The breakfasts are amazing (oh, those cheese grits) at this well-appointed three-story inn, where everyone seems glad to see you. Beside Audubon Park, this ornate wooden masterpiece was built in 1884 to impress people attending the World Cotton Exchange Exposition. The rooms and guest lounge are heavy with antiques, and the veranda overlooking the park and St Charles Ave is lovely.
Tulane and Loyola Universities are just blocks away – many of the hotel’s frequent guests are visiting parents. Complimentary wine is served in the afternoon and there’s a computer for guest use. No surprise, it's listed in the National Historic Places registry. Rates include breakfast.