Bed and breakfasts in New Orleans offer a more personal alternative to chain hotels, often occupying historic 19th-century mansions in districts like the Garden District, Uptown, and Marigny. Expect individually decorated rooms with period antiques, free WiFi, and private bathrooms. Most properties serve a full cooked breakfast (some with local specialties like beignets or praline bacon) and provide free parking. Rates typically range from $150 to $350 per night, with higher prices during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Many B&Bs have outdoor spaces-courtyards, verandas, or pools-and some include complimentary snacks, bike rentals, or afternoon wine. Book well in advance for festival dates.
Among the highest-rated options are the Maison Perrier Bed & Breakfast (97/100, exceptional) in the Uptown/Garden District, with its gourmet breakfast made from scratch and rooms featuring spa baths. Elysian Fields Inn (95/100) offers elevator access and family rooms near the Marigny. The Fleur De Lis Mansion (88/100) has a pool, hot tub, and shared kitchen steps from the Convention Center. Canal Street Inn (95/100) provides a fitness center, hot tub, and free bicycles in a historic building. Inn at the Old Jail (98/100) is a converted 19th-century jail with garden and picnic area near the Superdome. These properties combine historic character with modern comforts-air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and daily housekeeping.