Imagine having your own private cottage at the corner of Esplanade and Chartres, right where the rollicking French Quarter scene spills into the famous old jazz dens of Frenchmen Street.
Located on the grounds of the stately Lanaux Mansion - itself a piece of New Orleans history - the sweetly named Sophie's Enchanted Cottage combines all the grace and charm of a bygone era with every modern comfort you could want - wi-fi, air conditioning, a sitting area for when you need to get some work done, and a flat-screen HDTV for when you don't.
You'll enter the Lanaux property through a private gate off Chartres Street, and pass through your own garden courtyard - a wonderful place for relaxed coffees or cocktails - on the way to your newly renovated rooms.
Once inside, you'll instantly start to feel at home. The former kitchen storehouse has high, airy ceilings and large windows to let in plenty of natural light. Whitewashed-brick walls and tastefully rustic decor make it as homey as it is handsome.
When you're exhausted after a day of music, fun, and food, let the queen-size pillow-top welcome you with a good night's rest.
Feel like sleeping in? Your kitchenette has a microwave, coffeemaker, and fridge to hold groceries and leftovers, so breakfast is on your schedule, and the same goes for midnight snacks.
Need fresh laundry? The washer and dryer are right across the courtyard.
And when you need some freshening up yourself, you'll appreciate the beautifully appointed private bathroom.
Everything you need is right here for you, though we imagine you won't be spending too much time inside. After all, you're mere steps away from the city's best entertainment, restaurants, and bars.
The French Market, Bourbon Street, the Mississippi riverfront, and Frenchmen Street - each packed with unforgettable sights, scents, and sounds - are all within a two-block stroll.
You couldn't possibly see and do everything New Orleans has to offer . . . but you can sure have fun trying!
TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS?
You can sleep four of you by booking Sophie's Enchanted Cottage along with the large and airy three-room Wieland Suite - complete with kitchenette, private laundry, and bathroom - just across the courtyard. Here's the link to this combination listing: https://www.vrbo.com/2012644
For even bigger parties, you can also book our Lanaux Two-Bedroom Balcony Suite (https://www.vrbo.com/2089849), as well as our premium one-bedroom Ruthie's Balcony Suite (https://www.vrbo.com/2089869), both upstairs in the main house.
... (*Subject to availability.)
A NOTE ABOUT COVID-19
Our cleaning team will rigorously disinfect your room before you arrive, sanitizing all surfaces including door handles, remote controls, pushbuttons, light switches, and bathroom fixtures. All dishes, bedding, and linens are washed and disinfected at maximum heat for your safety. We want you to feel comfortable and secure during your stay.
ABOUT THE LOCATION:
Step outside the Lanaux Mansion grounds and go left to hit the bars and restaurants of the French Quarter, or go right to find the myriad music spots on Frenchmen Street.
You're about a block from either.
Also within a few minutes' stroll are the famous and sprawling French Market, the legendary beignets and cafe au lait of the Cafe du Monde, the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, and the paddle-wheeled steamboats along the Mississippi waterfront - not to mention more bars, restaurants, museums, curio shops, and art galleries than you could possibly ever visit in one trip.
The dream-like settings of Audubon Park and City Park, with their massive moss-covered oaks and glorious historic mansions lining the nearby avenues, are a short drive or bike ride away. Further afield, you have the deep Louisiana bayous full of gators and cajuns alike, plus historic battlefields and plantations to tour.
Grab a drink and start planning your trip now. Or come with no plan at all. Either way, having a great time in the Big Easy is, well, easy.
ABOUT THE LANAUX MANSION:
You might recognize the stately Italianate mansion at 547 Esplanade from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," just one of the many films and TV shows in which it's been featured.
The house itself is a star, with a fascinating past. But it's not just its good looks and pedigree that make the Lanaux so attractive. It's the unbeatable location at the corner of Chartres Street and Esplanade Avenue - which literally straddles the line between the rollicking French Quarter scene and the famous music clubs and jazz dens of Frenchman Street.
Sitting in the courtyard with a julep in your hand, you'll often hear the blare of trumpets, the drums of a parade, and the whistle of a steamboat rolling down the mighty Mississippi, just blocks away. If you're lucky, you might even catch a second-line or jazz funeral during your stay here.
Built in 1879 by wealthy attorney Charles Andrew Johnson, the house has played host to not only actors and film crews, but to prominent figures of history including southern general Robert E. Lee and others. Some even claim there's a ghost among its distinguished list of guests.
Wallpaper from around the time of the American Civil War still adorns the massive double parlors downstairs, as does much of the home's original furniture. The vaulted guest-room ceilings soar high overhead. And the decor is a fine mix of classic period architecture and stylish upscale amenities.
In 140 years, it has changed owners only four times. Most recently, it was the gregarious and accomplished New Orleanian businesswoman Ruth Bodenheimer who ran the home as a much-loved bed and breakfast for decades until her passing in 2019.
Inspired by Ruth's love for the house and the one-of-a-kind city called New Orleans, her daughter Beth now proudly carries on the legacy of making guests feel welcome and at home here.
Whether it's a romantic cottage getaway for two, or a big group such as a wedding party, you can book just one room or all five of them, plus the gorgeous large dining room and lavish double parlors for special events.
Spacious suites have kitchenettes and private bathrooms. You'll come and go as you please through your personal entrance on Esplanade or Chartres streets.
Everything here is set up for your comfort and convenience.
Welcome to the Big Easy. Welcome to the French Quarter Lanaux Mansion.
