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International House Hotel
221 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA, USA
Neighborhood: Central Business District
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It is time to go back to New Orleans: if not for the Mardi Gras shops selling Comme des Garcons, and fusion cuisine replacing the beignet. International House hotel still manages to fuse old and new successfully — it is modern without being obnoxious, stylish without being frigid. It is, in fact, one of those most rare things in life, a boutique hotel with soul.
Yes, svelte doormen dressed in monochromatic Banana Republic suits guard the entrance. The inside is done in the neutral palette and style made so popular by Christian Liaigre — textured cream fabrics, pale wood floors, gauzy white drapes and rattan rugs. The gift shop, Ren, is named for the Chinese character for humankind. But there is more to this modishness than meets the eye. International House has not relinquished its past, or its rich New Orleans heritage. In the lobby, ornate pillars and decorative moldings are copied from the original 1906 blueprints, when this building was a bank. Chandeliers are based on 19th-century models, and the softly glowing gaslights outside the entrance are copied from 1918 drawings. The lobby is a gallery of old black-and-white photos and the front desk carries a library of classic jazz CD’s. Some rooms (the best) have an old-fashioned cast iron balcony, from which you can watch the French Quarter traffic, dangling wisteria from your fingers. And on the penthouse rooftop terraces the air is redolent with the Louisiana scent of bougainvillea, magnolia, and vetiver.
Then, of course, there’s the voodoo. Every night, the bar holds a welcome ceremony for the spirits with candles, thrift shop seats, and mirrors made of old church windows serving as an altar. And the usual romantic weekend package is given a, ahem, magic spin. A real live voodoo priestess can be hired for you very own love ceremony. Just give International House 30 days notice, a few fingernail clippings and locks of hair and she’ll ensure that your spirits are eternally joined. Now if that isn’t a taste of old New Orleans, we don’t know what is.
- Complimentary upgrade upon hotel check-in, based upon availability
- Guaranteed 4pm check-out
- One complimentary glass of champagne or one cocktail, per guest, upon arrival
- One complimentary clothing press (1 item) during your stay
- 117 Rooms
- Style: Cutting-Edge
- Atmosphere: Happening
- 113 Guest Reviews
- International House
- 221 Camp Street
- New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neighborhood: Central Business District
Hotel amenities and services
- 100% non-smoking hotel
- 24 hour front desk
- 24 hour gym
- 24 hour medical assistance
- Babysitting (on request)
- Bar
- Central air conditioning
- Free wi-fi
- Golf nearby
- Luggage storage
- No pets allowed
- Restaurant
- Self service parking (charges apply)
- Shopping area nearby
- Spa
- Valet parking (charges apply)
- Wake-up service
Other New Orleans hotels
113 Guest Reviews
All reviews are from Tablet guests with verified stays.
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- Pierette
- Stayed November 2012
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
The location was great, and the style and vibe of entrance was very nice.
What the hotel could do better:
The condition and service of the rooms could be better such as - cleaning service did not clean fully and properly...phones did not work- we had to ask for tissues and toilet paper to be replenished as they weren't during cleaning service. The water pressure in the shower was very poor and deceiving. A very nice big shower with a poorly working shower head- very unexpected for this type and class of hotel.
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- Leslie
- Stayed July 2012
- Rating: Fair
What I liked:
The foyer and bar are nice.
What the hotel could do better:
I cannot go back here as the rooms are just way too small and uncomfortable. The mattresses have this weird crinkly protective wrap around it that makes noise every time you move. Although the foyer and bar have style (although already becoming a bit outdated) the rooms have none. They are just basic motel looking rooms with no elegance.
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- Jihane
- Stayed July 2012
- Rating: Poor
What I liked:
Location good. Lobby good. Great bar.
What the hotel could do better:
This hotel needs to put in place better amenities for its guests. There was no food available in the hotel, no room service, no mini-bar. There was no safety-deposit box in the room and the 'desk' was tiny.
