Best Western Plus St. Charles Inn

Best Western Plus St. Charles Inn is housed in a three-story brick building that's been occupied by hotels since 1927. It’s a handsome property, surrounded by large trees and mature landscaping typically found in the picturesque Garden District. The modest lobby is cheerful, with oak flooring and bright colors. Arched floor-to-ceiling windows look out to the lovely front porch, where seating provides a great spot for people-watching on busy St. Charles Avenue. Guest sit down to breakfast here, or wind down after a day of sightseeing. The lobby doubles as the breakfast serving and dining area, so it’s pretty lively in the morning. Expect to see mostly tourists, though business travelers sometimes stay here, too. 

The hotel is located in the Garden District on busy St. Charles Avenue, where a streetcar runs 24/7 and provides cheap transportation into downtown and the French Quarter. Getting there takes about 20 minutes, or roughly 15 minutes by car; it's about the same amount of time to reach Audubon Park, Tulane University, and Loyola University in Uptown. There's a sit-down restaurant next to the hotel, and several more are within five minutes or less on foot. Walking to shops and restaurants along Magazine Street takes about seven minutes. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is roughly a 30-minute drive. 

Guest rooms were renovated in 2015, and while they're comfortable and well-maintained, expect old-fashioned decor with a dated look. There are gold-damask-patterned accent walls, bed skirts, and bolster pillows, and carpeting is loden green. Wooden furniture with an espresso finish makes the rooms a bit dark, though colorful artistic photos of the Garden District cheer spaces up a bit. Standard Doubles including desks with office chairs, and Standard Kings add armchairs and ottomans. Amenities are a highlight, and include Keurig coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are more contemporary and contain shower/tub combos, tan granite vanities, magnifying mirrors, and windows that open. Rooms are generally quiet but those facing busy St. Charles Avenue can hear the streetcars passing by at all hours. The views overlooking tree-lined St. Charles are lovely; those that overlook the parking lot or rooftops aren’t as nice.   

This small hotel has an attractive amenities package for its size, including a free hot breakfast that features waffles, eggs, bacon, and sausage. Coffee is  available all day in the lobby. The hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant (the independently operated Superior Grill is next door, however, which primarily offers Mexican cuisine but also has burgers, steaks, and salads, and a full bar).

There's a 24-hour fitness center on-site that features three pieces of cardio equipment and a strength-training machine, and a business center with a computer, printer, and table for small meetings. Valet dry cleaning and laundry service is offered, and there's free parking in a gated back lot, with 23 spaces that are available first-come, first-serve. Overflow parking is located in a secure lot that’s one block away. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and pets are welcome with a surcharge. The hotel has an elevator, but it’s small and old.