Photo by: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
International House, New Orleans
Two blocks from the beguiling French Quarter, this hotel let the neighborhood's romantic history play muse to its decor: baths are lit by chandeliers, rich fabrics like velvet and damask create a boudoir effect, and decorative altars celebrate Catholic and voodoo holy days. Plan to eat at least one meal in the open-plan Rambla restaurant where Basque flavors enhance Creole staples. Highlights include cornmeal-encrusted Louisiana oysters, pork meatballs, and steak frites with chimichurri.
Room to book: Rates are so reasonable you can upgrade sans guilt to a Panoramic Corner King with 12-foot ceilings, an expansive California King bed, and two full walls of windows. less