Housed in an Art Deco building from 1928, Ace Hotel fosters a vibrant, youthful ambiance with a retro aesthetic.

Audubon Cottages offer a unique living experience in the heart of the French Quarter. While it is located on Dauphine Street only a block off Bourbon, this small property seems worlds away from the famed party scene. Behind the front entrance, a tree-lined path leads into a surprisingly quiet patio area with a beautiful, saltwater brick pool.

The small property consists of seven converted Creole Cottages built during the 17^th century. Named for John James Audubon, the famous local naturalist who occupied one of the cottages for a short period in the 18th century, the property has gone through a number of different names and facelifts through the years. (Elizabeth Taylor was known to check-in to #3 for long periods of time).

When it reopened in 2012 under the New Orleans Hotel Collection, the property emerged refreshed and up-to-date while maintaining its historical and architectural bones. Though each cottage is different, all boast newly appointed bathrooms and furniture as well as plasma televisions. The updated two-bedroom cottages are ideal for families.

Breakfast is served in your cottage or in the courtyard by in-house butlers. The property does not have any reception area or shared public spaces or staff (beyond the butlers and cleaning crews). Your butler is also happy to make dining arrangements, provide local recommendations and point out the many ghosts lurking on corners of balconies.

Located a few blocks west of the French Quarter in the Arts district, the funky boutique hotel is based around a comfortable lobby that is attached to the always buzzing hotel bar, which is popular with savvy locals on the weekends. A DJ spins at night by candlelight, while black-and-white photographs of local jazz legends look on. The plugged-in concierge team consistently delivers valuable recommendations, and the basement gym will please fitness buffs. When it comes to décor, standard rooms are on the simple side, and the sheets won’t meet your approval if you’re a thread-count snob. The International House is a smart choice for groups of friends and couples who enjoy vibrant nightlife, but is not ideal for families.

Designed as a passion project from the owners of the Ace Hotel group, Maison de la Luz is the more glamorous, luxurious and refined sister property.

Housed in a former warehouse dating back to 1854, Old No. 77 is a charming hotel in New Orleans’ Arts District, just a few blocks from the French Quarter. The décor combines remnants of the original structure like exposed-brick walls and industrial pipes with modern furniture and whimsical light fixtures. Cozy nooks are decorated with contemporary artwork by local artists, many of whom are talented high school students from the New Orleans Center of Creative Arts. Guests can purchase fun souvenirs from the lobby’s Automat, a former cigarette dispenser, which now pops out carton-shaped pieces of art.

While the hallways leading to the rooms feel spartan, the Premium rooms that line the exterior of the hotel are outward-facing with comfortable furnishings and plenty of natural light. Bathrooms are simple with spacious showers and modern fixtures. The hotel’s three largest accommodations, the Artist Loft Suites, all feature exposed brick, an open floor plan and each were curated by a local artist. These suites feel more like cool loft apartments than hotel rooms, with details like starburst-shaped lights, eclectic textiles and wood-paneled floors.

The hotel is proud of its restaurant, Compère Lapin, which serves a mélange of Caribbean and New Orleans flavors and is helmed by former Top Chef contestant, Nina Compton. The front desk doubles as a casual coffee shop, Toute La, which serves everything from on-the-go options to a full breakfast. Although the hotel boasts a 24-hour fitness center, there is no spa on property.

At the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, a large corporate hotel that's a favorite for conferences, history blends with modern amenities for a reliable Ritz experience.

Tucked away on a quiet street in the back of the French Quarter, Soniat House is an unassuming oasis in the heart of the city. The boutique property is comprised of three small townhouses of beautifully restored Creole Cottages. Upon entry through the gates, guests proceed down a candlelit, stone carriageway into a courtyard—to what feels like the essence of old New Orleans.

The property is furnished with exquisite antiques that help create a classic atmosphere of grandeur. Each of the 31 rooms are somewhat different and while some are spacious and light, others can feel slightly cramped with old-fashioned, small bathrooms. (Indagare members can contact our bookings team for assistance on picking the right room.) The best rooms and suites are located along the street and have private balconies and views of the French Quarter.

The hotel was opened in 1984 by Frances and Rodney Smith, antiques dealers from the area who have taken care to preserve a quiet old world atmosphere while maintaining high standards of service and personal attention. The hotel provides a definite home-away-from-home feeling; one guest checked in soon after Hurricane Katrina and has yet to leave.

While there is no hotel restaurant (the case for many small New Orleans properties), a delicious breakfast of café au lait and baked-to-order Southern biscuits with jam is served in-room or in the garden courtyard.

A recent renovation has returned the Roosevelt to the top of the luxury heap in New Orleans. Arriving at the property, guests are greeted by a striking lobby, with a soaring ceiling supported by grand columns gilded in ropes of silver and gold, mosaic tiles underfoot and gorgeous chandeliers above. While the 369 standard rooms are petite, the 104 luxury suites are generously sized. Interiors feature a classic and stately style, but not at the expense of comfort; the rooms facing inwards, however, can be dark. Onsite amenities include a spa and fitness center, rooftop pool and café, stylish lobby bar and a bustling modern Italian restaurant by John Besh, Domenica.

Located just outside of the French Quarter in the Central Business District, the Windsor Court Hotel is a classic, large New Orleans property. The décor of the 316 guestrooms and suites, though a bit dated, reflects the hotel’s traditionally English and French style with heavy drapes, traditional furnishings and antique photographs of the Mississippi River. The large common areas, including the grand hotel lobby where English tea is served daily, and the Polo Club Lounge that features jazz bands many nights, create a buzzing atmosphere.

The staff is very attentive and gracious, and the multitude of amenities, including a pool and connecting room options make it perfect for families. While not quite as luxurious as The Roosevelt, the Windsor Court Hotel offers a centrally located, comfortable and full-service experience. Club level rooms on the top four floors offer panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River along with extra amenities and a lounge.