Old No. 77 Hotel

Recently renovated and just down the street from the traditional Windsor Court Hotel, Hotel No. 77 is an art-minded boutique property with cozy guest rooms and an excellent restaurant.

• The local artwork displayed throughout the hotel.
• The eclectic décor with exposed brick walls and wood-paneled floors.
• Compère Lapin, the hotel’s Caribbean-Cajun restaurant helmed by a Top Chef alum

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.

Younger guests looking for an unpretentious option near the French Quarter, who don’t need the service or amenities of a true luxury hotel. Families should be aware that there are no connecting room options and should consider a full-service property instead.