OMNI ROYAL ORLEANS
The history of this French Quarter grande dame echoes that of the city, including its dark days.The building has served as everything from a centre of commerce for the exchange of land and enslaved peoples to a Civil War-era hospital, though in better times it hosted some of the first Mardi Gras balls. For much of the early 20th century it flirted with ruin, before decades-long efforts to preserve it paid off in 1960 when it reopened as the Royal Orleans - Led Zeppelin even named a song after it. Today, it is the only hotel with balconies overlooking Royal Street, while its Rib Room conjures the party days of old with a jazz brunch on weekends. A ‘Say Goodnight to Hunger’ programme also donates food to local shelters for every stay completed. Rooms from around £170 per night, excluding breakfast; omnihotels.com
MELROSE MANSION
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better location for a boutique-chic stay with access to a deep pool
