In a departure from regular Travel Photo Thursday, not all of these photos are mine. I am mixing my own photos of New Orleans with some photos of my favorite hotel, supplied by Hotel Monteleone.
This photo is used courtesy of Hotel Monteleone
As I mentioned on Wednesday, the Hotel Monteleone has graciously offered a New Orleans getaway as a prize in the Passports With Purpose fund raiser this year. This is there FOURTH year of support for Passports With Purpose. My terrific friends at Monteleone even sweetened the pot by including breakfast and dinner at their new restaurant, Cirillo.
I have stayed at the Literary Landmark Hotel Monteleone several times (and wrote about it here), and I’m going to share why I love it and why you will, too.
LOCATION. Here is the entrance on Royal Street, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Royal street is the antique-shopping center of the French Quarter, and has plenty of other shopping and dining available as well. Famous Bourbon Street is one block away. The River Front (Mississippi) is a short walk away.
Hotel Monteleone Lobby, photo courtesy of Hotel Monteleone
TRADITION. Founded in 1886, the Monteleone just keeps getting better.
Three things I love about the lobby of Hotel Monteleone, besides the fact that it is drop-dead gorgeous. 1. The antique grandfather clock is THE place to meet friends for a shopping spree. 2. That little desk right behind the clock belongs to the most savvy concierge you’ll find in New Orleans. Your wishes all come true here. and 3. As you enter the lobby, you pass the display case that explains how Hotel Monteleone became one of three Literary Landmark hotels in the country.
COMFORTABLE. Of course the rooms are glamorous, too. And if you ask, you may get a view of the mighty Mississippi, which is just blocks away.
Mississippi River from Hotel Monteleone room
Take an easy stroll down to the river front from the Monteleone, and maybe hop on a paddle-wheeler.
Steamboat at New Orleans Riverfront
PARTIES. Of course New Orleans is a party town, and the Monteleone is right in the middle of the party.
Jester’s Bar on Bourbon Street, just a block away from the Monteleone.
Royal Street from Hotel Monteleone during Food & Wine Festival
FESTIVALS. You can count on the Hotel Monteleone to be the center of exciting things in New Orleans. Not just because of the great location, but also because they play a key role in the many festivals that feature food, drink and MUSIC, like the one above–the Food & Wine Festival. The festival shuts down Royal Street in front of the hotel and I caught this little girl conversing with a street musician.
New Orleans Street Scene during Food and Wine Festival on Royal Street
DRINKS. But back to the hotel after a day of wandering, a visit the famous Carousel Bar. If you’re feeling disoriented, maybe it because your seat is revolving!
Carousel Bar and Lounge, Hotel Monteleone. Photo courtesy of the hotel
ENTERTAINMENT You don’t HAVE to revolve, though, you can sit in one of the booths or at a table cozily arranged around the grand piano and catch the musical entertainment of the evening. (Spend your spare moments wondering if Tennessee Williams or perhaps Ernest Hemingway sat at the very seat you’re sitting in now.
Entertainer at Carousel Lounge, Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, Louisiana
FOOD. Food is important in New Orleans, and no less so at the Hotel Monteleone. If you should win the Monteleone getaway that is available at Passports With Purpose, you’ll also be able to sample breakfast (for two) and dinner (for two) at their new swanky Cirillo restaurant.
Criollo Restaurant and Lounge, Monteleone Hotel
How about a simple little seafood appetizer?
Chilled Gulf Shrimp Blue Crab and Avocado, Cirillo Restaurant. Photo provided by Hotel Monteleone.
DETAILS. The restaurant is new, but the attention to detail is a tradition. When I visited in 2009, the hotel was sponsoring a reception for top chefs. This was part of the spread.
Chocolates at Monteleone
Location, party, food, drink, things to do–are you ready to go visit the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter of New Orleans? Just visit Passports With Purpose and make a $10 donation, which will go to water.org for wells in Haiti. Or make several $10 donations and have more chances to choose the Hotel Monteleone or one of the dozens of other prizes. But remember, the whole thing comes to an end On December 11 at 11:29 p.m. EST– that is coming soon, so do not delay.
This is my weekly contribution to Travel Photo Thursday. All photos not captioned as contributed by the Hotel Monteleone are my own. If you would like to see other travel photos from around the world, check out Budget Traveler’s Sandbox, and click on the name of a writer/photographer.
Vote for my article on WorldTravelist.com, sharing the best travel content on the web.
About the Author:
A freelance writer who loves to travel. When she is not traveling she is reading about travel. When she is not reading or traveling, she is sharing with the readers of A Traveler's Library, Reel Life With Jane and other websites. Also co-author of a biography, Quincy Tahoma, The Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist. Contact Vera Marie by e-mail.
Vera Marie Badertscher – who has written 679 posts on A Traveler's Library.
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Tags: BlogSherpa, French Quarter, Hotel Monteleone, Louisiana, New Orleans, Passports With Purpose, travel photos, USA
Lovely hotel and generous giveaway. Passports With Purpose is such a good cause. Thanks for your post to highlight this offer.
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Cathy Sweeney would like you to read..Southern Serendipity in Charleston
As an Aussie who has never been to New Orleans it has an unknown
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magical quality about it. Your post only increases that feeling.
The girl and the magician is a special shot. I love the thought of
a paddlesteamer on the Mississippi, and the fact that the river is
so close. Love this post.
jan would like you to read..Mass in the Mosque
The picture you chose is one of my all time favorites, too. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Never been to N’awlins? Get going girl! It’s a MUST!
I want to stay there, and I want a box of those chocolates on my pillow! Love the shot of the little girl with the musician. I’ve never been to New Orleans, but this post makes me want to remedy that!
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Nancie would like you to read..#TPThursday– November 29, 2012– Day Tripping to Korea’s Daecheon Beach
Oh, no! Another person who’s never been to New Orleans? Nancie you’ve been to so many exotic locations–next time you’re in the U.S., try this one! (And I’ll take the whole plate of those chocolates on my pillow, thank you.
We are going to New Orleans for my bachlorette party (fancy gals) and staying here! Can’t wait.
I’m so excited for you! Staying at the Monteleone is brilliant! Have a wonderful time (but then that’s redundnt, since you’re going to New Orleans.)
That lobby definitely is drop-dead gorgeous, and I like the decor of the Criollo Restaurant. I like the way you shared Passports with Purpose in your post.
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InsideJourneys would like you to read..Entrances & Doors
Thanks Inside Journey. The lovely thing is that it LOOKS very classy, but the Monteleone is also one of the friendliest, most welcoming hotels I’ve ever been in.
I would really enjoy staying at this hotel! New Orleans is such a wonderful place to visit too.
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Debbie Beardsley would like you to read..Wiesbaden – That Second Look!
Well, since this is the fourth year they’ve given this prize, a couple of my readers have been lucky enough to win. Maybe its your turn this year. But, of course, first you have to go to http://passportswithpurpose.org/donate
I will also have to get involved next year. What a nice way to incorporate Passports with a Purpose into Travel Photo Thursday!
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Jackie Smith would like you to read..TPThursday: A Vermilion Vignette
Oh, definitely, Jackie. It is such a thrill to be part of Passports With Purpose. You can still put a widget on your website and write a post about it this year, too. And of course, bid on some of those incredible prizes.
I most enjoy the view shots and getting the overview from afar, then, when traveling, seeing the up close.
This looks like a fabulous place to stay Vera. I of course know about Passports with a Purpose and next year will have to become involved and offer a prize somewhere in the Canadian Rockies. Good for you for getting involved.
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Leigh would like you to read..Hiking the Fairyland Loop in Bryce Canyon National Park
Same thing I said to Jackie–put a widget on your site and write a post this year, plus pass on info about my prizes. They’d love to have a prize form the Canadian Rockies! Meanwhile, which prize are you going to bid on? (And by the way Bryce Canyon is one of my favorite places in the west).