This 1900s Hotel is the Most Picturesque Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana

NOLA; The Big Easy—a charming city known for its decadent desserts, incredible cuisine, and unmatched music. Host to one of my favorite music festivals —Jazz Fest; New Orleans is a fantastic city to visit as a foodie, jazz music fan, and history buff. Walking down any street in NOLA, you’re bound to run into a budding saxophonist, playing better music than your favorite jazz bar in your home city. What’s more — the city has a rich culture, steeped in such unique history. The tours are so unique to the region— from voodoo experiences to steamboat river cruises, there’s really no place like New Orleans.

Now that you’re convinced that your next trip should absolutely be to New Orleans, let me introduce you to the most picturesque hotel in the city. This is Le Pavillon—a historic hotel that originally opened in 1907. It’s one of the few historic hotels that originally opened as a hotel; rather than a repurposed a bank or other large institutional structure. The history of Le Pavillon is ever present throughout its walls— from its wide hallways, which were designed to accommodate women walking side by side in Victorian dresses, to its unique architecture, though modernized through restoration and refurbishment, that reminds you of a time since passed. As soon as you walk into the lobby, you are greeted by opulent chandeliers that are the centerpiece of the interior design. Your eyes then move to the artwork—which, in unique Le Pavillon style, is all oriented upside down. Why? They call it “turning history on its head.” It’s essentially a way to remind all guests and patrons that there’s more than meets the eye to this glorious hotel. Explore its walls with an open mind.

But wait, did I say all? I meant all but two. The first: the “Belle of New Orleans” located in Bijoux restaurant is oriented the right way up. Apparently, when this painting was acquired, she was originally oriented upside down, but when the staff woke up in the mornings, weird stuff had happened. Items had shifted. Things were flipped over. It was a sign— the “Belle”; a mysterious unnamed woman, was not to be trifled with. Upon her reorientation, the mysterious happenings around the hotel apparently ceased. I can confirm that during my stay, I didn’t witness anything unusual. Either that, or I was blind to it ;). The second piece of artwork is in the hotel’s speakeasy — the Secret Bar. It is a mural of Napoleon. I don’t quite know the history as to why he’s oriented the right way up; I have decided to assume it’s because a mural cannot be reoriented. Speaking of Napoleon, the general manager of the hotel took me on a tour of some of the most opulent suites, including the Napoleon Suite, and WOW, what a SPACE! The crème de la creme of this gorgeous space is an incredibly old free-standing tub placed carefully by gorgeous stained-glass windows. Check it out here!

With that alluring background behind us, let’s talk a little about my experience. First, I stayed in the beautiful library suite — a one-bedroom suite with a stunning living room with an incredible array of books in a massive bookshelf. The bedroom was cozy, and the bathroom and shower perfectly complemented the space. My most vivid memory from the trip was eating some Cafe Du Monde beignets in the library/living room area, while reading a book. What a treat! Check out the space below.

Now, let’s turn to the dining establishments! If there’s one thing NOLA is going to do, it’s going to serve A grade EVERYTHING. First, we stopped by Secret Bar—the on-property speakeasy. The space was sexy, embracing fire red to give a sophisticated vibe. The drinks were great, and so were the bar bites. That’s not the only on-property establishment we experienced. We also had brunch at Bijoux restaurant, which, as I mentioned, is where the Belle of New Orleans is housed. The space is stunning, with its own incredible chandelier. Brunch featured a make your own Bloody Mary bar, and some of the finest brunch cuisine options. I highly recommend making a booking during your stay.

Oh, there’s also a gym for all the travelers that like to stay healthy when they are on the move! I’m one of those travelers. In my view, this is one of the better hotel gyms out there. Check it out!!

Finally, a quick word about the service. The service was pretty awesome pop. I appreciate that the General Manager dedicated time from his schedule to give me a tour of the entire property. The bar and restaurant staff were great, as was housekeeping. Front desk staff and the bellmen were all very friendly. In other words, this was worthy of a tribute portfolio hotel.