Stepping Back in Time: My Stay at the Historic Inn on St. Peter, New Orleans

Client: Legithotelreviews

Inn on St. Peter is a hidden gem in the French Quarter that feels like stepping back in time, capturing the authentic Creole soul of the city from the 1800s.

Most stories about New Orleans start with “So, I’m at this bar on Bourbon Street…”. Only my story is about an Inn on St. Peter Street and how it transported me back in time, evoking an era in New Orleans (NOLA) that was bustling with horse-drawn carriages and Creole royalty. I loved every minute of it.

I’d been to the Crescent City before, but always at a commercial hotel. This time, I was looking for something with loads of charm and ambiance that was budget-friendly and still close to Bourbon Street. The Inn on St. Peter gave me both, with a taste of the city’s rich history and Spanish influence that didn’t break the bank. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the structure dates back to the 1805 and had been restored to its original charm and beauty, and updated with all the modern luxuries we look for today.  Boasting ornate wrap-around balconies and exquisite stucco brick, the character and vibe of the Inn made me feel connected to the city’s diverse residents, past and present. I could actually see Tennessee Williams wandering the French Quarter with a laissez-faire attitude and cocktail in my hand, riding the street car (named “Desire”, of course), never too far from the Inn or the vibrant scene surrounding it. That’s the kind of magic the Inn on St. Peter evokes.

A Little Background About My Trip

My annual trip to “The Big Easy” is something I look forward to all year. My friends and I meet up in New Orleans every November for a “Friendsgiving” celebration NOLA-style. This tradition started over 10 years ago and it’s given me a very solid feel for New Orleans and its hospitality, which is welcoming with open arms (and full steins) and filled with Old World charm. 

The commercial hotels in the area (there are plenty to choose from) all try to shoehorn “classic Creole charm” into their decor, but most fall flat. Fleur-de-lis signage alone cannot create that authentic Cajun vibe I’m looking for. Over the years, I’ve stayed at hotels in both in the French Quarter and the Garden District, but none truely captured the essancel of the city; and for this visit, I was specifically looking for a boutique hotel in the Quarter that has Bourbon-style and character. That’s how I landed at the Inn on St. Peter.

The Inn Is Immersed In The Magic of The Crescent City

Let’s talk really get in to the ambiance of this boutique hotel. When I think of New Orleans architecture, I think of grand Spanish brick buildings with elaborate wrought-iron balconies, tall doors for windows, and courtyards flowering with jasmine and ivy around quaint bistro tables. The Inn on St. Peter was just that. In fact, that’s exactly how I described the hotel to my friends when they asked me how I was liking my stay. The Inn has that quintessential

My annual trip to “The Big Easy” is something I look forward to all year. My friends and I meet up in New Orleans every November for a “Friendsgiving” celebration NOLA-style. Crescent City charm I was craving and I was overjoyed at this gem I had found.

Upon arrival, I was greeted in the lobby for a quick check-in. The process was easy and took about 5 minutes. The concierge was very friendly and offered me free water during my stay (a big perk for me) and I was happy to have this unexpected water service. I grabbed three bottles of water and headed to my room. 

Walking through the gorgeous courtyard to my room, you could see the French and Spanish influence at every turn. I headed up one flight to my entrance at the corner. It was a balcony room on the second level with two giant glass doors as the main entrance to my room (hello, gorgeous). I was pleasantly surprised to find my room balcony overlooking the street with a bistro table right across from my entrance. It was a great place to unwind at the end of the day with a glass of wine.

The Room Was Cozy and Charming

Walking into the room from my balcony entrance, I was delighted at the coziness of the space. I opted for the Full Size Room, as it was just me, and it was the perfect size for a single. The bed was comfortable, the linens were clean and plush, and I was stocked with plenty of towels and toiletries. 

Two things I do want to note: there’s no fridge in this room (not a dealbreaker for me at the time, but as a diabetic on GLP1, this would have been an issue for me now, just saying). Also, we got hit with a freak cold spell that dipped into the 30s at night (not the norm for New Orleans) and I couldn’t figure out how to get the heat pumping. All was good though, as there were plenty of blankets. Looking to splurge? Upgrade to the King Suite – it comes with a living room couch, refrigerator, and kitchen table – and plenty of room to spread out with your King Cake and Hurricane. 

I stayed here solo, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from my friends who stayed over at the Wyndham on Royal, and honestly, I loved seeing their eyes light up with amazement when I showed them my accommodations. I was glad I didn’t settle for a big chain hotel, it really added to my trip.

Located In The Thick of The French Quarter

In my many visits to “The Big Easy”, I’ve always chosen hotels based on their proximity to the French Quarter because, let’s face it, that’s where I’ll be spending most of the time. For all its charm (and there’s a lot), what I loved most about the Inn on St. Peter is its location. 

St. Peter cuts through Royal and Bourbon Streets (4-7 minute walks from the hotel), which makes it an easy spot to quickly drop off shopping bags and freshen up before heading to the bars. As for the sites, it’s a straight walk from the Inn to the Cathedral and Jackson Square, where you can shop and grab food. And the Inn is so close to some of the best restaurants in the area – special shoutout to my favorite brunch spot, The Court Of Two Sisters, and Lafitte’s Blacksmith bar for the best hurricanes in NOLA (sorry, not sorry, Pat O’Brians). 

And as a jazz enthusiast, my walk to Frenchmen Street for a drink and show was a 18-minute stroll from the Inn on St. Peter. This is the closest I’ve ever been to Frenchmen during any of my stays, so that was a big sell for me as well. The Inn is in a prime spot for experiencing all the Crescent City has to offer without the cab fare.

Stayed At The Inn for 3 Nights – It Cost Me Under $300

My budget (as always) was tight. I had to make every penny count. During my hotel search, I came across a special promotion the Inn on St. Peter was running – stay two weeknights, get the third for free. It meant that I could afford something in the thick of the action that wouldn’t cut into my food and exploring expenses. Not going to lie, that price point was definitely alluring (one I ultimately couldn’t pass up), and I booked it right away. It ended up costing me just $275 for a three-night stay – that is half what my friends spent on their commercial hotel room – and I didn’t need Marie Laveau to conjure up rates from the 1800s, the Inn on St. Peter gave me a great price and greeted me with a smile.

Pro tip: I'd recommend calling and booking through the hotel directly instead of online, you'll get a better rate. Also, ask about any running promotions they have at the time of your booking – that’s how I found out about the free night. Also, the time of year you visit NOLA matters too, as far as pricing. The beginning of November seems to be a sweet spot for beating the higher hotel rates and crowds.

I’m Already Planning My Next Stay

Every visit to “The Big Easy” is filled with adventure and discovery, and this time I discovered timeless charm and history at the Inn on St. Peter. When choosing my hotel for my New Orleans trip, I was looking for three things: Cost, location, and ambiance – and the Inn fit the bill to perfection. It is now in my regular hotel rotation when I visit NOLA and I can’t wait to go back.