When you step through the door of the Bourbon Orleans, to the tune of the bellmen proclaiming "Welcome home," you can't help but feel like royalty. With gilded fixtures, chandeliers dripping in dazzling crystals and the prettiest flavored water you have ever seen just waiting for you to taste it, the Bourbon Orleans hotel sure does know how to roll out the red carpet for its guests. With St. Louis Cathedral as a backdrop, this luxurious hotel located on Orleans Street in the French Quarter right between Royal and Bourbon Streets could not be positioned better for visitors. The Bourbon Orleans, like much of the city is steeped in a vast history, and strives to provide an upscale haven for the modern traveler.

{Service and Hospitality}

The service I received at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel from the moment I walked through the door to the minute I placed my bags back in my van to return home was astounding. I will go as far as to say it was the best service I have received at any hotel in my travels. The valet was incredibly helpful, even returning to the van to retrieve a bag that my sister had left there without so much as a huff. Check-in was a breeze and the woman at the front desk was more than willing to answer any of our questions. Our room was not quite ready since we arrived early, so the bellman quickly took our bags and stored them until we were ready to settle in our room, where he delivered them right to our door.


Did I mention the free drinks? That's right, when you check-in, you are given a free drink coupon that is redeemable for a refreshment at the attached Bourbon-O bar. While waiting for our room, my sister and I couldn't help but take advantage of this generous offer, and my first drink in New Orleans became the old fashioned French 75! When we wanted to add on an extra night, it was no hassle at all, and was taken care of in a matter of minutes.

{The Room}

As soon as our room was ready we rushed up to the 5th floor to take a peek. This is one of my favorite moments of any trip. It is like unwrapping a present and I love it! Our room was gorgeous. The red on the walls, artwork of local historic places, plush bedding and solid marble bathroom could not have screamed luxury any louder, and I felt like a queen who had just been shown to her chambers.







My favorite part of the room were the windows. The Provence-style decor includes wide-blade plantation shutters that really add to the atmosphere. It was so much fun to swing those shutters open in the morning and welcome New Orleans into the room. Our view was a bit obstructed by the roofs of the balconies from the lower floor, but if we looked at an angle out each window, we could get a view up and down Bourbon St. In many reviews of the Bourbon Orleans I have heard warnings that the noise from Bourbon will keep you up at night, but we did not hear a thing and slept like babies.





Sleeping. That reminds me! The bed is so comfortable. The bedding really made the room, and it was so nice to wrap ourselves up in the soft down blankets and take a short rest in the blasting air conditioning each afternoon. New Orleans in August is hot people!

{Amenities}

In addition to free drinks at check-in, there is also complimentary iced tea and flavored water served in the lobby every afternoon. We definitely took advantage of this every day of our stay, and it was nice not to have to go out and buy a $3 bottle of water each time. In fact, you are also given complimentary bottled waters in your room, as well as tea and coffee.


The pool is perhaps the most beautiful amenity the hotel has to offer. It really is a peaceful haven in the bustling French Quarter. I recommend visiting early though, because by the afternoon it gets quite busy out there. Hungry? The Roux on Orleans is a Creole restaurant located right within the hotel. Although, we did not have the chance to eat there, the smells coming out into the lobby were fantastic. Valet parking here is a bit pricey at $34 per night, but parking anywhere in the French Quarter is expensive and limited. It took them no time at all to retrieve our car at the end of our stay.

If you are visiting New Orleans and are looking for a place that provides comfort, impeccable service and an ideal location in the heart of the French Quarter, then you honestly can't go wrong with the Bourbon Orleans. You can check out their rates and available specials on the Bourbon Orleans website.

I was provided with a guest room for three nights for the purpose of reviews, but all words, thoughts and opinions are my own.