From Cobbler to Hotelier
The story of Hotel Monteleone starts with a pair of shoes. Antonio Monteleone was a cobbler from Sicily who came to New Orleans in the late 1800s with more ambition than luggage. In 1886, he purchased a small hotel on the corner of Royal and Iberville Streets, expanded it by acquiring the neighboring Commercial Hotel, and set about building a dynasty that would outlast most of the city's other grand institutions. Nearly 140 years later, the Monteleone family still runs the place, making it one of the few long-standing family-owned hotels in the nation.
That kind of continuity is rare anywhere. In New Orleans, where ownership changes hands more often than parade routes, it's extraordinary. Five generations of Monteleones have guided the hotel through two World Wars, the Great Depression, Hurricane Katrina, and the revolving door of trends that have reshaped the hospitality industry a dozen times over.
The Carousel Bar and the Literary Connection
The hotel's most famous attraction spins at two revolutions per hour. The Carousel Bar, installed in 1949, is exactly what it sounds like — a circular bar that slowly rotates while you drink, giving the phrase "the room is spinning" a whole new meaning. It's one of the only revolving bars in the world, and it's been the scene of more blurry evenings than anyone cares to count.
The literary connections run deep. Truman Capote claimed to have been born in the hotel (his mother was staying there during her pregnancy, though the actual birth likely happened at Touro Infirmary). William Faulkner drank here. Ernest Hemingway drank here. Eudora Welty stayed here while writing. Tennessee Williams set scenes here. The hotel has been designated an official Literary Landmark by the Friends of Libraries USA, one of only a handful of hotels in the country to earn that distinction.
A Royal Street Landmark
Hotel Monteleone rises 17 stories above Royal Street, its Beaux-Arts facade a reminder of an era when hotels were built to make a statement. The lobby features Italian marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and an ornate ceiling that makes you want to check in even if you live three blocks away. The rooftop pool offers views of the French Quarter and the river beyond, a perspective that puts the city's compact geography into sharp relief.
Through it all, the hotel has maintained a reputation for the kind of hospitality that feels personal rather than corporate. Bellhops know repeat guests by name. The concierge desk has been solving problems — restaurant reservations, lost luggage, forgotten anniversaries — since before the word "concierge" was common in American English. It's the kind of place where you check in as a tourist and check out feeling like you belong.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hotel Monteleone
How old is Hotel Monteleone?
The hotel was founded in 1886 when Antonio Monteleone, a Sicilian cobbler, purchased a small hotel on Royal Street. It has been family-owned and operated for five generations.
What is the Carousel Bar?
The Carousel Bar is a revolving circular bar installed in 1949 that rotates slowly while guests drink. It completes one full revolution roughly every 15 minutes and is one of the only revolving bars in the world.
Which famous writers stayed at Hotel Monteleone?
Truman Capote, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and Eudora Welty all have connections to the hotel. It has been designated an official Literary Landmark.
Is Hotel Monteleone haunted?
The hotel has a reputation for paranormal activity and has been featured on several ghost-hunting shows. Staff and guests have reported unexplained occurrences on several floors, making it a popular stop on French Quarter ghost tours.
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