Hosts: Mary and Hugh Ramsey (click here to meet them).

Guestrooms: 10

Address: 1422 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116 USA

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 56037, New Orleans, LA 70156-6037 USA

Click here for location.

Telephone: 504-947-4475,
1-800-842-4748

Fax: 504-949-5689

Activities/Attractions: Post Katrina for tourists, it's hard to notice a difference in the historic areas or in the nightlife. N'Awlins continues to be a great place to kick back and relax, to party, and to sightsee.  In fact, a major national tour operator out of Las Vegas was so dismayed about negative publicity and folks thinking the city is still under water, that he developed  a special VIP package for his clients to come here to enjoy all our city has to offer, so they can help spread the word that the French Quarter, Warehouse & Arts Districts, and Riverfront  remain as they were BEFORE Katrina - a great place to visit and have fun.

We were VERY lucky compared to some. Those darned ladies (Katrina and Rita) left Banana Courtyard  high and dry. The historic districts (French QUARTER, Garden District, Magazine St., St. Charles Avenue), mostly 'dodged the bullet,' but some places tourists go are operating on early closing hours or are open fewer days a week. "Ain't" like it used to be for many small businesses, who are struggling to keep service level as good as ever, but it means owners often are doing work themselves, that they used to pay others to do. So please support small, neighborhood businesses. Here's some suggestions:

• Meander down the avenue under a canopy of century old live oak trees
  
• Enjoy the street performers, taro card readers, artists, mimes at Jackson Square
  
• Marvel at the oldest cathedral in the USA: St. Louis Cathedral (or go to St. Mary's Church for a splendid chapel, few have the opportunity to see)
  
• Join the throngs of revellers for a taste of nightlife on Bourbon Street
  
• Conjecture about who can afford the European antiques on Royal Street
  
• Savor our wonderful food, everything from an oyster boat sandwich to a seafood or roast beef po-boy, a muffuletta sandwich (Yep. That's the world famous sandwich that everyone misspells and few can pronounce - you buy it at Central Grocery), beignets, world class cuisine
  
• At your leisure, into the wee hours of the mourning, enjoy the sights and sounds of New Orleans: dance clubs, bars, and music (from Zydeco & Cajun music, R&B, Blues to Jazz)
  
• Shop 'til you drop at the many fine shops in the French Quarter
  
• Explore our many interesting (and some free) museums
  
• Hop on the Riverfront streetcar line, then get on the free ferry shuttle to the 2nd oldest neighborhood in New Orleans: Algiers Pointe
  
• Browse through a plethora  art in our numerous galleries
  
• Bargain shop at the French Market and flea market/Bazaar
  
• Float down the Mississippi River on one of the riverboat cruises
  
• Explore Jax Brewery (shopping/dining complex)
  
• Watch a sea horse give birth at the Aquarium of the Americas
  
• Sip on chicory coffee and nibble on a beignet @ Cafe du Monde
  
• Experience the pageantry of our parades during Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day and other occasions (they say that anyone dropping a hat on the ground is an excuse to have a parade in the French Quarter. Even a funeral can be an excuse for a Jazz parade)
  
• Shiver at the stories told during ghost and haunted history tours
  
• Have your own Voodoo doll or gris-gris bag made at the spiritual temple or put your "X" on  Marie Laveau's grave while on a tour
  
• Hop in a van for a plantation tour
  
• Jump into the bus taking you to the swamp and bayou for a tour and look at the wildlife
  

"We prefer to stay at guest houses when we travel to learn more about a city than when staying at an hotel. The house is quaint, commodious and comfortable surroundings in a safe area. Mary and Hugh proved us right, as they guided us to places local residents go making our trip very enjoyable. We plan to return for JazzFest or New Year's Eve next year."

"What an experience ... French Quarter and the great hospitality of Mary &Hugh. We thank you for a nice time & for the fine dining recommendations."

"Garconierre was magical! Thanks for the Southern hospitality and all your help."

"A wonderful  B & B, reasonably priced. We walked to everything. A bustling French Quarter neighborhood during the day, but very quite when we wanted to sleep at night. Epitome of old fashioned southern hospitality. Thanks for a wonderful time."

"We both have enjoyed our get-away to New Orleans at a higher level because we came to your B&B. Your knowledge of this city was so informative. It was like staying at a close friend's house."

"Thank you for a WONDERFUL time."

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"Their Garconierre was a honeymooner's paradise. The dinner they arranged for us with balloons on table, moonlight carriage ride and tour afterward, then back to a chilled bottle of champagne and flowers. Each day held new surprise and special attention. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

"We very much liked staying in your safe neighborhood and being able to walk everywhere in the French Quarter. We were delighted with your elegant olde house. You were most hospitable and treated us as though we were honoured foreign dignitaries. Also, we appreciated many good suggestions you made for sightseeing, music clubs and restaurants."

"Very comfortable and friendly. Also very safe. As a single female, I was at home & felt fine going in the French Quarter alone at night. Will hopefully come back soon"

"Hi. Just wanted to post a message board note to tell you that Banana Court in the French Quarter of New Orleans  is one of the nicest B&Bs I've ever stayed in, even in Europe. Hosts were gracious, kind, and terrific with suggestions. And the food ... just the best. Our room was filled with antiques - even an antique dress draped on the wall. I only hope to return someday."

"A great return to N.O. and a really wonderful spot for relearning! Superb hosting, great recommendations, Thanks for a great time."

"I was very happy in 1870 Banana Courtyard French Quarter/New Orleans B&B and Beyond and thank you to Mr. & Mrs. R."

"Thanks for the hospitality. You have added another wonderful dimension to this fabulous city. I hope to see you next year."

"I would like to thank you for making me feel right at home. It was my pleasure to stay at your wonderful B&B. You've made a Chicagoan feel down home comfortable, down South."

"We spend 3-days in a funny town with funny people having fun. Thank you very much for the hospitality ... We enjoyed it very much to stay here."

General Information: Welcome to the 1870 Banana Courtyard Bed and Breakfast in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana ... the way you imagined it! You're not a room number with us. The B&B has lots of character, antiques, hammock, verandah (that's a fancy word for porch), courtyard, + resident raconteur (you can look that one up in the dictionary).

We are convenient located ½ block to the French Quarter, a block from the celebrity Inn, no car needed, but onsite parking available. Under a canopy of century-old live oaks, stroll to restaurants, music clubs, shops, French Market, Cafe du Monde, Jackson Square, riverboats & bars. You can walk to Morial Convention Center or streetcar to other historic districts on the public transportation line. Some of our features include:

• Heat (Nope. We don't have what the 'Northerners" call cold weather, but we try to keep you warm)
  
• Air conditioning (Yep. It gets hot in New Orleans in the Summer, so we try to keep y'all cool)
  
• Television (usually cable)
  
• Telephone (unlike most hotels, stay with us and local 'phone calls are FREE)
  
• Alarm clock (often a clock-radio)
  
• Comfortable rooms with individual character
  
• Pleasant atmosphere for working, lounging or meeting
  
• In residential section, not busy commercial center where reveller's noise never ends
  
• B&B rooms: most have an in suite sitting area
  
• B&B accommodations include free, generous, Continental breakfast (if you stay at the B&B, our 'resident raconteur' serves breakfast in the dining room)
  
• Long term accommodations with kitchens are fully equipped with appliances (refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, usually a stove, cooktop or microwave), plus the tools you need to cook or  eat at home). (It's hard to imagine anyone cooking when they come to the Big Easy, but some do)
  
• Accommodations with kitchens are also stocked with coffee, tea, creamer, sugar, etc. (We want to get y'all  'cranked off'  in the morning)
  
• A few of our apartments have a washer and dryer. (If they don't, we'll point you to the laundromat nearby)
  
• Most of our accommodations have an iron and board
  
• The B&B has a parking lot. Some of our other accommodations have a garage or driveway
  
• A few of our accommodations have a VCR (See? We DO have a few 'new fangled' devices! But who wants to watch a movie when you have all our quaint Southern characters in the French Quarter)

Payment Accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, Traveler's checks and Cash.

Rates: (Prices quoted in US Dollars).

$60-199/night

Complimentary Continental breakfast.

Click here for rates and packages.
Click here for currency conversion.

"Great location and an easy walk everywhere. Friendly owners, comfortable surroundings made this Yankee's trip special. Thank you."

"B&B is very quaint & in a great location. Very convenient.  Wonderful hospitality!!"

"Of all my visits to N.O., this has absolutely been the best &most memorable. You are wonderful hosts and your efforts have added to this memory."

"While staying here, we most enjoyed the gracious hospitality!"

"Like a comfortable old shoe, who could ask for more."

"So much AMAZING STUFF. Everywhere you look there is a collectible, book or art."

"We enjoyed your southern Hospitality. The location was a wonderful plus."

"You've made our 1st trip to New Orleans memorable &we will certainly return."

"Southern hospitality at its finest. The Quarter is a great place to explore and an even better place to dine."

"Thanks for a wonderful 1st visit to the French Quarter. We will be sure to return & recommend this B&B to our friends."

"We found our host and hostess to be most charming. From the 1st day when Hugh waved us into the parking lot and Mary introduced us to the neighborhood, we felt welcomed and cared about. We will remember our week in New Orleans as being very special."

"Our room was spacious with interesting antiques.  The best part of our stay was the great food at restaurants Hugh and Mary suggested. We enjoyed feeling free to lounge around and loved. going club hopping with other guests. Your low rates gave us more to enjoy your city."

"I stayed here like in my house. Thanks for all your attention. I hope return to French Quarter and you will be sure I will call you."

"Loved New Orleans, loved Banana Courtyard. Hugh & Mary are the most wonderful hosts.  Great info on places to go. We'd definitely love to come back."

"Enjoyed the stay - wonderful restaurant recommendations. Thanks for the hospitality, had a GREAT stay!"

"What a wonderful place, what a wonderful city, what a wonderful world."

"Thanks for all your assistance - the recommendations were wonderful! A picture perfect guest house!"