5 Top Spots + Amazing Hotels

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Aerial view of New Orleans skyline featuring tall buildings, including the distinctive dome of the Caesars Superdome, with residential areas and streets in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

Play your best jazz music and jump on this guide on where to stay in New Orleans!

After thorough research, I came up with a list of the top 5 areas in this vibrant town. And for each, I included the best hotels, for luxury, mid-range and budget!

French Quarter is the best area to stay in New Orleans as that’s where you’ll find some of the main attractions and stunning hotels! But don’t worry, I included 4 more neighborhoods for those of you who’d prefer something else.

I recommend booking your New Orleans hotels in advance! The ‘Big Easy’ is a super popular destination and everything sells out in advance!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Here are the best places to stay in New Orleans from luxury to budget. They all have excellent reviews and great locations!

Here is a map of New Orleans with all the 5 areas I will be talking about in this travel guide, so you can easily visualize them:

1. French Quarter – best place to stay for the first time

A three-story building with ornate wrought-iron balconies adorned with hanging ferns, set against a cloudy sky. Another building and greenery are visible on either side.

No better place where to stay in New Orleans for the first time than the French Quarter!

The French Quarter is the historic area and the most famous part of New Orleans, Louisiana!

Also known as Vieux Carre, the neighborhood has a unique architecture that blends French and Spanish Creole styles (which you’ve probably seen in all the pics), a vibrant atmosphere, fun nightlife, and so many attractions!

You could probably spend a full day or more just here, hitting all the incredible spots! Bourbon Street (map) is a great place to start your night! This is one of the most important avenues in New Orleans and it’s packed with restaurants and bars, like the Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar (map) which dates back to the 1700s.

As for the attractions, you should definitely hit the Audubon Aquarium, the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum (as you’ll see New Orleans is big on voodoo and other spiritual practices) and New Orleans Jazz Museum.

A street with multi-story buildings featuring iron balconies, potted plants, and a parked bicycle under a clear sky.

New Orleans is a super magical place and you’ll definitely feel that on the streets and in all the shops that sell witchy things and voodoo stuff! After all so many TV series and movies about vampires and witches were set here and some even filmed here, like Vampire’s Diaries, Mayfair Witches and the Originals.

While here, you also have to check out all the local boutique shops, stores where you find some incredible antiques! Shops of the Colonnade Market (map) is an awesome spot to start your souvenir hunt!

While exploring the neighborhood, make sure you head to Jackson Square (map). This is where all the street performers gather, and you’ll find everything from singers, dancers, tarot and palm readers!

Right near the Square, there’s also the St. Louis Cathedral (map) which dates back to the 1700s and has beautiful architecture!

Now let’s check out the best hotels where to stay in New Orleans, French Quarter:

Luxury hotel

The Royal Sonesta New Orleans

Set right on Bourbon Street, this accommodation offers an outdoor pool where you can enjoy the Southern sun and a jazz club. Their rooms are modern and some also come with a balcony where you can enjoy your morning coffee!

Other accommodation options in French Quarter

mid-range

Four Points by Sheraton

One of the best historic hotels that offers an outdoor pool, and modern rooms that are great for couples

budget

Hotel Villa Convento

A great place that has rooms with chandeliers and courtyard views, free parking and a terrace

Things to do in French Quarter

Admire the architecture on Chartres Street (map)
Step back in time at the historic jazz venue Preservation Hall
Experience the crazy night scene at Bourbon Street
See some street performers in Jackson Square
Shop for souvenirs at Colonnade Market (map)
Take the kids to the Audubon Aquarium
Check out the goodies in the French Market (map)
Admire the architecture of the St. Louis Cathedral

2. Downtown New Orleans – where to stay for the urban feel

Skyline of a city with a mix of modern high-rise buildings and older structures under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Also known as the Central Business District, this neighborhood is set right near the French Quarter (a 15 min walk) so you’re still right near the main attractions!

This neighborhood offers a great mixture of commercial offices, nice shops, cool restaurants as well as museums, making it the perfect area for those of you looking for a more urban vibe! It’s also a great place to stay in New Orleans with family, as it’s pretty close to the main attractions!

I feel like the best way to explore it is to just walk and explore the streets! Although the architecture is modern compared to other parts of the city, you’ll still find some cool buildings around here.

There are some fab attractions here as well, like Lafayette Square (map) and the Van Gogh New Orleans: The Immersive Experience museum.

You’ll also find some amazing restaurants where you can indulge in the delicious New Orleans cuisine like Ruby Slipper restaurant (map). And plenty of cafes where you can start your mornings like Last Sunday Coffee Bar (map).

Luxury hotel

NOPSI Hotel

An amazing luxury hotel in the city center that features a beautiful rooftop bar and a swimming pool. Their rooms are super comfortable and have a tub where you can enjoy a long bath after your flight. You can also rent a bike from the hotel and explore the city!

Other accommodation in Downtown New Orleans

mid-range

Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

This modern hotel has 3 restaurants, stylish rooms with a flat-screen Tv and a bar

budget

Canopy by Hilton

Affordable hotel, located in the city center that has rooms with large windows, a restaurant and a gym

airbnb

Amazing Apartment

Beautiful home with a charming decor that has a spacious living room and a kitchen

Things to do in Downtown New Orleans

Start your mornings with a coffee at Last Sunday Coffee Bar
Go for a walk in Lafayette Square
Visit the Van Gogh New Orleans: The Immersive Experience
Enjoy a tram ride on the historic St. Charles Streetcar line
Grab dinner at Ruby Slipper restaurant
Check out the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (map)

3. Canal Street – trendiest place to stay in New Orleans

A red streetcar passes through a brightly lit downtown street at night, surrounded by tall buildings, palm trees, and street signs.

Set right between the French Quarter and Downtown New Orleans, this famous avenue is one of the most exciting places to stay in the city!

Home to the city’s parades including the unmissable Mardi Gras festivities which usually take place at the end of February/ beginning of March, this area is great for those of you who want to shop all day long, catch some shows at the city’s theaters and visit museums!

Plus you’ll be right near the French Quarter so you can go and explore the attractions there anytime you want!

But while here, make sure you visit The Sazerac House Museum and try the iconic Sazerac Cocktail, catch a show at the Saenger Theatre (map) and of course do some shopping as there are so many shops on Canal Street and even a mall called Canal Place (map).

Just across the street from the mall, you’ll find Harrah’s Casino (map), a great place where you can try your luck and listen to some live music. It’ll definitely make for a fun night out!

While exploring Canal Street, you can snap a pic or even jump on one of the colorful New Orleans trams and go on a quick trip around!

Luxury hotel

Marriott New Orleans

Wake-up to a stunning view of the city, while staying in this hotel that comes with spacious rooms with a seating area and a flat-screen Tv! The accommodation also offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a fitness center.

Other accommodation options on Canal Street

Airbnb

Saiyaan’s Place

This lovely home is perfect for 2 people and it has a kitchen, a lounge area and small patio

Things to do on Canal Street

Visit The Sazerac House Museum
Spend a fun night at Harrah’s Casino
Shop until you drop at Canal Place
Join the Mardi Gras festivities
Grab dinner at Creole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar (map)

4. Marigny & Bywater – for the bohemian atmosphere

A street corner featuring a stop sign, a one-way sign, and a two-story building with a balcony and greenery. Various shops and a parked car are visible under a sunny sky with some clouds.

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, right near the French Quarter, these 2 areas which I coupled together as they offer the same type of attractions and atmosphere, are perfect for those who love music and the whole bohemian vibe!

Here you’ll find lots of jazz bars, especially on Frenchman Street (map) which is the place to be after the sunset! There you’ll find The Spotted Cat Music Club (map) which is a great place to start the night!

Every November, the Day of the Dead parade starts near Marigny, on St. Roch Avenue (map), so if you’re around during the 1st of November, definitely head there!

Marigny (also known as Faubourg Marigny) has some art galleries too, boutique shops and plenty of restaurants where you can try some delicious Southern food!

Honestly, this place has it all! And since it’s so close to the French Quarter you can always head there if you want to see the main stuff but at least you won’t stay in the middle of all the craziness, as it can get super busy there!

Bywater is a bit more relaxed but you’ll still find some bars and restaurants and Crescent Park (map) where you can go for a nice sunset stroll!

If you’re traveling on a budget and can’t find anything in this neighborhood, or if all is sold out, I’d recommend checking the nearby Tremé Lafitte neighborhood which has lots of apartments.

Luxury hotel

The Frenchmen

Such a stylish hotel that comes with an outdoor swimming pool where you can relax when you’re not out in the jazz bars! Their rooms have such a cool decor, very specific to New Orleans and some also come with a balcony.

Other accommodation options in Marigny & Bywater

Mid-range

Hotel Peter and Paul

You’re going to love the design of this hotel that has gorgeous rooms, a terrace and a restaurant

Budget

Hampton Inn New Orleans

An affordable accommodation that offers an outdoor pool, spacious rooms and a fitness center

Things to do in Marigny & Bywater

Check out the jazz bars on Frenchman Street
Go for a stroll in Crescent Park
Grab some drinks at The Spotted Cat Music Club
Catch a show at Marigny Opera House
Enjoy a yummy breakfast at Horn’s Eatery (map)
Explore the Garden District

5. Warehouse & Arts District – best for art lovers

A street in a city lined with buildings, including a red brick establishment with a green sign, cars parked on the side, and a few pedestrians. The skyline is visible in the background.

The Warehouse & Art District is located next to the Central Business District and just a 20 min walk away from the French Quarter!

This is a nice neighborhood with lots of modern art galleries, fine dining restaurants, and great museums. Sounds so cool, doesn’t it?

The best way to enjoy this artsy area is to simply wander randomly along the beautiful streets and see which place catches your eye!

Of course, there are plenty of places to dine and drink here! If you eat meat definitely check out Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (map).

Some cool attractions that you should check out while here are the Contemporary Arts Center and St. Patrick’s Church, which has some unique frescoes. If you enjoy history, definitely check out The National WWII Museum which is pretty big and has a 4D theater, some plane exhibitions and many other things.

Luxury hotel

Roami at The Luzianne

The perfect hotel for your New Orleans getaway! Chill by the rooftop pool and enjoy a coffee first-thing in the morning! Their apartments are spacious and come with a large kitchen and free Wi-Fi.