After much research on the net & Trip Advisor, my father, my husband & I embarked on a trip to eat our way down to FL. Out of Chicago, we stopped in Memphis first (my review of Cozy Corner BBQ coming soon!) & then on for 2 nights in New Orleans at the 1870 Bananca Courtyard. We were NOT dissapointed! The location is safe, close to Frenchman St. and at the back of the French Qtr "kiddie corner" from the Casino which is at the other end of the Qtr at Canal. If you feel the need to take a cab, it is not expensiveEven before we left I had been in contact with Mary Ramsey & Hugh (the owners) who were helping me with very specific questions on the numerous meals & music events were were looking for. I felt like we were friends before we even arrived! This was my father's first stay at a B&B, so I was hoping the uniqueness of this particular place would not put him off. HE LOVED IT!! This B&B in in a lovely restored victorian with 13 ft. ceilings, MARVELOUS woodwork & antiques & interesting bric-a-brac everywhere (ALL of it kept clean & dusted!) We were only in town for 2 nights, & though the owners were out of town the first day we arrived, they were in constant phone contact with us & their staff members, Gerald & Lynette. They were both delightful & could not do enough to help us move in & get our bearings. We were even greeted with a glass of wine to unwind! The house, it's architectural detailing & it's furnishings are constantly interesting. We stayed in the the Cannonball room which accommodated 3. My husband & I slept in a wooden bed with "cannonball" finials that has been in Mary's family for 150 years. My father had a comfortable old twin. The mattresses were both good & our bed had a romantic mosquito net draped over it. At night I could look up at the lovely, painted medallion around the fan above the bed. Now-- realize-- this is an old house. The room had an electric heater, as did the bath. We did not need the window a/c as it was cool while we were there. But they did the job, and if you want to stay in a hotel with no personality, then do so, but miss the adventure this place has to offer. Be sure to have Gerald show you the plants in the garden before you go. It was a bordello back in the old days & both the house & Hugh have MANY stories to tell. Ask him about the time he was promoting a concert for Otis Redding, or ask him to show you the book on the New Orleans Mardi-gras indians. If you are Italian, ask to see the book on Sicilian feasts! And DEFINATELY ask him where to eat!! He sent us to Angelo Brocato's for fabulous Italian cookies & Parkway bakery for the BEST shrimp poboy on the finest French bread. No place fancy, just a GREAT sandwich! Our shower & bathroom were small, but just fine. Bring your own shampoo etc as they don't provide sample sizes. Of course-- there is soap! The bedding & towels are clean & if you require a larger tub, try the Hexagon room (but beware of possible ghosts?) The owners returned on our second day and they are prevented from serving a "full" breakfast by French Qtr. law, but the meal was filling & fun, We had excellent local bakery goods & king cake. The service is slow because there is only one server (Hugh) & people tend to come down to breakfast all at about the same time. But this IS N'Orleans! Set a spell, enjoy Hugh's stories & the various other interesting guests & as Hugh says, "Put some South in your mouth!" If you are lucky, he will serve sweet potatoes with brown sugar or some King cake (MMMM!) My husband got the baby.... If you don't know what that means, then you need to visit the 1870 Banana Courtyard. Thanks to all at this B&B for making our stay a real N'Orleans adventure!