I simply cannot talk about my New Orleans adventures without giving Le Pavillon the love letter it deserves. This hotel was GORGEOUS—like, absurdly so. Statues? Everywhere. Lush greenery? Check. A lobby that looks like it was yanked straight out of an 18th-century French chateau? Oui, oui, mon amour.
And unlike so many hotels that have been stripped of their personality in the name of “modernization” (cough corporate beige hellscapes cough), Le Pavillon has character. You walk in, and you feel something. In my case, that feeling was a mix of awe, delight, and the sneaking suspicion that a powdered-wig-wearing aristocrat might saunter by at any moment.
The Rooms: Small, Cozy, and Lighting Designed By a Vampire
The rooms weren’t huge, but they were comfortable. Mini fridge? Check. Safe? Check. Beds that hugged you like a well-meaning but slightly overenthusiastic grandmother? Oh, hell yes. The bathroom had the kind of hot water that might scald your flesh off but in that deeply satisfying way that makes you feel like you’re cleansing not just your skin, but your sins.
However. The lighting? Terrible. If you need to do your makeup or locate a specific item in your suitcase, good luck. Your best bet is to develop night vision or bring a lantern like you’re an 18th-century apothecary making a midnight house call.
The Rooftop Pool: A Literal Oasis
Did I take pictures of the rooftop pool? No. Do I regret that? Deeply. Because let me tell you, this wasn’t just a rooftop pool—it was a vibe. More statues, an atmosphere of peaceful seclusion, and the kind of place where you could sip a cocktail and pretend you’re an old-money socialite avoiding your responsibilities.
The PB&J Nightly Buffet: A Concept So Pure, I Could Cry
At night, Le Pavillon does something that I can only describe as a love letter to my soul: they serve hot chocolate and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. FOR FREE. Every night.
Look, I have stayed at plenty of hotels that claim to offer “world-class amenities,” but none of them have handed me a warm PB&J at midnight and whispered, “Shhh, you deserve this.” This alone puts Le Pavillon in the hospitality hall of fame.
The Location: Close, But Not Too Close
One of my biggest concerns when staying in New Orleans was the classic conundrum: Do I want to be near the action or do I want to sleep? Turns out, Le Pavillon lets you have both. It’s close enough to the French Quarter that you can walk there in 5–10 minutes, but far enough away that you won’t be woken up at 3 AM by a drunk guy yelling about his missing shoe.
The Service: Chef’s Kiss
The concierge service? Incredible. They would set up anything we asked for and have tours pick us up right outside the hotel. I don’t know what kind of organizational wizardry they were working with, but I was deeply impressed. The room service was also delightful—which is saying something, because half the time, hotel food tastes like it was prepared by someone who resents both you and their job.
Bonus: Surprise Hollywood Moment
One day, we wandered downstairs to find a fully decorated Christmas tree…in the middle of a non-Christmas season. Turns out, they were filming a movie (Dirt, the story of Mötley Crüe), and Douglas Booth (Jupiter Ascending), Iwan Rheon (aka Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones), and Machine Gun Kelly (mostly known for being a jackass) was there. Did I get a photo with them? No. Did I at least get a picture of some of them hanging out of a window while filming a scene? Yes.
FinalVerdict: Would I Stay Here Again?
In a heartbeat. The character, the history, the rooftop oasis, the top-tier concierge, the midnight PB&Js—it all makes for a hotel experience that’s actually memorable, not just another forgettable “nice place to sleep.”
Would I like better lighting? Sure.
Would I trade it for any of the charm? Absolutely not.
Rating: 9.5/10. Deducted 0.5 for the lighting, but honestly? The PB&J makes up for it.
