The Old No. 77 Hotel, New Orleans

We chose New Orleans for this trip because we love good food and good music, and wanted to visit during a time of year when the city wouldn’t be too hot. We chose the Old No. 77 Hotel New Orleans for our stay as we were looking for a smaller boutique property that felt authentic to the city and close, but not too close, to the action.

We stayed in a Deluxe King Room, which we found very comfortable and stylishly decorated. The wood floors and local art give the room the feeling that you could be staying in your cool NOLA apartment instead of a hotel room. The lobby is all exposed brick and dark wood, with a coffee counter conveniently next to the check-in area, which we enjoyed each morning of our trip.

Image 1: Restaurant at the Old No. 77 Hotel, New Orleans; Image 2: Swamp Tour in New Orleans

The Old No. 77 Hotel New Orleans is just three blocks from the French Quarter, which means it is close enough to walk to all the major hot spots easily but far enough to escape the noise and crowds. We enjoyed walking around the area to nearby shops on our way to Jackson Square or for dinner off Bourbon Street. We found staying here significantly more affordable than staying within the French Quarter with nearly the same access. It’s also near the Harrah’s Casino, which provided a great refuge and entertainment during an afternoon of rain.

We arrived in New Orleans on my husband’s birthday and based on great reviews we decided to celebrate his birthday dinner at the Old No 77 Hotel Restaurant, Compère Lapin. The restaurant was superb! The menu is a mix of Caribbean influence and local New Orleans cuisine. I would definitely dine here again during a future stay.

Image 1: Jackson Square, New Orleans; Image 2: A gator during a swamp tour

There is so much to do and see within walking distance of The Old No. 77, Hotel New Orleans. I highly recommend kicking off your trip with a historic walking tour with Lucky Bean Tours. Libby is a fantastic tour guide and is knowledgeable about all things New Orleans. She was detailed and a great storyteller about the city's history and why it is unique compared to other US cities. She also knows recent history and hot spots in the city to check out. Of course, you’ll have to stop by Jackson Square after your tour and enjoy beignets at Cafe Du Monde.

We ventured out of the city to take a Swamp Tour with Cajun Encounters. They picked us up near our hotel and took us out to Honey Island Swamp, where we were seated on small, flat-bottomed boats in small groups. We had great weather for our tour in early October, the swamp was clear and colorful and we saw 3 large gators, a wild boar and lots of beautiful scenery.

The Old No. 77 Hotel New Orleans is a great choice for a stay in The Big Easy. With historic charm and a great location and price point, I’d recommend this hotel for all types of travelers. Reach out to me for more insights ahead of your trip to New Orleans!

This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to New Orleans. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out Brittany Abeyta's trip report, Prost to Perfection: Exploring Oktoberfest New Orleans Celebrations.