“There’s the TV, “ proprietor Matthew King pointed out as he showed me my suite. “Please don’t spend time in here watching it.”
People travel for different reasons. If the primary goal of your travels is to find someplace new to stream movies, surf the web or just lie around and do nothing, La Belle Esplanade is not for you. If travel is a way to immerse yourself in someplace new, then it is, without doubt, a top place to stay in New Orleans.
Situated in the Tremé neighborhood just north of the French Quarter, the property was built in the 1890s and is full of the character you would expect in anything nearly 130 years old. Take the staircase. In most hotels, it’s likely the most unremarkable feature. Here it twisted and turned like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. I loved it.
Very cinematic stairs. I kept waiting for Jimmy Stewart to come around the corner.
Offbeat art is a great addition to the ambiance.
La Belle Esplanade features only four suites. Mine was the Pelican with many antique features, ample old-world charm and a touch of whimsy. Throw in the fact that complimentary beverages (alcoholic and non) are provided, and it’s like a miniature version of New Orleans. The sitting room offered needed comfort when I had to stop for a break from my miles of exploring the city on foot. The ornate full bed was plenty comfortable when I finally had to succumb to sleep. The modern amenities a traveler would expect are there too: Wi-Fi, coffee maker, refrigerator, hair dryer and, yes, the small flat screen TV.
A touch of whimsy.
A touch of vintage.
The property itself is only part of the reason to stay. Matthew and his partner Melanie Schmitt are another. They turn your time at their hotel into like being at a second home. A small but satisfying breakfast is offered every morning. Matthew and Melanie are there offering great conversation and as many excellent tips on what to see and do in the city as you are willing to hear. Based on my stay, any recommendation on where to eat should be followed. There is no way I would have found a place like Liuzza’s By the Tracks for lunch, and even if I had, I would probably not have stopped in. That would have meant missing out on what I can only describe as the most amazing Shrimp Po’ Boy sandwich I have ever tasted.
Eat where the locals eat…
…and you can’t go wrong.
The neighborhood itself is the final reason to make La Belle Esplanade your hotel of choice in the Big Easy. While not in the French Quarter, it’s less than a mile walk straight down Esplanade Avenue to get there. An Uber could get there in five minutes. As Matthew made clear to me as I checked in though, the Quarter is only one puzzle piece in what there is to see in the city. Situated where it is, the hotel offers a great walk in the other direction that will let you explore more of the real New Orleans. I enjoyed an early morning stroll my first day just gawking at the grand old homes in the area. Matthew and Melanie also recommended the majestic City Park, an easy walk away, and it was a highlight of my trip.
La Belle Esplanade is the middle of three sister houses.
Messing around in the sculpture garden at New Orleans’ City Park.
I chose La Belle Esplanade because it was listed as the number one hotel in New Orleans on Trip Advisor. I was delighted to find out the rating was well earned. Anyone looking for a uniquely immersive travel experience should check in.
Proprietor Matthew King and a well-deserved award.
Another great one, Dan! Heads up, there was a typo at “complimentary beverages (alcoholic and non) and provided” … “are provided” was probably what you meant. I really appreciate that you are sharing your experiences with everyone!
Thanks for the tip on the typo, Daniel. Those rascals are like program bugs. It’s hard to find them all. And thanks for the follow too!