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A GARDEN DISTRICT GEM: The legendary Pontchartrain Hotel reclaims its place as the ne plus ultra classic New Orleans hotel.
The Pontchartrain Hotel New Orleans is one of those Crescent City hotels that has a personality all its own. Sitting on St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, this historic property has been part of the New Orleans scene since 1927. It originally opened as a luxury apartment building and was later converted into a hotel in the 1940s.
The building has hosted plenty of famous people over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Tennessee Williams. Williams even worked on A Streetcar Named Desire while staying at the hotel, which seems almost too perfect considering the St. Charles Avenue streetcar rolls right past the front door.
The Pontchartrain Hotel New Orleans in the Garden District
The location is one of the hotel’s biggest attractions. You’re right on St. Charles Avenue, underneath those enormous oak trees that make the Garden District so beautiful. And the streetcar is literally at your doorstep.
That gives you an easy way to explore both downtown and Uptown New Orleans without having to deal with traffic or parking. Ride toward the French Quarter for the day, or head Uptown and explore the Garden District, Magazine Street, Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo.
The hotel is also close to some excellent restaurants, including the legendary Commander’s Palace, and Magazine Street is just a short distance away. That’s one of the things I like about staying Uptown: you get to experience a part of New Orleans that visitors who stay exclusively in the French Quarter sometimes miss.
Four Places to Eat and Drink
You could actually spend an entire evening at the hotel without getting bored. The Pontchartrain currently has four distinct food and drink options.
Bayou Bar is a lively neighborhood-style bar with an excellent jazz program. Live music is featured Tuesday through Saturday, and the menu includes cocktails and Creole-inspired food.
Jack Rose is the hotel’s main restaurant and serves a mix of Italian, French and Spanish-influenced dishes. It has a fun, colorful atmosphere and is also known for its Mile High Pie.
For breakfast and coffee, there’s Silver Whistle Café, a neighborhood gathering place with a long history connected to the hotel.
And then there’s Hot Tin, the rooftop bar that has become one of the hotel’s signature attractions. Located on the top floor, it offers a 270-degree view that takes in downtown New Orleans and the Mississippi River. The space was inspired by a 1940s artist’s penthouse, and the whole thing has a very New Orleans feel to it.
Why Stay Here?
The Pontchartrain gives you something different from a hotel in the French Quarter. You’re still close to the action, but you’re surrounded by the grand homes, oak trees and neighborhood atmosphere of the Garden District.
The hotel was renovated in 2016, updating the rooms while retaining the character of the original building. Today there are 106 guest rooms, including suites and extended-stay accommodations, with a style that combines modern comfort with old New Orleans touches.
And when you’re ready to explore, you’ve got one of the city’s best transportation options right outside.
Take the streetcar into town. Walk down Magazine Street. Visit Audubon Park. Have dinner at Commander’s Palace. Spend the evening listening to jazz at Bayou Bar or looking out over the city from Hot Tin.
That’s the appeal of the Pontchartrain Hotel.
You’re not just staying in a hotel. You’re staying in a part of New Orleans that has its own history, its own neighborhood character and plenty of places to enjoy without ever having to go very far.
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