In a departure from regular Travel Photo Thursday, not all of these photos are mine. I am mixing my own photos of New Orleans with some photos of my favorite hotel, supplied by Hotel Monteleone.

This photo is used courtesy of Hotel Monteleone

As I mentioned on Wednesday, the Hotel Monteleone has graciously offered a New Orleans getaway as a prize in the Passports With Purpose fund raiser this year. This is there FOURTH year of support for Passports With Purpose. My terrific friends at Monteleone even sweetened the pot by including breakfast and dinner at their new restaurant, Cirillo.

I have stayed at the Literary Landmark Hotel Monteleone several times (and wrote about it here), and I’m going to share why I love it and why you will, too.

LOCATION. Here is the entrance on Royal Street, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Royal street is the antique-shopping center of the French Quarter, and has plenty of other shopping and dining available as well. Famous Bourbon Street is one block away. The River Front (Mississippi) is a short walk away.

Hotel Monteleone Lobby, photo courtesy of Hotel Monteleone

TRADITION. Founded in 1886, the Monteleone just keeps getting better.

Three things I love about the lobby of Hotel Monteleone, besides the fact that it is drop-dead gorgeous. 1. The antique grandfather clock is THE place to meet friends for a shopping spree. 2. That little desk right behind the clock belongs to the most savvy concierge you’ll find in New Orleans. Your wishes all come true here. and 3. As you enter the lobby, you pass the display case that explains how Hotel Monteleone became one of three Literary Landmark hotels in the country.

COMFORTABLE. Of course the rooms are glamorous, too. And if you ask, you may get a view of the mighty Mississippi, which is just blocks away.

Mississippi River from Hotel Monteleone room

Take an easy stroll down to the river front from the Monteleone, and maybe hop on a paddle-wheeler.

Steamboat at New Orleans Riverfront

PARTIES. Of course New Orleans is a party town, and the Monteleone is right in the middle of the party.

Jester’s Bar on Bourbon Street, just a block away from the Monteleone.

Royal Street from Hotel Monteleone during Food & Wine Festival

FESTIVALS. You can count on the Hotel Monteleone to be the center of exciting things in New Orleans. Not just because of the great location, but also because they play a key role in the many festivals that feature food, drink and MUSIC, like the one above–the Food & Wine Festival. The festival shuts down Royal Street in front of the hotel and I caught this little girl conversing with a street musician.

New Orleans Street Scene during Food and Wine Festival on Royal Street

DRINKS. But back to the hotel after a day of wandering, a visit the famous Carousel Bar. If you’re feeling disoriented, maybe it because your seat is revolving!

Carousel Bar and Lounge, Hotel Monteleone. Photo courtesy of the hotel

ENTERTAINMENT You don’t HAVE to revolve, though, you can sit in one of the booths or at a table cozily arranged around the grand piano and catch the musical entertainment of the evening. (Spend your spare moments wondering if Tennessee Williams or perhaps Ernest Hemingway sat at the very seat you’re sitting in now.

Entertainer at Carousel Lounge, Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, Louisiana

FOOD. Food is important in New Orleans, and no less so at the Hotel Monteleone. If you should win the Monteleone getaway that is available at Passports With Purpose, you’ll also be able to sample breakfast (for two) and dinner (for two) at their new swanky Cirillo restaurant.

Criollo Restaurant and Lounge, Monteleone Hotel

How about a simple little seafood appetizer?

Chilled Gulf Shrimp Blue Crab and Avocado, Cirillo Restaurant. Photo provided by Hotel Monteleone.

DETAILS. The restaurant is new, but the attention to detail is a tradition. When I visited in 2009, the hotel was sponsoring a reception for top chefs. This was part of the spread.

Chocolates at Monteleone

Location, party, food, drink, things to do–are you ready to go visit the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter of New Orleans?  Just visit Passports With Purpose and make a $10 donation, which will go to water.org for wells in Haiti. Or make several $10 donations and have more chances to choose the Hotel Monteleone or one of the dozens of other prizes. But remember, the whole thing comes to an end On December 11 at 11:29 p.m. EST– that is coming soon, so do not delay.

This is my weekly contribution to Travel Photo Thursday.  All photos not captioned as contributed by the Hotel Monteleone are my own.  If you would like to see other travel photos from around the world, check out Budget Traveler’s Sandbox, and click on the name of a writer/photographer.

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Original article: Travel Photos–Hotel Monteleone

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