Is The Pontchartrain Hotel worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — The Pontchartrain Hotel is worth it if you value a historic, adults-oriented boutique stay in the Garden District with easy streetcar access, multiple on-site restaurants and a rooftop bar. It is less suitable if you need an on-site pool, gym, or family/resort-style amenities.
In this guide
Location & getting around
The Pontchartrain Hotel sits at 2031 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans’ Garden District, directly on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line. The streetcar stop is right in front of the hotel and provides a scenic 15–20 minute ride to the Central Business District and the edge of the French Quarter.
Nearby walking options include Magazine Street (about a 10-minute walk) for shopping and dining, Lafayette Cemetery (roughly 0.6 miles), and the National WWII Museum (about a 15-minute walk). Airport transfer times and travel options vary; the hotel FAQ lists Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport around 16 miles from the property.
- Streetcar stop directly in front of the hotel
- Magazine Street ≈ 10-minute walk (0.4 miles)
- Lafayette Cemetery ≈ 0.6 miles
- National WWII Museum ≈ 15-minute walk
| Destination | Typical Access from Hotel |
|---|---|
| French Quarter | 15–20 minute streetcar ride (or ~30-minute walk) |
| Magazine Street | ~10-minute walk (0.4 miles) |
| Louis Armstrong MSY | About 15–16 miles (times vary) |
Rooms and what to expect
The hotel blends period character with modern updates. Room inventory includes several named room types — Standard Room; Superior Suite; Deluxe Room, City View; Deluxe Room; Superior Suite, Multiple Beds (Thalia Family Suite); Superior Suite, Multiple Beds (Melpomene Two Bedroom Suite); and Superior Suite (Polyhymnia Two Room Suite).
Room service is currently unavailable; every guestroom includes a private bar. Wi‑Fi is included as part of the destination/amenity fee.
- No in-room room service, but private bar provided
- Free high-speed Wi‑Fi included via amenity fee
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM; check-out is 11:00 AM
| Room Type | Beds (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Standard Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Superior Suite | 1 King Bed |
| Deluxe Room, City View | 1 King Bed |
| Deluxe Room | 2 Queen Beds |
| Superior Suite, Multiple Beds (Thalia Family Suite) | 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds |
| Superior Suite, Multiple Beds (Melpomene Two Bedroom Suite) | 2 King Beds |
| Superior Suite (Polyhymnia Two Room Suite) | 2 Double Beds |
Dining, bars and nightlife on-site
The hotel has four distinct venues: Silver Whistle Cafe (breakfast), Jack Rose (Italian/French/Spanish–inspired dinner and weekend brunch), Bayou Bar (Creole dishes and live jazz), and Hot Tin (rooftop craft cocktail bar). Guests receive preferred access to these venues through the amenity fee.
Hot Tin is a 21+ rooftop bar with 270-degree views of downtown and the Mississippi; it is drinks-only and operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations.
- Silver Whistle Cafe: breakfast daily 7:00 AM–11:00 AM
- Jack Rose: dinner Wed–Sat and brunch Sat–Sun (reservations recommended)
- Bayou Bar: cocktails, Creole dishes, live jazz Tue–Sat evenings
- Hot Tin: rooftop cocktails only, 21+ (Sun–Thu 2 PM–12 AM, Fri–Sat 2 PM–2 AM)
| Venue | Primary Focus |
|---|---|
| Silver Whistle Cafe | Breakfast & coffee |
| Jack Rose | Dinner & weekend brunch |
| Bayou Bar | Bar food, cocktails, live jazz |
Amenities, fees, and practical notes
The property does not have an on-site swimming pool, gym, or spa. Instead, the daily destination/amenity fee includes high-speed Wi‑Fi, daily access to Franco’s Gym on Magazine Street, bottled water at check-in, local calls, and certain digital media perks.
Valet parking is available for a fee; limited free street parking exists nearby but spaces are scarce. The hotel accepts major credit and debit cards but does not accept cash for payment.
- No on-site pool, spa, or fitness center — gym access included off-site
- High-speed Wi‑Fi included via amenity fee
- Valet parking for a surcharge; limited street parking nearby
- Room service is not offered; in-room private bar provided
| Amenity | Availability / Notes |
|---|---|
| On-site gym | No — Franco’s Gym access included via fee |
| Pool | No on-site pool |
| Wi‑Fi | Free high-speed Wi‑Fi included |
Events, weddings and meeting space
The Pontchartrain offers event space including The Parlor — an industrial-chic 2,790 sq. ft. venue behind the hotel that can host up to 200 guests. The property reports about 5,000 sq. ft. total event space across meeting rooms with capacities that vary by room.
Jack Rose can be privately bought out for smaller wedding dinners (up to about 125 guests) and connects to The Parlor for larger events. Food and beverage for events are handled by the hotel’s restaurants.
- The Parlor: 2,790 sq. ft., up to 200 guests
- Jack Rose private buyout: up to ~125 guests
- Total event space reported ≈ 5,000 sq. ft.; largest room capacity cited up to 400
| Meeting Room | Notable Capacity |
|---|---|
| Grande Court | Theater 220 / Reception 250 |
| The Parlor | Up to 200 guests |
| Patio | Reception ~100 |
Who should book (and who should skip it)
Book The Pontchartrain if you want a characterful, historic boutique hotel in the Garden District with multiple on-site dining/drink options and easy streetcar access to the French Quarter. The hotel’s adult-oriented atmosphere, lively ground-floor bars and a rooftop cocktail lounge are major draws for couples and groups of adults.
Skip or reconsider if you need resort-style facilities (pool, on-site gym, kid-focused programming) or if a strict family-friendly environment is your priority. The property enforces a 21+ minimum check-in age and Hot Tin is 21+ only; outdoor terraces and some public spaces are more oriented to adults and evening crowds.
- Good for: adult travelers, couples, visitors who want onsite dining and a rooftop bar
- Less good for: travelers needing an on-site pool, in-room room service, or family/resort amenities
- Consider: noise in public areas on weekend evenings due to restaurants and bars
| Traveler Type | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Couples/Adults | High |
| Families with young children | Lower — hotel is adults-oriented; check room suitability |
| Business travelers | Good base: central location and streetcar access |
