The Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery

Unique in every way, The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, has made quite the effort to play off its Warehouse Art District surrounds, and not only by setting up shop in an 1854 depot that once sold coffee, canvas and tobacco. In addition to being steps from gallery-lined Julia Street, this quirky boutique gem has curated its own gallery of art by painters, printers and other staff and students from New Orleans Centre for Creative Arts, an acclaimed high school with a warehouse-style gift shop of stylish souvenirs.

The hotel also makes you the artist, affording you plenty of liberties with your stay. If you prefer a fluffy pillow to a flat one, or a New Orleans-jazz playlist to classic rock, or the Hindu Vedas to the Bible, a signature hotel program invites you to request your preferred amenity. The Top Chef runner-up’s restaurant observes a spirit of whimsy, so the fare here even feels creative. Best of all, you’re not bound to just one street or one neighbourhood; you’re adjacent to the French Quarter and Central Business District, so you can have as much fun with where you play as with where you stay.

Accommodation

You can expect that your accommodation here will thoroughly echo the artistic, industrial vibes that define both the hotel and its neighbourhood. You might have a wall of exposed brick or an original work by a local painting prodigy. You can also get creative with what’s inside, participating in the Signature Amenities program that offers you a range of pillows, playlists and books of faith.

Deluxe rooms are situated in the heart of the building, with light-well windows, and hold one queen bed or two doubles. Premium rooms are more spacious and also offer either a queen or two double beds. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers.

Amenities:

- Carpeted floors
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Pillow-top mattress
- Plush bathrobe

Dining

Top Chef fans will doubtless be thrilled to sample Gulf-meets-Caribbean-meets-European fare by fan favourite Nina Compton, who pairs her upbringing in St. Lucia and loves of French and Italy with the Big Easy setting. Compère Lapin – French for "Brother Rabbit," one of Compton’s favourite folk-tales – serves lunch from 11.30am to 2.30pm daily, before switching to small bites and ultimately dinner. On Sundays, from 11am to 2pm, it also serves up one of the city's best brunches, for which it nabbed a spot on USA TODAY's list of the 10 best places to savour brunch, New Orleans style. For an on-the-go snack, grab a pastry or mimosa at Tout La, which shares the restaurant’s kitchen, as well as its playful spirit and prestigious standards.

Location

The hotel’s location in the Warehouse Arts District means you don’t have to go far to gallery-hop – even once you check out its own exhibition space of NOCCA student- and staff-made works. Julia Street is New Orleans’ gallery row, and it’s just steps away. Keep strolling, and it’s the French Quarter. Go crazy exploring Creole cuisine, po’boys, beads, beignets, masks and more.

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements (including those related to COVID-19) at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements, before you travel.