Just steps away from the French Market in the heart of the French Quarter is Hotel Villa Convento. More than just a place to crash, the Villa (as the locals call it) is a whole vibe. Run by the Campos, a family that’s been in New Orleans for seven generations, this charming Creole townhouse offers a warm Southern hospitality with a local feel. Rumor has it that the place might actually be the legendary House of the Rising Sun.
This Creole townhouse has been around since the 1830s, and it's got stories to tell. Sip chicory coffee in the courtyard. People watch from the balcony while soaking in the sounds of the Quarter. This isn’t just a hotel, it’s a memory-maker.
A Little History
Back in the day, this spot was owned by Jean Baptiste Poeyfarre, who bought it from the Ursuline nuns. After a bit of financial drama post-Civil War, the property bounced between owners until Pasquale Taromina scooped it up in 1902. His fam lived here until 1946, but it didn’t stay a cute family home forever…
Word on the cobblestone streets? It was a popular brothel back in NOLA’s port town heyday—when sailors, merchants, and lonely hearts came looking for a good time. From there, it morphed into a boarding house. One of those tenants? A young Jimmy Buffett. He even filmed a doc here in apt. 305.
In the '70s, this quirky boarding house got a glow-up and became Hotel Villa Convento. The Campo fam took over in 1981 and has kept its old-school charm alive with just 25 rooms full of New Orleans soul. Learn more.