New Orleans is such a vibrant and fun place to visit and there are so many amazing things to do and see in this city! It’s so easy to get caught up in planning all the historical places to see, all the partying hot spots to go to, and all the spicy and delicious foods you want to eat while you’re there. But if you plan to visit, you’re of course also going to need to find somewhere to spend the night!
As a former Louisiana native (in fact, I was even born there!) and as a lover of all things New Orleans, one of my favorite places to spend the night in the city is at the Place d’Armes Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter. For your visit, you really can’t go wrong with booking this hotel to stay at! But if you want to know more or are curious about why you should stay here, read on for my full review.
About Place d’Armes: Hotel History
Place d’Armes is right in the middle of everything in the French Quarter, making it an amazing location to stay at. But the history of this building stretches back several hundred years, which makes it an even more fascinating place to spend the night! If you’re looking for a historical site to spend the night at or a haunted location to enjoy an evening stay, then this is the perfect hotel for you.
The story starts back in 1725, when Father Raphael de Luxembourg Capuchin founded a school on the site where the Place d’Armes hotel stands today. This was the first French colonial school in all of Louisiana and taught a variety of subjects including reading, writing, music, French, and Latin. However, this school soon became the site of tragedy when most of the original building burned down in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788—killing several students as well as the headmaster.
Today, the Place d’Armes hotel is housed in a group of townhouses on the site with a courtyard in the middle (all built in the 1800s after the fire). But the history of this site lingers, as some hotel guests have reported seeing ghosts of the headmaster as well as hearing the sound of children laughing or playing in the courtyard…even when it is clearly deserted.
While this makes it a popular stop for ghost tours, I personally did not see or hear any ghosts while I was there. So whether you believe in ghosts or not, I’m sure you will be fine and have a lovely stay. It’s a charming hotel with lots of history and an excellent choice for spending the night!
Book your stay at the Place d’Armes Hotel now or check out more reviews on TripAdvisor!
Staying in the Place d’Armes Hotel, New Orleans
One of the biggest reasons I love Place d’Armes so much is, as already mentioned, its location in the French Quarter. The French Quarter is the oldest segment of New Orleans and is at the heart of much of the city’s culture, history, and traditions. And while the French Quarter is at the heart of New Orleans, Place d’Armes is in the heart of the French Quarter!
When you stay here, you’re just down the street from Jackson Square, Café du Monde, and plenty of other quintessential New Orleans spots. From the Place d’Armes, enjoying New Orleans is as simple as stepping outside your door. This hotel quite literally welcomes you into the city and sets you on the doorstep of New Orleans experiences!
I also love this hotel because of its boutique nature…abandoning the idea of a cookie-cutter hotel and instead embracing the unique aspects of each room. I adore that many of the rooms come with exposed brick on one of the walls, which adds a charming touch of ambiance. Plus, the beds are super comfortable and make you feel like you want to stay in them forever!
Beyond the rooms, there are also plenty of unique nooks throughout the hotel. Because Place d’Armes is made up of a group of townhouses, there are many hallways to explore with cute corners, mirrors, flowers, and plenty of old hotel charm. Be sure to take the time to explore while you’re here!
And also take the time to enjoy breakfast, which comes included with the room and is served until 10am. It consists mostly of pastries (which are excellent…especially the almond croissants!), but there’s also coffee/tea and some fruit, which makes for a nice light breakfast before exploring the city.
While the rooms and the breakfast make this an excellent place to stay, I have to say my favorite part of staying here was enjoying the balconies. There are two public balconies you can visit, which overlook the iconic Pontalba Buildings as well as looking out towards St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. The views from here are stunning and it’s a great place to enjoy sitting outside and watching all the busy people below…so be sure to ask at the front desk and they can tell you where to go to find these balconies!
All in all, whether you’re looking for a comfortable place to stay, a beautiful boutique hotel, a haunted location, or simply somewhere close to all the tourist attractions, Place d’Armes is the perfect place to stay. Enjoy your New Orleans trip—and laissez les bon temps rouler!
Book a room at Place d’Armes now or read more reviews on TripAdvisor!
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