The 12 best Airbnbs in New Orleans

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New Orleans' mix of music, food, architecture, history, and nightlife makes Louisiana's largest city an iconic location for travelers with a wide range of interests. From the Bourbon Street nightlife to the iconic streetcars, the Big Easy offers a unique blend of culture and history unlike any other. The best Airbnbs in New Orleans put travelers in the heart of the city's biggest features, from a sprawling Victorian right on Magazine Street to a colorful shotgun house for experiencing the city like a local.

Travelers visiting New Orleans are spoiled for choice when choosing an Airbnb. You could stay in a historic house and watch the streetcar from the front porch or stay with a large group of friends in what used to be a bakery steps from the French Quarter. Or, further from the hustle of the city, visitors could stay in a raised stilt house right on Lake Pontchartrain or watch the bayou wildlife right from their window.

Whether you're traveling for the Creole food, the jazz music, the historic architecture, or even the Mardi Gras festival, the best New Orleans Airbnbs keep you close yet offer a quiet retreat from the buzz of the Big Easy.

These are the best Airbnbs in New Orleans, priced from low to high.

A colorful apartment steps from the Bayou

Book this Bayou apartment on Airbnb

This apartment-style Airbnb is situated in the Mid City neighborhood of New Orleans, which means guests can walk to the bayou, Jazz Fest, or City Park. The apartment sits in a quiet neighborhood and, because it's just a few blocks from a streetcar line, offers easy access to the rest of what New Orleans has to offer outside Mid City.

You'll stay in a ground-floor apartment, with the hosts living upstairs. The bedroom offers a king-sized bed, while the apartment has a cozy living room, full bathroom, and small kitchenette.

Ranked in the top one percent of listings, this Airbnb commonly receives praise for its location and cleanliness. Guests often say that the space is clean and close to lots of restaurants and attractions.

A private tiny home still close to all the action

Book this tiny home on Airbnb

This small yet private Airbnb is in the Lakeview neighborhood, just five minutes from City Park, Bayou St. John, and the lakefront, and only 10 minutes from downtown. That puts this tiny home close to all the action but separate enough from city life for a bit of quiet and privacy.

This quaint Airbnb is a two-story structure with a charming spiral staircase. The 800-square-foot home has one bedroom with a king bed and a futon in the main living space. While the house has a kitchenette rather than a full kitchen, this Airbnb does have a private, fenced backyard.

Previous guests have described the house as clean and quiet. Another common praise is the location, which is easy to walk to restaurants yet not too loud. The home is ranked among the top 10% of Airbnbs.

A historic home just across the river from the French Quarter

Book this whole home on Airbnb

Located just across the Mississippi from the French Quarter, this Airbnb is a renovated 1899 home in Algiers Point. The house is a 5-minute ferry ride to the French Quarter, while guests can also wander the neighborhood's historic architecture, restaurants, and shops just outside the front door.

The home sleeps up to seven guests divided between two bedrooms and four beds, a rarity for listings at this price point. Guests can also enjoy a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and a shared front porch. The listing is for one side of a duplex, with no shared spaces except for the front and back yards.

The Airbnb listing's 4.95 rating is filled with reviews praising the home's location and host. Previous guests noted the comfortable beds and peaceful neighborhood, while also saying the Airbnb doesn't have a long chore list for checkout.

A colorful studio apartment near the Superdome

Book this studio apartment on Airbnb

Located on the historic Carondelet Street, this Airbnb offers a mix of New Orleans history and colorful modern style. The apartment is in the Downtown and Central Business District neighborhood of New Orleans, home to the Superdome. The area is sandwiched between the French Quarter and the Garden District, making it easy to explore beyond the neighborhood by streetcar.

The studio-style apartment offers a large King-sized bed, comfortable living space, and a full kitchen rather than a mini kitchenette. The apartment bursts with funky, colorful style, including art paying homage to New Orleans culture.

Previous guests have raved about this Airbnb's location, which is close to the attractions yet quiet. Cozy, clean, and comfortable are words commonly sprinkled throughout the listing's 5-star reviews.

A cozy Uptown bungalow close to the streetcar line

Book this bungalow on Airbnb

This cozy bungalow is just a few blocks from Magazine Street, giving guests easy access to restaurants and shops. The St. Charles Streetcar is only a ten-minute walk away, plus it has a nearby bus route and free street parking, so guests can easily venture into other New Orleans neighborhoods with or without a car.

The bungalow has a private entrance with a front porch and an idyllic porch swing. The single bedroom also houses laundry facilities, while the kitchenette offers a large dining area.

Rankings put this listing in the top 5% of Airbnb options. Guests regularly praise the bungalow's location. Clean and comfortable are also common descriptions used throughout the reviews.

A bright, charming Uptown Apartment

Book this apartment on Airbnb

This bright apartment with a modern Parisian style sits in the Uptown area of New Orleans, offering views of the St. Charles Streetcar. The Airbnb is situated in a neighborhood within walking distance of Magazine Street, Freret Street, and Audubon Park, with a streetcar stop a half block away.

This Airbnb is an apartment with a private entrance attached to the host's house. The private apartment is bright with floor-to-ceiling windows, a balcony, and a wood staircase. The listing includes a recently remodeled kitchenette, bathroom, and a king-sized bedroom bed.

Ranked among the top 5% of Airbnb listings, this Uptown apartment is commonly described as clean, bright, and charming. Previous guests have raved about the apartment's location, host, and design.

A historic shotgun house right on the streetcar line

Book this historic house on Airbnb

At this Uptown area Airbnb, you can sit on the porch of a historic New Orleans shotgun house and watch the streetcar go by. The duplex is located close to Tulane, and the St. Charles streetcar offers easy access to the French Quarter, Garden District, and Central Business District areas.

This 100-year-old home is a shotgun-style duplex, a common New Orleans-style home that doesn't use hallways in the layout. The listing includes four bedrooms, four beds, and a full kitchen, living area, and laundry facilities. The historic home also boasts high ceilings, wood floors, and charming (though nonworking) fireplaces in the bedrooms and living room.

The listing's 4.99-star rating has earned the home a spot among the top 5% of options on Airbnb. Previous guests have praised the cleanliness, location, and easy access to the streetcar.

A quiet cottage on a horse farm away from the city noise

Book this cottage on Airbnb

For guests who want to stay away from the bustle of the city but keep the biggest attractions within an hour's drive, the Over the Moon Farm has a lot to offer. The cottage sits on a 30-acre horse farm in Covington, Louisiana, less than an hour north of the city. The farm is near smaller towns full of southern charm, like Abita Springs and Old Covington. Equestrian centers with horseback riding are also nearby, along with a wildlife center and state park.

The cottage offers four bedrooms with space for larger groups, 2.5 bathrooms, and a full kitchen. Guests are allowed to walk the horse farm outside the paddocks and are also welcome to an outdoor area with a fire pit and swings.

Past guests' rankings put the cottage in the top 5% on Airbnb. Guests commonly praise the horses, peaceful surroundings, and comfortable stay.

A historic uptown apartment with high-end amenities

Book this uptown apartment on Airbnb

While classified as an apartment, this 1600-square-foot Airbnb is large enough for small groups of up to six. The apartment, which takes up the entire ground floor of a historic cottage in the Uptown neighborhood, is outfitted with high-end amenities, including two king-sized beds, each with its own marble bathroom, a soaker tub, full kitchen, private laundry, and upscale furnishings.

Located in Uptown, this Airbnb is within walking distance of Tulane, Loyola, Audubon Park, and the zoo. The St. Charles Streetcar passes in front of the house, offering access to the Garden District, Canal Street, and the French Quarter.

Ranked among the top 1% of listings on Airbnb, the apartment has hundreds of five-star reviews. Past guests have loved the walkable location, comfortable beds, and accommodating host.

A waterfront, boat-friendly home just 30 minutes from the city

Book this waterfront property on Airbnb

This boat-friendly Airbnb sits right on a lagoon, offering stunning views and access to fishing, hunting, and boating from the private dock. The Louisiana stilt design of this waterfront home leaves plenty of room for an outdoor dining area and outdoor entertaining. Parking for multiple boats is included.

Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary popular for sailing and fishing, is just a five-minute boat ride away. The lake is also known for the 23-mile Causeway Bridge, the longest water bridge in the world, and the area's shops and restaurants. City life is just a 30-minute drive by car to New Orleans.

Past guests regularly rave about the listing's views, Louisiana vibes, and access to fishing and crabbing. The reviews describe the listing as clean, comfortable, and beautiful.

A converted warehouse penthouse in an ideal location

Book this unique penthouse on Airbnb

Built inside a converted warehouse, this penthouse apartment is bursting with urban charm and amenities. It sleeps four in two queen beds and offers floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony for enjoying downtown views. The rental includes a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and two full bathrooms.

Located in the Warehouse District, the apartment is close enough to walk to the French Quarter yet far enough away from the noise and crowds for a quiet retreat from the city hustle. The apartment is also close to the World War II museum, the Superdome, the convention center, and the Lower Garden District.

Ranked as a Guest Favorite, past travelers have praised the apartment's walkable location, clean interior, and responsive host. The apartment is regularly described as quiet, safe, and spacious.

A former bakery just three blocks from the French Quarter

Book this remodeled bakery house on Airbnb

Once a bakery in its former life, this Airbnb is just three blocks from the French Quarter. The prime location means guests can find restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and stores right out the front door. A nearby streetcar offers access to further parts of the city.

The whole home rental sleeps up to eight guests across four bedrooms. The house features flagstone floors and a bright, colorful interior. The rental includes a full kitchen, laundry area, four bathrooms, and a patio.

This Airbnb's high rankings have earned the home the Guest Favorite badge. Travelers often remark on the Airbnb's location close to attractions yet far enough to stay relatively quiet. Reviews often describe the house as comfortable, beautiful, and clean.

FAQ: Airbnbs in New Orleans

Where should I stay in New Orleans?

The best place to stay in New Orleans depends largely on what piece of the cultural pie that's the Big Easy you want to experience. New Orleans is known for its nightlife, architecture, soul food, music, festivals and more. Starting with a list of priorities of what you want to experience while in NOLA can help narrow down the list of potential places to stay.

Another major factor to consider for a city known for its nightlife, however, is whether or not you really want to sleep right in the middle of the action. Accommodations right in the heart of the city, like the French Quarter, tend to have a lot of street noise, while parking can also be harder to find. Staying in an adjacent neighborhood gives travelers a little more quiet, while the biggest destinations are still easy to get to by streetcar, walking, or public transit.

Some of the key neighborhoods to note include:

The French Quarter: The most well-known part of New Orleans is the French Quarter, known for its architecture, nightlife on Bourbon Street, and history.

The Central Business District: Just to the west of the French Quarter, this area houses the Superdome, as well as the city's taller business buildings and hotels.

Marigny: To the East of the French Quarter, Marigny is known for its colorful homes with a bohemian vibe, as well as arts and live music.

Uptown: This more residential part of New Orleans is known for the St. Charles Streetcar, as well as shopping on Magazine Street.

Mid-City: This area of New Orleans is home to museums and the City Park, but it's also where travelers will find the Canal Streetcar, above-ground cemeteries, and dive bars.

Algiers: Across the Mississippi River, Algiers offers a quieter stay with a skyline view of the city and historic buildings.

Lake Pontchartrain: The estuary sitting to the North of the city is known for its 23-mile-long bridge, as well as boating and fishing.The Lakeview and Gentilly neighborhoods on the shores are known for cultural food, the Jazz Fest, and shopping.

What should I look for in an Airbnb?

Airbnbs come in many different types, from small hotel-like guest rooms to whole house rentals. Travelers should prioritize their unique needs in order to find a well-suited rental. Asking questions like how many beds you'll need, whether you want a full kitchen, and if you want additional indoor or outdoor space for recreation will help narrow down the listings. Guests should also consider if they will need parking, or be taking public transit, as parking can be hard to come by in the busiest parts of New Orleans.

Choose an Airbnb that is private, like a guesthouse, apartment, duplex, or a whole home. Avoid listings with shared indoor spaces, though many travelers don't mind shared outdoor spaces. Look for a listing that has great reviews. The Super Host badge is also a good sign, indicating that the host is experienced, positively reviewed and doesn't have a history of cancellations.

What is Airbnb's cancellation policy?

The host sets their own cancellation policy on Airbnb, which means the policy is different for different properties. Before you book an Airbnb, be sure to look at the cancellation policy. Some offer free cancellations if notified within a certain time frame, while others retain the deposit or don't allow cancellations at all.

While hosts set the cancellation policy, Airbnb's Major Disruptive Event Policy covers large-scale events, such as a public health emergency, government travel restrictions, or widespread utility outage from a natural disaster. If such an event cancels your travel plans, Airbnb can issue a refund or travel credit regardless of the host's travel policy, but travelers must meet the specific Disruptive Event criteria.

How we selected the best Airbnbs in New Orleans

1. Every Airbnb on this list is a private space where guests have the entire apartment, guesthouse, or home with no shared indoor spaces. Some listings include shared outdoor spaces or access to shared amenities, such as a gym for the entire apartment building.
2. All New Orleans Airbnbs on this list have a rating of at least 4.8.
3. Each rental on this list has 50 or more reviews, showing an established reputation.
4. All the New Orleans Airbnbs are located either within city limits or near a major attraction, such as waterfront property, within an hour's drive of the city.
5. The rentals all have a strong balance between price and features, with smaller, more basic options sitting under $100 a night but pricier reservations offering additional features like space for large groups, an ideal location, or high-end amenities.
6. Homes are available at the time of writing, However, some Airbnbs are popular and may book months in advance, particularly during New Orleans' key festivals and events.