Hotel St. Marie

On the outside, the six-story Hotel St. Marie has a classical New Orleans look, with green wood shutters and wrought-iron railings. The lobby is small but bright, mixing golden floral carpet and cream and dark-green marble tile. A large crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling and there are a few hard-backed chairs and a circular table in the center. Some of the hallways are darker and dingier. Because of its location in the historic French Quarter district, the hotel is geared toward tourists more than business clientele, though there is free Wi-Fi throughout the building along with a guest computer and a couple of meeting rooms. 

The hotel is ideally located for tourists in the heart of the French Quarter on a narrow one-way street among several similarly styled buildings. It's only half a block from Bourbon Street, where guests will find plenty of bars, restaurants, and other entertainment. Amidst a cluster of narrow side streets, the hotel is protected from some of the hubbub, however, and few guests complain about noise. The airport is a 20-minute drive away (longer in rush hour), but note that much of the area surrounding the hotel is pedestrian-only. There is valet parking on-site, for a fee.

The rooms at the Hotel St. Marie are moderately sized. Though not ornate, the style is classic, with four-poster beds and wood furniture. There is a flat-screen TV in every room, and many rooms have small balconies. It's an older property in need of an update, so there may be a slight mustiness to the rooms, and certainly some of the furniture is showing its age (faded fabric, nicks in the wood) though everything is in reasonably good condition. Room style and atmosphere may vary. The hotel regularly refurbishes, such as replacing the old carpeting in the room we shot on our visit, but many guests feel that rooms need more extensive renovations. Some rooms have walk-in closets between the bathrooms and the main areas. Bathrooms are clean and bright and tiled in a green marble, with shower/tub combos. While in generally good condition, the showerheads might have some calcification. 

The elegant, classically furnished Vacherie Restaurant and Bar offers a variety of options, including a plentiful breakfast and dinner, an extensive bar, and a standalone cafe for daytime food and drinks. Prices are reasonable and the food is quintessentially New Orleans. The hotel's internal courtyard is small but pleasant, with a blue pool, palm trees, and other fronds. The hotel also provides free copies of the New Orleans Advocate newspaper and free Wi-Fi.