
Hotel Monteleone
Best for travelers who want historic character, the famous Carousel Bar, and a guest-only rooftop pool near Jackson Square.
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Hotel Monteleone is a historic, family-owned French Quarter hotel known for its Carousel Bar and heated rooftop pool; read this if you want a characterful, central stay with a literary pedigree. The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is a large, upscale Bourbon Street hotel with multiple restaurants, bars and convention space; read this if you prioritize being in the Bourbon Street scene and want a full-service, larger property.
Updated · about 0.2 km apart

Best for travelers who want historic character, the famous Carousel Bar, and a guest-only rooftop pool near Jackson Square.

Best for travelers who want a large, full-service hotel on Bourbon Street with many on-site meeting spaces, restaurants and bars.
When Hotel Monteleone wins: choose Monteleone if you value history, a smaller-hotel feel, the rotating Carousel Bar, and an exclusive heated rooftop pool with views of the Mississippi River and French Quarter.
When The Royal Sonesta New Orleans wins: choose the Royal Sonesta if you want a larger, resort-style Bourbon Street address with more meeting space, more on-site restaurants and bars, and a conventional outdoor pool and fitness center available 24 hours.
Bottom line: both put you in the French Quarter within steps of Bourbon Street; pick Monteleone for atmosphere and the rooftop pool/Carousel Bar experience, pick the Royal Sonesta for scale, more on-site F&B options and extensive meeting facilities.
| Category | Hotel Monteleone | The Royal Sonesta New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic, family-owned, literary and boutique-feel despite large room count | Large, upscale Bourbon Street hotel with a busy nightlife/meeting-hotel atmosphere |
| Location (French Quarter) | 214 Royal St — one block from Bourbon Street; easy walk to Jackson Square and riverfront | 300 Bourbon St — directly on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter |
| Size | About 570 rooms across roughly 14–17 floors | 483 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Stars / guest rating | 4.0-star (historic high-rise); public guest ratings vary | 4.5-star · guest rating 8.8 |
| Pools | Heated rooftop outdoor pool reserved for hotel guests (open year-round) | Outdoor pool (pool hoist on site; pool hours 11:00 AM–7:00 PM noted in policy) |
| Restaurants & bars | Criollo Restaurant, Carousel Bar & Lounge (revolving) and Acqua Bella poolside bar | 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges and a poolside bar (multiple on-site dining options) |
| Spa & fitness | Spa Aria on-site (massages, facials, signature packages) and a 24-hour rooftop fitness center | 24-hour fitness facilities on site; health/beauty spa listed as 'nearby' in supplier listing |
| Meeting & events | Over ~24,000–27,000 sq ft of meeting space, several ballrooms and many meeting rooms | About 20,000 sq ft of conference/meeting space, ballroom and multiple meeting rooms |
| Known for | The Carousel Bar (revolving bar), historic family ownership and rooftop pool | High-profile Bourbon Street address, multiple on-site dining/drinking venues and large event capacity |
| Accessibility & family policy | Welcomes families; children 17 and under stay free using existing bedding; reservation holder must be 21 | All-ages property (children 18 and under stay free in parent/guardian’s room per supplier notes); reservation/check-in age policy Not published |
Hotel Monteleone sits on Royal Street, one block from Bourbon Street and a short walk to Jackson Square and the riverfront.
Choose Monteleone for a central French Quarter address with a slightly quieter Royal Street location and easy access to landmarks.
The Royal Sonesta is located directly on Bourbon Street, placing guests in the middle of the Quarter’s nightlife.
Choose the Royal Sonesta if you want to be immediately on Bourbon Street and in the heart of the nightlife scene.
Monteleone mixes historic character with updated guestrooms and roughly 570 rooms across many floors.
Monteleone offers historic character and a range of room sizes tied to a family-owned hotel identity.
The Royal Sonesta has 483 individually decorated guestrooms designed for a larger, full-service hotel.
The Royal Sonesta is a larger operation with consistent full-service amenities in a Bourbon Street setting.
Monteleone centers on Criollo Restaurant, the Carousel Bar and a rooftop poolside bar for straightforward, local-focused dining.
Monteleone is the pick for the iconic Carousel Bar experience and a focused set of on-site dining venues with local dishes.
The Royal Sonesta offers multiple on-site restaurants and bars, suited to guests who want variety without leaving the hotel.
The Royal Sonesta is better if you want more on-site dining and nightlife options clustered inside the hotel.
Monteleone’s signature guest amenity is its heated rooftop outdoor pool with views over the Quarter and river.
Monteleone’s rooftop pool is a defining perk — exclusive to guests and central to its appeal.
The Royal Sonesta has an outdoor pool and poolside bar as part of its full-service offering.
The Royal Sonesta offers a conventional outdoor pool within a large set of guest amenities suitable for varied traveler types.
Monteleone pairs Spa Aria and a rooftop fitness center with evening entertainment at the Carousel Bar.
Monteleone is a good fit for guests who want a spa + a more intimate on-site nightlife experience.
The Royal Sonesta lists 24-hour fitness facilities and on-site nightlife including a nightclub; an on-site spa is not clearly published.
The Royal Sonesta suits travelers who favor a busy Bourbon Street nightlife and large-hotel wellness/fitness access.

Hotel Monteleone — family-owned since the 1800s, with the famous Carousel Bar and literary associations.

The Royal Sonesta — located on Bourbon Street with a nightclub and multiple bars on site.

The Royal Sonesta — about 20,000 sq ft of conference space and large ballroom options for events.

Hotel Monteleone — heated rooftop pool reserved for guests with river and French Quarter views.
The Royal Sonesta sits directly on Bourbon Street; Hotel Monteleone is one block away on Royal Street.
Hotel Monteleone is home to the Carousel Bar & Lounge, New Orleans' only revolving bar.
Hotel Monteleone’s rooftop pool is reserved exclusively for hotel guests; The Royal Sonesta has an outdoor pool for guests and notes pool accessibility features.
The Royal Sonesta has extensive meeting space (about 20,000 sq ft) and ballroom facilities; Hotel Monteleone also offers large event spaces but emphasizes historic ballrooms and many smaller rooms.
Explore how Hotel Monteleone stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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