Henry Howard Hotel

From the moment guests first approach the wrought iron gates and soaring white columns of the Henry Howard Hotel,  it’s clear that is the epitome of southern hospitality and class. Constructed in 1867 by famed architect Henry Howard, the beautiful double gallery townhouse has been immaculately restored into a boutique hotel that bears his name. Guests pass under the traditional Haint blue porch ceilings to enter a charming lobby with antique furnishings, where light jazz plays softly in the background, setting the scene for the property’s music-inspired vibe. In fact, the whole place feels like a physical love letter to the vibrant musical heritage of New Orleans. Classic musical instruments are on display throughout the hotel, placed on tables in the lobby and mounted to the walls above the beds in the guest rooms. Vintage-inspired wallpaper, antique furniture, and hardwood floors transport guests back to a simpler time. The hotel attracts mostly adults and couples looking for a quiet, romantic, and relaxing oasis away from the energy of the city. Henry Howard Hotel is a wonderful place to sit back with a Sazerac and escape from the world.

Henry Howard Hotel enjoys a prime location on beautiful Prytania Street in the historic Garden District of New Orleans. One block (a minute’s walk) to the north is famous St. Charles Street, the city’s main parade route, the site of several bars and restaurants, and the path of the St. Charles streetcar line. The streetcar takes passengers to the Central Business District, the French Quarter, and further into the Garden District. Magazine Street, a lively strip in the Garden District known for its dining, drinking, and boutique shops, is a six-minute walk away. The National WWII Museum is a 20-minute walk or a 13-minute streetcar ride away. Bourbon Street, the main artery of the vibrant French Quarter, is 12 minutes away by car or 20 minutes away by streetcar. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about a 30-minute drive away.

Each of the 18 rooms at the Henry Howard Hotel is individually decorated, and all are beautiful and immaculately decorated with local artwork. Guests can choose between rooms with two double beds, a queen bed, or a king-size bed. Deluxe and Superior Rooms are the hotel’s most simple rooms, though they’re still large and many include sitting areas. Some of them feature exterior entrances. The Royal Rooms are a step up, and feature roomy living areas. The Royal King Gallery Rooms have large private furnished balconies overlooking the street, accessed through a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Gleaming musical instruments hover over the beds, secured to walls that are covered with vintage-inspired patterned wallpapers that evoke the days when the house was first built. The beds themselves are custom-made of black metal, with the hotel’s signature H embedded into each corner (several are four-poster). Many rooms feature original exposed brick. Air-conditioning, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi come standard. Gourmet trays (in place of minibars) offer locally produced snacks, drinks, and souvenirs like voodoo dolls (for a fee). Freshly baked cookies are delivered to the rooms each evening.

Wood and mirrored antique armoires (holding robes, safes, hairdryers, and clothes steamers) stand on restored hardwood floors covered in elegant carpets. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. Bathrooms with intricate tile floors feature shower/tub combos, Beekman 1802 toiletries, and motion sensor night lights that automatically turn on if guests get up in the middle of the night.

The posh Edward Conery Apex Suite takes up the building’s entire third floor, and features three bedrooms that continue the decor scheme of the rest of the hotel. A gorgeous living room and dining area make the suite ideal for larger groups. Another separate area of the second floor, known as the North Millie Wing, consists of three individual rooms that can also be reserved together by families or groups, offering privacy.

Henry Howard Hotel doesn’t offer extensive amenities, but the ones it has are simply beautiful. The gorgeous, antique-filled lobby doubles as a lounge known as The Parlor, where light jazz plays throughout the day and the evening. The polished marble reception desk also serves as a bar, where the bartender mixes up Sazeracs and other handcrafted cocktails. The Parlor is also where guests can enjoy free pastries for breakfast in the morning. A station with free coffee and water is on hand in the lobby throughout the day.

The small property is packed with outdoor places for relaxing. The classic columned porch has plenty of seating, and small, furnished courtyards with chairs and benches are tucked into nooks and crannies all around the house. The main terrace is located at the back of the property, chicly outfitted with black and white decor and strings of fairy lights that give it a romantic air at night. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Parking is available on the street in front of the hotel.