The Lookout Inn of New Orleans

We stayed in the Bollywood room for 3 nights and we can't wait to stay again! We love this neighborhood. We walked to several bars, the Bywater bakery, and our favorite, Frady's! We enjoyed the hot tub and the pool (although the water was so cold!). The owners live on-site and the couple of times that our paths crossed, they were friendly and helpful. We highly recommend the Lookout Inn!

Love the Lookout Inn. Room was gorgeous, the bed was comfy, quality sheets and towels, the coffee was really good, there are towels for the pool, shower toiletries, an iron, a hairdryer, the A/C worked great and WiFi was strong (lots of other good stuff but it’s all in the listing). ||Outside, the patio area is charming, the pool is perfect for cocktail-ing (not a pool for swimming laps / cannonballs etc). The kitchen has ice, a water cooler, microwave and a selection of other stuff you might need like sunscreen, bug spray, chargers, plastic cups, paper plates etc. |Honestly, they’ve thought of everything. |(We got to meet Kelly and her dog and they’re great, too) ||There are train sounds occasionally. It didn't bother us but that’s a personal thing so I can’t say it wouldn’t bother someone else. Otherwise, it’s a residential neighborhood and very quiet. If you want a Bourbon Street party vibe, you’ll probably be happier in the Quarter. ||Bywater is a great neighborhood with plenty of really charming restaurants and bars all walkable from the house and we loved being there. We go to New Orleans a lot though and no longer feel the need to be in the middle of the tourist center all the time (or ever). If you do, you’ll need to figure out the bus schedule, Uber a lot or rent a car. We had a car and parked right in front of the house every night no problem. ||If Bywater is the neighborhood for you, then this would be the place to stay, no question. Can’t wait to go back.

The room was very spacious and clean, the bed was comfortable, and I enjoyed the hot tub too! Great location in the artsy and colorful Bywater neighborhood near cool bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. The owner was responsive and you can tell they put a lot of thought and care into the property. Plus they have the nice kind of TP in the bathroom :)

If you are looking for a welcoming place you can't find anywhere but New Orleans, this is it! In the chill, walkable Bywater Neighborhood, the rooms are comfortable, clean and fantastically designed. The back yard is a tiny oasis. It is near a train, so bring ear plugs or embrace it. Owners are hospitable and responsive. We will be back!

A beautiful home that's obviously loved by the owners. The art and decor are exquisite, the bed and linens are exceptionally comfortable, and the room and grounds were clean and well maintained. My daughter and I are transplants and prefer to stay somewhere with a genuine New Orleans vibe when we're able to visit home, and the Mardi Gras suite fit that bill perfectly. I've been traveling for decades and this has been one of my best lodging experiences!💜💚💛

We stayed in the Mardi Gras suite . It was beautiful and clean and smelled good too. AC kept us nice and cool. We had our own entrance/exit, which was nice. the bed was very comfortable. Owner(Kelly) was nice and took good care of us when we need something. Parking is on the street, so it's first come, first serve. If the area in front of the inn is taken, you can usually park a short walk away. Would definitely stay at the Look Out Inn again.

What a memorable place! It’s a small cozy inn with everything you ever need: a uniquely decorated room, a cute little pool, a hot tub, an outdoor sitting area, and even a chill/sofa room within your own suite. There are some cute bars and restaurants in the area too. Felt local and far from being touristy which was what we wanted.

We stayed here over New Years weekend and it was amazing! This will be our new spot for visits moving forward. The room was great, the property was great, the hot tub was great. Our dog had a great time and even had his own couch in the bathroom with a pet friendly slip cover. We could walk to at least 5 different bars. We were concerned about the heating/air situation knowing we were staying in a historic house- but the room was always comfortable. We were concerned about street parking since it was a holiday weekend- we never had to park more than 10 feet from the front gate even coming home late at night and Friday and Saturday. We were concerned about thin walls in a historic home- but we never heard other guests in their rooms. 0 complaints- could not imagine a better experience! We are even planning a weekend trip in which we have no other plans just to be able to stay here and fully enjoy the property and the neighborhood. We would give 10 out of 5 stars if Google would let me.

A gorgeous oasis in the Bywater! Perfect for families, groups, or people looking for a getaway not far from the Quarter!

Perfect. As close as most of us will ever come to having a place all our own in New Orleans' wonderful, walkable Bywater neighborhood. The Inn's owners are friendly as can be but also respect guests' privacy. Photographs don't convey the quiet beauty of this place. Yes, the suites are decorated in quirky themes, but in person they are also lovely and romantic with high Victorian ceilings, tall windows and huge bathrooms. The courtyard and pool area are so private and cozy, it was easy to forget the nearby train. Dog-friendly and located an easy walk from some of our favorite New Orleans food and fun: Bar Redux for great gumbo and excellent company; Elizabeth's, Vaughn's Bar (live music Thursday nights); The Joint for ribs and pulled pork, Jimmy's corner grocery for various dusty sundries and cold beverages. A visit to Bourbon Street made us homesick for this place. I never wanted to leave the Bywater and the incongruously peaceful Lookout Inn. Next time, Kelly, you'll have to pry me out with a crowbar! Thank you for a fabulous stay.

I would definitely stay here again. Tucked off into a lovely neighborhood few miles from the major tourist sestpools. Walking distance to live music and neighborhood bars. Nicest place I've ever stayed. Romaine blinds, antique furniture, dish TV tall windows to let the sun in while taking a morning shower. Hardwood floors. Man hold up. Dedicated bus line to the French Quarter till 6pm where it's about impossible to find somewhere to park! If you plan on being out getting your swerve on after dark on bourbon st you'll need to grab a taxi. Two thumbs up

As the other reviewers said, it's in the Bywater Dist so either prepare to spend $ on cabs to the Quarter, ride bikes (daytime), or rent a car to driver around. Rooms are more than spacious - suites to be exact. Met one of the owners and super chill/nice guy. The website doesn't mention the train being right behind the property so if a whistle blower steaming by each a.m. will annoy you then look elsewhere. We really enjoyed our stay at the Lookout and appreciated it's eccentricity as well as the Bywater area. Yes we overspent on cab's to the attractions but who wants to drive in NOLA anyway? We rented bikes one day and got to keep them overnight w/out any extra charges - you can cover MAJOR ground in NOLA on a bike, way easier then driving (and faster too). We had teh Elvis and Mission Suites - the entire top floor. Free Wifi, Fridge, gas grill at your disposal if you want to cook a bit (but who would want to w/ The Joint and Jack Dempseys 2 doors down???). If you are more of the like to enjoy a hotel designed by the same people who design prisons then the Lookout isn't for you. If you enjoy staying where people live, away from the chaos but close enough to tap into it and can handle a little eccentricity - then the Lookout is for you.

This place is amazing...The area looks a little run down as you drive there but don't let that stop you cause when you get to the end of the street...it's amazing. The rooms are giant and decorated fantastic. Tiny courtyard in the back has a sweet hot tub and saltwater pool. No one was there so my girl and I had a nice dip in the tub. There are funky bars and restaurants in the area...The mighty Miss is rolling along walking distance from our room and the French Quarter is only a 10 minute ride or a 30 min walk along the river. There are a lot of places to stay in NO but this one is unique. I'm going to book another room here next time I'm in town... do yourself a favor and book this hotel. Thanks Kelly!

We really liked this place. It's not on the beaten track, but if you want to stay somewhere a bit different and quintessentially Bywater, this is definitely the ne plus ultra. We stayed in the Mardi Gras room (each room has a theme, something I am incapable of resisting) which was huge, comfy, and festive, if a bit dim. There was a mini fridge as well, which I think should come standard in Nola, as you end up with so many leftovers. The pool was pretty and small, the grounds were beautifully landscaped, and street parking was no problem. It was also incredibly quiet here, which I really, really appreciated. You definitely need a mode of transport to get to the tourist areas if that's your aim. Walking to the Quarter is a long excursion not recommended after dark, as some of the side streets here are pretty deserted, and the industrial areas can be a bit sketchy. There are plenty of bars and a few restaurants in range, though, if you stick to the Bywater area. I will absolutely be coming back here!

The Lookout is under new management and is incredible. My friends and I got stuck in NoLa after my bachelorette weekend and a local friend of mine suggested we stay here, it's so beautiful and quiet. Such a nice way to end our trip after the craziness of bourbon st. The rooms are huge (we stayed in the Bollywood suite), the hot tub and salt water pool were amazing. The owners, Kelly and Mark and very kind and professional. I will absolutely return here. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Lookout.

Very very cool place. Awesome room. Has a great New Orleans feel. Highly recommend if you're looking for a nice laid back place to stay in the big easy.

My husband and I stayed at the Lookout Inn this weekend for a much needed anniversary staycation. It was amazing. We stayed in the Elvis suite (I'm from Elvis country...just seemed appropriate) and the room was very spacious and cozy! Super comfy sofa, SUPER comfy lounge chair. The convenience of having a fridge in the room was a great perk also! Especially since they have a grill out back. We were able to take a few meals worth of stuff to make staying away from home a little more affordable. The pool area was amazing (unfortunately it rained ALL weekend long. Thanks, New Orleans!). We were able to meet the owners. They just opened a bar in the old Joint space just a few doors down. Super nice people. I can't wait to stay in this place again. And that will be happening before this summer is over!

This place is amazing. Really loved it. Nice huttub and pool. Good coffee and close to some eats and drinks. Quite neighborhood and you can walk to many places. Will stay here again. There is no breakfast but coffee is a plus and you can walk to get food around town.

My partner and I first stayed here in December '08 during a long-awaited return to New Orleans. It's a cute place with lots of space in a great, off-the-beaten-path neighborhood and we really liked it, so when I was driving across country recently I immediately thought to book with them again. This time I was traveling with a dog, so I sent an email to inquire, was told they accept pets for $25 extra per night, and I made my reservation. When we showed up, however, exhausted from driving, the gentleman who greeted us was the opposite of welcoming. He poked his head out, said, 'I didn't know you had a dog," and when I explained that not only did I have one, but that I'd had an email exchange with one of the proprietors about it, he mumbled something about not having talked to his wife, then he said we couldn't leave her in the room alone in case she barked (all the other pet-friendly hotels/inns simply asked for a cell phone number just in case our pet barked), then grudgingly showed us to our room, where we tried the light in front of him, it didn't come on, and he didn't offer to come back and fix it or anything. We were only in New Orleans for a day so we took our dog with us, which disappointingly limited what we were able to do, but he was so unpleasant I didn't want any trouble with him (we left her in the hotel in Atlanta the following day and as I suspected she never made a peep). The two stars are really for the December visit; after this one, I'll book elsewhere.

We had a group of friends stay here for a joint bachelor / bachelorette party in January 2015. The house and grounds are beautiful, spacious, and very accommodating. The owners are attentive and friendly and very responsive via email. The hot tub proved very useful given the time of the year we were there. It is a a relatively short trip to the more touristy locations of New Orleans with a few local restaurants near by. Highly recommended stay for a quiet trip to NO.

If you don't mind staying on the outskirts of it all this place is a great option. Our room was large, recently decorated with impeccable style. The bathroom had a large claw foot tub on tile floor. There was a separate living room area, that was very comfortable and relaxing. Outside there is a small pool and lounging area that adds to the flavor and style of the place. It was a little bit far from the Quarter so make sure to stay here only if you have a rental car or don't mind paying for cabs. Its close walking distance to The Joint, Vaughn's and Bacchanal Wine and Spirits, a few happing little hot spots for music, food and culture. Its definitely more of a local flavor out here so stay here if you want better value and a break from the typical tourist drudgery.

A great and well run property. We were a large group and rented the full property which worked perfectly. Kelly was very helpful and gracious, and Percy's rare visits most welcome! Hot tub and pool made a great spot to hang out together. And we found a numbers of perfect bars and restaurants right nearby. Will be back!

First trip to nola was great and we really made the right decision stayn at the lookout, will be back for the 300th anniversary, our min-dachsund was happy too, the Bollywood suite was not our first choice but that changed after the first night, thanx Kellynmark

I found this Inn to be highly unprofessional. I'm a local and I was negotiating to book the entire Inn for an event a the end of the Spring. I had specifically stated in my email, that I "wanted to book Friday and Saturday nights for certain". I toured the location on Sunday, promptly got sick with the flu, and contacted them on Tuesday to ask what I needed to do to finalize the arrangements since I had not previously been told I needed to put down a deposit or give a credit card to hold the dates. This morning, I was told that they booked some of the Inn and could no longer accommodate my event. How incredibly unprofessional!!! To not even give me a call, when another party was interested, to ask me to put down deposit or risk losing the space!!! After posting my disgruntlement on FB, I discovered that a friends wife left their employment because she felt their business practices were dishonorable. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise.

My boyfriend and I recently stayed at the Lookout for 4 nights during a roadtrip stop in New Orleans. We got a ridiculously good deal by booking online a month in advance. We rented the Bollywood Suite (probably more appropriately named the Jungle Suite) and were not disappointed. Great decorations, wonderful colors, comfy couch in a cute living space. Bed was comfy with multiple pillow options. Perhaps I've never been the type to use a towel only once anyway, but their providing the two of us with 4 bath towels was plenty. The bathroom was large with a dresser and built in heater. The shower worked well with plenty of hot water. TV got lots of channels (although who goes to NOLA to watch TV?). Linens were changed 2 days into our stay, which was fine by us. Hot tub was great, with excellent lighting in the garden area. The cabana was fully stocked - microwave, coffee maker with plenty of coffee, cocoa and tea to choose from and mugs, too. Joint (amazing BBQ - words can not explain) is a mere block away. Vaughans is close by, too, as is a great southern restaurant (Elizabeth's). Neighborhood feels safe and cool. Plenty of parking on the street if you have a car. Speaking of, this is a great quiet area which is more ideal for those with a car. We took the occasional cab to the Quarter for about $8 one way. Not too bad. I feel that parking is easy enough in NOLA, though. Only complaints? Train goes RIGHT behind inn a few times daily and is quite loud. Didn't bother us too much, but I can see it bothering some guests. Mini fridge also made terrible noises that were annoying, so we unplugged it on the first day. It also seems like someone lives in the front of the building who shares a wall with our suite and who was doing renovations (it sounded like) that were pretty loud. They also have a very barky little dog. Sometimes it gets a little frustrating, but we didn't stay in the room much more than to just shower and sleep anyway, so we didn't mind as much as someone who would want to spend some time in the room would. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place. Great stay!

My wife and I were in town for the marathon, so we needed a good location that would afford us the opportunity to relax post-race. The Lookout delivered and did not disappoint. Not having had previous experience with The Lookout, I was appreciative of the staff's kindness and responsiveness during the reservation process. Unlike other inns or houses we considered, The Lookout appreciated my interest, worked with me, and didn't act as if they were doing me a favor. Upon our arrival, it was great to see that the accommodations were as advertised. The size, the layout, the look, etc. - all met expectations, and we were not disappointed by any unexpected surprises. This is always nice; especially, when you book through a home away type site. The Lookout is a very home-like environment, not a stuffy, cramped, overpriced hotel room. It encourages you to kick back and relax in a charming setting. The Bywater neighborhoods are great. They are safe, friendly, and easy to navigate. If you like art, great dive bars and restaurants, wine, music, and colorfully decorated shotgun shack houses and want to experience Nola like more of a local and less of a tourist, then this is the area for you. The general rule of thumb is that if you stay south of St. Claude, then you will be fine. Additionally, it is very easy to drive and find parking throughout the area so you should only take cabs or rent bikes if you are without a car - seriously, save your money for other fun stuff; it is very easy to get around by car. Pros - the space, the pool/hot tub area, the location/neighborhood, the decor, the privacy Cons - Very minor but worth mentioning. The hot tub was being drained and refilled during our stay, and we would have loved to use it more since it was too cold to swim. We also could have used more towels for the room; however, this would not have been much of an issue if we were staying for a shorter period of time.

Every time I visit New Orleans I try and stay at this beautiful Inn. The rooms are all unique and spacious, more like suites really. It is very clean and the owners are great. The backyard has a lovely pool and tropical flowers, it is like an oasis in the city. The neighborhood is lively and not far from the quarter or mid city.