Hotel St. Pierre

The St. Pierre Hotel sits in an eclectic collection of eight colorful French Colonial cottages, some of which date back to the 18th century and have played a vibrant role in the city’s history. The hotel’s various structures include a former hotel, the world’s first jazz museum, and the home of Gabriel Peyroux, a French apothecary, built in 1781. Famous past guests include Tennessee Williams and the beloved Louis Armstrong, whose name and likeness hang today on the building that houses the hotel’s lobby.

The tribute to music doesn’t end there -- each of the hotel’s 79 rooms is named for a different New Orleans jazz legend, like a physical tribute to the city’s rich musical heritage. Tucked among the hodgepodge of buildings is a maze of courtyards full of lush plants, secluded sitting areas, and outdoor pools where guests lounge throughout the day to escape the sun and the heat. The lobby lounge is equally popular, with families and couples passing through, taking a break, or enjoying the freshly baked cookies that appear every afternoon. For guests who want to experience a slice of the city's past while being in a convenient location for exploring its present, the St. Pierre Hotel is a great choice.

Sitting on both sides of Burgundy Street, the St. Pierre Hotel enjoys a convenient location in one of the quieter parts of the lively French Quarter. Bustling Bourbon Street, the neighborhood’s main strip, is a three-minute walk (two blocks) away, as is sprawling Louis Armstrong Park. The French Quarter is easy to explore on foot, and many of its most popular sights can be reached in 10-minutes' walk or less, including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Cafe du Monde, and the French Market. The closest streetcar stop is a three-minute walk away, and it will take passengers to the Garden District in about a half-hour. Alternatively, the Garden District is 15-minute drive away. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is 25 minutes away by car. 

Because the hotel sits in eight different buildings, the layouts of the rooms vary widely, offering a broad range of bed sizes and configurations. Room categories with names like Cozy, Quaint, and Petite are exactly what they sound like -- on the smaller side, and some can feel a bit cramped. Boutique and Classic rooms offer guests a little more space to stretch out. Upgrading to Suites adds small living areas. Regardless of category, all of the rooms feature classic wood furnishings and subtle pops of color, and some rooms incorporate original architectural features like exposed brick walls and wood support beams. Each room is named for a different New Orleans jazz legend, and some of them take the musical theme even further with framed albums by the named artists mounted on the walls.

Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers come standard. Wi-Fi is free in all rooms. Closets are equipped with irons, ironing boards, and safes. Bathrooms are on the larger side, and feature hairdryers, shower/tub combos, and Lord & Mayfair toiletries. Note that sound travels through the walls of the old buildings. 

The St. Pierre Hotel offers a decent amount of amenities for a small, historic property. Perhaps its biggest draw are its lush courtyards full of plants and secluded sitting areas, which can be found tucked among the various buildings that make up the hotel on both sides of the street. On the lobby side of the street, there are two lovely outdoor pools. The one just off the lobby is the main pool, while the second pool, hidden in a further back courtyard offering more privacy, has been designated a quiet pool.

In the lobby building itself, the hotel offers guests a handful of nice freebies under a wall of vintage musical instruments, including continental breakfast each morning, freshly baked cookies each afternoon, and a coffee and water station that’s restocked throughout the day and night. For guests on the go, there’s a small market with drinks and snacks, as well as an ATM, both located near reception.

The lobby area offers dining tables and comfortable lounge areas, including one that features a computer station for public use, set in a cozy alcove decorated with colorful jazz records. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Parking is available for a fee.