Reveiw of the Fairchild House, New Orleans

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(since the actual review site is limiting me to 2,000 characters I’m posting the full review here)

I discovered this gem of a place while scrambling for lodgings a week before the Super Bowl and smack dab in the middle of pre-Mardi Gras Festivities – I know, I completely forgot.

Beatriz and Rita were nothing but welcoming when I arrived and I was giddy at the prospect of letting myself in and out of those tall wrought iron gates. I wanted to stay in an antebellum house and I got my wish. Despite the tall ceilings and cool January nights, the modern heating kept me warm and the ceiling heater in the bathroom kept the floor toasty in the mornings. My room on the first floor off the side entrance was quiet, even with people in and out, and the in-room coffee maker with mugs and sugar and real coffee was such a treat. It didn’t feel stuffy or pretentious, like some historic places can feel. I never worried about my safety and Prytania Street was a serene in a lovely neighborhood setting for being so close to busy St. Charles.

Two gated entrances kept me safe (or kept the city safe from me), and I was able to leisurely walk the block to St. Charles. The trolley was under construction (boo) but for those that like a little exercise on their vacations, the Fairchild is about a 15 minute walk from the beginnings of the French Quarter and Bourbon Street to the east. It was also on the edge of the fabled Garden District and a 15-minute walk to Lafayette Cemetery #1 which lies to the west. There are plenty of restaurants nearby by, chains like Voodoo BBQ and local fare like St. Charles Tavern, which served me the best Crab Cakes Benedict I’ve ever had at 2 in the morning.

Of course, the second most important part of a Bed and Breakfast is the Breakfast part, and in the dining area off the western house, breakfast consisted of coffee, juice, breakfast breads, and the most delicious egg-bread thing I’ve ever eaten. I dunno know what it was but I was sorry I only got a small piece of it.

The wi-fi was stable with a strong signal and I was able to chart my wanderings online before heading out. My only regret was not asking about the house and its history before I left, but I will certainly do that upon my return.

Compared to its pricier competition, the Fairchild was perfect for what I needed. I would recommend it to anyone needing a quiet stay away from impersonal modern hotels and inns and I’ll definitely be staying there again.

Fairchild House Bed and Breakfast
1518 Prytania St.
New Orleans, LA, 70130, USA