Looking for a New Orleans cruise hotel before you set sail?
As you know, the city isn’t just a place to get on a ship. It’s a destination all itself. With Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras, American history, wonderful cuisine, and beautiful architecture, the city truly has something for everyone. That’s why we recommend spending a day or two in the city before or after your cruise.
With the cruise port sitting right near downtown and only a few blocks from the French Quarter, visiting the area is very convenient. You can do everything in the heart of the city and just stroll a few blocks to your cruise.
And if you decide to take our advice and enjoy the city, then accommodations are no problem. The city offers every level of service and accommodation, from large luxury hotels to small boutique bed and breakfasts. In fact, a staggering 90-plus hotels are within just one mile of the cruise port.
To make things easy, we’ve rounded up a number of hotels near the cruise port that also receive high review ratings.
This is by no means all your choices — just those close to the port. Prices represent a recent search for a Saturday night stay. Keep in mind that what you pay will vary depending on when you book. Also, given the location near the center of New Orleans, prices can be somewhat high — especially during weekends with large events. If you’re looking for cheaper accommodations, look farther from the city center.
Deal Tip: Many places allow you to park during your cruise and/or provide transportation to the port as a perk for staying. Be sure to ask before you book. We’ve listed some of these hotels on our “hotels with cruise parking” page here. You can also see our list of hotels with port shuttles.
Click the links below to read reviews of each hotel on Kayak.com.
Note: This article contains affiliate links to Kayak. We earn a commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Ratings are from Google and rounded to the nearest half point.
New Orleans Hotels Near the Cruise Port
Prytania Park Hotel
If you want a unique New Orleans hotel instead of a cookie-cutter chain, this is your spot. It’s affordable and has only 60 rooms in a variety of styles. Situated in a neighborhood, it definitely offers a different and more laid-back vibe that what you’ll find staying in the heart of the entertainment district. As a bonus, you’re just over a mile from the port. It also boasts a small courtyard perfect for sipping your morning coffee.
- Price: $-$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.5 miles
Hampton Inn & Suites Convention Center
The Port of New Orleans is right between the Mississippi River and the New Orleans Convention Center. This Hampton Inn is then right across the street from the convention center. In other words, it’s within walking distance of the cruise terminal, although there isn’t a direct path to the ship. It’s extremely affordable as well, especially given the convenience to the port.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.7 miles
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
A great location that’s convenient to the port, as well as all the things to do in New Orleans, this Hilton is less than a mile from the ship. It’s also next door to an outdoor mall and just across the street from Harrah’s Casino. If you want to be in the heart of the action, it’s hard to beat this location.
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.6 miles
Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans Convention Center
A well-reviewed hotel with a straight shot to the cruise port, this Sonesta ES Suites is close to the World War II Museum and tons of great New Orleans restaurants. The port is definitely walkable, but you might be a little sweaty if taking the walk in the middle of summer. Want to cool off? There is a stunning courtyard pool available to guests.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.8 miles
SpringHill Suites Downtown
Just down St. Joseph Street from the convention center and cruise terminal, SpringHill Suites is in a perfect location for cruise passengers. It’s also right around the corner from a number of tasty restaurants, allowing you to get a taste of New Orleans before your cruise. Clean and modern, the hotel also features a great courtyard to take in the evening during your stay.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.6 miles
Courtyard by Marriott New Orleans Downtown/Convention Center
Think of this Courtyard as a sister property of the SpringHill Suites. In fact, they are on two sides of the same block. This spot features a cool mix of modern and historic, with lots of old brick mixed with modern styles. It’s a straight shot down Julia Street and then a quick turn right to the cruise terminals.
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.6 miles
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District
Like the Hampton Inn mentioned above, the Marriott sits right across from the convention center, which is right next to the cruise terminals. That means it’s within walking distance of the ships. It’s clean, comfortable, and offers a touch of Old New Orleans with the style of its lobby and bar area. It’s also among the highest-rated on our list.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.5 miles
Hyatt Place Convention Center
Next door to the Marriott mentioned above, this Hyatt Place is another great option if you’re wanting to stay right next to the ships. A large hotel like this means that you can often find deals if you are sailing during low season. For instance, we found rates just over $100 for the well-reviewed hotel on some nights. In addition to a great place to stay, you also get free breakfast and wi-fi.
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.5 miles
Sonder | St. Helene
Looking for a place with some character? Hotel St. Helene has it in spades. It’s about a mile from the cruise port, in the heart of the French Quarter. A couple of blocks from Jackson Square, the hotel has that old New Orleans architecture that the city is famous for. It also has a gorgeous (small) private courtyard pool.
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.3 miles
W New Orleans
Trendy, upscale, modern… they all describe the W New Orleans. The location can’t be beat if you want to spend your time in the heart of the action. Restaurants and bars are everywhere around the hotel and you are still pretty close to the ship, although you’d want to catch a ride there instead of walking.
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.2 miles
Pelham Hotel
The Pelham Hotel is just steps from the famous Canal Street and has that classic New Orleans architecture and feel. At only 65 rooms, it’s relatively small versus some of the larger chain hotels you might find. Beautifully redone, the hotel looks brand new at the same time that it also feels historic. If you’re a gambler, it’s only a short walk to Harrah’s.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.0 miles
The Saint Hotel
The Saint Hotel has a little different feel to it, with a design that feels a bit more eclectic than other hotels on our list. In fact, one tagline the spot uses is “Play naughty. Sleep saintly.” The hotel definitely plays up New Orleans’ hedonistic and voodoo reputation, with rooms like the Archangel Lucifer Suite. It sits right on Canal Street (next to the Ritz-Carlton) and is near a ton restaurants. It’s a little far to walk to the cruise port, so expect to need a taxi or Lyft to get to the ship.
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.3 miles
Crowne Plaza French Quarter
Located on Canal Street, the Crowne Plaza offers an upscale stay that’s right near all the favorite New Orleans spots in the French Quarter. In fact, it sits at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets. While in the historic area of town, the hotel still has a early century feel in many ways thanks to the architecture in public spaces. One plus is the rooftop pool.
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.5 miles
Omni Royal Orleans
Stay in the heart of the French Quarter, just blocks from Jackson Square and steps from some of the city’s best restaurants. You are even within walking distance of the world famous Café Du Monde. It’s a little far to walk to the cruise ship if you have luggage, but a short car ride. Guests should also love the rooftop pool that looks out over the Mississippi. Wake up early enough, and you’ll see your ship coming in.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.5 miles
The Roosevelt New Orleans
The Roosevelt is among the highest-rated hotels in the city and has been around for more than 125 years. A Waldorf Astoria hotel, it offers four-star accommodations, including a gorgeous custom pool with great views of the city. The rooms are a more traditional luxury style, similar to what you might see in turn of the century New Orleans. But the entire hotel drips with the old architecture and design that the city is famous for.
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.5 miles
Hotel Monteleone
After roughly 5,000 reviews, Hotel Monteleone comes in highly rated with 4.5 stars out of 5 on Google. It’s a four-star hotel with all the style and class you would expect from a historic and highly-rated fine hotel (it’s been in service since 1886). It’s a little far from the port to walk unless you are in good shape. However, it’s only a 5-minute car ride to your cruise. In addition, you’re right near all the famous spots in New Orleans like the French Quarter, Jackson Square and more.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.3 miles
Harrah’s New Orleans
Harrah’s is the casino that takes up an entire block right near the waterfront and the cruise terminal. The casino’s hotel just across the street is a AAA Four Diamond award winner, so you know it’s a nice place to stay. The casino is the only option right near the cruise terminal if you want to do some gambling before start your cruise. It’s also near the Riverwalk outlet shops if you want to do a little shopping.
- Price: $$-$$$
- Rating: 4 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.7 miles
Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
Not a lot needs to said about the Ritz-Carlton. It’s reputation a a top hotel is well known. The hotel is some distance from the port — likely longer than you would want to walk with luggage — so you will need to get some transportation. But you can expect a high-end stay (along with a high-end price) that’s the best of everything.
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 1.3 miles
Four Seasons Hotel
Another well-known name in hotels, the Four Seasons in New Orleans sits right across the street from Harrah’s in a large tower that’s just a short walk from the cruise ships (or to go try your luck in the casino). With its location, you’ll have either a great view of the ships and the Mississippi River, or look back out over the city. Of course, you can also expect modern accommodations that are second to none during your stay.
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance to Port: 0.7 miles
Have another hotel you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments below.
More on Cruising From New Orleans
New Orleans Cruise Parking — Parking at the port? We’ve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.
Transportation to the Port — If you need a ride to get to the cruise terminal, all of your options are here. From Lyft to taxi to shuttles, here’s how to get there.
New Orleans Park & Cruise Hotels — Looking for a hotel that offers cruise parking while you set sail? We have you covered.
The Virgin Hotels New Orleans is a great place to stay in the CBD if you’re looking for something outside the box!