Cornstalk Hotel

There’s no shortage of stories told about a fascinating property like the Cornstalk Hotel (whether or not they're all true is up for debate). Built in 1816, the two-story house is an example of Victorian architecture at its finest, set back from the street with a majestic courtyard. The property’s most noteworthy feature didn’t come until 1834, when the namesake fence was installed by the original owner. Decorated with whimsical cornstalks across its entire face, the wrought iron structure continues to be a popular photo op in the French Quarter today. Since it opened, the hotel has seen its fair share of famous guests, including Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Paul Newman, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. Harriet Beecher Stowe is even said to have started writing “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in a room she occupied here.

While those guests have since moved on, others might not have, if the popular stories are true. Several properties in the French Quarter are rumored to be haunted, and the Cornstalk Hotel is always near the top of that list (though all the stories are harmless, so no need to fear). Between the ghost stories and the famous fence, tour groups are a regular sight outside the front gates, whether it’s a carriage tour by day or a walking ghost tour at night. Even without the supernatural element, the Cornstalk Hotel is an attraction in its own right, brimming with southern gentility and hospitality. A stay here is the perfect blend of quiet relaxation and a taste of days gone by, all while being close to the action of the vibrant French Quarter.

The Cornstalk Hotel enjoys a privileged location on Royal Street, thought by some to be the most beautiful of the French Quarter’s picturesque streets. Compared to the lively Bourbon Street, one block (two-minutes’ walk) away, Royal Street is much quieter, though it’s still full of shops, restaurants, and bars. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, the famous Cafe du Monde, and the city’s French Market are all within a five-minute walk. The Central Business District, across busy Canal Street, is a 15-minute walk or an eight-minute drive away. The Garden District can be reached by car in 15 to 20 minutes, or in 35 to 40 minutes via a combination of walking and streetcar. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about a half-hour away by car or taxi.

Stepping into the Cornstalk Hotel is like stepping into a world of Old-World southern glamour. Branching off from elegant hallways, the 14 rooms, spread over two floors, are each individually decorated, and no two layouts are exactly the same. Deluxe Rooms tend to be smaller, while Premier Rooms generally offer more space and include small sitting areas with sofas or armchairs. Vibrantly colored vintage wallpapers serve as a backdrop for heavy antique wood furnishings, including carved headboards or four-poster beds and large armoires. Glittering chandeliers hang from 14-foot gold leaf ceilings, while rich gold drapes cover the windows, sometimes whole walls of them in the case of the larger rooms. Many of the rooms include original ornate fireplaces.

Amidst the Old-World grandeur, the warm rooms offer modern conveniences like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning, but no coffeemakers or mini-fridges. Bathrooms are tiny, and come with hairdryers and an eclectic mix of Neutrogena, C.O. Bigleow, and Beekman 1802 toiletries. While most of the rooms don’t offer much in the way of views, a few overlook Royal Street or the hotel’s shared terrace.

Originally built as a private residence, the Cornstalk Hotel is made up almost entirely of guest rooms and common areas, with very little in the way of extra amenities. At the end of the second-floor hallway, a large shared terrace opens up at the front of the house. Furnished with small cafe tables and chairs, it offers views of Royal Street and the horse-drawn carriages that regularly pass by. Below it on the ground floor is a lovely courtyard with a picturesque fountain and a table with an umbrella tucked into a quiet corner. Lush greenery and the hotel’s signature cornstalk fence offer some privacy from the street that passes in front. Though there’s no formal lobby area, a few elegant sitting areas line the upstairs and downstairs hallways of the hotel.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Valet parking is offered and there are a few private parking spots available right on the property (both options cost a fee). There’s no pool, fitness center, bar, or restaurant at the hotel. However, restaurants (a five-minute walk from beignets at Cafe Du Monde) and bars are located on the blocks surrounding the hotel.