When

When
a sign in the elevator warns you of a poltergeist problem,
you know you’ve checked in to a hotel with a story to tell.
The
Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery started its life as a
19^th-century warehouse that served the port of New Orleans. Fast forward 150
years and the industrial building has been transformed into a cool
but cosy retreat in the heart of NOLA’s Arts District – close
enough to Bourbon Street to stumble home after dark, but far enough
that you won’t have to share the walk with inebriated hen
parties.

Plenty of evidence of the warehouse’s original purpose remains,
with exposed-brick walls, polished concrete and original timber
beams considerately placed throughout the building. On the walls,
eye-catching artwork by local artists shows off the city’s thriving
creative scene. But what will win you over isn’t the stylish decor
or the excellent location; it’s the lively Southern charm you’ll be
welcomed with the minute ya’ll walk through the door.

Rooms

New Orleans is a city of excess, so it makes sense that the
rooms at one the city’s most lauded hotels are excessively large –
you’ll find plenty of room to party or relax around the king-sized
beds with their chic upholstered headboards and copper lamps. Brick
walls and polished wooden floorboards continue the hotel’s
industrial-chic aesthetic, while tongue-in-cheek “do not disturb”
signs hint that you’re here for a good time not a long time.

What’s for breakfast?

Duck down to breakfast bar Tout La (or order to the room if you
made some questionable decisions the night before) for light plates
like chia-seed puddings with fresh fruit and smashed avocado on
toast, plus a barista-made latte that will hopefully quash any
lingering headache.

How about lunch and dinner?

Book a table at the talk-of-the-town Compére Lapin, where chef
Nina Compton creates dishes drawing on her Caribbean childhood,
classical French training and much-loved Italian fare. The result
is an inventive menu that serves up everything from aubergine
ravioli with ricotta salata to a cornmeal-crusted catfish sandwich
with chips, all against the backdrop of a stylish eatery and
bar.

Is there a bar?

Definitely leave at least one evening free to sample a Copper
Bunny down at Compére Lapin – the bar’s signature drink is worth
staying in for, with pineapple jalapeno tequila, vodka, ginger,
lime and champagne served up in a shiny copper bunny. There are
also plenty of less flashy drinks if you prefer to fly under the
radar, including several pages worth of craft spirits and
beers.

Amenities

If your trousers are feeling a bit tight having sampled too many
beignets at Café Du Monde during your stay, there is a gym on the
ground floor. Alternatively, make use of the Bluetooth speaker and
all that space in your room to throw an impromptu dance party.

Things you should know

The hotel is pet
friendly and will provide your furry travel companion with
their own bed, food and water bowl. Meanwhile, creative types
should book into the Artist Loft Suite, which is filled with pieces
curated by several of New Orleans’ most-coveted artists.

Within a short walk you can find…

New Orleans’s buzzing French Quarter is just a 10-minute walk
away, so you won’t have to go far to find some nightlife. For
activities that involve less whiskey and more marvelling at
impressive architecture and spooky cemeteries, hop on a street car
and head in the other direction to the nearby Garden District.