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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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- Sue
- Stayed June 2012
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
Excellent concept and design. Environmentally, culturally and aesthetically sensitive and thoughtful. Great design sense. Not overpriced.
What the hotel could do better:
Provide a reading lamp - apart from that, nothing, had a wonderful stay!
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- René
- Stayed June 2012
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
Love the ambiance, the decor, the seduction of the senses through art, atmosphere and allure.
What the hotel could do better:
We had some disappointing experiences at the bar this time. The girls pretty much ignored us -
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- Dawn
- Stayed April 2012
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
I've stayed here in the past and it just keeps getting better: the service, the atmosphere, the people. It feels like you're staying in a NYC loft; the rooms are spacious and not your typical cookie cutter shape. And it's just far enough away from the fray of the French Quarter yet close enough to walk to feel clean and, well, dignified.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
