3* Hotel Le Marais

There’s plenty of New Orleans personality at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, which occupies a trio of converted warehouse buildings in the Warehouse Arts District. Exposed brick, timber beams and work by local artists give the rooms and public spaces a genuinely individual feel. Food is another reason people come here. Compère Lapin, from acclaimed chef Nina Compton, serves Caribbean and Creole-influenced cooking downstairs, while the hotel’s long-running partnership with local artists keeps changing what you’ll find on the walls. The French Quarter begins within walking distance, although the main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is farther across the Quarter and usually makes more sense as a longer walk or quick rideshare. The National WWII Museum and riverside attractions are particularly convenient. GayMapper tip: One for travellers who like design, local art and great food and don't need the gay bars directly outside the front door.

Hidden just off Bourbon Street, Hotel Le Marais feels surprisingly calm considering how central it is. The main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is only a few blocks away, while Jackson Square, Royal Street and the rest of the French Quarter are all easily reached on foot. This 66-room boutique hotel centres around a pretty courtyard with a swimming pool, giving you somewhere peaceful to retreat between sightseeing and nights out. Rooms have a contemporary feel, and there’s also a fitness centre plus Vive!, the hotel’s small bar with indoor and outdoor seating. The location works particularly well if you want to spend most of your time exploring the French Quarter on foot while still having somewhere quieter to return to. GayMapper tip: A very easy fit for a first New Orleans trip – central, stylish and close to the main LGBTQ nightlife without feeling like a party hotel.

Few higher-end hotels put you closer to New Orleans’ LGBTQ nightlife than Bourbon Orleans Hotel. Sitting between Bourbon and Royal streets, it is only around a block from the gay nightlife centred on Bourbon and St. Ann, including Bourbon Pub & Parade and the surrounding bars. The hotel itself has real history, having evolved from the former Orleans Theatre and Ballroom, and the restored interiors retain plenty of that grandeur. At the centre is a heated saltwater courtyard pool, while Bourbon “O” Bar hosts live local music and there are several places to eat and drink without leaving the property. Jackson Square and the cathedral are also practically around the corner, making this an exceptionally easy base for exploring the French Quarter on foot. GayMapper tip: Probably the strongest upscale choice if being within a couple of minutes of the main gay bars is your top priority.

Few places put you closer to New Orleans’ LGBTQ nightlife than Bon Maison Guest House. It sits directly on Bourbon Street, very close to the main cluster of gay bars around Bourbon and St. Ann, so getting home after a night out is about as easy as it gets. The 1833 property feels much more like a characterful guesthouse than a conventional hotel, with rooms and suites arranged around a leafy courtyard. Accommodation comes with private entrances and bathrooms, air conditioning and useful extras such as a small fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Some rooms also have balconies or exposed brick, adding to the historic French Quarter feel. Jackson Square, the French Market and Royal Street are all close enough to explore on foot, so the location works just as well during the day. GayMapper tip: One of the strongest choices if being right beside the main gay nightlife is your priority and you prefer a small, atmospheric guesthouse to a big hotel.

Set inside a historic French Quarter building, Holiday Inn French Quarter-Chateau LeMoyne gives you plenty of New Orleans character without sacrificing the practical comforts of a familiar hotel brand. Bourbon Street is only a short stroll away, while the main gay nightlife around Bourbon and St. Ann streets is roughly ten minutes on foot. The leafy courtyard and outdoor pool are particularly welcome after a hot afternoon exploring the Quarter, and selected rooms add traditional wrought-iron balconies overlooking the surrounding streets. Rooms also come with refrigerators, WiFi and plenty of space for a short city break. Canal Street, Jackson Square and the French Market are all easy to reach on foot, so you can comfortably explore most of central New Orleans without needing transport. GayMapper tip: A dependable choice if you want French Quarter atmosphere, a pool and easy access to the gay nightlife without staying directly above Bourbon Street.

Hotel Mazarin sits between Royal and Bourbon streets, placing restaurants, bars and French Quarter nightlife all around you. The main LGBTQ nightlife concentrated around Bourbon and St. Ann is only a few blocks away, so you can comfortably walk there and back without needing a taxi. Inside, the hotel has a more polished feel than many of the Quarter’s smaller historic properties. Its 102 rooms feature marble floors and chandeliers, while the elegant courtyard and fountain create a calmer centre to the building. A fitness room is available, and 21st Amendment downstairs serves cocktails in a Prohibition-inspired setting that fits the neighbourhood perfectly. Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral are also within easy walking distance, making the location just as useful for sightseeing as it is for nights out. GayMapper tip: A strong choice if you want to stay close to the gay bars but prefer a slightly more refined boutique-hotel atmosphere.