On our recent visit to New Orleans we had the pleasure of staying at one of the French Quarter’s elite accommodations, Hotel Monteleone. (Thank you so much for inviting us!) Located on Rue Royal or Royal Street, the exterior of Hotel Monteleone captures that Old Orleans feel with large open windows, gold trim, and white stoned walls.
So, what makes Hotel Monteleone worth your dime? Here are 5 Guy and Girl Reasons:
Location Location Location
Hotel Moneleone is situated within the heart of the French Quarter. On Royal St. alone you’ll find endless art galleries, fine dining, and some of the best souvenir shopping you’ll ever encounter! Plus, it’s steps away from the parties on Bourbon St., the hustle and bustle of Canal St., the energy of Jackson Square, the views along the Mississippi River, and within walking distance of the St. Charles Streetcar, which takes you up to the Garden District among other locations.
Tip: Take a short stroll over to Pirate’s Alley – one of the most haunted streets in the French Quarter! Order an absinthe at Pirates Alley Café and evoke the green fairy!
Foodie Fabulous
Yum! Yum! Hotel Monteleone has two outstanding restaurants and a famous spinning bar! That’s right, Le Café offers breakfast and lunch while the Hunt Room Grill, a fine dining establishment, is open for dinner. Located just beyond the front doors of Hotel Monteleone is the Carousel Bar & Lounge, one of the French Quarter’s most well-known bars! Spin round and round as your bartender serves you the best of the best in cocktails and watch as even the shyest of people start socializing!
Tip: Try the Southern Comfort-tini at the Carousel Bar & Lounge – it’s our new found fave!
Amenities Oh My
Hotel Monteleone has many amenities that will keep guests happy and even their pets too! From a rooftop heated pool to a surprisingly large state of the art gym that you’d expect to find in a New York City high rise apartment building; Hotel Monteleone has you covered. Not to mention the full-service day spa, access to a free computer and printer, an ATM machine, and a concierge who can arrange tours, pick-ups, restaurant reservations, etc. Plus, the doormen even greet you at every hello and goodbye making you feel like rock star royalty!
Tip: Guests can take a free audio tour to learn about the hotel’s history and haunts!
Employees Who Care
During our Halloween weekend at Hotel Monteleone, we were surprised by how much the hotel’s staff cared about our safety. First, we asked the concierge how to get to the Edgar Degas House and she told us to take a taxi as there were some questionable areas. Second, the doorman also suggested a taxi when we asked about taking a streetcar to The Mortuary, a Halloween haunted attraction. Third, a bellman recommended that we take a cemetery tour to see Marie Laveau’s tomb as opposed to walking on our own, as again that area wasn’t very safe. We were very grateful for each of their suggestions – safety comes first!
Tip: If there is a line at the concierge’s desk, ask other hotel employees for local tips and recommendations!
Belle of the Ball
Hotel Monteleone has many romantic ballrooms and meeting rooms that are perfect to celebrate your wedding day, party, social function, or conference. We snuck a peak inside the Riverview Room on the 16th floor and found it to be a perfect spot for a small party or cocktail hour. The views of this room were mind blowing as we watched the city’s skyline light up. The paddlewheelers sailing down the Mississippi River were just the icing on the cake!
Now, depending on your personal style and group size, Hotel Monteleone offers many rooms to make your occasion extra special. We know this because we went into many during Tales of the Cocktail 2009. These rooms were so wonderful that let’s just say our future children’s weddings have been planned out!
Tip: For all you little blue-box Tiffany lovers, Hotel Monteleone has a few ballrooms that fit this theme beautifully!
Guy
