If you wren’t looking for — if you were stumbling to Bourbon Street or strolling toward Royal Street – you might miss Hotel Marais.
Sure, it was a proud flag or two marking its entrance. But, it’s understated entry way hints at the hotel’s true Purpose The Marais is there to offer a quiet oasis from the heat and hustle of New Orleans and the French Quarter.
Part of the New Orleans Hotel Collection – a set of distinct, privately owned accommodations — the Marais sits squarely in the heart of the French Quarter. It’s literally a 10 minute walk to just about everything that favorite district of the city can offer.
If you wren’t looking for – if you were stumbling to Bourbon Street or strolling toward Royal Street – you might miss Hotel Marais.
Sure, it was a proud flag or two marking its entrance. But, it’s understated entry way hints at the hotel’s true Purpose The Marais is there to offer a quiet oasis from the heat and hustle of New Orleans and the French Quarter.
Visitors are greeted by a modest lobby leading to a long lounge hallway that gives way to the friendly, small hotel bar, “Vive.” In addition to welcoming hotel guests, Vive also seems to welcome locals. Perhaps they also like to escape the busy New Orleans sidewalks by night. The head bartender displays all the class and welcome you’d expect in the Big Easy – and he remembered my name from a visit I made two years ago.
Related: Big Easy Stay at New Orleans Audubon Cottages
The rooms are clean, bright and simply appointed with all of the necessary amenities. The designers realize no one comes to the French Quarter to sit in their hotel room. However, when the day is over, travelers need comfort and rest. The Marais can deal with that.
The hotel does not have a full restaurant, though it’s surrounded by the Quarter’s endless dining choices. Still, the Marais does offer free breakfast in Vive every morning.
The highlight of the property might be the small, oasis-like salt water pool in the Marais’ central courtyard. More for lounging than laps, the unique feature also feels removed from the tourist-packed New Orleans milieu.
Hotel Marais feels almost European in size and energy, always offering a spot on change of pace and a welcome rest spot while exploring one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
