The Bienville House Hotel exterior entrance, featuring two levels of wrought-iron balconies and flags.

Bienville House History

The Fascinating Journey of Our Boutique Hotel

From Humble Beginnings to a Cozy Retreat.

Where Bienville House now stands has humble beginnings dating back to its origins as Planters Rice Mills before becoming home to Thompson’s Rice Mill and Southern Syrup. After decades as a manufacturing facility, the owners, seeing its prime location, transformed the building into a hotel in 1835. The North American Hotel was advertised as a “delightful summer residence for Ladies and Gentlemen.”

An overhead shot of the Bienville House Hotel entrance sign hanging among the leaves of a magnolia tree.

The next chapter in its story came in 1837 when it was sold and divided into a modest boarding hotel and a Fire House. As Decatur Street revitalized and transformed from a shipping hub into a bustling area of the French Quarter, the property underwent a transformation of its own – becoming The Royal Bienville, an exclusive complex of 20 luxury apartments.

The story nearly came to a tragic end when the property narrowly escaped destruction from a neighboring fire that destroyed several nearby buildings in the 1970s. Following restoration, it became a reimagined motor hotel, catering to travelers driving to or through New Orleans. To this day, it’s the only hotel in the French Quarter with no motorcoach restrictions.

A small outdoor table on a balcony with a glass of water, an open magazine, and a black shell-back chair.

Hotel courtyard with a reflective pool, brick chimney covered in ivy, and two woven lounge chairs.

A close-up of a white arched window and doorway, framed by a large planter with bright orange flowers.

Hotel room corner with a wooden four-poster bed, patterned curtains, a mint-green wall, and an armchair.

In 1972, the Monteleone family acquired the hotel, and Bienville House joined the iconic Hotel Monteleone as a family-owned and operated historic hotel—a tradition of excellence that continues today.

After countless transformations and a near-disastrous fire, Bienville House now exudes the character and charm of a centuries-old French Quarter manor. This European-style hotel features elegant wrought iron balconies extending from guest rooms, inviting sundecks, and a picturesque flagstone courtyard surrounding a saltwater lagoon pool. Bienville House is your cozy retreat in the French Quarter, where every detail is designed with you in mind.