New Orleans has always had a very special place in our hearts. Throughout the years we’ve made countless memorable trips to the crescent city, and each trip is always different from the last. This recent trip to New Orleans was extra special because it was our first time going as a family of three! We had the amazing opportunity to stay at the beautiful Henry Howard Hotel and we had such a wonderful time making new memories!
The Henry Howard Hotel is nestled in the heart of the Lower Garden District (10 min drive to Bourbon street or a 15-20 min ride on the streetcar), and the moment you step inside it just oozes that New Orleans charm everyone craves when visiting The Big Easy. The hotel was built + designed in 1867 as a doubled-galleried, double townhouse by architect Henry Howard. In 2015 The Fitzgerald Hotel Group renovated the 18-bedroom boutique hotel and gave it a luxurious makeover while still maintaining the historic landmark’s architectural beauty throughout the property.
Checking In:
We arrived at the Henry Howard Hotel on a rainy evening, and we were graciously greeted at the front by Brian. He gave us a tour around the first floor, and he shared about the hotel’s endearing history. The Henry Howard’s decor took my breath away, and I loved how they used the theme of New Orleans jazz throughout their rooms.
The Room:
Once inside our room we were greeted by a lovely alcove that had a desk area and plenty of space for our suitcase + pack n play (that they graciously provided for us). The Henry Howard knows how to treat it’s guests, and it starts with their luxurious beds! Brian told us how our room used to be the kitchen area because of the large fireplace (before the building became a boutique hotel), and now the space highlights a beautiful brass tuba to accompany the jazz theme throughout the hotel. One of my favorite details in our room was the beautiful New Orleans Toile Wallpaper that showcased the joie de vivre that the crescent city embodies.
The Property:
The property in itself is simply gorgeous! Every detail tells a story, and is the perfect backdrop for your travel photos. One story in particular is about the blue porch ceilings around the hotel. It is known that the reason for the blue ceilings is because it brings good luck to the home and helps ward off evil spirits.
The Parlor:
Every home has a heart, and to me the heart of the Henry Howard is located in it’s stunning parlor. This breathtaking space was our go-to for enjoying great jazz music while sipping on delicious cocktails that were made behind the gorgeous marble bar and for our morning coffee that we enjoyed on the front porch. (I recommend ordering their “Lemon H” and Nathan got an old fashioned).
Walking the Garden District:
We concluded our wonderful weekend by following along the “Walk the Garden District” self-guided walking tour that was created by The Henry Howard Hotel, Two Studios (design), and WalkingMan Studios (illustration). This walking tour showcased the rich + beautiful history that the Garden District has to offer. We stopped and took pictures of some historic spots located in the Lower Garden district (Joseph Carroll House, Commander’s Palace, the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 etc).
Our stay at the Henry Howard Hotel was the perfect spot for a New Orleans getaway. If you ever find yourself in the Crescent City and need a place to stay and immerse yourself in the beautiful history this city has to offer, look no further than the Henry Howard Hotel.
