Best Hotels in Louisiana: A Complete Guide 2026

Louisiana's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: iconic New Orleans luxury, home to The Windsor Court and Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans; curated design boutiques, home to Hotel Peter and Paul and Hotel Saint Vincent; and premier resort and historic inn destinations, home to Golden Nugget Lake Charles and The Myrtles. The Windsor Court holds the top spot in Travel + Leisure's 2026 New Orleans rankings.

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Explore Louisiana's Top-Rated Hotels

Louisiana centers on New Orleans, where the French Quarter's cast-iron balconies and jazz clubs sit beside the Mississippi River, but the state stretches well beyond the city into Southwest Louisiana's casino resort corridor around Lake Charles, the Red River towns of the north, and the plantation country around St. Francisville. Spanish moss-draped oaks and antebellum architecture define the rural parishes, offering a completely different pace than the city's nightlife. That range gives Louisiana genuinely different trip types within a few hours of each other, from urban luxury to countryside seclusion.

That contrast is what separates Louisiana's top hotels, from grand New Orleans landmarks to design-forward boutiques and resort casinos in the state's smaller cities. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.

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How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional where a source figure exists, and unlisted where it doesn't, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

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Louisiana's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

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Iconic 5-Star Luxury (New Orleans)

The Windsor Court

• Address: 300 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA 70130
• Category: 5-star courtyard hotel
• Rating: 4.7/5 across roughly 1.6K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: hidden away in a private courtyard enclave, the hotel features a museum-quality art collection, a 65-foot rooftop saltwater pool, and traditional afternoon tea at Le Salon
• Best for: travelers wanting a stately, residential-feeling luxury base near the Central Business District

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

• Address: 2 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
• Category: 5-star riverfront hotel
• Rating: 4.4/5 across roughly 693 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: built on the banks of the Mississippi River, the hotel earned a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ranking in 2026 and features the glittering Chandelier Bar and dining from two James Beard Award-winning chefs
• Best for: travelers wanting modern high-rise luxury with premium river views

The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

• Address: 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
• Category: Historic Grande Dame hotel
• Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 6.3K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this historic 1863 property has a block-long gilded lobby and houses the legendary Sazerac Bar, a Spirited Awards honoree and the birthplace of the city's official cocktail
• Best for: travelers wanting historic grandeur and a genuine piece of New Orleans cocktail history

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

• Address: 921 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112
• Category: Historic Beaux-Arts hotel
• Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 3.6K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: housed in the historic Beaux-Arts Maison Blanche building, the hotel recently finalized $55 million in upgrades and features the city's largest full-service spa at 25,000 square feet
• Best for: travelers wanting a Canal Street base with the city's most extensive spa facilities

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Curated Design And Boutique Charm

Hotel Peter and Paul

• Address: 2317 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117
• Category: MICHELIN Key architectural hotel
• Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 615 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: recognized as a 2026 MICHELIN Key hotel, the property transforms a 19th-century church, schoolhouse, rectory, and convent in the bohemian Marigny neighborhood into an ecclesiastical-chic stay, home to the acclaimed Elysian Bar
• Best for: design-focused travelers wanting a genuinely unique architectural stay outside the French Quarter

Hotel Saint Vincent

• Address: 1507 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
• Category: MICHELIN Key retro-bohemian hotel
• Rating: 4.5/5 across roughly 403 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: another 2026 MICHELIN Key recipient, this Lower Garden District property reimagines an 1861 infant asylum with custom psychedelic marbled wallpaper and a palm-lined pool oasis
• Best for: trendy travelers wanting a highly styled, artsy stay away from the French Quarter crowds

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

• Address: 717 Orleans St, New Orleans, LA 70116
• Category: Historic French Quarter hotel
• Rating: 4.4/5 across roughly 2.9K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: nestled in the French Quarter, the hotel completed a multi-million-dollar transformation of its grand ballroom and over 200 rooms, and is celebrated as both a historic landmark and a destination for ghost tours
• Best for: travelers wanting classic French Quarter history alongside a legendary haunted reputation

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Premier Resort Destinations And Historic Inns

Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino

• Address: 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Category: Waterfront casino resort
• Rating: 4.3/5 across roughly 23.4K reviews on Google, the highest review volume in this guide
• Standout feature: Southwest Louisiana's premier waterfront escape is the only casino resort in the area with a private white-sand beach and marina, plus a 12,000-square-foot DraftKings Sportsbook
• Best for: groups wanting a Vegas-style resort experience with beach and marina access

Margaritaville Resort Casino

• Address: 777 Margaritaville Way, Bossier City, LA 71111
• Category: Island-style casino resort
• Rating: 4.2/5 across roughly 14.1K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: awarded "Best Overall Property" by Southern Gaming Magazine, the resort brings casual island-style luxury to the Red River with direct access to the adjacent Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets
• Best for: travelers in North Louisiana wanting a relaxed, tropical-themed casino resort stay

The Myrtles

• Address: 7747 US-61, St. Francisville, LA 70775
• Category: Historic plantation inn
• Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 2.8K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this unparalleled rural escape sits inside a 1796 plantation home surrounded by moss-draped grounds, with antique-filled historic rooms or rustic courtyard cottages
• Best for: travelers wanting a quiet, historic countryside escape with an evening mystery tour

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Louisiana Hotel Taxes And Fees

Louisiana charges a 4.45 percent state sales tax on hotel rooms, and Orleans Parish layers on additional occupancy and exhibition hall taxes, pushing the combined rate on a New Orleans hotel stay close to 16 percent, according to the Louisiana Department of Revenue's hotel occupancy tax guidance. Parishes outside New Orleans, including Calcasieu Parish around Lake Charles and Bossier Parish, set their own local hotel tax rates, so the exact combined charge depends on the specific parish. Resort fees are also common at the state's larger casino resorts, and these are billed separately from tax, so confirm the exact combined rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking.

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Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Travelers wanting modern high-rise luxury in New Orleans should choose Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans or The Ritz-Carlton, while those wanting historic Grande Dame character should pick The Windsor Court or The Roosevelt. Trendy, design-focused travelers should choose Hotel Peter and Paul or Hotel Saint Vincent over the French Quarter's more traditional options. Outside the city, resort travelers should pick Golden Nugget Lake Charles or Margaritaville Resort Casino for casino entertainment, while The Myrtles suits travelers wanting a historic, moss-draped countryside escape near St. Francisville.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where's the best place to stay in Louisiana?

New Orleans is the top choice for most travelers, home to The Windsor Court and Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans near the French Quarter and riverfront. For a quieter regional trip, Lake Charles's Golden Nugget or St. Francisville's Myrtles are strong alternatives outside the city.

2. What is the prettiest place in Louisiana?

The Atchafalaya Basin, America's largest river swamp, is widely considered Louisiana's most beautiful natural setting, known for its cypress trees and Spanish moss. St. Francisville, home to The Myrtles, and Breaux Bridge are frequently named among the state's prettiest towns.

3. What hotels do celebrities stay in New Orleans?

The Windsor Court and The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans are among the city's most frequently cited high-profile stays, known for their privacy and top-tier service. Hotel Saint Vincent and Hotel Peter and Paul have also drawn attention for their design-forward, MICHELIN Key-recognized style.

4. What is the fanciest hotel in Baton Rouge?

This guide's Louisiana picks concentrate on New Orleans, Lake Charles, Bossier City, and St. Francisville rather than Baton Rouge specifically, so a direct Baton Rouge property is outside its verified list. For a nearby comparable luxury stay, The Myrtles in St. Francisville sits roughly 30 minutes north of Baton Rouge.

5. What is the best hotel for a haunted or historic New Orleans stay?

Bourbon Orleans Hotel is the top pick for travelers seeking French Quarter history paired with a legendary haunted reputation and regular ghost tours. The Roosevelt New Orleans is a strong alternative for historic grandeur centered on the Sazerac Bar rather than ghost lore.

6. What is the best casino resort in Louisiana?

Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino holds the highest review volume among Louisiana's casino resorts, distinguished by its private white-sand beach and marina. Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City is the top choice for North Louisiana travelers wanting a tropical, island-style resort experience.

7. Is New Orleans or Lake Charles better for a Louisiana casino trip?

Lake Charles is the stronger choice for a dedicated casino resort trip, home to Golden Nugget's beach, marina, and lazy river complex. New Orleans offers casino access as well, but its hotels like The Windsor Court and Ritz-Carlton lean more toward classic city luxury than resort-style gaming.