New Orlean’s French Quarter is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the world. With its rich history, delicious one-of-a-kind cuisine and swoon-worthy architecture decorating its streets, it’s no wonder tourists flock to this bustling destination every day of the year. The Quarter has a reputation for being “the place” to go for those wilder weekends away. (Think Mardi Gras or your bestie’s bachelorette party.) But it’s also the perfect place to get away for a relaxing weekend filled with good food, history & a bit of shopping too. That’s what I love about New Orleans, you can make your experience however you’d like and tailor it to what interests you the most.
My one piece of advice I would give anyone visiting New Orleans, no matter what kind of weekend they want to have, is to stay right in the heart of the French Quarter. And today I’m sharing this darling historical gem of a hotel – The Bienville House and why it makes the ideal oasis for an adventure in Nola. More below!
When New Orlean’s French Quarter comes to mind, I always envision detailed wrought iron balconies bursting with fresh blooms adorning colorful historic buildings. This and more is The Bienville House. This boutique hotel opened in the 1970s, but its origins go back as far as the early 1800s! The Bienville House sits just several blocks away from the famous Jackson Square making it pleasantly convenient to explore everything the Quarter has to offer.
(And as a mom traveling with a young toddler, the location could not be beaten! We were able to circle back to our room for afternoon naps with ease)
I thought this cityscape printed dress would be just darling for a day playing tourist in New Orleans.
The European styling in The Bienville House’s lobby is the first thing to greet guests. A dining area sits just nearby where guests are treated to a complimentary breakfast that includes all sorts of tasty pastries, light bites & more.
Room with a View.
I can’t resist lounging around with coffee in my robe each morning when we travel. (That’s half the fun of those hotel room robes, don’t you think?)
And with a bedroom this adorable, it was almost hard to convince ourselves to leave for the Quarter to begin with! (Still swooning over these beautiful drapes you guys!)
There are many different room styles to choose from, from your standard king to a room with a balcony and city view. We stayed in the French Quarter Suite which provided us with just a little bit more space, a mini-fridge, and bar area too. Staying in a suite style room makes traveling with a toddler all the easier, y’all. We were able to put Annie down for the night and close the french doors creating our own space to stay up late and chit chat too.
I’ve never actually stood upon one of those famous French Quarter balconies and staring at the street from this gorgeous one gave me all the feels!
Splish Splash in a Blue Lagoon.
New Orleans is famous for its lush courtyards tucked behind wrought iron fences and sturdy wooden doors throughout the Quarter. You never know what sits behind those walls you’re strolling past! Hidden in the heart of The Bienville House sits a flag-stone courtyard with a heated saltwater pool at its center. Lounge chairs and iron patio tables are scattered about inviting you to take a seat. We loved coming “home” to The Bienville House for a mid-day pool break. If you’re visiting New Orleans during the summer months, a splash about in the pool really makes the best way to cool off!
Better yet, grab yourself a tiki drink from Latitude 29 and you’ll feel the chill in more ways than one!
Get Your Tiki on at Latitude 29.
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 is an upscale tiki bar that sits just behind The Bienville House. With its full-service menu, this festive Hawaiian haunt offers so much more than colorful drinks. We popped in for dinner during our visit and I ordered the Pork Adobo dish, which was described to me as Hawaiian comfort food. It totally tasted like just that! The pork was slow braised in coconut milk and I’ve truly never have had anything like it before. It paired oh-so-nicely with my Pontchartrain Pearl Diver, an iced rum drink topped with passion fruit.
Guests staying at The Bienville House can grab their drinks to go and bring them poolside. Entrees, appetizers and more can also be delivered to your guestroom door as room service too. How fun would Hawaiian cuisine make as your late night eat?!
Location. Location. Location.
I’ve mentioned it before but I’ll say it again, The Bienville House’s location is absolutely perfect for anyone visiting the city! I’ve stayed all over the French Quarter and this historic oasis is by far my favorite. So many different attractions and delicious restaurants are just steps away from your hotel room door here. Now that I am traveling with a toddler all the time, convenience is so key. I also love that the elegant decor and interiors are a nod to the city and hotel’s historic past. A stay here makes every detail of a visit to New Orleans all the more special.
A few of my favorite things to do, see and eat in New Orleans are within a 5-10 minute walk from The Bienville House & include:
Jackson Square
Cafe du Monde
Boutiques and Antiques Shops on Royal Street
Bourbon Street
Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters
Dinner at Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House (just around the corner!)
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If you’re planning a visit to New Orleans anytime soon and have any travel questions, please feel free to send them my way. I could talk about this city all day long! And big thank you to The Bienville House for hosting us and sponsoring this blog post. It was such a treat! And as always, all opinions are my own.
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xo, alice
