The original owner of the property was French immigrant Jean Baptiste Lille Sarpy, whose daughter Henriette inherited the house and went on to sell it. She then went on to use the funds to found the Sisters of the Holy Family, a group of nuns and free women of color, who taught slave children and housed and cared for orphans. 

Another notable owner of the property is Antoine Amede Peychaud, creator of the Sazerac and modern-day cocktails. Among the hotel’s many famous guests include the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tennessee Williams, who is said to have written A Streetcar Named Desire at the hotel. This room (which is in one of the slave quarters) is now known as the Tennessee Williams suite.

Location, Location, Location!

You really cannot beat the location of Hotel Maison de Ville, which makes it a perfect choice when deciding where to stay in New Orleans. It is in the middle of the French Quarter on Toulouse Street, just blocks away from many restaurants, bars, and attractions, including Jackson Square and Cafe du Monde (it’s a 6 minute walk there. Yes, *of course* I counted). Just one block away is the famous Bourbon Street which means you are right near all the action but just far away enough that you feel like you’ve found a respite from all the madness. 

Walking into the hotel, you will feel as you have been transported back in time, much like the feeling you get while walking around the French Quarter. The vibe is charming and romantic, and the property is decorated with antiques and period furnishings. The hotel also has modern amenities, including flat screen TVs and WiFi, which gives it a unique fusion of old and new. 

Check-in:

The front door is locked, so you will have to ring the doorbell in order to check in. Upon check in, you will be given a key that opens both the front door and your room. Check in was quick and easy, and Guy gave us a quick tour of the hotel, while telling us some of the history behind the property, before leading us up to our room. One thing to remember is that because of the historical aspect of the building, there is no elevator so you will have to bring your luggage up the stairs, however, the staff is more than willing to assist with your bags.

Every single staff member we encountered was super friendly and pleasant and was always going above and beyond to ensure that we had a memorable stay. They are happy to assist with booking tours, making reservations, or arranging airport transportation for you, as well as help you with recommendations on where to eat or what to see in the city.

You may also meet Trina (or Katrina), the hotel’s cat on your way in – she is the cutest, sweetest kitty ever! If you don’t meet her upon check-in, you will probably encounter her at some point during your stay.

The room:

The rooms are a bit cozy (translation: a bit on the smaller side), which is to be expected for a historical property. There are four different room types, each with its own unique decor. I stayed in the Premium room, which features a beautiful four-poster king bed (seriously though, bed goals) with a gorgeous glass chandelier hanging above it. Each bed comes with a quirky little voodoo doll, made by a local artist and available for purchase as a New Orleans souvenir. Oil paintings adorn the wall, and the room has an iron fireplace with some antiques lined on the mantle. The room gets an ample amount of natural light, which gives it an airy feel during the day.

The bathrooms are basic but clean, with a shower and tub. The hotel features L’Occitane bath products, which are my fave! They also have cozy plush robes for your use while staying at the property.

The balcony:

Each of the rooms feature either a view overlooking the hotel’s beautiful private courtyard, or onto the Toulouse Street – one of the features that make Hotel Maison de Ville one of the best places to stay in New Orleans. I selected the street view. It was such a great spot to hang out, bask in some sunshine, people watch and observe the flurry of activity (of weekend revelers) that went on below.  One downside of the street view is that you can hear some of the noise from the Bourbon Street madness, but I didn’t find it too bad. If you want peace and quiet, I would suggest requesting a room with a courtyard view instead. 

The hotel has a 24-hour snack bar, at which you can find small snacks like crackers, pretzels, and cookies, as well as water, soda and tea. In the morning, they also serve coffee and pastries, which you can choose to enjoy in your room, the parlor area or out in the courtyard.

The Parlor:

The parlor has a slight New Orleans carnival theme going on, with a plush silver couch, and a masquerade painting on the wall. Here, you can sit and relax, read a book, or enjoy your breakfast or a beverage. There is also a computer available for use, and the front desk is happy to print any documents for you (i.e. boarding passes). 

The Courtyard

Possibly the best part of Hotel Maison de Ville is the beautiful private courtyard – this definitely makes it one of the best places to stay in New Orelans. This is also an excellent place to sit, relax, and enjoy breakfast or a morning cup of coffee. There is a peaceful feeling as you sit out here and bask in the sunlight. I definitely wish I had more time to sit and relax here. I can imagine that this is also a great place to relax in the evening as well.

The courtyard shares a wall with the Court of Two Sisters restaurant, which is supposed to have one of the best jazz brunches in the city. I didn’t have a chance to check it out, but have heard several people recommend it, so I wish I did! 

All in all, I really enjoyed my stay at Hotel Maison de Ville and highly recommend it as a top hotel when choosing where to stay in New Orleans!

Disclosure: I was hosted as a guest by Hotel Maison de Ville and received a complimentary stay at the property. As always, all opinions are my own.


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