These are the 3 sections, now. Keep scrolling down to get to see each section.

• GUEST REVIEWS (for now it's mostly comments copied from our guest book.  Eventually, we hope to make a hyperlinked page where guests can post what they want to say)

• THANKS TO GUESTS WHO have taken digital photo's for us and made web sites for us.

• PARTIES and get-togethers we've had for our guests.

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GUEST REVIEWS (these guest comments were taken from our guest books, emails to us, and internet message boards over the  past 10+ years) We'll never be able to get them all up, but here is a sampling . . .

• We've stayed wtih you three times in the past two years and have always found you to be gracious and helpful hosts, running a clean and uniquely New Orleans funky place, with good [Continental] breakfast and free beverages, [all] at a bargain price. Please feel free to use my comments on your web page.  E&DM from McClain, VA.
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• Great location and an easy walk everywhere. Friendly owners, comfortable surroundings made this Yankee's trip special. Thank you. JWT, Chicago, IL
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• B&B is very quaint & in a great location. Very convenient.  Wonderful hospitality!! B&KS, Albuquerque, NM
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• Of all my visits to N.O., this has absolutely been the best &most memorable. You are wonderful hosts and your efforts have added to this memory. . . .Thanks. RB&F, Plantersville, AL
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•  While staying here, we most enjoyed the gracious hospitality! J&RM,  Fort Gratist, MI
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• Like a comfortable old shoe, who could ask for more. SH/RT, Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
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• So much AMAZING STUFF.  Everywhere you look there is a collectible, book or art. TRF, Ft. Walton Beach, FL.
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• Their Garconierre was a honeymooner's paradise. The dinner they arranged for us with balloons on table, moonlight carriage ride and tour afterward, then back to a chilled bottle of champagne and flowers. Each day held new surprise and special attention. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. S&WT, Halifax, Nova Scotia
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• We very much liked staying in your safe neighborhood and being able to walk everywhere in the French Quarter. We were delighted with your elegant olde house. You were most hospitable and treated us as though we were honoured foreign dignitaries.  Also, we appreciated many good suggestions you made for sightseeing, music clubs and restaurants. WB&DR Hamburg, Germany
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• Very comfortable and friendly. Also very safe. As a single female, I was at home & felt fine going in the French Quarter alone at night. Will hopefully come back soon. VS, Pensacola, FL
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Can't imagine staying anywhere else. Hosts were brilliant, room cozy and very comfortable, loved porch swing, and sipping on Mint Julep while reading a book on my balcony.  All you could ask for in service, freindliness, great breakfasts, and convenience to major attractions and cool music clubs. The nicest touch of all was sodas and bottles of water and a beer or wine in the evening, all "on the house". CBV, Cambridge, England

• Hi. Just wanted to post a message board note to tell you that Banana Court in the French Quarter of New Orleans  is one of the nicest B&Bs I've ever stayed in, even in Europe. Hosts were gracious, kind, and terrific with suggestions. And the food,,,,,,just the best. Our room was filled with antiques  - even an antique dress draped on the wall.  I only hope to return someday.  NR&RW, Thomasville, GA
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• Loved the website - its like having a chat with you both!  Once we arrived, everything was just as indicated on web site and MORE!  Your hospitality to 2 Aussies was awesome.  You've converted us from hotel people to B&B people.  We will HIGHLY recommend you to our colleagues, family and freinds, if they get a chance to come to the states.  MW&BR, Couridjan, Australia
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• We enjoyed your southern Hospitality.  The location was a wonderful plus. D&JT Spokane, WA
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• You've made our 1st trip to New Orleans memorable &we will certainly return. F&TA Albuquerque, NM
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• Ist eine ochone Erinnerung an New Orleans, nut diesen Gedanben sind wis auch leli Thnen wo wis so gut auh genommen wubden. GR Duisburg, Germany
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• Southern hospitality at its finest. The Quarter is a great place to explore and an even better place to dine. B&DE Sewickley, PA
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• Thanks for a wonderful 1st visit to the French Quarter.. We will be sure to return & recommend this B&B to our friends.
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• We found our host and hostess to be most charming. From the 1st day when Hugh waved us into the parking lot and Mary introduced us to the neighborhood, we felt welcomed and cared about. We will remember our week in New orleans as being very special. PA&JO Chicago, IL
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• We prefer to stay at guest houses when we travel to learn more about a city than when staying at an hotel . The house is quaint, commodious and comfortable surroundings in a safe area. Mary and Hugh proved us right, as they guided us to places local residents go making our trip very enjoyable. We plan to return  for JazzFest or New Year's Eve next year.  KR&DrTR Brussels, Belgium
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• What an experience. . .French Quarter and the great hospitality of Mary &Hugh. We thank you for a nice time &for the fine dining recommendations. EO&DM Mesa, AZ
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• Thanks for all your assistance - the recommendations were wonderful! A picture perfect guest house! LB&JK Winter Garden, FL
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• Deb var hyggeliqt at mode jer eg tale for den lockn mad i serveredi den affin vi spillide for jer i garden. KL&PK Copenhagen, Denmark
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• Garconierre was magical! Thanks for the Southern hospitality and all your help. Romance, et al. K&G
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• A wonderful  B & B, reasonably priced. We walked to everything . A bustling French Quarter neighborhood during the day, but very quite when we wanted to sleep at night..  Epitome of old fashioned southern hospitality. Thanks for a wonderful time. S,R&TG Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England
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• We both have enjoyed our get-away to New Orleans at a higher level because we came to your B&B. Your knowledge of this city was so informative. It was like staying at a close friend's house. E&KS Northridge, CA
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• I stayed here like in my house. Thanks for all your attentions. I hope return to French Quarter and you will be sure I will call you.  GA, Mexico City, Mexico
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• Loved New Orleans, loved Banana Courtyard.  Hugh & Mary are the most wonderful hosts.  Great info on places to go. . . . We'd definitely love to come back. DT&SW Henderson, NV
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• Thank you for a WONDERFUL time. S&RQ Glenside, PA
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• A great return to N.O. and a really wonderful spot for relearning! Superb hosting, great recommendations,  Thanks for a great time. DrG&LM
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• I was very happy in 1870 Banana Courtyard French Quarter/New Orleans B&B and Beyond and thank you to Mr. & Mrs. R.  DrYSA, Korea
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• Thanks for the hospitality.  You have added another wonderful dimension to this fabulous city. I hope to see you next year. NR
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• I would like to thank you for making me feel right at home. It was my pleasure to stay at your wonderful B&B. You've made a Chicagoan feel down home comfortable, down South. RR, Chicago, IL
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• We spend 3-days in a funny town with funny people having fun. Thank you very much for the hospitality. . . We enjoyed it very much to stay here.  P&S Switzerland
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• Enjoyed the stay - wonderful restaurant recommendations. Thanks for the hospitality, had a GREAT stay! DrS&BL, Lewisville, NC
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• Our room was spacious with interesting antiques.  The best part of our stay was the great food at restaurants Hugh and Mary suggested. We enjoyed feeling free to lounge around and loved. going club hopping with other guests. Your low rates gave us more more to enjoy your city.  Thanks.  D&WT Clearwater, Florida
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• What a wonderful place, what a wonderful city, what a wonderful world. The Wonder Brass, Copenhagen, Denmark
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•  I stayed in a sweet room with an antique iron bed, antique quilt on wall and stuffed animals piled high in an antique wicker baby carriage. While I was at meetings, Mary took care of getting heels put on my shoes and my dry cleaning. There is nothing they won't do to make you feel at home.  I'll never stay anywhere else. LR  San Francisco, CA
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• I'm thanks for Mr. & Mrs. R for their kindness.  DrJUW, Korea
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• If you weren't lucky enough to get the downstairs suite, ask Mary if you can look at the wardrobe trunk in the bathroom - it's from Gone with the Wind. They made our stay the best we can remember.  KY&TO Ontario, Canada

THANKS for the DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS, etc.:

Previous guests have given us lots of digital camera photographs of the B&B and rooms for our web site. Some guests have helped me with web site, others have made a web site for us.

Now I'm really going to get myself in trouble thanking guests, because I'm sure to leave someone's name out!  Here goessssssssssssssssss:

• Myles Clough (Kanloops, British Columbia, Canada)  He  formatted the HTML code for columns on our 1st calendar of events,
• Robert Blair (Selma, AL) who got tired of my 'whining' about our AOL site,  and made a REAL web site for us. (He said he has stayed with us so many times, that he has personally experienced staying at ALL  our different places.  Who better to describe them to other guests?!) 
• Jeff (the 'viper' from up North) who took the 1st digital photo's for us,
• Bob Siegmond, who made a New Orleans and memories of Banana Courtyard photo page for us.
• Nancy and Howie Axelrod who made a web site for us with loads of digital photo's from their 1st French Quarter Festival.
• Jim and Pat Marsden (UK), who made a special tape of our raconteur's stories and appended it to the Banana Courtyard CD
• Peter and the WONDER BRASS, a brass band from Copenhagen, who, before they became big music exec's,  played for us when we had 'get acquainted' parties for guests when the band was in town.
•  Natalie (and little Natalie) McDonald. Each time she has stayed with us, Natalie has posted a travelogue on Virtual Tourist.
• Ed and Nancy Sinderman. I guess I'm having a 'senior' moment.  I know they sent us some digital photo's.
• Magaly and Pete Sargalski.  Gave us an amazing slide show of main B&B, but  I can't figure out how to incorporate into web site.  Some day . . . .
• January 1998: I give up.  Too hard to list the many wonderful guests who give us gifts, take photo's for us, make web sites for us, and so many kindnesses we'll never be able to adequately repay with thanks. (It's difficult to explain the never-ending kindnesses of our guests. Can you imagine getting paid to do what you LOVE doing and the same people who pay us for a place to stay often give US  gifts?) 

UPDATES on get togethers we have for guests:

4/99: Weather has been glorious the last few days. Last weekend, we had a party for the B&B and off-site guests (we do this about every other month). A group who visited us from Copenhagen last year (The Wonder Brass) returned and played at the party. They are students from the Copenhagen Conservatory of Music, majoring in Jazz. They are a brass band who played at French Quarter Fest the previous week and @ Donna's last week.

6/99: Had an informal cocktail party for guests staying here and at off site locations.  Having just returned from Italy, we had a large antipasti spread and let everyone try the "holy" wine and biscotti we brought back.  For future guests, just ask for some and we'll tell you the story behind it.

9/99: Labor Day is at an end, with many wonderful memories of our guests.  Served antipasti again, as everyone seems to enjoy it so much.  Its always nice to see guests make new friends with other guests.  One of the 2-couples here on our Romance Package become engaged this weekend.  Just received and email from another Romance couple.  They were married last month and will return for a visit in October.

1/00: Cold and rainy, decided to have hors deourves for guests staying here and at our overflow accommodations.  About 40 came and enjoyed various Spanish appetizers.

4/00: WonderBrass returned to play at French Quarter Festival.  They were kind enough to play for our guests, again this year.  Recorded them on videotape and a guest made an audio recording.  This year, our party even attracted neighbors who heard great music from the courtyard and came to join in on the fun.

7/00: beautiful day , but hot and muggy (humid) weather.  Had hors deouvres and cocktails for guests.

10/28/00: Although for had a cold snap a couple of weeks ago, Halloween brings more muggy (humid) weather.  Since we had guest from many countries, served  hors deouvres, tapas, and antipasti with wine, ale and beer for guests.

2001: Gosh.  On our old AOL web site, we posted updates of special stuff we did for our guests. Now, it's impossible to keep it updated, so we'll just show you a group who plays for us from time to time when they return to New Orleans.  What a treat it was for my eldest son one year to have Happy Birthday sung to him by  a brass Jazz band! 

• Double click to enlarge photo of the WonderBrass Band from Copenhagen:

Here are guest photo's

Double click each photo below to see it full size.  Click BACK key to return to this page.

  This is one of our long term rentals.  Photo is of little Natalie. Can't find photo of her mother.

  Trina and CZ on their honeymoon here.

  The 'domestic goddesses' at Halloween.

  Sisters and friends forever.

  I promise that Andrew DID NOT let the alligator loose on the balcony.

  Can't you feel the love oozing out?

  Happy and married.

  our resident raconteur in all his glory with the SuperBowl king and his wife

  great family who let us be their hosts

  Shirley is beautiful and ready to enjoy the French Quarter

  Monika and Matthew's wonderful gift to us: They sent us a great photo of the Hexagon Room bed. Unfortunately, the photo got wet in the mailbox, so it's not their fault that the edges are blurred. I scanned photo  into the computer anyway.

  Cinnamon and Andrew are back and got married, this trip. Cinnamon gave me a very special handbag (purse), she made.  She explained that her inspiration for her company's name was from our Y'at LINGO section where you'll find a guide to N'Awlins Y'at mispronounced words.  Name of her PURSE company is http://www.poise.cc, because that is how folks in New Orleans pronounce 'purse' (she had to explain that to me, as my brain is so shriveled post Katrina, that I didn't make the connection). She has also written a cookbook (can't find that link)  and Andrew has a blog on Chicago that is awesome: www.me3dia.com

Anna and Ryan stayed with us in 2002 on their honeymoon.  It's July 2006 and they are back. Love, devotion and commitment keeps them looking like newlyweds.

  Cherie and Erik posing for us one afternoon. This is BEFORE photo.  Later that evening, he popped the big question, and she said, "Yes."  I took an  'after'  photo of them, but this before photo is my favorite. Next time, we'll get a photo of her stunning T-Bird convertible.

Oh. If you want some awesome earrings, a guest who is with us now (Essence Festival 2010), custom designs them: http://immobylache.etsy.com

Too tired to try to find any more photo's.  No one can EVER know our full appreciation of all the wonderful things guests do for us, every day.  We are blessed to have bunches of really special people stay with us and share their lives with us.

We have lots of guests who return to us year after year, plus they refer colleagues, friends and family to us. Some people find out about us through online reviews. We are truly blessed that 50% of our guests are 'repeaters', or found out about us from  recommendation.

There seems to be a common thread of interest with guests who stay with us, which makes breakfast conversations lively. 

After you return home, We hope you will leave your comments in this public guest book, then we can share your thoughts with other visitors.

Just like we urge you to do in our guest book at the B&B, please share your recommendations for music clubs, sightseeing, restaurants, or neat stuff you discovered that other visitors will enjoy.

It's not necessary to post your name, but it would be great if you enter your initials and hometown.

If you want us to post a photo here, just  let us know by sending us an email.

Thanks for continuing to be loyal to Banana  Courtyard through the years.

Copyright © 1994 by bananacourtyard.com. All rights reserved.
Revised: 02/05/11 18:35:39 -0600.