Fodor's Expert Review International House

Contemporary style pairs with luxe comforts in guest rooms attractively decorated with modern New Orleans flair. In this locally owned hotel, the lobby aims to wow, with 23-foot-high ceilings, ornate pilasters, marble floors, and artwork by New Orleans artists. Fine linens enhance the guest rooms, all with iHome docking stations, black-and-white photographs of jazz greats, and ceiling fans; bathrooms, which have either glass-enclosed showers or oversize bathtubs, are sleek and contemporary, stocked with Aveda bath products. The Apple suite comes with Apple TV and two Granny Smith apples. The excellent cocktail bar, Loa, is a favorite of locals, with a cool and shadowy vibe.