The Pontchartrain Hotel
What We Love
- A revamped, historic luxury hotel in the elegant Garden District, with a rooftop bar
- Being right next to the St. Charles streetcar that inspired A Streetcar Named Desire – written here
- Sipping a whiskey at the bar where the New Orleans Saints football franchise was christened
- Staying where Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra and the Doors all stayed
What To Know
- The Hot Tin rooftop bar is the place to be for happy hour sundowners
- Located along the streetcar route, so it's very easy to get around
Amenities
- Free WiFi
- Gym
- Handicap Accessible
- Parking On Site
- Pet-friendly
- Restaurant
Overview
The Lowdown
Stay among the who’s who in the bayou at Pontchartrain Hotel. This property’s past visitors include Frank Sinatra, The Doors, Rita Hayworth, presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush and most notably, Tennessee Williams; The playwright famously lived here while writing A Streetcar Named Desire, which was inspired by the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line just outside. Though the hotel underwent a massive renovation, the history still shines through in the cuisine, the cocktails, and the painstaking attention to design details. Just beyond the front door is the historic Garden District, while the French Quarter is a streetcar ride away. But within the hotel’s doors, an eclectic mix of deep-south and European influences come together in the cozy rooms, featuring romantic palettes and Moroccan rugs and antiques, while the building’s history and local culinary culture receive a fitting tribute in Hot Tin Rooftop bar. There’s also Bayou Bar, where the New Orleans Saints football franchise was christened, plus a café formerly patronized by local judges and tycoons. Who said you even need to take the streetcar to experience the Big Easy’s best? Simply hop on the Pontchartrain train – it’s all right here.
In the Area
In the heart of the historic Garden District, this boutique hotel puts you amid scores of elegant Victorian homes and just a streetcar ride from the action. Shop on Magazine Street or relocate to the French Quarter to check out the iconic dining, live music and buzzing nightlife scene. And learn about the city’s famous history and culture at spots like Artillery Park, the Cabildo (The Louisiana State Museum), and the St. Louis Cathedral.
How to Get There
Reviews
The beds were absolutely fantastic. Jerry, Brittany and Gauri went out of their way to make the visit special. Moving to another hotel this morning but the Pontchartrain set the bar very high so..... Hard to beat!
Quiet, comfortable, clean and a great location for college visit to Tulane. The staff was very helpful and friendly. We felt safe in the area. I left an item behind and the staff mailed it to me at no cost.
Beautiful hotel, friendly staff, the adjacent breakfast cafe is great! But key situation is a little bit of a hassle. A lost key will cost you $250, so they suggest you leave it at the front desk every time you leave... then of course you wait in line to get it again when you return. It’s a minor bump in the day, but it’s a bump. My biggest issue was that although my room was really quite nice (see pictures) and the bed was comfortable, some previous guest had vomited in the room, near the head of the bed. A faint, but unmistakable sour odor would waft up as I got into and out of bed. I reported it to the desk after my first night there, but nothing was done about it.
This hotel is like an elegant aging woman. Tons of charm from the cozy rooms to the sitting room and the hotel bars and restaurant. The staff is very welcoming and helpful. Bathrooms have been updated. No mini bar but ice is available through room service (drawback for me as I like it on hand). We had a room on a lower floor facing St. Charles. You could definitely hear the streetcars so request a higher floor if that is a concern.
I was booked in to hear through my workplace as we had our work's Award Ceremony in the parlor. This hotel is second to none the staff are so Hospital and can't help you enough I stayed here for 5 nights the room was clean and Beds comfy the food in the restaurant was second to none I would definitely come back to this hotel for a second time