Priced on the same night, 2026-10-25: Hotel Monteleone is $136 a night less. They are 312 metres apart.
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The Monteleone at $338 beats the Ritz-Carlton at $613 on both guest rating (9.2 vs 9.1) and review volume (1,060 vs 507), and it lacks nothing the Ritz has on the facility list. The Ritz adds breakfast and a hot tub, plus its scale of spa and dining, which justifies the premium if you want a grander, more hushed five-star experience. Both sit within 0.3km of each other in the Quarter, so location is a wash. For most travellers the Monteleone is the sharper booking; the Ritz is for those who want the extra layer of formality and are happy to pay for it.
The Ritz-Carlton occupies a former Maison Blanche department store on Canal Street, and the building's Beaux-Arts bones still show in the cast-iron detailing and high street-level windows. Inside, the design leans plantation-grand: chandeliers, dark wood, a hush that comes from thick carpet and attentive staff rather than actual quiet. The Davenport Lounge does live jazz most nights, which is the one room with any real pulse; the rest of the hotel is built for guests who want New Orleans filtered through a five-star scrim rather than met head-on. It draws a corporate and honeymoon crowd, people who want Canal Street's convenience without Bourbon Street's noise.
Guests who want five-star formality, a big spa, and Canal Street's wide, quieter edge of the Quarter.
The Monteleone has been run by the same family since 1886, and it still feels like a hotel with a memory, not a renovation. The Carousel Bar is the reason people who've never stayed there know the name: an actual rotating bar, wood and brass, that turns a full circle every fifteen minutes and has poured drinks for Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams and Faulkner among others. The lobby has terrazzo floors, marble columns, and the kind of ornate ceiling work that belongs to a hotel that has never needed to chase a trend. Rooms are simpler, earth-toned, high-ceilinged, but the public rooms carry the weight of the place. It sits on Royal Street, one block off Bourbon, and draws literary types, repeat guests, and anyone who wants to be inside the Quarter's history rather than adjacent to it.
Guests who want a storied, atmospheric hotel with a genuinely famous bar, right in the thick of the French Quarter.
Booking the Monteleone means giving up complimentary breakfast and a hot tub, the two things the Ritz has that it doesn't; everything else, including pool, spa, and fitness centre, it already offers.
The Monteleone is the more beautiful place to actually be in: a rotating bar with a century of literary ghosts and a lobby with real terrazzo and marble presence beats the Ritz's competent five-star polish.
| The Ritz-Carlton | Hotel Monteleone | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, same night | $751 | $615 |
| Guest rating | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Reviews | 507 | 1060 |
| Stars | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Facilities on our list | 8 | 6 |
| Distance apart | 312 m |
Nothing on our list that The Ritz-Carlton lacks.
“L’expérience client !”
“Great service and good food”
Monteleone guests come away happier overall, since their comments focus on minor practical gripes while Ritz-Carlton guests more often cite high prices and dated rooms undercutting the experience.
“wonderful”
The whole hotel was beautiful with paintings, plenty of different areas to sit and relax, furniture in main reception were in keeping with the later century the courtyard was wonderful for coffee and relax. bedrooms were modern with french influence
“Great location”
The location was excellent. Very central and all the main areas were walking distance.
Carpets were old and rooms seemed dated for a ritz property
Location, nice facilities
Not much counter space in bathrooms, can’t stay at pool deck later than 10pm
“Great hotel in a perfect location”
Location, classic style, Carousel lounge
“Our New Orleans Go-To!”
Location, ambience, literary history, pool, staff! Especially Nolan!
Luxurious Accommodations Indulge in the exquisite rooms at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, featuring a fully-stocked minibar, designer toiletries, and plush bathrobes for the ultimate comfort during your stay. Pampering Spa and Dining Experiences Unwind at the 25,000-square-foot spa offering a plethora of treatments, followed by a culinary journey at M bistro…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Luxurious Amenities This charming, historic hotel is located 1 block from famous Bourbon Street. Criollo restaurant, the Carousel Bar, and a heated rooftop swimming pool are featured on-site. Wellness and Relaxation Guests can work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center or enjoy a massage at the full-service spa. There is a business center along with a…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Rates are live for 2026-10-25, one night, two guests, fetched together so the two are comparable. Facilities and reviews are from each hotel's own listing. The honest take is written by our AI from the listing, the reviews and what is widely known about each hotel. HotelDupe earns a commission if you book, which never changes the verdict. All comparisons