The Soniat House, New Orleans

If you want a genuine old New Orleans experience in an antebellum setting, then this is the place to stay: beautiful, genuine 1830 Mansion in the very best, most low key part of the Quarter. Do not expect this to be the Marriott, but something more unusual, much older, low key and discreet and less crowded or slick. Wonderfully tasteful parlour where you can sit and have a drink you make yourself at the honor bar. Nice breakfast, not Brennan's but you've already been there, done that; more private. An experience that the usual touristas to N.O. might not appreciate but who wants to stay around them anyway? Away from the crowds and bustle of Bourbon and Royal, the Quarter as it should be; private and genuine.

We stayed at the Soniat House in early April, 2008 and were very disappointed. For the price, we expected everything to be spotless and comfortable. The draperies were extremely dirty and everything in the suite needed painting. There were mice running around in the suite at night. The courtyard fountain was so nasty we would not sit outside. The only positive thing I can say is that the location is great and the hotel has great potential. Sadly, it is being terribly neglected.

I contacted the Small Luxury Hotels organization to let them know that Soniat House needs to be kicked off their list. We hated it and felt totally ripped off. To charge patrons extra for their poor excuse for a breakfast (burned biscuits and coffee) and 15.00 for the ice bucket/ice is outrageous - these are standard amenities at any chain hotel, for god's sake. We simply didn't shell out the extra bucks. We too found the service to be cold and snooty, bordering on rude, and the rooms so not worth the price. When we returned to New Orleans a few months after our stay at Soniat House, we lucked into an incredible bed and breakfast with rooms that were much nicer, more spacious, with amazing hot breakfasts, free parking, and unlimited snacks/drinks (and ice!) included in the price (which was less than half the cost of Soniat!). Soniat House is a disgrace to New Orleans. Do your research and stay at one of the many wonderful bed and breakfast inns in the city. Caveat emptor!

I love the Soniat House. Old world charm, quiet area of the French Quarter, wonderful balcony, art in the rooms from New Orleans Museum of Art, beautifully decorated, and the most gracious staff. It really doesn't get much better that this! It is such a wonderful experience, you never want to leave!

Location is prime, service is pleasant and the atmosphere transports you back to another time. Make sure you hit up the "honor bar" where you pour yourself a glass of something nice, and on the honor system, charge it to your room. No cheating, folks! The courtyard is a great place for a drink and a cigar. Cons: As legend has it, the seminary across the street is inhabited by vampires, or so the tour guide was saying as I listened in from my balcony overlooking Chartres St.

This place is perfect. Understated elegance. Refinement. I adore this small hotel. Perfect location in the French Quarter. Perfection! True class. Fine linens. Large rooms. Romantic courtyard. Homemade biscuits and strawberry preserves with hot, frothy chicory coffee in the courtyard in the morning. A broad verandah overlooking a quiet part of the Quarter (near the Ursuline Convent). Safe. Beautiful. ELegant. I used to stay there before I moved to New Orleans, and recently I stayed there again while I had guests in town. It was just as wonderful as ever, all these years later. It is a historic, New Orleans building with all the modern extras. Lovely.

Soniat House is billed as a small luxury hotel and it is just that. It is so low key that even long time New Orleans residents are sometimes unaware of its existence. From the moment I pulled up in front of its unadorned green wooden doors on Chartres Street in the French Quarter I knew I was in good hands. It is an old home with an interior brick courtyard that has been thoroughly renovated into a charming, cozy, elegant home away from home. The owners and staff are warm, friendly, at your beck and call but never overly solicitous. The breakfast served in my room under the eaves of dark roast coffee and homemade biscuits was just lovely. Linens, soaps, all the details are finely rendered. You receive a key to enter from the street and although you are in the middle of the French Quarter, it is a quiet block of homes and other buildings. I was very pleased with everything about Soniat House.

The Soniat House was featured in an article in Architectural Digest magazine a few years ago and I fell in love with the photos and description. I finally got to stay there in January 2005. Rooms 52 and 53, junior suites, are spacious and lovely with 14 foot high ceilings, huge jacuzzi tubs, a spacious courtyard right outside the rooms, and "old New Orleans" atmosphere to spare. The staff manages to wait on you hand and foot and then disappear so that you feel like you have the entire place to yourself. It's very romantic, quiet, and close to everything in the French Quarter. I'll stay there again.

The Soniat House is the setting of the most enjoyable vacation spot I have ever experienced, not just once, but on six distinct trips. I have stayed at other French Quarter, historic, luxury hotels but none compare to the Soniat House. It is located in a quiet area of the Quarter, but ideal for roaming around the Quarter, the Marigny, or the River. The rooms are tastefully furnished, impecably clean, with all of the modern amenities. Whether your stay is in the standard superior room or a grand suite, the rooms are incomparable, as are the surrounding courtyards. The beds and linens are so comfortable you won't want to leave the room. The room is only a small part of the experience. The staff is knowledgable, pleasant, and provides individual/personalized service to their clientele. Everyone goes out of their way to make your stay memorable. Will never stay anywhere else in New Orleans.

Walking distance to everything in the Quarter. Ya, can't beat this place.