Lookie here ↑, tippy top of page. Click arrow in box with words 'ROOM PHOTO's and description,' but if you scroll down in THIS section 1st, you'll learn a little more about what we offer guests and why they keep coming back!
Photo of Stained glass window in the front door at the B&B.
Click to enlarge photo of banana bloom from our Cuban banana tree. Use BACK key to exit photo and return to this page.
>>>>>> Our web site is like a jigsaw puzzle. It's not easy to use but it's the best "l'il ol' me" (AKA the banana lady) can do. Want to SKIP reading this section and 'take a peek' at descriptions and photographs of our accommodations or long term rentals? Above the photo of the stained glass window at the top of this page, see the BOX with the words "ROOM photo's +description"?
At the right corner in the box, click the down arrow, to bring up a pull down/drop down menu. Nope. It's NOT alphabetical (we gave up figuring out how to do that). AND you can't see names of ALL accommodations unless you scroll down the list. Sooooooooooooooo, scroll down and click the room you want to read about or see photo's. Click down arrow again, to look at another room.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The info BELOW gives you an idea about the type of EXPERIENCE you'll have staying with us, the VARIETY of our B&B accommodations, and special things and services we offer FREE (lagniappe) to guests. So, continue reading to see all the extras you'll get.
little nooks in unexpected, sometimes hidden places places
and there is the hidden ginger
oops. interlopers on our romantic swing
come on up and join us on the balcony
view from balcony
Coming: By yourself? With a group? With a friend? With a relative? For a romantic weekend? On your honeymoon? To celebrate a birthday or anniversary? For a reunion? To attend a wedding? For business meetings or a convention? House hunting or consulting long term? Or are you coming just to kick back and enjoy food, music and many sites to see??? . . .
YOU choose the setting and amenities. Our accommodations ALSO include corporate housing and moderately priced lodging for the budget conscious, PLUS our rates (1-2 guests) are ALL INCLUSIVE (Yep. That means local telephone calls are free, energy surcharge is included, and ALL applicable tax):
OFF/low season rates start at $69/night (Don't get TOO excited about THAT rate. Only a couple of our accommodations are priced this low, with minimum stay required);
REGULAR rates from $85/night;
Special event rates as low as $125/night;
There's always a chance of a last minute availability discount;
Long term, furnished rentals start at $1,200 per month, off season. 1st month + damage deposit required.
If you rent a room at the B&B, free, generous Continental breakfast is served in the dining room. If breakfast is not of interest to you, ask about American plan rate, if available for your dates.
our entry hall gallery/library
Geez. I bet you're thinkin',
"How many places do they
have?
Our Other Accommodations. Through the years, we have had lots of guests stay with us who want to come back here, or refer colleagues, friends and family to us. The B&B is very small, so we fill up quickly. When we are full at the B&B, as we frequently are, returning guests have come to rely on our judgement for putting them in one of our other places we've added over the years. They are in the most interesting of New Orleans' neighborhoods. (We're like busy little bees. The needs of our REPEAT guests are diverse. They get tired of the same room every time, so we have these other 'nifty' places. PLUS we have a couple of long term rentals, but none in the French Quarter.)
NOPE. We're not rich. If we owned all these places, we would NOT work 24/7 (we'd be touring Europe, year round!). We only own the main B&B. As other B&Bs realized WE HAD MORE GUESTS THAN ROOMS, they asked us to handle their reservations and be THEIR official web site. We agreed to let them be a part of Banana Courtyard, if we feel their accommodations are suitable.
← "AMENITIES". Although each of our accommodations is unique, lots of amenities are standard (Yep. We've anticipated most women's 1st question -- Most of our places have a hair dryer, iron and board. Just ask us when you reserve and we'll tell you if the accommodation has these.) If you want to know what is standard with EACH accommodation, in the framed section on the left of this page, click on the word "amenities."
LONG TERM RENTALS: Most have a kitchen or kitchenette, living room and at least one bedroom (some are studio/efficiency apartments). If they have a separate living room, some have a sofa bed. They are mostly late 1800s or turn of the century buildings, fully renovated, but still typical of the neighborhood's historic past. They are ideal as extended vacation rentals or corporate lodging.
BREAKFAST: Accommodations that are not B&B rooms, are usually "self catering". That means Continental breakfast is NOT included in rate, because you have a kitchenette. If breakfast is provided and included in rate, we'll tell you. If your accommodation doesn't have breakfast provided, don't worry. We'll let you know about all the nearby bakeries, coffee shops, or breakfast restaurants.
Self Catering accommodations are ready for you to move in, just like an hotel (clean linens are on beds, bathrooms have an adequate supply of towels and face cloths, soap + bathroom tissue, etc.), but they do not have daily maid service.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you can see the word "geaux" at the 'tippy top' of the page to the far right beside the pull-down menu at the top of the page, do you WONDER what that word means??? It's the Creole/Cajun word/jargon for "go".
BEFORE YOU TAKE TIME TO READ FURTHER:
If the ONLY reason you contacted us is because all the hotels are FULL, please STOP READING HERE. Our accommodations are for those who seek a special French Quarter New Orleans experience, love old houses with lots of character and interesting stuff, and are looking for something different. If you really just want an hotel room, try the big chain hotels or motels, such as the Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Days Inn or Holiday Inn.
In other words, JACUZZIs R NOT US! (Except for one accommodation that has a THERAPEUTIC whirlpool bathtub and another that has a swimming pool).
We're
NOT the Ritz. Sometimes we feel like saying,
"DUST BUNNIES 'R US." It's an uphill battle with
1800s houses. Dust one day, and by the next day dust seems to seep back
in. Old houses also require constant repair. If you expect 'perfect',
you'll be happier in an hotel.
800-842-4748 (CALL toll free USA + some of Canada),
LOCAL #: 504-947-4475.
FAX: 504-949-5689
EMAIL: We don't have many rooms. Our accommodations book quickly, because they are very popular. If you send us an email instead of calling, there may be no vacancy left. It's ALWAYS better to call, so you can get your 1st choice of accommodation. BEFORE you email us, please remember we do NOT have a large staff. (Nope, we aren't the Hilton. It's only "Mom" and "Pop" answering your call at Banana Courtyard. Since "Mom" is the only one who types, your email may not be opened right away, and the room you want for your dates will probably be gone. Take the "plunge." Do it the old fashioned way. Pick up your telephone AND CALL, unless you are out of the USA. If the email 'bug' has bitten you and you 'gotta' send an email: info@bananacourtyard.com
Your home away from home: Sleeping away from home doesn't have to mean enduring uncomfortable nights in drab, cramped quarters. We have comfortable mattresses and pillows, individually decorated bedrooms. Chances are you'll find the services and amenities you're looking for with us, at rates less than at an hotel.
OUR CLIENTELE : Casual and sophisticated lifestyles are easily accommodated at Banana Courtyard. From young to old, New Orleans and the French Quarter offer something for everyone. Informal conversation areas offer niches where couples or groups of friends traveling together can relax and share tales of the day's experiences or discuss the next day's itinerary.
ATTENDING A CONVENTION? From the B&B, you can walk to the convention center or the Canal St. meeting hotels. For those who don't like to walk or whose time is too valuable, you can always hop on the Riverfront streetcar that goes to the convention center, or go by taxicab (in New Orleans, they are cheap).
BUSINESS TRAVELERS : The unfortunate myth about bed and breakfasts is that they're just for romantic getaways. Not all are. Come stay with us and enjoy 'homey' touches like pleasant decor and candy on your bed most nights. If you thought these were pleasures you had to give up when you decided to do business on the road, guess again. Most of our accommodations offer a place to plug in your computer and a dressing table or desk for finishing your reports.
Many of our business guests say instead of staying in an hotel where no one knows their name, they feel like they are at home when they stay with us at the main B&B. They let us take care of the tedious details they don't have time for, such as arranging for dry cleaning, laundry, shoe repair needs, suggesting restaurant places you'll be comfortable, dining alone. Women enjoy the peace of mind gained by staying in a great location where there are other professionals to chat with. At day's end, many guests curl up on the sofa and settle in with a book from our library, a professional journal, or take a drink to the courtyard to relax.
GROUPS or REUNIONS
: We love sharing our home with groups who get together after having not seen
each other in years. Many groups stay with us during their alma mater's
football game, or when their profession brings them here to a convention, or
they have a reunion with former college classmates. Family reunions are are also
lots of fun for us. We enjoy seeing people enjoy our home, playing cards in the
dining room, getting reacquainted, and just making themselves at home.
picture of guests attending a reunion here, peeking out from behind shower curtain of Gone with the Wind bathroom tub
A free WELCOME DRINK
: If we are able to accommodate you at
the main B&B, when you register, you are invited to join us and other guests
for a welcome drink, we'll highlight
a map for you, orient you to where everything is located, and probably walk you
down to Bourbon St.
(Cigar smoker? If you ask "real nice", (in the
South we say "pretty please"), we'll be happy to offer you a cigar, which you can
smoke outside, all of our accommodations are non
smoking inside.)
ON A BUDGET? If you are like us, when we travel we don't want to be blindsided by unexpected charges that some hotels don't tell you about. At Banana Courtyard, we keep it simple. Our rates are ALL INCLUSIVE (that means local telephone calls, energy surcharge, applicable tax, etc., are included in rate).
Yep. We'll let you know if there are other possible charges, such as:
PLEASE GIVE US YOUR OPINION: ♫ Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are? ♫ There are so many folks live in industrial areas or big cities who've never seen a clear sky with all the galaxies and stars twinkling, we thought a celestial ceiling might be a special treat for our guests. We're redecorating and considering a stargazing trompe loeil, night sky galaxy ceiling mural for 1 or 2 rooms (it's a ceiling where you can pretend that you are lying in a serene field and escape into the sky's soft twinkle and glow of a starry sky).
We are told by some of our guests that it's a way to relax at the end of the day and let our worries melt away as you go to sleep. Both romantic and inspirational, it's like counting sheep. You're asleep before you know it, carrying that peaceful state all through the night.
Call us toll free at 800-842-4847 or email us at info@bananacourtyard.com to let us know what you think. If you gotta send an email, please type CELESTIAL CEILING in the subject line.
CAN'T FIND A STREET ADDRESS?
Because we have accommodations NOT at the main B&B, it can be confusing. The
main B&B is only 1/2 block from the French Quarter (cross streets are Esplanade
Avenue and Rampart): 1422. N. Rampart St.
When you contact us to reserve, we'll give you the address of where we have
accommodations left, if any.
We aren’t like big hotels who have 24-hour
attendants. Since we have accommodations at more than one location and sometimes
there is only one person on duty, that person can't be at two places at the same
time. We don’t want ANY arriving guest to be unable to get
into their accommodations because we aren’t there.
We also don't want you to go to the WRONG location.
We’re sure YOU wouldn’t come without 1st calling, but years ago, when we gave our address, guests would come at unscheduled times, arrive hours later than scheduled, and not call to let us know. Sometimes guests decided to grab a bite to eat or drop by a bar before coming (we can identify with that!!!!), but didn’t let us know. We are worry warts and would be concerned about an accident when guests were late, or would have to ask staff to STAY, and pay them to just wait, wait, wait.
That probably covers more
than you ever wanted to know on the subject, but that’s our nature. Driving
directions to the French Quarter are in the section called USEFUL INFO.
REGISTRATION TIME SHOULD BE SCHEDULED at least a week before you arrive: If you are driving or will already in town, you should schedule a 1-hour window of time when you plan to be here, i.e., 3-4pm, or maybe 6-7pm. For guests arriving by train or airplane, we base arrival time on when their train/plane is scheduled to arrive at the airport or train station. For guests registering at the main B&B, we reserve a French Quarter taxicab for guests coming from the airport.
ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE DIFFERENT depending on accommodations you reserved. Please refer to your email confirmation packet or call us if you are unsure.
Registering at the main B&B? EVEN IF YOU HAVE SCHEDULED AN ARRIVAL TIME, please CALL US BEFORE COMING. Please call us at least 30-minutes prior to SCHEDULED arrival. This call is important. It means we can closely coordinate YOUR arrival and no one is inconvenienced. We are not always at the B&B. There might have been an emergency, we might be around the corner, or we might have had to run to the grocery or hardware store. Because we forward the telephone to our cell ‘phone, if we are not at the B&B when you call, we can usually quickly return to meet you.
Also, this call enables us to (you can sense the
'mother hen' instinct in the banana lady, huh?):
1) if you are driving, give you up-to-date directions based
on Interstate construction, wrecks, or traffic jams.
2) tell you exactly where
to meet your reserved taxicab driver at the airport.
WHEN YOU SHOULD CALL (ONLY if you are registering at
the main B&B):
• If flying, each arriving group should PLEASE CALL from
baggage claim,
AFTER receiving
luggage
• IF arriving by train, each PLEASE CALL AFTER you collect your luggage
• if driving,
use your cell 'phone to PLEASE CALL from Interstate-10, when near the
city
* from the East, use
your cell 'phone to call from near the Louisiana welcome station on I-10 or I-59;
* from the West,
use your cell 'phone to call from near the Loyola DRIVE exit on I-10.
• If arriving by cruise ship, call
just before you disembark and we'll give you directions for taxicab.
• If already in town, call at least half an hour before you head our way (if you are nearby, we may be able to come get you.)
Our local telephone number is (504) 947-4475;
CALL toll-free from USA and most of Canada 800-842-4748
ON LINE RESERVATIONS, secure site, encrypted: In section to left, click on "Reservations/Availability."
Mailing address: Box 56037, New Orleans, LA 70156-6037 USA
UPS/FedX deliveries to office (please notify us in advance to expect a package or delivery, because someone IS NOT always at the main B&B office:
1422 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116 USA