City Guide: New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a city of excess. Nicknamed the Big Easy, it’s renowned for its music scene, round-the-clock nightlife and rich, spicy, cuisine.

New Orleans is a city of excess. Nicknamed the Big Easy, it's renowned for its vibrant live-music scene, round-the-clock nightlife and rich, spicy cuisine - all of which comes thanks to its melting pot of French, African and American ancestry. With its distinctly Caribbean-meets-European feel, extensive history and ornate buildings, New Orleans is unlike any other city in the US. While the city's public transport links carry you easily, and cheaply, between neighbourhoods - it's the old-fashioned streetcar that provides the most romantic form of transport as you ride the rails, head stuck out of an open window.

The city is easy to visit on the cheap. Its tantalising streets are packed with impromptu soul musicians and unique street food offerings. Grab a po'boy filled with fried oysters, snack on some crayfish or sit down to a portion of gumbo before perusing the French Market and the charming French Quarter. Alternatively, find a quiet corner in the up-and-coming Bywater district, which has a more local feel to it.

Built on a swamp, New Orleans has lots of incredible wildlife spots. Get up close to poisonous snakes and huge alligators by taking a tour of the shack-lined bayou, where you'll discover an entirely different side of Louisiana.

hotel

The Drifter Hotel

New Orleans, United States

Created for the contemporary traveller, this alternative space is more than just a hotel – it's a mood. Worthy of a Tarantino flick, The Drifter is a forgotten 50s motel kitted out with modern nostalgia and surrounded by Cuban food trucks. It's a hub for local creatives, so turn up for album-release parties and yoga round the pool.

Address

3522 Tulane Ave, LA 70119

hotel

India House Hostel

New Orleans, United States

If the bright lights and party atmosphere are what brought you to New Orleans, then you can’t go wrong by booking a stay at the bawdy India House Hostel. The hostel’s aesthetic is very Mardi Gras, so it’s difficult to forget what city you’ve woken up in, no matter how bad your hangover is.

Address

124 South Lopez Street, 70119.

hotel

The Lookout Inn

New Orleans, United States

A gem hidden in the trendy Bywater neighbourhood. Away from the well-trodden tourist tracks, the Lookout Inn hosts several imaginatively themed suites. There’s the “Mission suite”, embracing the city’s Spanish heritage, the “Elvis suite” dedicated to the King, the “Bollywood suite” and, naturally, the “Mardi Gras suite”. Take a dip in the outdoor saltwater pool and hot tub, and as you lounge in the backyard cabana, make sure someone is firing up the barbecue ready for some post-swim eats.

Address

833 Poland Avenue, 70117.

hotel

Selina Catahoula

New Orleans, United States

The Catahoula is living proof that less is more. Built in 1845, the Creole townhouse retains its retro character with original windows, courtyard-facing balconies and exposed-brick interiors. For libations, head to the hotel's rooftop terrace and raise a toast to this soulful city, with live DJs providing a fitting soundtrack.

Address

914 Union St, LA 70112

hotel

Pontchartrain

New Orleans, United States

Named after Count de Pontchartrain – a nobleman in Louis XIV’s court – this hotel originally opened as a high-end apartment building in 1927. In the 1940s, it was refashioned as a luxury hotel and became a veritable who’s who of prominent locals and visitors, from Frank Sinatra to Rita Hayworth. Following a makeover, Pontchartrain has returned to its former glory. Inside, walls are flanked with still-life oil paintings, velvet-covered couches and lacquered tables, but with a modern eye for zany prints and jarring colour palettes. The bedrooms are airy with a touch of decadence thanks to textured jewel-toned furnishings. With welcome cookies cut out in the shape of a streetcar this is (literally) one of the sweetest welcomes to the Big Easy you could hope for. Come morning, enjoy breakfast in the Silver Whistle – a dining hub with an automotive theme. After a day of exploring, head for the Hot Tin rooftop bar (an ode to Tennessee Williams).

Address

2031 St Charles Avenue LA 70130