Unwind at Soniat House travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

Despite the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans is still a must. Proud of its multicultural legacy – to which it owes its striking architecture, exotic Cajun food, voodoo folklore and omnipresent jazz music – the ”Big Easy” has oodles of character. However, the party town known for its wild Mardi Gras also has a quieter side: charming residential streets whose buildings are adorned with trademarks beautiful balconies, as if wrapped in lace ironwork.

The French Quarter is a maze of antiques boutiques and shops selling everything from souvenirs to vintage jewelry of art, along with the odd voodoo store. The Soniat House on Chartres Street is set just far enough away from the crowds but within easy walking distance of the town’s attractions. The burned-orange facade is deceptive. Inside, a boutique hotel awaits, created by combining three historic Creole town houses dating back to the 1980s. Each room is unique. Canopied four-poster beds and antiques mixed with contemporary pieces give Soniat House a wonderfully atmospheric twist. The interior courtyard, with its ginger lilies, magnolias, and hibiscus, is a breath of fresh air – the flagstones and running water creates a cooling oasis amid the muggy heat. The twinkling lights in the courtyard at night only add to the romantic ambiance.

Location: New Orleans, Lousiana, U.S.A.