Driving directions from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: Head north on Airport Access Rd and then east on I-10. Merge right at the Slidell/I-10 split. Take exit 235A for Orleans Ave/Vieux Carre. Move into the far left lane of Orleans Ave and take the second U-turn at the sign for N Rampart via Toulouse. Take the right lane leading to the Toulouse entrance of the French Quarter. Continue on Toulouse St four blocks and turn right onto Decatur St. The hotel is on the right.

Airport shuttles and taxis are the most popular means of reaching the hotel. Shuttles cost $5-$15 per person. Taxis charge a flat rate of $28 for up to two people or $12 per person for three or more people. Town Car service is also available for more than $36. All fees subject to change without notice.

Getting around: The hotel's location in the French Quarter provides easy access to restaurants, shops, and live entertainment. For travel beyond the Quarter, public transportation is convenient and costs less than $5. Fee subject to change without notice. A popular attraction in itself, the nearby Riverfront Streetcar follows the Mississippi for approximately 15 blocks. Taxis are another reliable source of transportation and are best obtained via a phone call.

Marie Laveau Bar - Off Decatur Street, this moodily lit, intimate bar, with seating for 16 or so, is named for the late voodoo priestess whose former local haunts are popular tourist destinations. It's open late, at least until midnight, the hour depending on the party intensity of the given season.

Amenity highlights: The hotel's charm is particularly evident in its sprawling courtyard, which meanders around nine individual buildings and features a pool. The courtyard is also lined with fountains, several of them built on deep wells that are as old as the 19th-century buildings. Complimentary cocktails are served outdoors in the evening. There's also a bar, named for a legendary local voodoo figure.

Insider tip: Jackson Square, 3 blocks from the hotel, is where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803. Now a landscaped park surrounded by a pedestrian mall, the lively area features shops, galleries, restaurants, street performers, and artists at work.