Columns

Columns, a historic 1883 Italianate villa in New Orleans' Garden District, is a Michelin One-Key property that offers a unique blend of timeless elegance and Southern hospitality after a thorough renovation. It's celebrated for its Victorian fantasy world aesthetic, vibrant social atmosphere, and convenient location along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Columns is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as an authentic New Orleans experience. It holds a "One Michelin Key" award, signifying "a very special stay." Review scores often reflect "Excellent" for cleanliness, staff & service, and facilities, with many praising its charm and unique character.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love several aspects of The Columns:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel is lauded for its meticulously restored Victorian grandeur, combining historical elements with modern, maximalist decor. The vibrant interior, including a sensual red and gleaming mahogany hallway, playful wall prints, and period chandeliers, creates a captivating atmosphere.
• Location: Its prime spot on St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, directly across from a streetcar stop, is a major draw. This allows for easy access to the French Quarter and other attractions while providing a quieter, relaxed setting.
• Social Spaces & Events: The bar is considered the social heart of the hotel, and drinks can be enjoyed in various inviting common areas, including a Victorian lounge, garden, or on the famous wrap-around porch. The hotel also hosts regular events, such as live jazz evenings and Sunday Jazz Brunch, which are highly appreciated by guests.
• Service: Many guests highlight the helpful and attentive staff, with specific mentions of individuals going "out of their way to be helpful."

3. Room Quality

The 18-20 rooms and suites at The Columns are individually styled, offering a variety due to the historical floor plan. They are described as huge, with amazingly high ceilings, some reaching up to 15 feet. Rooms are decorated in a "maximalist" style, featuring an eclectic mix of antique and vintage pieces, collected elements, and modern artwork and linens.

Common room features include:

• Tivoli radios with Bluetooth connectivity.
• Aesop bath products (or Le Labo toiletries more recently).
• Parachute linens and towels, and custom mattresses.
• Some rooms boast claw-foot tubs or walk-in showers.
• Air conditioning, modern televisions with streaming apps, and guest robes are also standard.
• Certain rooms also offer balconies or terraces.

Guests have noted that the beds are extremely comfortable. However, some rooms may not get a lot of sunlight, and some historical structural slants are present.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel features a restaurant with Chef Paul Terrebonne at the helm, offering casual New American dishes that change seasonally. The dining experience is flexible, with guests able to enjoy meals and drinks in the low-lit bar, genteel parlor, on the patio, or in the garden.

• Breakfast: While not always included in the rate, pastries and small plates are available at the coffee shop from 7 am daily. Some reviews mention "free breakfast every morning" in the past, suggesting possible variations in offerings.
• Lunch & Dinner: Lunch is served on Fridays, and dinner is available Sunday to Thursday, and Friday and Saturday. Menu items include dishes like pickled beet salad, the "Columns Burger" with bacon marmalade, and calamari stuffed with pork and shrimp.
• Brunch: A Sunday Jazz Brunch is a notable highlight. Brunch is also offered on Saturdays.
• Bar: The cocktail bar is highly popular, both with guests and locals, known for its extensive menu and classic coffered mahogany ceilings.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Columns is generally rated as exceptional. Guests frequently commend the staff for being helpful, attentive, and providing an "extra care" that elevates a good stay to a wonderful one. Specific staff members like Lindsay and Dylan have been singled out for going above and beyond. Check-in has been noted to include a welcome drink.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Columns is located at 3811 St. Charles Avenue in the historic Garden District, a picturesque and dignified neighborhood known for its historic mansions.

• Attractions: It's within easy walking distance to other historic mansions and Magazine Street, which offers shopping and dining options. The hotel is also a short drive from the French Quarter, the National WWII Museum, Audubon Park, and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.
• Transport: A major advantage is the St. Charles Avenue streetcar stop directly across the street, providing convenient transport to the French Quarter and other parts of the city. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about a 30-minute drive away. On-site parking is not available, but street parking is an option.
• Accessibility: As a historic property, The Columns has structural limitations. While there is a ramp for public areas and a lift to upper floors, it may not meet current ADA standards, and the lift is not always reliably in service.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific pricing varies, rates for a stay at The Columns can be around $212, and a Premier Avenue Suite for one night, including food and drinks, was noted at approximately $450. Guests generally feel it offers good value for the unique experience and historic charm it provides.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• Bar Service for Non-Guests/Groups: There have been instances where non-hotel guests attempting to use the bar in groups faced difficulties with ordering, being asked if they were a "group," and being required to have one tab, which led to frustration and a perception of inconvenience from the staff.
• Room Lighting/Temperature: Some guests have mentioned that rooms don't get a lot of sunlight, and in winter, rooms can run chilly.
• Noise: Rooms facing St. Charles Avenue can be noisy, so requesting a room away from the street is advisable for a quieter stay.
• Accessibility Limitations: Due to the historic nature of the building, full ADA compliance is not met, and the elevator may not always be reliably in service.

Sources

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