The Pontchartrain

Unsurprisingly, it is not hard to find cool accommodation in New Orleans. Arguably the United States' most vibrant and casually cool major city. Therefore, it is a case of sorting through the options to find the best hotel for you. Whether you are looking for sleek and contemporary, a characterful boutique, or a property that offers live music or a buzzing bar — our Hotel Guru's collection of cool hotels in New Orleans has something for all tastes and budgets. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next city break?

For a boutique stay

The Mercantile Hotel

  • Q&C Hotel Bar is a trendy boutique-style hotel with sophisticated rooms featuring exposed brick walls, antique-inspired furniture, bold prints and industrial-chic touches. Complete with a lively bar, this is a stylish option ideal for night revellers.
  • Cambria Hotel New Orleans is a red brick warehouse stylishly converted into a modern boutique hotel. Spacious rooms have cool monochrome tones while the bathrooms are indulgent offering Acca Kappa toiletries. A casual bistro hits the spot after a day's exploring (easily done from the hotel's convenient CBD location).
  • International House Hotel is a boutique hotel set in a grand traditional building. Vibrant interiors combine the building's original features with chic (New Orleans inspired) contemporary design. A buzzing cocktail bar is a happening spot.
  • The Mercantile Hotel is a hip all-suite boutique situated in the happening Warehouse Arts District. The historic building's original exposed brick walls and industrial touches add character to the super-spacious contemporary suites with colourful and fresh mid-century modern decor. Enjoy the lively bar, games room and lobby lounge.
  • Melrose Mansion is an elegant boutique hotel set in a mansion on the edge of the French Quarter. The suites come in different forms but all are undeniably cool combining original features, such as hardwood floors and beamed ceilings, with simple white design and black&white photography. An outdoor pool seals the deal.

For a lively stay

The Drifter

  • The Drifter is a motel that has been transformed into New Orleans' most desirable boutique stay for the young artistic crowd. This ultra-cool property offers simple chic rooms overlooking the central pool courtyard, complete with a lively bar and hip coffee house. Come here for vibrant weekend parties and live music.
  • Royal Street Inn is a trendy bar with rooms in the central and bohemian Faubourg Marigny. Suites are spacious and sexy; think designer furniture, funky artwork, mood-lighting and curated modernist style. The bar stays open until 3 am on weeknights and 5 am on weekends; prioritise partying over sleep here!
  • Ace Hotel is an uber-hip hotel that matches its trendy surroundings. Grown-up rooms are all dark hues, clean lines and the best have guitars for an evening strum. A rooftop pool, superb restaurant (in an impressive hall) and own music venue make this an unbeatable choice for a lively stay.

For great value

Moxy New Orleans Downtown

  • Moxy New Orleans Downtown is a hip offering from Marriott's Moxy brand. The design has a youthful feel with large graphics, simple contemporary furniture, and up-to-date mod cons. The bar is a lively affair with a good selection of cocktails. A great choice for a reasonably priced stay in the heart of the city.
  • St Charles Coach House is a contemporary boutique with plenty of style. Rooms are spacious and decorated with tasteful local art while the lively lobby has an eclectic and homely feel. A chic and well-priced option.
  • The Troubadour is a stylish central base with rooms starting at around $100, making this great value for the location and amenities. Sleek rooms are decorated with bright local art and offer wonderful city views while the roof terrace bar steals the show!

For luxury

The Saint Hotel

  • For a contemporary stay, The Saint Hotel is a good luxury option. Expect bold colours, sleek lines, and modern fixtures. Innovative Louisiana fare is served in the restaurant. A youthful choice for a fun city break.

For city style

The Pontchartrain

  • The Pontchartrain is a hip retro hotel offering impeccably friendly service and old-school chic design. Rooms are elegant and light, and come complete with Mad Men-esque minibars! While the Caribbean fine-dining restaurant & chic rooftop bar complete the picture. Ideal for a fun-loving New Orleans stay.

Still not sure where to book?

13 Cool Hotels in New Orleans

International House Hotel

New Orleans (Central Business District)

Centrally located near the French Quarter, this hotel offers a chic, lively spot to explore the city from. Rooms are modern and spacious, with all the mod-cons and the decor evokes both jazz and Creole culture. A buzzy bar in-house and a wide range of restaurants at the doorstep.

  • Great walks - Jackson Square and City Park are both worth a stroll through.
  • Sights nearby - Louisiana Maritime Museum is 250 metres away from the hotel.
  • Full of character
  • Lively
from CA$323 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Ace Hotel, New Orleans

New Orleans (Warehouse District)

An uber hip hotel that matches its trendy surrounds. Grown up rooms are all dark hues, clean lines and the best are provided with guitars for an evening of strumming. A roof top pool, superb restaurant (in an impressive hall) and own music venue make this an unbeatable choice.

  • City Style - An uber trendy hotel in the hip Warehouse District complete with jazz evenings and a rooftop pool.
  • Full of character
  • Lively
  • Views
from CA$349 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Drifter

New Orleans (Mid-City)

This motel has been transformed into New Orleans' most desirable boutique for the young artistic crowd. An ultra cool hotel offering simple chic rooms overlooking the central pool courtyard, complete with lively bar and hip coffee house. Come here for vibrant weekend parties and live music.

  • Groups - A fun weekend with friends- think fresh frozen cocktails, craft beers, a rotation of food trucks and live music by the pool
  • Local markets - The hotel hosts an ever changing rotation of food trucks at the weekends, bringing the market to you!
  • Restrictions on children - The atmosphere is very adults only with loud music and young crowds
  • Lively
from CA$189 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
St Charles Coach House

New Orleans (Central City)

Contemporary boutique hotel outside the centre with bags of style. Generously-sized and elegant rooms all feature local art, work-size desks, cosy sitting areas with large couches plus tasteful Art Deco touches. The lively lobby has an eclectic and homely feel. Great-value with fun motel feel.

  • Local exploring - Combines staying in a peaceful and restful part of the city while having great connections to all the areas you want to visit
  • Great walks - Shakespeare and Morris Parks are within 1km of the property
  • Lively
  • Full of character
from CA$195 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Pontchartrain

New Orleans (Central City)

A hip retro hotel offering impeccably friendly service and old-school chic design. A total refurbishment has bought this historic hotel back to life. Rooms are elegant and light complete with Mad Men-esque minibars. While the Caribbean fine-dining restaurant & chic rooftop bar complete the picture.

  • City Style - Undeniably hip, with tantalizing cocktails on the rooftop, atmospheric fine-dining, and impeccable retro design
  • Sights nearby - Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo are easily accessible and well worth a visit
  • Restaurant - Caribbean Room restaurant is an exemplary fine-dining experience
  • Full of character
from CA$307 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Cambria Hotel New Orleans

New Orleans (Warehouse District)

A red brick warehouse stylishly converted into a modern boutique hotel. Spacious rooms have cool monochrome tones while the bathrooms are indulgent offering Acca Kappa toiletries. A casual bistro hits the spot after a day's exploring which is easy to do from the hotel's convenient CBD location.

  • Local exploring - The Mississippi riverfront, historic French Quarter and the art galleries of Julia Street are all a stroll away
  • Boutique - Industrial from the outside and contemporary inside, with neon signs and art installations
  • Restaurant - A modern bistro serves casual meals
  • Designer
from CA$237 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Melrose Mansion

New Orleans (Marigny)

An elegant boutique hotel set in a mansion on the edge of the French Quarter. The suites come in different forms but all combine original features, such as hardwood floors and beamed ceilings, with simple white design. An outdoor pool is a real luxury and restaurants and bars are just a stroll away.

  • Local exploring - Set in an upmarket neighbourhood on the edge of the French Quarter meaning that all the buzz of the city is just a stroll away
  • Boutique - A beautifully renovated 19th century mansion which merges simple modern design with the building's original features
  • Sights nearby - Jackson Square and the gothic St Louis Cathedral are a real must see
  • Whirlpool Bathtub - Contemporary Jacuzzi Suites offer oversized jetted tubs
from CA$150 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Troubadour

New Orleans (Central Business District)

The facade of this converted office block may be somewhat subdued, however, interiors are bright and fresh while a chic restaurant and roof terrace bar make this a real hotspot. Spacious rooms are decorated with bright local art and offer wonderful city views. A well priced central stay.

  • Local exploring - Well placed in Central Business District with the French Quarter just two blocks away and great access to streetcars
  • Value chic - Rooms starts at just over $100 in the low season making this a reasonably priced stay for such a central location
  • Sights nearby - Explore Tremé, known to be the oldest black neighbourhood in America and the birthplace of jazz
  • Restaurant - Modern European fare at restaurant Petit Lion
from CA$195 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Saint Hotel

New Orleans (Central Business District)

A luxury hotel set on the edge of the French Quarter. Rooms are bright and bold with sleek lines, modern fixtures and marble bathrooms (choose a suite for a clawfoot bathtub). The restaurant serves innovative Louisiana fare but it is the location & design that make this a winning choice.

  • Local exploring - Located next to the theatre district and offering easy access to the French Quarter and Bourbon street
  • City Style - A luxury hotel with a youthful feel - the bold design makes this a great choice for the young and hip
  • Sights nearby - The Riverwalk, Aquarium of the Americas and Harrah’s Casino are all nearby
  • Restaurant - Restaurant Tempt serves a modern spin on traditional Louisiana classics
from CA$237 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
The Mercantile Hotel

New Orleans (Warehouse District)

Hip all-suite hotel situated in happening Warehouse Arts District. The historic building's original exposed brick walls and industrial touches add character to the super-spacious contemporary suites with colourful and fresh mid-century modern decor. Enjoy the lively bar, games room and lobby lounge.

  • Business meetings - Perfect for laid-back meetings, off-sites or small events. Participants will appreciate high-tech amenities and great location
  • Romantic Break - A great option for an on-trend romantic weekend getaway. Book the romance package for complimentary goodies and late check-in
  • Local exploring - The trendy local Warehouse / Arts District is a cultural-lover's playground with art galleries, museums & performance spaces
  • City Style - Suites come with slick touches like record players and super black-out blinds, so can double up as a stylish party pad
from CA$338 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Royal Street Inn

New Orleans (Marigny)

Trendy bar with rooms in super-central bohemian Faubourg Marigny. Suites are spacious and sexy; think designer furniture, funky artwork, mood-lighting and curated modernist style. The bar stays open until 3 am on weeknights and 5 am on weekends; prioritise partying over sleep. Happening hot spot.

  • Local exploring - Vibey Faubourg Marigny - full of cool music venues, bars and restaurants - is located close to the French Quarter and the river
  • Bar - Much more than just a bar, this alternative and lively community-favourite hosts cook-outs, haircuts, jukebox and resident dog
  • City Style - Rooms feature essential modern luxury amenities including Sonos speakers, fancy coffee machines and leafy balcony terrace
  • Close to nightlife - In addition to the bar downstairs, iconic Frenchmen Street - known for some of the city's best jazz venues - is nearby
from CA$356 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Q&C Hotel Bar

New Orleans (Central Business District)

Trendy boutique-style hotel in the city's vibrant business district. Spacious and sophisticated rooms feature exposed brick walls, antique-inspired furniture, bold prints and industrial-chic touches. Traditional exterior houses cool contemporary interior with bar, restaurant and function spaces.

  • Local exploring - The fab location - between French Quarter & Warehouse/Arts District - means that sites, restaurants & jazz clubs are all nearby
  • Business meetings - A great central option high-tech set-up. The Den, Library and Whisky Room make for event spaces with a difference
  • City Style - Boutique chic in the heart of town with stylish rooms, lively bar and historic character and modern charm
  • Sailing - Spend the day exploring New Orleans from the water on a historic steamboat. Enjoy bay views, delicious dining and on-board jazz
from CA$182 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia

Written by Katie Harris

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