Review: Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans
Hotel Monteleone is luxurious and historic and it boasts the city’s only revolving bar!
Whether you are visiting to get a taste of southern cuisine or looking for a luxurious hotel in New Orleans to relax, Hotel Monteleone is a great choice.
This post is a review of the accommodations and the hotel amenities.
Hotel Monteleone
The family-owned hote is conveniently located in the French Quarter. Bourbon Street is less than a 2 minute walk away and public transportation (cable cars) is less than a distant 5-minute walk.
Doormen are on station to welcome you in grand, well-pressed uniforms.
First-class service comes alive as they hold the doors and offer to help with shopping bags and luggage. The lobby is grand as one would expect with glistening floors, massive chandeliers, and opulent decor.
The room is rich in textiles with floral patterns and cheerful, warm tones. The furniture is well-appointed with traditional style and decor.
The linens are luxe and embroidered with the hotel’s insignia. Amenities include a writing desk, marble and granite bath accents, an in-room refrigerator, and complimentary wi-fi.
TIP: The rooms facing Royal Street are exposed to street noises which sometimes include parades. However, the sounds die down to complete silence by 10:00 PM local time.
Hotel Monteleone is also a great option for business travelers. They have a full business center for professionals who need access to fax machines, printers, etc.
Meeting spaces may be reserved for business use and the full-service restaurant, Criollo, will make any business lunch more pleasurable.
Have furry friends that you don’t want to leave behind? Hotel Monteleone is pet-friendly and has hotel packages to make you and your fur baby feel right at home!
If you had to choose a place to pamper yourself in New Orleans, Hotel Monteleone would be at the top of your list. It’s perfect for a health and wellness getaway!
The rooftop pool and deck area overlook the city and have generous seating available.
The Carousel Bar
Hotel Monteleone is also home to the famed Carousel Bar and Lounge. The decor has a whimsical vintage circus theme. Seat arrangements circle the bar while rotating slowly.
It was the first and remains the only bar of its kind in New Orleans and it takes a full 15 minutes to complete one rotation.
The bar will only seat 25 so you’ll want to arrive before happy hour if you want a coveted seat while enjoying signature cocktails like a Vieux Carre or Sidecar.
It gets quite lively after happy hour and it’s so crowded there is barely enough room to walk through the lounge.
Nonetheless, it’s a great venue for gathering with friends or unwinding after a day of exploring the French Quarter.
The Gift Shop at Hotel Monteleone
The gift shop has great souvenirs and we would be remiss if we didn’t mention how friendly the staff is. Diana, who works in the gift shop, is a gem! She offered demi-cups of hot coffee, gave us Mardi Gras beads, shared recommendations, and made us laugh. It created memorable moments!
If you love bags, this tote may be the perfect little piece of Hotel Monteleone to take home!
The History of Hotel Monteleone
The hotel construction dates back to circa 1866 and was named by founder Antonio Monteleone, a shoe cobbler from Italy who came to the United States to live the American dream.
When he purchased the hotel it only had 64 rooms. It was frequently visited by literary genius such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and Truman Capote who would sit and write at the Carousel Bar for inspiration.
Generations later, Hotel Monteleone has been architecturally expanded several times and now has over 500 guest rooms.
The hotel is a member of the Historic Hotels of America and is believed to be haunted, as guests have reported visitations and sightings of spirits who passed from this earth.
Hotel Monteleone is also the site of the 1999 crime thriller film “Double Jeopardy”, starring Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones.
Overall, it is a very comfortable hotel with four-star amenities for business and leisure travelers!
Why Book the Hotel Monteleone
Bourbon Street and Jackson Square are within a 10-minute walk of this French 4-star hotel.
The French Market is also less than .5 mile away and the National World War II Museum is about 15 minutes away on foot.
This smoke-free hotel features a fully equipped spa gym and restaurant.
If this is the perfect hotel for your visit to New Orleans, check Hotel Monteleone prices or use the search tool to find other hotels in the area!
Final Thoughts about Hotel Monteleone
Hotel Monteleone is a beautiful hotel and within a short walking distance to Bourbon Street, shopping, restaurants, the cable car, and the French Market.
The rooms were comfortable, and I would definitely book again when the opportunity arise. The location is ideal and made it easy to get to points of interest during my stay.
You will like the hotel, its stately appearance, and the warm southern hospitality.
