Any trip to this part of Louisiana should
start with a stay in New Orleans, specifically in the French Quarter.
What better a place to call home for a few days than the Hotel
Monteleone. This hotel dates from 1886, is still family owned and is
located in the heart of New Orleans's French Quarter. It is definitely
"the" hotel to stay at in this district. In the mood for decadence and
elegance - Hotel Monteleone serves this up by the dishful. Superior
service, plush accommodation, two excellent restaurants, a rotating carousal bar, full service spa,
rooftop pool and historical significance are all part of the experience
here. A central location allows easy access to high end nearby antique,
jewelry, and art galleries. Two well known galleries easily within
walking distance are
Rodrigue's Blue Dog, and the
Angela King Gallery,
displaying the works of multiple artists including
Thomas Arvid, a well-known
painter who commissions winery related artwork.
Step into the bar for a cocktail or one of two cocktails invented by
carousal bartenders. This is a great place to also meet fellow
travelers as well as locals. Sit here for more than 15 minutes and you
will rotate in a full circle around the bar...as they advertise,
"the only carousal in town where you have to be 21 to ride it!" The rooftop pool is small but
is a great place to relax. A nearby bar can even help further your
relaxation! There are good views here over looking New Orleans. Choose
from a variety of rooms including their decadent suites named after
famous authors who have either stayed here or written about the hotel
including Tennessee Williams, William Falkner and Ernest Hemmingway
among many others. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward once called the Monteleone their favorite hotel. What is now a ballroom was at one point
setup for boxer Joe Frazier to train against Mohammed Ali.
We highly
recommend the Vieux Carre Suites (having personally stayed in one
before) - this 2-room accommodation features an abundance of luxury
including two marble and granite bathrooms, an in bathroom Jacuzzi, a
parlor and a terrific King size bed. Looking for a recipe for
relaxation? Visit the
Spa Aria located on the Mezzanine level. Choose from a plethora of
treatments ranging from a caviar facial to full on spa beautification
packages. Visit:
www.hotelmonteleone.com
Hotel Monteleone offers a variety of special packages Choose from a
romantic weekend, girlfriend getaway, historical, golf, and special
summertime deals on their suites. Christmas and near the holidays is
also a good time to visit with lots of shopping discounts offered at
nearby boutique stores.
A number of Hollywood films have been filmed on site including Double
Jeopardy, Glory Road and The Last Time. As a stately stand in, the hotel
has also appeared in many national TV programs.
The French Quarter is a fantastic place to be without a car. If you have
one, keep it parked and spend several hours wandering through the heart
of this district. A plethora of fine art galleries abound including
paintings, antiques and furniture. The French Quarter is unique, you
won't find big name national chain stores here - quaint galleries,
restaurants, cafe's and hotels abound. The banks of the great
Mississippi River are easily within walking distance of the French
Quarter.
Dinner Snug Harbor is an ideal place for dinner this first night
especially if you enjoy live jazz music. The dining room is separate
from the "show room" where the music is held - there is also a separate
bar which can be quite lively especially on weekends. A couple of
highlights from the dinner menu; to start try the Sazerac, one of the
oldest cocktails in the world which actually originated in New Orleans
in the late 1850's. Excellent crawfish etouffe and shrimp appetizers.
Hint - try the bread pudding for dessert! Snug Harbor is located at 626
Frenchmen Street just north east of the famous French Quarter. Visit:
www.snugjazz.com
