The luxury of a four-star hotel, the personal service of a fine B&B, the privacy of a penthouse, and the charm of old New Orleans, all in one property, just a block from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street? Seems almost too good to be true. But indeed, it exists, and it's called the Audubon Cottages.
This small luxury property is managed by the New Orleans Hotel Collection, with check-in at the nearby Dauphine Orleans Hotel (an excellent choice for those who prefer a more traditional hotel). It consists of seven small 18th-century cottages, each with a private courtyard (Cottages One and Seven, which comprise the one-time house and studio of John James Audubon, share a courtyard), surrounding a central patio with a beautiful in-ground pool, lawn chairs, and trees. The pool is said to be the oldest one in the French Quarter, but it's beautiful and well-maintained, largely by a robotic pool-cleaning vacuum named -- I'm not kidding -- Kevin.
On a recent stay, I spent two nights in Cottage Three, said to be the favorite suite of actress Elizabeth Taylor, who has stayed there over twenty times on trips to New Orleans. The cottage boasts two bedrooms, each with a king-sized bed and en suite bathroom with walk-in shower, as well as a central living area with a couch, table for four, and coffee/tea service and small fridge.
The cottage is exceptionally cozy, and despite an outside wall (windowless) against Dauphine Street, I found it very quiet. The beds are large and comfortable, covered with high-end linens and copious pillows (I'm a pillow-nest maker, so this is probably more important to me than just about anyone else ever). Bathrobes are supplied, as are plenty of bath towels and pool towels. WiFi is free and fast.
The cottage is appointed with both antiques and modern furniture in a bit of a period mash-up. It's clearly an intentional one, though, and it accommodates a range of tastes and makes plenty of sense in this city where the old world and the new one have so long collided. Ceiling beams, wood floors, and exposed brick remind you how old the building actually is, but it's in flawless shape.
Arrangements can be made for continental breakfast to be brought directly to your cottage, or you can breakfast with other guests in the sunny breakfast room that overlooks the pool. The relatively small number of total guests in this private French Quarter nook means that it's not entirely unlikely that you won't see anyone else the whole time you're here.
Despite being a higher-end property, it's perfectly suitable for families with kids. They'll enjoy having enough space to spread out, and it's always nice to have a quiet escape from crowds during naptimes and when things just get too hectic. And, of course, there's a pool, and what kid doesn't love that? (Though the pool is not fenced, so safety rules very much apply.) The space between the cottages is sufficient that a bit of noise is not likely to bother (or even be noticed by) fellow guests. Older kids might enjoy knowing that there's allegedly a ghost in the house: a Confederate soldier is said to be seen playing a fiddle on the balcony of Cottage 4 in the wee hours of the morning.
Many travelers, when looking for lodging options, really prioritize a clean, safe room that they can come back to for the sole purpose of sleeping after spending an entire day exploring the city. If that's all you need, the expense of the Audubon Cottages (which, other than during the occasional promo in the middle of the summer, run $300+ per night) probably isn't necessary for you -- save your money for fancy dinners and get a comfy but smaller room at any of the luxury hotels in the Quarter (the Bourbon Orleans, another member of the New Orleans Hotel Collection, might be a good choice if you want the history but don't need the private courtyard).
But if you, like me, find your vacation significantly more pleasant and relaxing when you have a calm, quiet place to escape to (even if it's just for a few hours here and there -- a quick dip on a hot day or a glass of wine under the moon in a beautiful courtyard), do consider a stay at the Audubon Cottages of the New Orleans Hotel Collection. The property balances privacy, luxury, and charm better than any lodging option I've found elsewhere in the neighborhood.
509 Dauphine St. / (504) 586-1516 / auduboncottages.com
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