Bourbon Orleans Hotel - New Orleans (The City's Most Haunted Hotel)

717 Orleans St.

New Orleans, LA 70116

29.958726,-90.06473

www.bourbonorleans.com   

            Of the near endless number of hotels in the French Quarter, for one to be considered amongst the top three haunted places to stay, it must have quite the resume. The Bourbon Orleans backs up its claims, as its vast history can be held accountable for the many strange events that take place here on nearly a regular basis. I often get e-mails from tourists visiting New Orleans for the first time, wanting to know the best hotel to stay at that will give them a good chance of experiencing something paranormal. I almost always immediately suggest the Bourbon Orleans.
            This historic hotel stands on the grounds that once contained two buildings; an old convent and an orphanage. The first building was built in 1816-1817 and was next to the first district courthouse. The building burnt down shortly thereafter, yet it was rebuilt in 1819. The building was used for Mardi Gras balls as early as 1823 and was also the site of the New Orleans Theater. Rumor is that the building was also used to hold the famous "Quadroon Balls", that I mentioned earlier. Here, wealthy Creole men would meet with their Quadroon mistresses to engage in their secret love affairs without exposing their mischievousness.

            In 1849, John McDonough purchased the theater, ballroom and the Orleans Coffee Shop. In

Historic photo of the Sisters of the Holy Cross
Photo courtesy of www.pontchartrain.net

1866, the theater was destroyed in a fire but the ballroom was saved. In 1881, the Sisters of the Holy Cross bought the building and used it as their convent. This group, established in 1842, is now the oldest female-led African American order in America. In 1963-1964, the hotel bought the building and the Sisters of the Holy Cross were relocated on Chief Mentuer Highway in New Orleans East. After several renovations, the hotel now stands on Orleans Street.           
            The hotel is said to be one of the most, if not the most, haunted hotel in New Orleans. Some report that the Bourbon Orleans is home to anywhere from fifteen to twenty different spirits, all representing a different era that the building has been in existence. On the sixth and seventh floors, many people have seen the spirit of a Confederate soldier. Simply nicknamed “The man”, he is often seen wandering the hallways of these floors, paying no attention to the guests. The sounds of children's laughter, crying and footsteps are said to originate from the days that the Sisters of the Holy Cross ran the building as

Photo of the building circa 1950's.
Photo courtesy of www.pontchartrain.net

a convent, girls’ school, medical ward and orphanage. Even in the ballroom, staff and guests alike have witnessed seeing the apparition of who they refer to as “the lonely dancer”, swaying along the dance floor all alone and unaccompanied. Guests also feel that the hotel is haunted by a mischievous pirate named "Raoul" who enjoys turning the sinks on and off and moving guests' items around their rooms. These are just a few of the notable entities that eternally inhabit this historical and beautiful hotel.
            Should you decide to stay at the Bourbon Orleans, be prepared, as a ghostly encounter here may be more possible than anywhere else. However, fear not, as all those who reside here are said to be friendly phantoms, some even playful. As I said, in the most haunted city of the most haunted state, the most haunted hotel better back up its reputation. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed as the Bourbon Orleans butt can definitely “cash checks that its mouth writes”!