New Orleans, Louisiana Luxury Hotels and Destination
A Brief Overview
When luxury travelers want to go to an exotic spot within the continental United States, they often think of Louisiana as a possibility. This fascinating luxury destination on the delta of North America's greatest river is a polyglot of cultures surrounded by beautiful and dramatic scenery and boasts a wide variety of extravagant luxury hotels. Louisiana is the epicenter where French, Spanish, Caribbean, African, British and Native American cultures have met, melded and interacted for centuries. This melting pot is the capital of Blues, Cajun cuisine and Mardi Gras, making it a prime destination for luxury travelers looking for a wild adventure. Tucked between the nightclubs and colorful bars of Louisiana are unforgettable luxury hotels, stocked with world-class amenities and extravagant décor to provide you with a one-of-a-kind lodging accommodation during your visit to Louisiana. Choose the city of New Orleans for an exciting and colorful Louisiana luxury getaway.
New Orleans is situated in the crescent carved by the Mississippi River and is known by names like The Big Easy, The City That Care Forgot, and of course, the motto "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez" (Let the Good Times Roll). New Orleans is endowed with a lightheartedness that is contagious to all those who come for a visit. Most any luxury hotel in the city greets travelers with helpful smiles and friendly conversation. Luxury hotels in Central New Orleans provide an excellent home base for travelers who enjoy traveling by foot, as Central New Orleans is most enjoyed when walking and exploring the back streets and alleys—all very reminiscent of Europe. The central area is surprisingly compact, but if you’d rather not walk, taxis are plentiful and reasonable. The French Quarter and the surrounding Garden District and Marigny are packed with all styles of luxury hotels—each one of them outfitted with a relaxing atmosphere, premium amenities, and state of the art facilities to accommodate all types of luxury travelers.
Don't Miss!
For outdoor activities and attractions, ask your luxury hotel concierge service about information on the current activities of the New Orleans City Park. There you’ll find golf, boating/fishing, tennis, botanical gardens, special events, and more!
Would you like to dive deep into the history of New Orleans during your luxury hotel getaway? Tours by Isabelle offer first class, small scale, multi-lingual tour operators sure to give you what you’re looking for.
With so many dining options in New Orleans, you’ll want to ask your luxury hotel concierge service to help you find a few local favorites. Reserve an evening for dinner at Antoine’s, a fine restaurant that has given the dining world many famous dishes. This is definitely a New Orleans "Must do"!
The Historical French Quarter
The French Quarter, the oldest part of the city, was established in 1718 by the French as a military outpost. The Vieux Carré, as the French Quarter is called, was decidedly a French settlement where the inhabitants proudly embraced and celebrated their French heritage. The Spanish acquired New Orleans in 1763, and the French settlers accepted them without too much bloodshed. It was this melding of cultures, along with the African influence of the slave population, which gave birth to Creole society. All was relatively calm until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Then a physical and spiritual separation was initiated with the newly created Canal Street boundary. This perimeter further insulated the French Quarter from the bustling city around it and served to preserve this singular culture very well.
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Eventually, the Creoles expanded beyond the Quarter, but remained isolated from the boisterous American culture. Still, the French Quarter remained the heart and soul of New Orleans - a quintessential European experience with an old-world character. Today, the French Quarter is a world of narrow streets and historic houses. Tropical flowers peek from hidden courtyards, and aromas like garlic, onions, fresh-baked goods and coffee combine with a cacophony of music, conversation, and laughter guaranteed to excite the senses of luxury hotel travelers wandering by.
The Garden District
No locale embodies the history of the Southern nobility better than the Garden District. Where the French Quarter is a lively melting pot, the Garden District is affable and dignified—an elegant remnant of the past. Developed for the most part between 1840 and 1900, the Garden District runs from Magazine Street to St. Charles Avenue and from Jackson Avenue to Louisiana Avenue. Its well-preserved mansions represent one of the finest collections of historic manors in the South. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Garden District offers a dazzling tapestry of architectural designs such as Antebellum, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian intertwined with a glorious profusion of blooming flowers and lush foliage. To get the real feel of the Garden District, pick up a walking tour map at the Visitor Center at 523 St. Ann, Jackson Square. A nice way to see the Garden District is to make reservations at Commander's Palace for lunch. Take the streetcar to the Garden District and walk to Commanders. Your luxury hotel concierge desk can provide more information on this timeless district of New Orleans.
Mardi Gras
The famed Mardi Gras celebrations begin in New Orleans on the 7th of March each year. Be sure to check Lagniappe, the Entertainment Guide from the Times Picayune newspaper for details. Anyone can visit a parade and catch the "throws" (beads, doubloons, plastic cups and more), which are tossed off the tractor-towed floats by masked riders. Everybody gets into the act to see who can catch the most "stuff."
The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers, and is a time-honored tradition for young and old alike. In 1884, Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets, and today's doubloons represent these medallions. Doubloons are aluminum and come in many different colors. They depict the parade theme on one side and the Krewe's emblem on the other. And if you're lucky enough to catch one, hold onto it—they have become collectors' items.
Mardi Gras draws huge numbers to New Orleans for the Shrove Tuesday pre-Lenten festivities. Make careful plans and reserve a room in your favorite New Orleans luxury hotel well in advance, and be certain such a trip is appropriate for all members of the family. The excess craziness is legendary - which may or may not be what travelers are seeking. Whether Mardi Gras is the right time to visit or not, visitors will definitely find much to keep them occupied, curious, well fed and entertained in New Orleans!
New Orleans—The Luxury Experience
Whether you’re in New Orleans for business or pleasure, as a romantic getaway or a girlfriends’ retreat; New Orleans is a colorful city with countless cultural treasures to be explored. A luxury hotel will offer you the very best in the lodging world. From expertly appointed guestrooms, luxury linens, and premier bathroom amenities to a state-of-the-art mattress that promises a full night of luxurious sleep, New Orleans luxury hotels have taken care of all the details to make sure that your stay is completely worry-free and absolutely unforgettable.
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