By David Alport; Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com.
The Big Easy is hard to beat for an easy getaway full of fun, frolic and fabulous food. If you’re looking for a comfy place to rest your head in the French Quarter, here are two terrific options.
Also in the French Quarter is the newly remodeled Hotel Le Marais, located half a block from Bourbon Street, but a calm oasis nonetheless. It calls itself an “upscale boutique” hotel, which means W-like design on a much smaller scale. Rooms are modest in size, but quite nice, with black marble bathrooms and crisp cotton linens.
Many have small balconies overlooking a central courtyard, which features cushioned couches and chairs surrounding a lovely soaking pool. There’s nothing especially gay about the place, but it’s got an unassuming staff and low key attitude that make for a viable alternative to the larger design-focused hotels which are mostly on the outskirts of the French Quarter.