The Royal Sonesta New Orleans

In the Corazón of the Partey

Right on Bourbon Street with balconies, jazz, and legendary nightlife—the ultimate New Orleans girls' trip experiencia for chicas who like it loud.

New Orleans is not for the faint of corazón—and that's exactly why it's perfecto for a girls' trip. This is a city that celebrates la vida loudly, messily, and beautifully. la música, la comida, the drinks, the VIBES. The Royal Sonesta puts you right on Bourbon Street, which means you're literally staying where the party happens. Book a balcony room, throw some beads, and embrace the chaos. New Orleans doesn't do subtle, and neither should you while you're here.

This French Quarter institution has been welcoming guests since 1969, offering the rare combination of elegante accommodations and front-row seats to Bourbon Street's famoso revelry. The property occupies a full city block, with 483 rooms and suites arranged around hermoso courtyards that provide peaceful escapes from the street's energy. The architecture pays homage to la ciudad's French and Spanish colonial heritage, with wrought-iron balconies, brick courtyards, and fountains that transport you to another era—until you step outside and the 21st century comes roaring back.

Las Habitaciones

The rooms at Royal Sonesta range from classic guestrooms to luxurious suites, but let me be real: you want a balcony room overlooking Bourbon Street. Trust me on this. Those iron-lace balconies are iconic for a reason—there's nada quite like watching the parade of humanity below while sipping a Sazerac with your squad. The balcony suites can accommodate multiple guests, perfecto for a girls' trip crew who wants to share the experiencia.

For those who prefer their revelry with a side of tranquilidad, the courtyard-facing rooms offer quiet retreats overlooking the hotel's lush gardens and pool. All rooms feature elegante decor that blends New Orleans character with modern comfort—think rich fabrics, local artwork, and beds you'll gratefully collapse into at 4 AM. The suites offer separate living areas, perfecto for group gatherings and late-night recaps of the evening's aventuras.

La Experiencia

Bourbon Street is right outside—jazz clubs, bars, hand grenades, and the hermoso madness that is NOLA. The street pulses with live music spilling from every doorway, street performers showing off their talents, and crowds that range from bachelorette parties to business travelers to locals who've somehow maintained their tolerance. It's overwhelming, it's loud, it's occasionally messy—and it's absolutely unforgettable.

The hotel's courtyard pool provides an oasis when you need a break from the action. Float in the sparkling water, order a cocktail from la piscina bar, and recharge for round two. The on-site Desire Oyster Bar serves fresh Gulf oysters and Creole favorites, while Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse hosts live performances from some of la ciudad's finest musicians. The hotel also offers a spa for those momentos when you realize you've been dancing since midnight and your body is staging a protest.

Gastronomía en NOLA

The New Orleans food scene is genuinely world-class, and you need to come hungry. Start with beignets at Cafe Du Monde—those powdered sugar pillows are mandatory, preferably at 3 AM when there's no line. Po'boys are everywhere and almost universally excellent; try the roast beef "debris" for something authentically local. Gumbo and jambalaya will warm your soul and prepare you for another evening of aventura.

For a proper dinner, Commander's Palace in el jardín District is essential—the 25-cent martinis at lunch are legendary, and the turtle soup will change your la vida. Galatoire's on Bourbon Street offers white-tablecloth Creole classics in a time-warp setting. For late-night eats, the crawfish boils and chargrilled oysters at Acme Oyster House will fuel your continued revelry. And don't skip the muffuletta from Central Grocery—that olive salad situation is serious business.

Más Allá de Bourbon Street

While Bourbon Street is a must-experiencia, the rest of New Orleans offers its own magia. Jackson Square anchors the French Quarter with its street performers, artists, and the impresionante St. Louis Cathedral. el jardín District showcases antebellum mansions dripping with Southern Gothic atmosphere—take a walking tour and imagine the stories these walls could tell. Magazine Street offers six miles of boutiques, galleries, and cafes for serious shopping and people-watching.

Catch live jazz at Preservation Hall, a bare-bones venue where la música speaks for itself. Take a ghost or voodoo tour through the Quarter's misterioso corners—the stories are equal parts spooky and historical. Frenchmen Street offers a more local, less touristy music scene with clubs showcasing todo from brass bands to blues. And the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 provides a hauntingly hermoso glimpse into la ciudad's above-ground burial tradiciones.

Tips de Sofía

Book a balcony room—it's worth every penny for the experiencia, chica. Frenchmen Street has better live music than Bourbon if you want something more authentic; hit the Spotted Cat Music Club for jazz that'll move your soul. Commander's Palace is essential for a fancy brunch, and those 25-cent martinis are absolutely real (limit two, but still). Cafe Du Monde beignets are mandatory but go late at night when there's no line.

el jardín District is gorgeous for a morning walk when you need to recover with some fresh air and impresionante architecture. Wear comfortable shoes—you'll be on your feet more than you expect. And please, pace yourselves—New Orleans has broken stronger squads than yours. la ciudad will be here tomorrow and the next day; there's no prize for trying to do todo in one night. Hydrate between hurricanes, eat something substantial before drinking, and remember that those Hand Grenades are much stronger than they taste. Laissez les bons temps rouler, but responsibly, mi amor.

New Orleans is where the party never ends.
Let the good times roll—con toda la fiesta