The 600-room, four-pearl Hotel Monteleone is a historic, grande dame property that has played home to several literary icons. Today it's known for the famous, rotating Carousel Bar, and its central French Quarter location on gallery-filled Royal Street, just one block from buzzing Bourbon Street. Traditionally elegant rooms may be too old-fashioned (and small) for some, but others find it fits in with the property's overall charm. Keurig coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges are provided, but rooms lack balconies and many suffer from street noise. A rooftop pool provides respite from the lively city, as do a full-service spa, all-day restaurant serving regional cuisine, and gym with a good array of equipment and city vistas. Extensive meeting space attracts corporate groups, but most guests are couples on vacation. Travelers wanting a more modern stay should consider the Royal Sonesta.

Located in a quiet residential area on the outer edges of the French Quarter, this upscale hotel is an elegant mélange of renovated Victorian Gothic mansion and modern bed-and-breakfast. Fourteen simple but comfortable rooms, five of which are housed in an addition behind the main structure, offer plush beds, contemporary decor, and marble bathrooms. The rest of the property showcases a tasteful mix of old and new: modern white leather couches next to picture windows, marble floors, and contemporary art pieces. A small outdoor lap pool and tiny fitness center round out the amenities. The few complaints usually focus on the conspicuously less-than-luxurious continental breakfast that is included in the room rate. Travelers might also want to consider comparable properties such as the upscale Soniat House or the Hotel Maison De Ville.

The Omni Royal Orleans is an upscale business hotel housed in a historic building in the French Quarter. It offers 345 elegant (if small) rooms featuring solid amenities, including flat-screen TVs with LodgeNet system, iPod docks, and stocked minibars. Property highlights include a renowned restaurant, a heated saltwater rooftop pool, and a well-equipped fitness center. But there’s a fee for in-room Wi-Fi (free for Omni’s loyalty program guests) as well as for valet parking.

The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans is housed in the 1908 Beaux-Arts Maison Blanche building on Canal Street, the dividing line between the French Quarter and the Central Business District. Geared toward luxury travelers, the hotel maintains the regal atmosphere for which the Ritz-Carlton brand is known. With big, elegant rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, a hopping bar, and the largest spa in the city, there's plenty to do on the premises, and its location makes it convenient for tourists and business travelers alike. Note that Wi-Fi costs extra.

Set in a former department store on bustling Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, the upscale Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans has a bustling and convenient location. It features 254 modern rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Fleece robes, high-end Drybar hairdryers, and BeeKind toiletries come standard. There are five restaurants and bars, including Hard Rock Cafe, Red Fish Grill, Powdered Sugar cafe, Batch Bar, and the Poolside Bar. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor courtyard pool, in-room spa services, a 24-hour business center, and over 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Valet parking is available for a fee. Guests who want to be near the French Quarter, but prefer a property with a more boutique feel might consider The Saint Hotel, Autograph Collection. 

The 483-room, four-pearl Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans is Bourbon Street's swankiest property, attracting a mix of leisure travelers and on-site convention-goers. Renovations until 2016 left the rooms with a chic, modern design, all of which have Keurig machines, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Some have jetted tubs or furnished terraces, but street and internal noise are both issues. Club-level guests get their own concierge and access to a lounge with free breakfasts, daily happy hours, and all-day beverages. Multiple dining options include an upscale Cajun and Creole eatery, oyster bar, and a popular jazz club with nightly performances. A courtyard pool with seasonal bar is a lovely spot in warmer months, plus there are 24-hour fitness and business centers. Unfortunately, no spa is available. Travelers wanting a more intimate and historic-feeling stay should consider Audubon Cottages. 

The Saint Hotel is a modern, upscale property two blocks from Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. It offers 166 rooms and suites with a sexy, adult-oriented vibe. Beautifully designed rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, but no coffeemakers. Sleek suites add living areas and stylish decor touches like Murano glass chandeliers and exposed brick -- some have an angel or a devil theme. Tempt restaurant serves southern fare for breakfast and dinner, while the bordello-chic Burgundy Bar features regular live music. Additional amenities include a fitness center, a business center, meeting space, and a colorful lobby lounge. Valet parking is available for a fee. There’s no pool or spa. Guests looking for a modern, boutique-style hotel with a less adult-oriented theme might consider the stylish, journalism-themed Eliza Jane.