Haunted Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans

Historic Hotels in Louisiana

Travel back in time when you stay at these historic hotels in Louisiana.

It’s no secret that Louisiana is bursting with rich culture and history – but have you heard the backstories of some of Louisiana’s most notable hotels? With former apothecaries, banks, convents and brothels, you won’t even have to leave your lodgings to learn an interesting piece of Louisiana’s history during your stay at one of these remarkable hotels.

Hotel Monteleone

New Orleans

Hotel Monteleone is one of the last great family-owned-and-operated hotels in New Orleans. Since 1886, generations of Monteleones have kept the spirit alive at this French Quarter Hotel. The Monteleone has notably been a favorite hangout of literary icons, including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Anne Rice, Stephen Ambrose, and John Grisham. In June of 1999, due to Hotel Monteleone’s distinction among the literary elite, the hotel became one of three hotels in the U.S. to receive the prestigious Literary Landmark designation by the Friends of the Library Association.

Hotel Bentley

Alexandria

The Hotel Bentley was constructed in 1907 by Joseph Bentley, a native of Pennsylvania who became wealthy in the lumber industry in Central Louisiana. During World War II, the United States military trained over a half a million troops in the Alexandria area. The commanders of these troops, Dwight Eisenhower and George S. Patton, resided for long periods of time at the Hotel Bentley, sometimes joined by Omar Bradley and Henry Kissinger planning the historic Louisiana Maneuvers. On November 15, 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Various entertainers, Hollywood stars and state politicians have been registered guests at the Bentley over the years, including John Wayne and Roy Rogers.

Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center

Baton Rouge

The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, previously The Heidelberg Hotel, was built in 1927 and became one of the favorite retreats of Huey P. Long. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized by Historic Hotels of America, the hotel once served as a makeshift Capitol during a dispute between Long and Lieutenant Governor Paul Cyr. In 2006, a $70-million restoration rechristened it as the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center. Restoration and architectural details were drawn from original blueprints, old photos, details in the 1930 Old Governor’s Mansion (built by Long) and the Old State Capitol. Long is memorialized in both the Huey P. Long Suite, with reprints of personal photos, and the Kingfish Bar, where you can you sip on one of Long’s favorite cocktails (a sazerac or sloe gin fizz).

The Roosevelt

New Orleans

Legend has it that Huey P. Long loved the Sazerac so much, he had 80 miles of highway built just so he could get his favorite drink. In 1893, the Grunewald Hotel opened its doors and housed what was considered one of the country’s first nightclubs - The Cave. When the Grunewald morphed into The Roosevelt, revelers were introduced to The Sazerac Bar, named after America’s first cocktail. Plenty of big names flocked to The Roosevelt for live performances or to grab a libation at the legendary bar, including Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Calvin Coolidge.

Southern Hotel

Covington

The Southern Hotel’s history of hospitality began in 1907, established as a physical and spiritual retreat where it hosted guests for more than 50 years. Over the years, it housed a sanitarium, government offices and the parish courthouse. The hotel’s new owners purchased the property in 2011 and underwent a two-year restoration. The hotel reopened on June 1, 2014, 107 years to the date from its original opening. The hotel features the Olympia Room – a meeting room named after the local Mystic Krewe of Olympia, which originated in 1965, and displays the Krewe’s artifacts and memorabilia for the public to see.

Remington Suite Hotel

Shreveport

The Remington’s original building housed a pharmacy after its construction near the turn of the 20th century. The apothecary continued to grow successfully, transforming into a wholesale pharmaceutical distributor. After eventually outgrowing the location and moving to another facility on the outskirts of Shreveport in 1985, The Remington Suite Hotel opened its doors around 1990. A plethora of celebrities, including Morgan Freeman, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Gerard Butler, have stayed at the hotel since the rise of the Louisiana film industry, also known as “Hollywood South.”

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

New Orleans

The Bourbon Orleans’ history begins with the opening of the Orleans Theatre & Ballroom in 1817. In 1881, the Sisters of the Holy Family, purchased the former Orleans Ballroom and converted the building into a convent and an orphanage for girls, along with a courtyard and playground. The courtyard remains as the site of the current courtyard and pool for guests of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. In 1964, the Sisters of the Holy Family sold the property to the Bourbon Kings Hotel Corporation. On July 18, 1966, the hotel held its grand opening, with former Orleans Ballroom building converted to the lobby, bar and dining salon of the hotel.

Watermark Hotel

Baton Rouge

Built as Baton Rouge's first "skyscraper" in 1927, this iconic building began as the headquarters for Louisiana Trust & Savings Bank. After more than 50 years serving as a banking institution, the landmark continues to be informally called the Old Louisiana National Bank building, and even houses the original bank vaults that held the treasures of Baton Rouge's elite. The Watermark’s restaurant – The Gregory – features murals painted by celebrated New Orleans artist, Angela Gregory, which have been painstakingly preserved.

Myrtles Plantation

St. Francisville

The Myrtles is commonly known as “One of America's Most Haunted Homes.” The drama of The Myrtles Plantation began in 1796 when General David Bradford, also known as "Whiskey Dave" of the Whiskey Rebellion, fled the United States to avoid arrest and imprisonment. In 1820 The Myrtles was sold to his son-in-law, Judge Clarke Woodruff, who remodeled the mansion. Fourteen years later, the house was sold to Mr. Ruffin Stirling who completed the mansion that you see today. The story of the Myrtles involves revenge, poison, and paranormal experiences.

Dauphine Orleans Hotel

New Orleans

Records of the Dauphine Orleans’ site date from 1775, and several of the original structures have survived the test of time. Remarkably, in 1991 during a renovation of the Carriage House cottages, original brick walls, wooden posts and handmade nails were uncovered and are believed to have come from the blacksmith shop of the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte. One of the most notable aspects of the Dauphine Orleans is May Baily’s Place, where John James Audubon painted his famous Birds of America series from 1821-22. May Baily’s bordello was the first licensed brothel in the city and became one of its most successful. You can still see May Baily’s original operating license and a red light reflecting the bar’s fascinating red-light history.

Yearning to learn more Louisiana history? Check out these historic Bed & Breakfasts and plan your stay!