With its French, Creole, Hispanic and African American influences, festive Louisiana is at the very least culturally diverse. New-world sensitivities are infused with a discernible old-world charm. The result is great food, great people and a great deal of savoir-faire when it comes to hospitality. Here are some of the nicest hotels in the Mardi Gras state.
Inspired by no less than Windsor Castle, the hotel indulges its guests in all sorts of refinery. Drop in for afternoon tea at Le Salon, catch some jazz and cocktails at the Polo Lounge, or take a dip in the heated outdoor pool. The rooms are adorned in classic English décor without the burden of tradition. Suites in the swish Club Level floors provide sweeping views of the city and a posh private lounge to take it all in.
Windsor Court Hotel
300 Gravier St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
888-596-0955
windsorcourthotel.com
Boasting a scant 16 lofts and two penthouses, this business district hotel is an experiment in Soho-style minimalism. The airy rooms are outfitted with platform beds and Frette linens, and the spacious bathrooms have silky soapstone showers and soaking tubs. Loft 523 is a renovated dry goods warehouse with some of its original characteristics. The bar's exposed brick lends an organic texture to the otherwise sleek tweaks. Maybe that's why locals frequent the place so often.
Loft 523
523 Gravier St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-200-6523
loft523.com
Known as the "Festival Capital of Louisiana," Lake Charles has its own version of Vegas in grandiose L'Auberge du lac. The expansive property flaunts a golf course, two heated pools, a spa, a casino and an event center where celebrities like Willie Nelson and Jay Leno have performed. The contemporary rooms riff on earth tones and solid wooden surfaces, a tribute to the outdoorsy area. Among the many dining options is the Jack Daniel's Bar & Grill, serving entrees swathed in Jack's-based sauces.
L'Auberge du lac Casino Resort
777 Avenue L'Auberge
Lake Charles, LA 70601
866-580-7444
ldlcasino.com
Once the Heidelberg and Capital House Hotel, Hilton's renovations simply enhanced the building's elegance. If the nearby Louisiana State Capitol is a draw for architecture buffs, so will the hotel's regal interiors. The rooms combine antique curves and plushy comfort, while the graceful outdoor pool has a view of the Mississippi River. For dinner, pop down to The Kingfish to sample some Louisiana flavors and Cajun cuisine.
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
201 Lafayette St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
225-344-5866
hilton.com
If we know anything about the Old South, it's partly because places like the Nottoway mansion have been carefully maintained. Sprawled alongside the Great River Road, the antebellum house is a one-stop time warp. Each distinctive room was decorated to look like a proper 19th-century boudoir and retrofitted to add flat-screen TVs and other modern amenities. Picturesque Nottoway is a popular spot for weddings, though afternoon lunch at Le Cafe is also renowned.
Nottoway Plantation Resort
31025 Louisiana Highway 1
White Castle, LA 70788
866-527-6884
nottoway.com
B&Bs are a Louisiana leitmotif. Lucky for us, many of them are also refurbished plantations. In addition to its scenic location on the east bank of the Mississippi River, Bocage owner Dr. Marion Rundell invested a lot in restoration and antiques before opening the ornate bed & breakfast in 2008. From hand-carved wood furniture to satin bedding and steam showers, authenticity marks the experience. The property also hosts tours from Wednesday to Sunday.
Bocage Plantation
39050 Highway 942
Darrow, LA 70725
225-588-8000
bocageplantation.com
