based on their ability to grease the poles well, complete with creative costumes, performances, and even grand entries. Interestingly, it’s now a signature event for kicking off the Carnival celebrations in the city; it even boasts a fan club in Switzerland! Now in its 55th year, the extraordinary event will take place at 10 am on February 28th in 2025, marking the beginning of the Mardi Gras weekend.

“We’d always wanted to see the Greasing of the Poles, and the Royal Sonesta making our stay comfy was the cherry on top!”

WOW Travel

Since the hotel is one with the famed Bourbon Street balconies, they offer packages for their Bourbon Balcony Rooms and Suites. For the ultimate experience, reserve the “Bourbon Balcony Hospitality Suites,” which provide a bird’s-eye view of all the action from their wrought-iron balconies. What’s more, they also have parlors with wet bars, in-house catering, and specialized room service during Mardi Gras!

Other popular packages on offer during this time include the “Weekend Like A Royal” package, a Local Residents Save” package for residents of Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas, and even a mouthwatering Join Us for Breakfast” one. It’s no wonder that The Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans is the splendor of Bourbon Street.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

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Best Bourbon Street package. Every event is special at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, and they surely knew how to make our Mardi Gras experience truly unforgettable. This Grande Dame of French Quarter hotels boasted near-perfect period detail, like balconies, dormers, French arch windows, and wrought and cast-iron fixtures. Add to this the fact that it boasts choices of Mardi Gras packages, and you know why we had so much fun in NOLA during the Carnival.

Our favorite was the “Carnival Royalty” package, an exclusive room package with the perfect blend of tradition and luxury. The stay included not just a room of our choice (based on availability) but also access to the Bourbon St. Balcony to watch the parade. That’s why it’s also one of the best Mardi Gras hotels with balconies! Not just that, but it also included a bag of New Orleans-themed goodies delivered to our room, delicious King Cake, and even Mardi Gras beads to throw to the revelers below! Other packages, which were active during Mardi Gras, including the Orleans Bed and Breakfast package, the Bourbon Orleans Festivals package, the 21 Reasons to Stay package, and the Stay Longer and Save package.

The rest of the hotel also comes alive during Mardi Gras, including the Bourbon O’ bar with cocktails and live local jazz performances and a heated saltwater pool. Do you want to take a break from all the madness? Simply head to the lush, inner courtyard; it’s one of the few serene places on the street.

Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

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Best parade route hotel. Let the good times roll at the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, where we got ready to ‘Laissez les bons temps rouler.’ This prime Mardi Gras hotel sat right on the parade route and we were a stone’s throw from the French Quarter’s festivities and revelries. So, what were the packages on offer at the Hotel Fontenot?

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For one, they offer several package options for the dates around Mardi Gras. One is the “Third Night’s a Charm” package, which brings ultimate value to the table. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the third night’s free on them, so you stay for three nights, but you only pay for two. Another package was the “Stay Longer & Save” package, which allows you to save up to 35% off their “Best Flexible Rate” for bookings of five nights or more. Also, you need to book at least two days in advance, along with a night’s non-refundable deposit at the minimum. Finally, there’s the “Breakfast For Less” package. This package not only gives a breakfast credit of USD 45 at the King Brasserie and 2 welcome beers during check-in, all for USD 5 per day of purchasing breakfast. Check out all the deals and packages.

Just like other Kimpton outposts, this one also has modern and spacious rooms and a restaurant and a bar serving delicious cocktails and Southern cuisine. In fact, it’s one of the best family hotels in New Orleans.

JW Marriott New Orleans

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Most luxurious hotel. Sitting right at the top of the list is the JW Marriott New Orleans. This hotel sits right on the parade route for most of the biggest Mardi Gras parades in the city, so what could be better? So, staying here was like winning a front-row seat to the Mardi Gras revelry in the city.

While the deal for 2025 isn’t still out at the time of writing the article, the hotel’s past package that we indulged in got in more than just a front-row seat to the parade. Firstly, we enjoyed a USD 90 concierge credit that we could use to buy parade viewing stand passes at its sister hotel, the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. Or we could invest in other local experiences. What’s more, we also got two welcome cocktails, a copy of Arthur Hardy’s 2023 Mardi Gras Guide, and a wonderful room/suite of our choice based on the availability. We highly recommend the corner king room, as we had perfect views of the parades and could decide when to head down or not. The only stipulation? The minimum stay period is three nights.

One of the top rooftop pool hotels in New Orleans, this JW outpost has a sun terrace, a rooftop area with a pool, a restaurant and lounge, a fantastic breakfast buffet, and amazing rooms and suites.

Our Verdict!

While we love all hotel and staying options on this list, the ones below are special for their specific features.

• Most luxurious hotel: JW Marriott New Orleans
• Best parade route hotel: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
• Best Bourbon Street package: Bourbon Orleans Hotel
• Best hotel with Mardi Gras events: The Royal Sonesta New Orleans

Where to Stay in New Orleans during Mardi Gras?

Besides deciding when to visit, it’s also critical to choose which neighborhood you want to stay in during Mardi Gras.

If you want to be close to the Mardi Gras parades that roll down St. Charles Avenue, choose one of the many Garden District and Uptown hotels. These are not only away from the rowdiness of the French Quarter, but they were also at the starting of the parade routes. Another great neighborhood is the Warehouse District, from where parades wind past some of our favorite hotels. At the same time, they’re all within walking distance of the French Quarter.

One top tip to understand before heading to Mardi Gras in New Orleans is to download the WDSU Parade Tracker apps (for both Android and iPhone). That will get you an entire list of parade maps, schedules, and even live tracking information.

How long should I plan to stay for Mardi Gras?

The best thing to do is arrive on the Friday or Saturday prior to Fat Tuesday and stay through Ash Wednesday, which is the day after Mardi Gras day.

Do you have to pay to go to Mardi Gras?

While there are some Mardi Gras Balls, balcony parties, and viewing stand seats around the city that charge a fee, all parades and most other Mardi Gras events are all free. That’s why it’s famous as “The greatest free show on Earth.”

What is the weather like during Mardi Gras?

Since the weather during Mardi Gras can vary from very warm to very cold, it’s best to layer your clothes. So, when there’s a warm afternoon after a chilly morning, you can simply pull your jacket off.