Want the best welcome to New Orleans? Stay at the beautiful Catahoula Hotel! Here’s what you can expect in this review.
So, I have a weird, semi-embarrassing confession: I’m a card-carrying Southern belle and I’ve never been to New Orleans.*
*Well, I did stop by for a beignet once on the way home from a UF-LSU game in Baton Rouge, but I don’t remember anything about the visit. College was a long time ago. Le Big Sigh.
For my first real, official visit to the famed Big Easy, I had to do it up right. I gathered two of my best blogging buddies, Alex & Kristin, and we brought our 4th annual summertime girl’s trip to New Orleans to learn how to laissez les bon temps roulez.
(For our past adventures: Miami | Bonaire | Martha’s Vineyard)
Catahoula Hotel Review
First stop? The adorable 35-room boutique Catahoula Hotel is settled on a surprisingly quiet little street in the Central Business District between the French Quarter and the Superdome. The restored 1840s townhouse is modern, comfy, and casual. You’d never know the property was more than 150 years old by the chic interior design.
Because the property is a historic house, it feels cozy and familiar. Rather than just a place to drop your bags and get some shuteye in between jazz sessions, I wanted to hang out — in my enormous room, in the cute lobby, in the peaceful courtyard. I don’t know about you but I love when a hotel makes me feel instantly comfy!
In the lobby, a photo of Louis Armstrong over a piano hints at New Orleans’ musical roots, and a très Instagrammable 3-story mural of a local burlesque dancer towers over a quiet courtyard. I could seriously spend a whole day here tapping away on my laptop.
The Master Bedroom
I ended up with the premium guest suite, known as the Master Bedroom. At 400 square feet, it was enormous for a boutique, and it felt even larger with bright floor-to-ceiling windows and sky-high ceilings.
Often I don’t get much use out of a suite’s seating area. Usually I work from bed and don’t spend much time in the room, but not at the Catahoula Hotel. Alex, Kristin and I had many a hilarious convo in my bright and airy space, planning our day, coordinating pineapple-themed outfits, and recapping the night’s adventures over coffee.
Courtyards & Rooftops
There’s nothing quite so charming as a quiet courtyard in a busy metropolis or a well-appointed, greenery-filled rooftop, and the Catahoula Hotel has both! Loved this oasis from both the summer heat and the hustle of the NOLA CBD.
Food & Drinks
New Orleans is renowned for many things – jazz, architecture, cuisine, Mardi Gras! General indulgence, right? The craft cocktail scene is a big part of what makes this place unique, so you can find any flavor your palate desires. If you’re into Peruvian Pisco, the Catahoula Hotel should be your first stop.
The bartenders are well-versed in what makes Pisco such a special spirit and can recommend something to please your palate. We tried a few (obviously!) including the Pisco Punch with pineapple. YUM.
Photo by Kristin Luna
I am not exaggerating when I say that if New Orleans weren’t such a fun, vibrant city to explore, I would’ve been perfectly content to hole up at the Catahoula Hotel for a few days to sip Pisco in the courtyard with a good book. But alas… we took our adventures outside the hotel. Stay tuned for more from New Orleans!
Check availability & compare current rates here
For more New Orleans travel:
- First Look at HI USA New Orleans
- Where to Eat in New Orleans: A Sweet & Savory Guide
- 4 Fun Ways to Torch the Delicious Calories You Will Ingest in New Orleans
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This post was sponsored by New Orleans & Company. Opinions, musings and confessions are, as always, all my own.
