LUXURY HOTELS IN Louisiana

Introducing Louisiana

From the jazz that drifts around New Orleans’ French Quarter to the meandering Mississippi, Louisiana has a gentle charm about it. Turn ‘Huckleberry Finn’ for the day and cruise the lazy river on a vintage steamboat. Or opt for a bayou tour and discover the state’s wild wetlands and antebellum architecture. Then, back in your boutique hotel, pop on some Louis Armstrong or Fats Domino and sip a Hurricane cocktail. As they say in New Orleans, “laissez les bon temps rouler” – let the good times roll.

Things to do

MUSIC
Pay homage to the ‘birthplace of Jazz’ in New Orleans, where you’ll hear everything from Dixieland to Gospel. Spend time in the renowned blues clubs of Baton Rouge. Or head west to hear the folk-like Cajun tradition. Wherever you find yourself in Louisiana, there’s sure to be music in the air.

NATURE
The bayou, lined with swaying cypress trees, has become the iconic image of Louisiana. Take a boat and some binoculars and explore these beautiful backwaters – home to alligators, turtles and raccoons. Or escape to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The six sites that span this 23,000-acre wetland are filled with everything from battlefields and boardwalks to canoe trails and cultural centres.

HISTORY
From antebellum mansions to the legendary Mississippi, everywhere in Louisiana has a story to tell. Book a private tour around Bocage or Destrehan Plantation for a glimpse into the region’s history. Or wander around the fascinating exhibits in the Louisiana State Museums. With buildings dotted around the state – from Baton Rouge to Patterson – you’re never far from Louisiana’s bygone past.

Top Tip from SLH

You’ll find architectural splendour in the most unusual of places in Louisiana. Visit the beautiful Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans to see extravagant monuments to the region’s great and good.