There are many New Orleans Hotels but for a Boutique Hotel in the very heart of New Orleans there is one that holds a higher standard, The Bienville House on the edge of the French Quarter. It is a very distinctive property with style and grace.

The Bienville House has all of the unique elegance of a French Quarter Manor. A crystal blue pool is surrounded by a flagstone courtyard and is overlooked by many of the room's wrought iron balconies. There are four sundecks for you to relax and savor the ambience.

This lovely hotel started as a grain warehouse but it has gone through many manifestations since then to become the boutique hotel it is today.

In the beginning it was Planter's Rice Mill, then Thompson's Rice Mill and Southern Syrup Manufacturing. Then, in 1985, the building was completely transformed into the North American Hotel. The original advertising stated it was a delightful summer residence for Ladies and Gentlemen. Unfortunately the hotels owners went their separate ways and the building was divided into a boarder's hotel and a fire house. Then it was converted to 20 luxury apartments and started the rival of Decatur Street. In 1972, after surviving a fire from across the street, it was purchased by the Monteleone Family.

The location of the Bienville hotel on Decatur Street mixes the old and new of the charming French Quarter. With its lovely wrought iron balconies this intimate property is the closest to the French Quarter and therefore many attractions are close by. Some of them include Aquarium of the Americas, Canal Place Shopping Center (including Saks Fifth Avenue and Brooks Brothers), Woldenberg Park, IMAX Theater and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. From this New Orleans hotel you can be spellbound by the stars at the Hard Rock Café while still enjoying the historic French quarter with it's many famous eateries and scenery.

From this splendid location you can find antique shops, New Orleans's signature Jazz Clubs, famous restaurants, beautiful historic buildings, voodoo shops, museums, the wharf and more. Just blocks from the exciting 24 hour Bourbon Street, you can find spectacular antiques and art galleries on Royal Street.

AAA has awarded it the coveted Three Diamond title and the Bienville is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. This boutique hotel consistently works hard to go beyond the standards that are demanded of that title.

They have a restaurant, the Louisiana Heritage Café that also serves as a school of cooking. In its casual setting it offers seafood, pasta, soup and salads in the New Orleans tradition. Some of Chef Faroldi's dishes include Seafood Beignets with Remoulade Sauce, Blackened Catfish topped with Crawfish Etouffée and the famous "Rajun Cajun" Omelets. It is located on the first floor of the hotel and serves three meals a day.

The culinary lessons at the Louisiana Heritage Café can be for individuals or groups. Anyone can attend these lessons. The delicious fare is typically Cajun and Creole and while the chef is preparing the dishes he offers historic stories that will compliment his presentation.

For the business person Bienville House Hotel has a charming space for small meetings or parties for up to 100 guests. In the board room, which will hold 12, you can see the historic roots of this New Orleans Hotel in the exposed brick from the 1800's. Within this board room you will find all of the amenities, like a wireless internet, and a wide range of AV equipment. The Vieux Carre room has 1,318 square feet available for larger meetings. All catering needs will be met by the staff at the Louisiana Heritage Café.

After your business meetings, the location of the Bienville House will delight your fellow attendees. With attractions like Bourbon Street, Jax Brewery, Jackson Square, the Mississippi Riverfront, Harrah's Casino and the Canal Street and St Charles Avenue Streetcar lines your peers will have plenty of things to occupy them. With it's proximity to New Orleans Central Business district the Bienville House Hotel's prestigious address it's a natural for any business person.

They have what they call The Corporate Executive Option to give all business travelers a satisfying experience. Then, after a successful day, the business traveler is mere steps from the city's greatest restaurants, jazz establishments and shops. This plan offers the best rates with superior accommodations and many amenities. In your room you will find plenty of space to work with large desks, phones with data ports and cable TV. Included in this option is express check-in and check-out. You can count on the staff's support to help arrange a small meeting or a corporate reception. You couldn't do better than these elegant surroundings with state of the art equipment.

When you use the Corporate Executive option you have many benefits. Some of them include, valet parking, a USA Today paper each morning, complimentary faxing, same day laundry and dry cleaning and 500 miles per stay on their specified air partners.

With all of these benefits and a very Tony address, give the Bienville House Hotel a try when you are thinking of booking into one of New Orleans Hotels.

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Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Travel. Visit her websites at: http://www.WorldHotelPortal.com and http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com You can read more of her articles at http://www.ArticleBazaar.net