We stayed the weekend before Mardi Gras - excellent location for exploring this lovely area -walked to Commanders Palace for lunch and to the old cemetery opposite it. Streetcar stop is a block away on St. Charles - also were able to watch several parades there. The Vampire Room on the main floor was comfortable and decorated well in gothic style - would have liked to see the other rooms too. Breakfast was basic and we felt as if we were the only guests each morning - Tim was friendly and helpful regarding restaurant recommendations and local info. Pleasant verandah to enjoy a cool drink after a hot day exploring. This place was perfect for our first visit to New Orleans.

Although I have stayed in New Orleans many times, I'd never before stayed at Magnolia Mansion. Our host, Tim was friendly, interesting and very helpful. The house is a 150 year old mansion that is extremely clean and decorated in the style of that era. Our room was on the main floor of the house and aptly named "Vampire's Lair." We arrived late on our first night and slept quite soundly on our very comfortable king sized bed. I awoke around 7:30 AM to the sound of laughter and what I imagined to be other guests in the dining room. I decided to get up and join them for coffee. Interestingly enough when I emerged from our room no one was there. When my husband came out we were greeted by Tim. I told him that I'd heard the voices of other guests but saw no one. Tim indicated that things like that tend to happen here. Not one for ghost stories I took this in stride and went off to enjoy the day in the city. We came home around 5PM for a short nap and to change for dinner. As we were leaving, my husband went ahead while I finished getting ready. Again I heard the sound of laughter and footsteps descending the stair case. I lingered in the hall way waiting to see our fellow guests but again, no one was there. I left the mansion to join my husband who by now was waiting in the car. We went to dinner and came home around 9:30 PM. Since we had an early flight in the morning we went to sleep by 10 PM or so. At 3 AM, I awoke to the sounds of running footsteps bounding down the hall. Again the sounds of laughter and a tremendous thud coming from the rooms above. Then some sounds I could not identify. After all this is New Orleans and it could have been late night revelers returning back from a night of partying...? In any event, our stay at Magnolia Mansion added an interesting aspect to our too short but wonderful trip.

We're from Myrtle Beach and this is our first time staying in New Orleans. We decided we wanted a unique experience that truly felt like the "New Orleans" we've always heard about... Magnolia Mansion came highly recommended to us by some friends who have stayed there a few times before and we are SO GLAD they did! Magnolia Mansion really lived up to our friend's description and we highly recommend it now too! The mansion itself is stunning and the interior is very elegant with gorgeous antiques etc... We enjoyed our 4 night stay there & thought the value and service was outstanding. There is lots of privacy and it is closely located next to everything we wanted to see and do as visitors. The price is reasonable and we will definitely choose to stay there again the next time we visit New Orleans. I just looked over several reviews and like us, most people love this place... the few who have anything negative to say obviously don't GET the kind of place they signed up for! The charm of Magnolia is that it is like staying at a private residence. It is not some corporate/commercial hotel with the average hotel experience environment! I kind of chuckled about a couple of these comments complaining because they obviously don't GET the difference between staying at a historic/authentic mansion and staying at a McMarriot. As far as whining about the food and breaksfast... Really??? Most people who come to New Orleans want easy access to see sights and especially want to eat breakfast, lunch AND dinner out on the town to experience New Orlean's famous cusine! THAT IS what New Orleans is about! If you want to sit around and stuff your face at a hotel then maybe you need to choose Howard Johnson's or something. The snacks they provided are about right to tie you over to get the restaurants without ruining your appetite - it just makes sense. This place is GREAT and it does NOT disappoint! Thanks Magnolia for an awesome experience and one last thing... New Orleans is the BEST kind of vacation. What a great city!!!

My husband and I decided to celebrate his impending retirement from the military by visiting New Orleans and going to see the Saints play at the Superdome.. Glad we did...they won! We spent seven memorable nights at the historic Magnolia Mansion. - It is quite a vision from the exterior and even more sensational when entering spectacular grand hallway! It really is breathtaking.

Location & Convenience: My husband is a New Orleans native and he insisted that we stay at Magnolia Mansion again (our second stay), because of it's prime location in the historic Garden District & comfort. The location allows convenient access to the most popular sites in New Orleans (the French Quarter, Superdome, World War II Veteran's Museum, Cemeteries, The French Quarter Market, Cafe Du Monde, restaurants and jazz entertainment, and much more. As you can see - we did it all!!!) Magnolia Mansion is located only one block from the historic St. Charles Streetcar route, which provided convenient and inexpensive transportation to downtown New Orleans, the French Quarter and Uptown. (Special tip: take the streetcar to Camellia Grill in Uptown for one of the best breakfasts anywhere)!!!

Ambiance & Accommodations: In addition to it's great location, Magnolia Mansion has a uniquely old Southern Victorian ambiance. It is sublimely quiet and comfortable after a hard day (or night) of sightseeing! We have stayed in 3 different rooms (they are all decorated differently) and we particularly in love with the Bordello Moulin Rouge with it's romantic decor and of course... the invigorating Jacuzzi tub. My husband commented that he hadn't’ slept that soundly in years, and after long days of sightseeing the mansion was something we looked forward to upon each of our returns! I was also intrigued to learn of the history of Magnolia Mansion. It was originally built as a private residence, and eventually became the National Headquarters for the Red Cross during World War II.

The Staff: In the past and throughout our seven day stay, our hosts, Hollie and Tim, have gone above and beyond to make us feel like part of the Magnolia family. They truly made our stay memorable and special by suggesting restaurants, tours, and things to do. What I liked most is the personal touch they have - each time we have stayed at Magnolia Mansion they always go the extra mile to make our stay all we have hoped for. We’re already looking forward to our next visit.

We highly recommend Magnolia Mansion for so many reasons. You will truly step back in time when you walk through the doors. When you wake up...you know that you are indeed... in New Orleans,


B Enstice

Norfolk, Virginia