Andrew Jackson Hotel

The land that today houses the Andrew Jackson Hotel has been a prominent fixture on the French Quarter’s beautiful Royal Street since the 1700s, first as a boarding school and orphanage, and then as a courthouse. It was in that courthouse that then-General Andrew Jackson was fined for contempt of court, inspiring the hotel’s name. The current structure was built in 1890, and the hotel retains many of its original features, including gorgeous wrought iron balconies and a charming courtyard that feels worlds away from the bustle of the French Quarter.

As with most historic properties in the neighborhood, there are plenty of ghost stories tied to the Andrew Jackson Hotel (all harmless, so no need to worry). City carriage tours and walking ghost tours regularly stop out front for curious onlookers to snap photos. Despite the attention, the hotel itself is rather quiet, with guests coming and going and generally minding their own business. For guests who want a bit of history and a convenient home base for exploring the French Quarter, the Andrew Jackson Hotel is a great choice.

Some consider Royal Street to be the most picturesque of the French Quarter’s beautiful streets, and the Andrew Jackson Hotel is lucky to sit right in the middle of it. Full of shops, restaurants, and bars, it tends to be quieter than its more famous counterpart, Bourbon Street, just a block (two-minute walk) away. Many of the French Quarter’s top sights can be reached on foot in five minutes or less, including St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, the famous Cafe du Monde, and the city’s French Market. The Central Business District, located across busy Canal Street, is an eight-minute drive or a 15-minute walk away. At Canal Street, guests can also catch the city’s famous streetcar. The Garden District can be reached by a combination of walking and streetcar in 35 to 40 minutes, or via car in 15 to 20 minutes. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about a half-hour away by car.

The casual rooms at the Andrew Jackson Hotel combine historic charm with modern convenience. Furnishings designed in an 18th-century style stand against warm walls and polished hardwood floors. Air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs come standard, and free Wi-Fi is offered in all rooms. There are no coffeemakers or mini-fridges in the rooms. Closets are equipped with irons, ironing boards, and safes. Bathrooms are fairly standard and decorated in neutral colors, featuring Lord & Mayfair toiletries, hairdryers, and shower/tub combos.

Standard Rooms vary in size based on the bedding configuration chosen, with options including one queen-size bed, two queen-size beds, or one king-size bed. Some rooms open onto shared balconies that encircle the interior courtyard below. Upgraded Balcony Rooms add private, furnished wrought iron balconies that overlook Royal Street and the horse-drawn carriages that frequently pass by. These rooms are especially popular during mardi gras. 

The Andrew Jackson Hotel features lovely common spaces, but little else in the way of amenities. Tucked back away from the street, the secluded courtyard is the focal point of the property. A beautiful fountain sits at the middle, surrounded by tables with umbrellas for guests who want to enjoy a meal or take a break from sightseeing. The courtyard extends via a narrow corridor to the main lobby, with picturesque bulbs strung from wrought iron balconies above.

The lobby contains a small lounge area where free coffee and water are available at all times. There’s no restaurant or bar at the property, but free European-style breakfast is served in the courtyard each morning, or can be delivered to the rooms on silver trays if guests prefer. Plenty of bars and restaurants line the blocks surrounding the hotel. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Valet parking is offered for an extra fee.