Is Hotel Monteleone worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Hotel Monteleone is worth it if you want a historic, centrally located French Quarter stay with an iconic bar, rooftop pool, and on-site dining. It’s especially strong for walkers who want to be one block from Bourbon Street and near Jackson Square; expect classic rooms rather than contemporary luxury and valet-only parking.
In this guide
Location — right in the French Quarter
Hotel Monteleone sits at 214 Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter, one block from Bourbon Street and within easy walking distance of Jackson Square, the French Market, and the Mississippi River. Guests consistently describe the location as highly walkable for sightseeing, dining, and nightlife.
Being so central is a major convenience: short walks to museums, streetcars, and riverfront attractions mean you can leave the car parked (valet only) and explore on foot or by short rides.
- Address: 214 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
- One block from Bourbon Street; roughly an 8–10 minute walk to Jackson Square
- Near French Market, Riverwalk, and several museums
| Nearby spot | Typical walk time |
|---|---|
| Bourbon Street | 1 minute (1 block) |
| Jackson Square | 8–10 minutes |
| Mississippi River | 5–10 minutes |
Rooms — classic, single room type listed
The published room type is Superior Room, Tower (1 King Bed). Descriptions and imagery for the property focus on traditional, historic decor rather than ultramodern finishes. Expect standard amenities such as complimentary high-speed WiFi and in-room climate control.
If you need larger or more modern rooms or suites, the hotel historically offers suites and other room categories, but the core publicly listed guest room for booking references the Superior Room, Tower. For exact room layout, bedding or views, confirm at booking.
- Room name on the property: Superior Room, Tower (1 King Bed)
- Complimentary high-speed WiFi in rooms (free tier; optional paid upgrade available)
- Classic/historic styling rather than minimalist modern design
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| WiFi | Complimentary; optional paid upgrade for higher speed |
| Check-in/out | 4:00 PM check-in; 12:00 PM (noon) check-out |
| Pet rooms | Designated Traditional (pet-friendly) rooms only |
Food & drink — Carousel Bar, Criollo, and poolside options
Dining options on-site cover a range: Criollo Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, a weekend jazz brunch, and dinner (dinner hours limited to certain days). Reservations are suggested for Criollo and its private rooms. The property also hosts Le Petit Chef, a scheduled immersive 3D dining event in the restaurant's private dining space.
The Carousel Bar & Lounge is the hotel’s signature attraction — a 25-seat revolving bar that completes a revolution roughly every 15 minutes and offers classic cocktails with live entertainment mid-week through Sunday. For daytime poolside snacks and cocktails, the Acqua Bella Poolside Bar serves light fare and seafood during daytime hours.
- Criollo Restaurant — breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch; dinner Thu–Mon (hours published)
- Carousel Bar & Lounge — rotating bar, live entertainment Wed–Sun, open until midnight
- Acqua Bella Poolside Bar — poolside cocktails & light fare (daytime hours)
| Venue | Typical hours / notes |
|---|---|
| Criollo Restaurant | Breakfast & lunch daily; dinner Thu–Mon (see hotel for exact times) |
| Carousel Bar & Lounge | 11:00 AM–12:00 AM; live entertainment Wed–Sun |
| Acqua Bella Poolside Bar | Daily daytime hours; seasonally listed 11:00 AM–6:00 PM |
Rooftop pool, spa and fitness — useful extras
Hotel Monteleone offers a heated rooftop pool reserved for hotel guests, open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The pool sits beside the rooftop, 24-hour fitness center and offers views over the Quarter and toward the Mississippi River.
Spa Aria on the mezzanine provides massages, facials, and other treatments with published hours and a 'Full Monte' signature package. The fitness center is Technogym-equipped and available 24 hours.
- Rooftop heated pool — guest-only access, open 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Spa Aria — open Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, Sun 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; offers massages, facials, packages
- 24-hour rooftop fitness center — cardio and strength equipment, guest amenities provided
| Amenity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Rooftop pool | 6:00 AM–10:00 PM (guest-only) |
| Spa Aria | Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–7:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM–6:00 PM |
| Fitness center | 24-hour access |
Services, accessibility and logistics
The hotel provides 24-hour front desk service, concierge, luggage storage, porter service, and a 24-hour key-access business center. Wheelchair access is available via the Bienville Street entrance, and some public areas and meeting rooms are accessible.
Parking is valet only — the property operates two 24-hour valet facilities and does not offer self-parking. Valet is available for most passenger vehicles; oversized vehicles are restricted and space is limited, so check dimensions before arrival.
- 24-hour front desk and concierge
- Valet parking only (hotel-operated); no self-parking
- Wheelchair-accessible path via Bienville Street entrance
- Complimentary high-speed WiFi in rooms and public areas
| Service | Note |
|---|---|
| Valet parking | 24-hour valet; no self-park option |
| Accessibility | Accessible path of travel and accessible meeting rooms |
| Business center | 24-hour, key-access business center |
Events, meetings and weddings
Hotel Monteleone offers extensive meeting and event space across multiple ballrooms and meeting rooms, with total meeting space figures published in the 24,000–27,000 sq. ft. range. Major rooms include the Iberville Ballroom and Queen Anne Ballroom with varying capacities and ornate historic character.
The hotel supports weddings and corporate events with dedicated event staff and packages; some rooms list specific capacities and F&B minimums for wedding use. If you’re planning a large event, confirm capacity and food & beverage minimums with the events team.
- Iberville Ballroom (largest) and Queen Anne Ballroom are primary event spaces
- Over 24,000 sq. ft. of meeting space across multiple rooms
- Dedicated Special Events Manager and wedding packages available
| Ballroom | Typical capacity (reported) |
|---|---|
| Iberville Ballroom | Varied listings up to several hundred (sources differ) |
| Queen Anne Ballroom | Reported capacities around 225–378 depending on configuration |
| Vieux Carré / terrace spaces | Smaller event terrace options available |
Value — who should pick Hotel Monteleone
Choose Hotel Monteleone if you prioritize French Quarter location, historic atmosphere, the Carousel Bar experience, and a guest-only rooftop pool. The hotel is family-owned, welcomes children, and provides practical services like concierge and a rooftop fitness center.
If you want modern minimalism, very large contemporary rooms, or a property with self-parking, this may not be the best match. Also factor in valet-only parking and that on-site dining and spa treatments are extra costs rather than included in room rates.
- Best for: walkers who want French Quarter access, guests seeking a historic hotel with an iconic bar
- Not ideal for: travelers needing self-parking or a fully modern boutique room aesthetic
- Costs to expect: on-site dining, spa treatments, and valet parking are additional charges
| Traveler type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Families and couples | Good choice — family-owned, family-friendly policies |
| Business groups/events | Viable — substantial meeting space and support |
| Budget travelers wanting self-park | Less ideal — valet only and central location can mean extra costs |
