Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans

I love a hotel with a rich history and a good story, and Hotel Monteleone has both. The hotel has been open since 1886 and is a historic landmark. Stepping into the lobby, with its grand chandeliers and marble floors, you can’t help but immediately notice its timeless Southern elegance.

Hotel lobby

The rooms are exquisitely designed and continue to blend historic elements with luxurious touches—they offer the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans.

Preferred Platinum Partner welcome note and amenity

Guest rooms

Guest room options include a Traditional Guest Room and have either two double beds or one king bed. Preferred Rooms feature Mississippi River or French Quarter views and are the largest of the guest rooms. The Royal Salon is an oversized guest room with a king bed, and the Iberville Superior King is a fully renovated room with traditional charm and a dressing area with a vanity.

Traditional Guest Room

Luxury suites

There are five types of luxury suites, starting with the 540-square-foot Executive Suite, which features a parlor with a sofa bed. The Vieux Carre Suite is 500 square feet and includes a garden Jacuzzi tub. The Riverview Suite is 560 square feet and has Mississippi River views. The Iberville King and Double Suites are in the newly renovated section of the hotel and have a sitting area, sofa bed, and half-bath in the parlor. The French Quarter Suites are located in the Iberville Tower and offer stunning views of the French Quarter.

Literary suites

As a tribute to the hotel’s history and the many authors who not only stayed at Hotel Monteleone, but also found writing inspiration within its walls, you can choose from the following literary suites. All of these suites feature over 670 square feet of luxurious living space, and each has its own story dedicated to an author: the William Faulkner Suite, Truman Capote Suite, FJ Monteleone Suite, Tennessee Williams Suite, Ernest Hemingway Suite, and the Eudora Welty Suite. All are on the 14th floor and offer breathtaking views of the French Quarter or the Mississippi River.

All rooms at Hotel Monteleone have Keurig coffee brewers, complimentary water, in-room safes, refrigerators, Wi-Fi, an ironing board and iron, a hairdryer, an alarm clock, marble and granite bathrooms, complimentary plush robes, and courtesy umbrellas (a bonus in summer months). The hotel staff is friendly and accommodating. The concierge is readily available, as well valets for parking in the hotel garage.

Hotel Monteleone also is home to the iconic Carousel Bar, which has been serving handcrafted cocktails since 1949. It is the perfect place to start your stay in New Orleans. Order a cocktail and listen to live jazz Wednesdays through Saturdays while the bar rotates. Insider tip: The Fleur de Lis is a great cocktail choice.

Carousel Bar

Ciriollo is a fine-dining restaurant located in the hotel. You’ll find coastal Italian dishes on the menu and Southern charm all around you. In-room dining is also available.

When you’re ready to relax and take a break from the summer heat, the rooftop pool is the best spot to cool off. Aqua Bella Poolside Bar is ideal for an afternoon, poolside cocktail, or lunch. Spa Aria is available on site for those who want to relax even more.

Rooftop pool

And when you’re ready to experience New Orleans, you can walk right onto Royal Street, where the French Quarter is waiting.

As I mentioned, I love a hotel with a good story. The historical elements of Hotel Monteleone are only one part of that story. It is said that the hotel is one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans. Believers say that the ghosts are gentle and seem to watch over the hotel, trying to preserve its history. During the late 19th century or early 20th century, it is said that Maurice Begere died here when he was a young boy. Guests report seeing his ghost playing in the halls on the 14th floor, and that you may hear footsteps in the empty hallway. As true superstition goes, the hotel also does not have a 13th floor but skips right to the 14th. It is also noted that old elevators will sometimes take guests to the 14th floor even if it was not requested.

Although I did not experience any of the ghosts in the hotel, the elevator randomly took me to the 14th floor once—and the 7th floor twice.

All in all, Hotel Monteleone is a historical gem in the heart of the French Quarter. It is full of Southern charm, historical elegance, and good stories to make your stay memorable. It is an affordable yet luxurious option that also offers the Preferred Platinum Partner perks listed above. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.

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