We stayed here at a very busy time -- the last day of the Natchez Fall Pilgrimage and the weekend of the ballon races. So, we wound up choosing this hotel mainly because almost everyone place we researched was booked. We were a little nervous about having a leftover room in an older hotel, but this turned out great.

The Eola is right in the middle of things, making it easy to walk to many nearby attractions. The view from our window included the ornate St. Mary Basilica, which looked beautiful in the setting sun and an assortment of other colorful buildings. A couple of nice restaurants are within a block and the river is just a few blocks down the hill. On our first night there, a couple of the hot air balloons went right by the hotel.

The lobby has a marvelous assortment of period antiques, with an emphasis on gilt and size and there are other splashy touches, such as the fire fountain in the courtyard.

The room, as may be expected in such an old hotel, was on the small size, but it was well appointed and comfortable.

We only had breakfast at the hotel one morning, but the buffet was plentiful and nicely prepared. Service was prompt and the price was OK.

The rest of the staff proved helpful, with the front desk clerk suggesting ways we could make the best use of our limited time to tour some of the mansions while also seeing the best of the balloon races.

We very much enjoyed our first visit to Natchez and the Eola had a lot to do with that.

This hotel has a beautiful lobby and friendly staff, however the rooms are very small and the bathroom is even smaller. Not a good place to stay if you are looking for comfort.

Lovely courtyard with fountain is the perfect place to read, write, hang out with friends. The rooms are comfy and many on the upper floors have great views of the river. Step out the door and you are an easy walk to shops and restaurants. The staff is excellent and will make sure your stay is delightful.

As you enter thru the gas lit, brick paved courtyard, you are entering the world of Hemingway Faulkner, and Stella. If you loved the movie, "Midnight in Paris', this is certainly "Midnight in Natchez". The grand piano graces the large sitting area filled with quiet nooks for private conversations. The Peacock Bar is one of those dimly lit, quiet (no TV blaring) with the discreet bartender in attendance. The walls are covered in a leopard wallpaper and the floors in leopard carpet. Glance up and see the stuffed panther and bear, certainly hunted by Hemingway himself. The hotel staff was gracious and attended to our every wish. This is a hotel with a quiet, serene, friendly ambience. Ample parking. I loved this Hotel.