Dauphine Orleans Hotel

Sitting along a quiet street in the French Quarter, the Dauphine Orleans offers rich history combined with quaint Southern charm. It's no surprise that a French Quarter boutique hotel has a storied past, with some structures on the property dating back to the 1770s. John James Audubon, who the bird-focused environmental organization the Audubon Society is named for, painted his "Birds of America" series in the 1820s in what is now the hotel's breakfast room. The Dauphine also has its share of ghost stories. May Baily's Bar was one of New Orleans' most notorious bordellos, located in the one-time legal red-light district, Storyville. The bar is still thought to be haunted by former workers and customers, particularly uniformed Civil War-era soldiers who were believed to be patrons. The building became a hotel in 1969, and has undergone renovations over the years to give the spaces an elegant, classic look filled with neutral tones, patterned carpets, and traditional furnishings such as leather armchairs and clawfoot desks. The courtyard is pleasant and houses a small pool, but note that the Hermann House rooms are across the street -- built in 1834, they previously served as the home to a prosperous merchant, Samuel Hermann. Guests are mostly couples, plus a mix of friend groups and families, looking to be near all the sights without being in the heart of the party action.The Dauphine has plenty of nice perks, but it's worth comparing rates with the similarly charming Hotel Mazarin, and the Bourbon Orleans, which also has a haunted history.

The hotel is right on Dauphine Street, which runs parallel to Bourbon Street but is significantly quieter. The building is surrounded by other historic properties and, or course, plenty of nightlife, bars, restaurants, and attractions. A block beyond Bourbon Street is Royal Street, filled with art galleries, street musicians, boutiques, and antique stores for those who would rather skip the party scene. The Mississippi River is also a short walk up through the French Quarter, where Riverboats abound.The French Quarter, or the Vieux Carré, is a historic neighborhood that stretches 12 blocks to the Mississippi River. Originally settled by the Spanish, and then the French, the Quarter features a variety of architecture, including colorful Creole cottages, gorgeous antebellum mansions, intricate ironwork and some buildings that date to the late 1700s. The area today is fairly safe during the day; at night, you’ll be fine in tourist areas. Local cops are experts at crowd control, and it's rare for a visitor to get into trouble. Taxis are easy to find, except during Mardi Gras and Halloween.- 20-minute drive to the Louis Armstrong International Airport

• Two-minute walk to Bourbon Street
• Five-minute walk to Preservation Hall
• Five-minute walk to Canal Street for streetcars to St. Charles Avenue or the New Orleans Museum of Art
• Nine-minute walk to Jackson Square
• 10-minute walk to Café du Monde
• Six-minute drive to the National World War II Museum and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum

Rooms across the hotel's three sections -- the Main House, Hermann House, and Carriage House -- have elegant decor in neutral shades, charming traditional wood furniture that's often painted cream, and patterned carpet. Artwork is limited, but some rooms have gorgeous exposed brick walls or ceiling beams that add more character and charm. Rooms across the board fit in well with the French Quarter character throughout the property, and some have wrought-iron balconies that look over Dauphine Street or the courtyard. The Main House rooms face Dauphine Street or the parking lot, while Carriage and Hermann House rooms surround a private courtyard. Unfortunately, some rooms are small and street-facing units suffer from noise. Standard amenities consist of mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, and free bottled water. Desks and armchairs are also provided. Compact bathrooms have shower/tub combos -- some jetted -- or walk-in marble showers. Hotel chain-branded toiletries, hairdryers, and bathrobes are supplied, and closets have ironing facilities. Upgraded units add couches. 

Particularly pleasant in warm months, the hotel has a small courtyard saltwater pool with a few padded chairs off the side. Another standout is the historic May Baily's bar, which was once home to one of the city's most notorious brothels. Guests receive a coupon for a free welcome drink at the bar. There's no full restaurant, but all rates include a basic breakfast with cereal, waffles, and fresh fruit, plus coffee and tea. Other amenities are limited to a small fitness center with just a few machines and free weights, and a meeting room. Wi-Fi is free and valet parking is available for a fee.