Hotel Review: New Orleans, at the Hotel Le Marais

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Hotel Review: New Orleans, at the Hotel Le Marais
March 11, 2011
by Dan Salzstein
The New York Times

So you stayed at the Marais?” my cab driver asked on our way to the airport. “They just reopened. Used to be a real — ” and then he used an expletive that did not flatter the hotel. Indeed, the boutique Hotel Le Marais, which reopened in December after a five-month renovation under new ownership (it used to be the St. Ann Marie Antoinette Hotel), has been entirely reborn. With 66 rooms, it’s smaller than most other hotels in the French Quarter, and though it offers limited amenities, the rooms are comfortable and prices fairly reasonable.

LOCATION

Interested in being in the heart of the tourist-heavy French Quarter? The Marais is your place. It’s just a half-block from Bourbon Street, which is a crazy party no matter the night, and a short walk to plenty of New Orleans’s most famous restaurants and music venues. If, however, you are looking for a quiet, out of the way spot, you’ll probably want to stay elsewhere.

THE ROOM

Our room at the Marais was an odd contrast to its lobby lounge area, whose inexplicable techno soundtrack and brightly colored, oversized chairs give it the vibe of a W hotel. While not particularly spacious, the room had an understated elegance, with dark-wood furnishings, a cushy red leather reading chair, a desk with accompanying chair and oversized photos of the Louisiana bayou on the walls. The king-size bed, with a down comforter, was very comfortable. The alarm clock doubled as an iPod/iPhone docking station.

THE BATHROOM

Well lighted and handsomely decorated in black tile. Extras included a wall-mounted, lighted magnifying mirror, lightweight waffle robes and a small selection of Archive label toiletries. The shower was roomy, though it had one of those annoying half-doors that allow water to spray into the rest of the bathroom.

AMENITIES

There’s a lovely tree-lined, brick courtyard — many rooms, including the one we stayed at, face it, and some have small terraces — with a small heated saltwater pool. (The courtyard, which is marred a bit by an unpleasant neon installation that spells out the initials of the hotel, is not quite complete: new furniture and an outdoor bar are due to arrive soon.) The limited fitness center offered only five workout machines, though plenty of free weights. There is no room service or in-house restaurant, though there’s a mediocre, but free, continental breakfast, and a small bar (we got two free cocktail vouchers with our room key). Valet parking is available, though driving in the French Quarter is not recommended. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.

BOTTOM LINE

If you are looking for something in the French Quarter, you can do worse, and pay a lot more. For the most part, the Marais is a friendly and pleasant addition to the area, and, if you time it right, is reasonably priced. Doubles for weekday stays in mid-April start at $169, though they go up to $309 on weekends.

Hotel Le Marais, 717 Conti Street, New Orleans; (504) 525-2300; hotellemarais.com.