W Hotel, French Quarter

Just a short walk from historic Jackson Square and a host of boutique shops and art galleries, this romantic boutique hotel is installed in the heart of the French Quarter. The lobby, designed to serve as a living room, features contemporary furnishings and libraries of books and games; however, the palatial courtyard space, with its tree-canopied couch seating, wrought-iron gates, outdoor pool, and fountain centerpiece, justifies the hotel's billing as "an urban oasis." Guest accommodations are marked by attention to detail and personalization, from super-fast Internet access to delightful touches like gumball machines.