La Belle Esplanade

I had never stayed at a B&B before, only considered it because all the hotels sub $300-400/night were booked. SO, I went out on a limb and booked a room at La Belle Esplanade. Didn't know what to expect but as soon as we arrived, the place and it's hosts exceeded every expectation. In under 30 seconds they made a great impression, offering us a complementary glass of delicious, New Orleans local wine while we waited for check in. The house was gorgeous and the room so nice that I felt compelled to tell them that the online photos don't do them justice. Had a complementary crew brew from our fridge on the little balcony, nice shower and a couple of days of amazing hospitality. Breakfasts were fun, delicious with a nice selection... they even had some sweet bikes that they let us use for free (highly recommended! My girlfriend and I went for a "quick bike ride" that turned into a five hour tour of awesomeness, so much to see - thanks Matthew for recommending a nice touring route!). All in all, when I go back to NOLA I will go back to La Belle Esplanade and I'd recommend it to anyone. Thanks Matthew and Melanie for all the great memories! /Orion and Lisa

Wonderful!

This Bed and Breakfast was in a great location. The owners were very friendly and knowledgeable. They were able to recommend things to do and places to eat. The breakfast every morning was delicious, and came from local bakeries. Overall, I was very impressed!

Matthew was tremendously helpful in offering advice and recommendations. Beautiful property, great location. We especially enjoyed borrowing the bikes for a ride all the way to the Lake.

I was warmly greeted, shown around the property, introduced to wonderful local foods at breakfast (the owners go out of their way to buy from various local markets), given lots of opportunities to ask about local history and events, and upon leaving was made welcomed to return again ... And I will! The property is in a quiet and clean location north of the French Quarter if the owners did not have the answer to my questions they took a sincere interest in finding it. The bed and living area are comfortable and beautiful. This is the best place to stay ever!!

Lovely, lovely b&b with a perfect location and the most hospitable and accommodating owners! Treat yourself to a unique and most pleasant getaway by booking here! Walking distance to the French Quarter was wunderbar and biking to Lake Ponchetrain was a highlight. Definitely the "bell" of Esplanade!

I can't think of enough good things to say about this beautiful bed and breakfast. From the moment my husband and I arrived, Matthew and Melanie made us feel completely welcome and at home (a big deal for me, as I'm somewhat shy around new people). Neither of us had ever been to New Orleans, and Matthew and Melanie gave us fantastic suggestions for things to do and places to eat outside the French Quarter and off the beaten path. We tried to do everything they suggested, as we quickly discovered how great their recommendations were. Matthew and Melanie are clearly and infectiously passionate about New Orleans. Thanks to them, by the time we left we felt like we had a great sense of the city. The rooms are all charming and elegant and filled with local artwork and character. We stayed in the La France suite, which was perfect for us (this was also a big deal: I was writing a paper, and so spent more time in the room than I might usually. I was always comfortable and happy to be there). We also borrowed two bikes and spent a fantastic day cruising through the garden district. Breakfast every morning was a feast of delicious, fresh local foods, including some dwarf oranges from their own garden. It reminded me of the breakfasts my husband and I had on our honeymoon in France. Even better than the food, however, was the conversation, and the very best part of our stay was our leisurely chats with Matthew and Melanie every morning. We can't wait to come back. Thanks for everything! -Haylie and Ross

We've stayed in New Orleans many times, mostly near the French Quarter and the Garden District. Our favorite places have been in the lower Garden...until our stay at La Belle Esplanade. We had a last minute opportunity to get to the city and Matthew was incredibly helpful in making the arrangements. The B&B is in Treme, a part of the NOLA we had not explored. Matthew gave us tips on where to go and made us feel at home. The inn is funky and wonderful. Clean! (not always the case in NOLA). The breakfast was a delight...and the coffee was true New Orleans. We will definitely return to La Belle Esplanade. Next time we hope to linger a while.

We had a fantastic stay at La Belle Esplanade. Everything; from the pretty Pelican-suite to the breakfast, the clening and the bikes was perfect. For us the location just outside the french quarters was great, we biked everywhere, day and night, and it was so easy and relaxed. The owners, Melanie and Matthew, are great. To meet up with them every morning at brekfast just added that little extra something every day and their friendlyness and knowledge made our vacation even better! We stayed at La Belle Esplanade for a week and if we go back to New Orleans we will most definitely stay there again! /AnnaMaria and Johan, Stockholm

Do you want to experience New Orleans like a local? Are you sick of big chain hotels and corny walking tours of the French Quarter? Matthew and Melanie will treat you like family, and like good family, let you in on all of the secrets New Orleans has to offer. I am a New Orleans expat who was back visiting friends for a long weekend, and I was amazed at how truly interested they were in sharing the special place that is New Orleans with anyone who enters their home. And speaking of, Matthew and Melanie don't just run a B&B, they run a home. La Belle Esplanade is a Creole beauty of a home, wonderfully and locally decorated. They take pride in displaying the local culture, and the accomodations were always immaculately clean and tended to. They truly enjoyed chatting over a breakfast overflowing with local fruits, vegetables, and foods. Their attention to detail is obvious everywhere, from local jams at breakfast, pralines on your pillow, local beer in the fridge, and bicycles for you to experience New Orleans like a local. They are happy to give you the inside scoop on where to go for a local dinner or where to catch the second line and dance your tail off on a Sunday afternoon. The room was beautiful, spacious and comfortable, just as amenable to spending a relaxing afternoon on your private porch with a cup of coffee as hitting the town. In all my travels back to New Orleans, I have never felt so at home (aside from sleeping on a friend's couch) as I did at La Belle Esplanade. When my friends ask me where to stay in New Orleans and what to see, I recommend no place more than La Belle Esplanade, and Matthew and Melanie will help you with any and everything you need. I look forward to staying there next time I go back to my fair city. A bientôt, Andy

A very pretty Creole style house. Very comfortable and clean. Location is good and you can easily cycle to NOLA's points of interest. The owners are really really nice and will give you all information you need while having an amazing breakfast every morning. We really had a great time there. The only slight negative point I would mention is the bath tub which is kind of "old style"... J&L from Paris FR

This was the first time we'd stayed at a b&b mainly due to working for a worldwide hotel chain that gives me free rooms as an employee, and I was delighted with the whole experience. A lot of what I wanted to put in the review has already been said by other reveiewers (delicious local delicacies for breakfast, very cool innkeepers, clean rooms that are decorated uniquely). We took advantage of the balcony outside of our rooms and were lucky to have decent evening weather to sit out there and enjoy cocktails. We had a car and didn't want this leg of our trip to be in the french quarter so the location was perfect for us. I never felt that we were in a bad part of town - come on, it's New Orleans and a person should always be careful of their surroundings. I would definetely stay here again and recommend it to friends.

I had to use google translate to find just the perfect phrase to describe our brief stay in new Orleans at La Belle Esplanade. We found this serendipitous spot only days before our arrival, and were most pleasantly surprised, indeed! The innkeepers, our hosts--Mathew and Melanie, albeit new to this endevour, are clearly well-suited to it--gracious, charming, and enthusiastic about New Orleans and thier fine establishment, still in the process of finishing touches. Our suite was lovely, we especially enjoyed the micro-patio in front where we could sit and observe the passing streetlife, and the courtyard in back was also a welcome addition. Breakfast was regional and quite eclectic--I can't say I've ever enjoyed gator balls and spicy qual eggs for breakfast before this, but it makes for great travel tales! We will most certainly return, perhaps for JazzFest--and do highly recommend La Belle and her lovely hosts!

I have to admit I came to La Belle Esplanade with no expectations. What I found was an engaging, friendly and dedicated couple who clearly have unbridled passion for not only the city they only recently call home, but also for providing guests an experience that instills that excitement and delight. All the antes to a good B&B are there—clean rooms, great amenities, prompt service, delicious breakfasts. Local drinks and snacks are added to your room at no cost. Breakfasts are large and varied, with local pastries and even some oddities (we got to try pickled quail eggs!) The best part, however, was the service. Matthew and Melanie are always on hand to give local suggestions and listen to your new finds, explain and describe the building and food choices, and help with any issues you may have. If you stay at Belle Esplanade, chat them up at breakfast—you won't regret it. The only possible complaint could be the location—it's not close to the Quarter. But for us, this wasn't a complaint, as it allowed for easy access to Tremé and the history on Esplanade, it encouraged bike exploration, and most locations were a quick cab ride away (when we called the cab companies, they almost always had a cab in 5 minutes or less). Overall, I couldn't recommend La Belle Esplanade more.

the room was beautiful, fully equipped and with complimentary drinks. the breakfast of high quality and with a freshly cooked special everyday different. complimentary bikes added great value to our New Orleans experience. Hosts were always ready to provide tips and advices for visits.

My best lodging experience (including hotels I visited). Belle Esplanade is located in an inspiring neighbourhood frequented by Edgar Degas in the 19th century. Looking at the beautiful villas the reason for Degas stay is evident. Hosts arranged guest pleasant surprises, such as crab cake and Louisiana doughnuts for breakfast. Rooms have very high ceilings and a balcony offering much needed coolness. New Orleans seems to be expensive, but "the beautiful esplanade" offers value for your money.

We just spent three days and two nights in the enchanting city of New Orleans and our stay at La Belle Esplanade was the icing on the cake. The owners, Matthew and Melanie were excellent hosts, and attended to our every need, though there was not much we needed that was not already provided. The rooms, well appointed, were clean, very nice and well decorated. Note: The beds are full sized, which was not the best when traveling as a couple, but we made the best of it. The size of the beds were consistent with the decor and modern-antique feel of the room, so we appreciated it. Local treats, complimentary wine, juices, and water water were provided to us upon check-in to our room, as we had a mini refrigerator in our suite. Breakfast each morning was very nice, and the local delights (crawfish pie, muffalettas, etc) were very unique. Hot coffee, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruit were also provided each morning. This B&B is conveniently located to the french quarter, mid city new orleans, city park , and the museums. Away from all of the rambunctious night life, but just a short ride, decent walk to all of the action. We celebrated our anniversary at La Belle Esplanade, and we will most definitely return in the near future and beyond!

The Bed and Breakfast was beautiful, hosts wer responder ful, and food was terrific. The location is undesirable and unsafe. My husband's cell phone was stolen off the front patio, and the walkto the French Quarter is not safe.