When visiting the Big Easy for Mardi Gras, it’s important to make your lodging reservations early, as places tend to book up fast. We recommend reserving as early as the summer if you hope to get a balcony, a location near the French Quarter, or some walkable destination near the parade route. If a hotel is not your speed, there are numerous vacation rentals throughout the districts to accommodate you, your significant other, and anyone else along for the Carnival in this jazz-centric destination.
Best Hotels in New Orleans
When it comes to choosing lodging during the craziness of Mardi Gras (or any time of year!), options are varied, but some classics always stay near the top of the list. These are our top picks of the best hotels near Mardi Gras that will put you close to all the action.
1. The Cornstalk Hotel
915 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70116
Located in the heart of the historic French Quarter, the Cornstalk Hotel is right in the center of it all. The Victorian hotel has 14 private rooms all decorated with luxurious antiquities and historic charm. Because of its small size, the hotel offers privacy and quiet for when you tire of all of the Mardi Gras excitement. With free Wi-Fi and affordable convenient parking, your stay will be stress-free and action-packed. As we mentioned earlier, the closer location go quickly, so book early!
2. International House Hotel
221 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130
The Central Business District (CBD) might not be as lively as the French Quarter, but it’s one of the best places to stay during Mardi Gras. The International House Hotel, in particular, is a boutique option just two blocks from all of the festivities. It’s also close to many of the city’s top attractions, including the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the National WWII Museum, and also has its own bar called Loa.
3. A Bed & Breakfast in the Garden District
The Garden District is pretty far from the Mardi Gras festivities, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your vacation preferences. It’s an historic part of town with beautiful scenery. Find tons of bed and breakfasts and quaint inns in historic homes that allow you to get a feel for true Southern hospitality.
Staying in this area can give you a real feel for the charming spots in NOLA, not just a taste of the French Quarter bubble.
4. The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
300 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is frequently touted as one of the best places to stay during Mardi Gras. It’s located on the ever-popular Bourbon Street and has balconies that allow you to survey all of the action from above. Watch the parades, the people, and listen to live jazz without having to travel far from your room.
5. Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel
739 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Also located on Bourbon Street, the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel offers stunning views of the lights and festivals down below. Step outside and experience culinary delights, unique cultural attractions, and new people. The hotel underwent renovations to add a beautiful swimming pool, state-of-the-art business center, and fully equipped fitness center, too.
6. Queen Anne Hotel
1625 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70130
The historic Queen Anne Hotel is an 1890s Victorian mansion located in the Garden District. It’s situated close to the streetcar line, offering a fun and quick way to get to the French Quarter and all of the festivities. The quiet, spacious rooms offer respite from the hustle and bustle of the city’s action.
7. Hotel Monteleone
214 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130
From the moment you walk into the Hotel Monteleone, you feel the history of New Orleans all around you. Opened in 1886, the hotel has become a city landmark. It’s also home to the Carousel Bar, which is the city’s only revolving barroom. It’s a must-visit spot and a great place to get the party started!
Family-owned and operated for four generations, the Hotel Monteleone dates back to 1886, and it maintains its original feel and character thanks to consistent management. Opulent and unique, this historic New Orleans hotel has kept original details intact, providing both easy access to Mardi Gras events and a nice helping of old-world elegance.
8. St. Christopher Hotel
114 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Located on Magazine Street, the St. Christopher Hotel, managed by Best Western Plus, is situated in the Warehouse District on the edge of the French Quarter. It’s a quick walk to the festivities nearby but is also situated in a part of town that is a lot less hectic. The St. Charles line runs straight through for a quick ride to other parts of the city.
9. Dauphine Orleans Hotel
415 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70112
Offering an elegant ambiance that’s a bit spookier than what you’ll find at the average hotel, the Dauphine Orleans Hotel is just steps from Bourbon Street. It’s the ideal place to stay if you’re hoping to communicate with some ghosts during your trip as the Dauphine is the former site of a brothel. So be sure to stay on the lookout for ghosts of working girls and their Civil War-soldier clientele.
10. Bienville House
320 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Located on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, Bienville House is a carefully maintained historic property that’s been saved from destruction multiple times. With a boutique feel and a beautiful pool, this is a cushy place to stay during Mardi Gras festivities. Thanks to its central location on Decatur Street, you can watch the action from your wrought-iron balcony.
11. The Frenchmen Hotel
417 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA 70116
The Frenchmen Hotel is located in the hip and artsy Faubourg Marigny section of New Orleans. It’s a bit farther away from the main attractions, but is a must-see for any Mardi Gras vacation. You have access to some of the city’s best music and affordable drinks and cuisine. Private balconies overlook the quaint district for a more personalized experience.
12. Chateau LeMoyne
301 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70112
The French Quarter is the place to be for tourists during Mardi Gras, and Chateau LeMoyne offers a covetable historic hotel experience in this neighborhood. Thanks to management from the Holiday Inn, the interior of the hotel feels fresh and new while also maintaining some original details, such as the rustic brick walls complimenting the overall charm.
13. Bourbon Orleans Hotel
717 Orleans St., New Orleans, LA 70116
The elegant Bourbon Orleans Hotel is centrally located off of Jackson Square in the French Quarter, placing you in an ideal location. The debauchery of Bourbon Street isn’t too far away, but more low-key, family-friendly Mardi Gras events are also on offer closer to the riverfront.
14. The Whitney Hotel
610 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
The Whitney Hotel is located in the city’s Central Business District, so it isn’t exactly in the thick of things for Mardi Gras. If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, you’ll likely see this as a plus, and the historic decor commemorating the hotel’s history as a bank adds extra charm.
15. Le Pavillon New Orleans
833 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70112
Le Pavillon is also located in the Central Business District, but it has something few other New Orleans hotels have: a heated rooftop pool. You can give beating the crowds a whole new meaning by gazing out over the Mardi Gras action from the comfort of this opulent early 19th-century hotel. And you can bring Fido too, as dogs up to 50 pounds are allowed after paying a non-refundable fee of $75 per animal!
16. Place d’Armes Hotel
625 St Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116
Another haunted option, the Place d’Armes Hotel occupies several buildings that date to the 18th and 19th centuries. Located just steps away from the action on Bourbon Street, this mid-range hotel is an ideal Mardi Gras lodging option that comes with a side of historic ambience, including resident ghosts.
17. The Roosevelt New Orleans
130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
Mardi Gras travelers looking for a luxury hotel experience may want to consider the Roosevelt New Orleans, a hotel with more than 100 years of history that’s now owned and operated by the Waldorf Astoria hotel group, putting it in the running for the superlative of best hotel in New Orleans. The Roosevelt is so close to the heart of the action that the staff puts special security measures in place during Mardi Gras. Come for the luxury spa and a rooftop pool as well!
New Orleans Mardi Gras Rentals
For some people, a hotel doesn’t offer the experience they’re looking for while in Louisiana. New Orleans rental houses might offer privacy, full kitchens, and a host of other amenities. Many are located in the French Quarter so that you’ll be close to everything. Mardi Gras vacation rentals offer a certain amount of freedom and comfort not available in most hotels.
Best Places to Stay in New Orleans
Hopefully we’ve sufficiently answered where to stay in New Orleans. Now that we’ve gone over some of the best hotels and rentals for Mardi Gras, it’s time to choose the right one for you and your party. The NOLA vacation of a lifetime is just a click away!