Hotel Monteleone

Hotel Monteleone stands at 214 Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, a short walk from Canal Street, Bourbon Street, Jackson Square and the streetcar lines that run along Canal Street. Opened in 1886 and still family-owned, it is among the city's best-known historic hotels and carries a long association with writers and musicians, which gives the lobby and public rooms a distinctly literary New Orleans atmosphere. The tall, ornate building mixes Beaux-Arts detailing with a grand lobby, and it is a regular stop on French Quarter ghost and history tours. Rooms are offered in Queen and King configurations as well as a range of suites, with classic decor, tall windows in many rooms and views over the Quarter or toward the Mississippi River from higher floors. Rates generally run from about US$230 to US$550 a night depending on season and room type. The signature attraction is the Carousel Bar and Lounge, a bar whose seating revolves slowly around a central bar beneath a carousel canopy; it draws locals as well as guests and is a standard first-night cocktail stop. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant serving Creole-influenced cuisine, and breakfast is available without leaving the property, which suits visitors who prefer to start the day before heading into the Quarter's cafes. Wellness facilities include a rooftop pool with sun deck views over the city, a spa and a fitness center, which are uncommon for a hotel of this age in the historic district. The concierge desk helps arrange tours, dinner reservations and live music outings, and the property handles both leisure travelers and groups and conventions. Its position on Royal Street, lined with galleries and antique shops, makes it an easy base for walking to restaurants, jazz clubs and the riverfront, while the busier Bourbon Street nightlife is a few blocks away. Visitors who want a quieter room may ask for a higher floor or a room away from the street, since Royal Street can be lively in the evenings. Overall the hotel suits travelers who want a full-service, traditional luxury stay with well-known amenities and a central location.