BOURBON ORLEANS HOTEL

'Baby there ain't a building in New Orleans that isn't haunted'

The Bourbon Orleans Hotel boasts a history that lingers to this day. Stories dating back to the 1700s trace a decaying theatre once torched to the ground, later reconstructed with the addition of its infamous ballroom, dancers included. Some, it’s said, never left.

The building was soon repurposed as a convent for the Sisters of the Holy Family, leaving behind a resident nun in room 644, before being purchased by the Bourbon Kings Hotel Corporation and remodelled once again, concealing what was once an asylum for orphaned girls on the corner of Orleans Street. Ranked among the top ten haunted hotels in America, a stay at the Bourbon Orleans promises a distinctly Louisiana experience.

A grand welcome awaits, with decadent décor that honours its layered history from the moment you step inside, but it’s the warmth of the staff that truly elevates the experience. That cinematic sense of charm and bounce needs no exaggeration. Vibrant personalities shine through every interaction, complementing the unmistakable energy of New Orleans like sugar in tea. From light-hearted upgrade debates to dinner recommendations, check-in flowed seamlessly from valet to bed test.

Each floor holds a story of its own, but we found ourselves on the second, purely by coincidence, of course, and not at all influenced by whispered concerns about a ballerina with a grudge or a Confederate soldier with a vengeance on the upper floors. Ghost stories aside, the convenience of a gym just down the hall made it the perfect base, even without paranormal persuasion - though stories from elsewhere suggested not everyone was quite so lucky.

The rooms speak for themselves, though your gaze is immediately drawn to the distinctive bathroom wallpaper. Women in motion, embracing their bodies, souls seemingly frozen in time across black and white panels feel both tasteful and strange, a fitting reflection of the city itself. In the bedroom, a grand arched shutter takes centre stage, nodding to the glamour of the 1920s within an otherwise modern space. It’s a room designed for explorers with a bed made for recovery after long days of discovery and a wardrobe generous enough for travellers who’ve indulged in the city’s boutiques.

Located just off Bourbon Street, the music and movement carry through the night - but in this city, there are no complaints, only toe taps and head bobs as jazz rhythms follow you deep into sleep. After a night soaked in soul, a morning dip in the pool is the perfect way to greet the day, refreshed and fully present.

This pool is no generic resort retreat. Historic features continue outdoors, with arched designs, shuttered windows, and softened tones that balance relaxation with the vibrancy demanded by one of America’s most iconic cities. It offers a rare sense of calm amid the chaos, towels laid out, chairs waiting, and a pool bar stocked for a leisurely day on the rocks.

The Bourbon Orleans Hotel captures the character of its land effortlessly. Alive with history, music, and warmth, it offers a stay where the past never quite checks out, and after a visit, you wouldn’t want to either.

The Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans