French Market Inn – New Orleans, LA
Review by: Krystal | Stayed: May 2025
Overview / First Impressions
We’ve visited New Orleans several times over the past few years with the same group of friends, and each trip only deepens our love for the city. The music, food, art, and architecture make NOLA an easy “yes” for us every time. Interestingly, we’ve never stayed at the same hotel twice, and we usually pick based on cost, location, and strong reviews (nothing under an 8.8, though I personally prefer a 9 or higher). For this trip, we chose the French Market Inn.
The hotel entrance and lobby made a neutral first impression; it was simple, clean, but nothing particularly memorable or charming. The check-in process was straightforward and uneventful, which I appreciate when traveling, though it didn’t leave any lasting impression of warm hospitality either. Overall, our arrival was smooth but nothing particularly remarkable.
Location
The French Market Inn is located on Decatur Street, right in the French Quarter, which was where we wanted to be on this trip. Its location was ideal, just steps away from two of our must-do traditions: coffee and beignets at Café Du Monde and browsing the local street art around Jackson Square. The hotel entrance also faces the marina, which kept reminding us of our still-pending plan to take a lunch or dinner river cruise, an item on our to-do list that will have to wait for another trip.
For exploring New Orleans, the spot couldn’t have been more convenient. Everything we wanted to do in the French Quarter was within walking distance. Being able to start our mornings or wind down our evenings without needing a car or ride service was a major perk of staying within the French Quarter.
Room & Accommodations
After checking in, we walked through the courtyard to reach our room, which was tucked right off the ground-floor courtyard (which our windows faced). The courtyard itself was charming, with greenery and seating that gave it almost a park-like vibe. Initially, I was worried about courtyard noise disrupting our stay, but thankfully, that never became an issue. What did become a frustration, however, was the early morning activity from housekeeping. It seemed our corner of the hotel was where the day began, and starting around 6:30–7:00 a.m., we were met with carts rolling, vacuums running, and plenty of chatter right outside our door. If we stayed here again, I’d definitely request a room on a higher floor or away from the housekeeping hub.
The room itself was cozy, with bulky, oversized furniture that made the space feel a bit cramped. That said, the bed was surprisingly comfortable, and we both slept well, something that always makes or breaks a trip for me. Comfort matters more than décor when it comes to rest, and in that regard, the French Market Inn delivered.
The bathroom was functional but dated. Size-wise, it was fine, but the lack of counter space was frustrating, especially when traveling as a couple. With nowhere to set out our toiletry bags, getting ready felt more like a juggling act than it should have. I also couldn’t help noticing stained grout and corners that hadn’t received much attention; those little details stand out to me as a clean freak. It wasn’t unusable by any means, but it didn’t leave the impression of a carefully maintained or refreshed space either.
Dining
As I mentioned, the French Market Inn doesn’t have a restaurant or food options on-site, but that didn’t bother us at all. One of the biggest draws of New Orleans is its food scene, so it's worth mentioning in this hotel review. We always make it a point to revisit a few favorites while also trying somewhere new each trip.
We’ve already mentioned Café Du Monde, which is another absolute must for us. While we typically prefer savory breakfasts, the combination of chicory coffee with sweet, powdered-sugar-dusted beignets is too good to pass up. It’s also such a quintessential New Orleans experience that it feels incomplete to visit the city without stopping at the original Decatur Street location at least once.
This trip, we also tried a new spot just steps from the hotel, Willie’s Boil House. It was such a win. Our group ordered crawfish, crab legs, and gumbo, and every plate came back empty. The platters were generous, flavorful, and will be a new addition to our checklist for future trips.
And of course, no New Orleans trip is complete without sampling the city’s iconic drinks. We always make the rounds for a Hand Grenade at Tropical Isle, a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s, and a stop for a Huge Ass Beer (because how can you not?). The Krazy Korner is also fun for a cocktail and live music. But our personal favorite is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, where we always, sometimes more than twice, haha, grab a Voodoo Daiquiri, affectionately known as “the purple drank.” It’s cold, refreshing, and just the right balance without being overly sweet like most daiquiris. I’ve even tried recreating it at home, but have not come close to matching it. If anyone has cracked the code, please share your secrets!
Amenities & Common Spaces
The courtyard was easily the highlight of the hotel’s common spaces. In addition to the greenery and seating, it featured a small pool that looked inviting in the warm May weather. While we didn’t have time to take advantage of it ourselves, we saw other guests enjoying a dip and lounging poolside. The outdoor space overall felt like a relaxing place to pause between outings and gave the hotel a touch of charm that the lobby lacked.
As for dining, the French Market Inn doesn’t offer breakfast or food service, which didn’t bother us. With all of New Orleans’ incredible food just steps away, it made sense to seek out meals elsewhere.
Service & Staff
Our interactions with the staff were minimal. The check-in and check-out experiences were easy but unremarkable, and aside from that, we only had one instance where we needed extra towels. That required asking a couple of times before they were delivered, but since it wasn’t urgent, it didn’t really negatively impact our stay. Overall, the service wasn’t especially warm or proactive, but it wasn’t poor either; it just felt average.
Price & Value
At around $215 per night (including taxes and fees), I felt the French Market Inn was fairly priced for a stay in the French Quarter. The location was excellent, the bed was comfortable, and the room met our needs despite a few drawbacks like the dated bathroom and noisy mornings. Overall, it offered solid value for the price, especially compared to other nearby options that are either more expensive or lower rated.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the French Market Inn was a solid choice for our trip. While it’s just a few blocks from Bourbon Street rather than right in the middle of the action, we actually appreciated the distance, as it felt like we could “leave the party” and still enjoy the sights, sounds, and charm of the French Quarter at a more relaxed pace. The charming courtyard and pool added a nice touch, and despite the dated bathroom and early morning housekeeping noise, the comfortable bed made for restful nights.
Would I stay here again? Yes, with the caveat that I’d request a room on an upper floor. I think this hotel works best for travelers who want to be close to the excitement without being right in the middle of it. If you’re looking for a conveniently located hotel that balances value with a touch of New Orleans character, the French Market Inn is a great option to consider.
Check out the Vlog for a room tour and more photos from our trip!
