The Chloe, New Orleans
Uptown New Orleans Charm with a Decidedly Modern Soul
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored 19th-century Victorian mansion that captures the romance of Uptown New Orleans while embracing a fresh, contemporary perspective.
● Richly layered interiors by Sara Ruffin Costello, where Southern Gothic elegance, vintage treasures, local craftsmanship, and playful irreverence come together in perfect balance.
● An authentic neighbourhood destination where locals and travellers mingle around the restaurant, bar, and pool, creating an atmosphere that feels unmistakably New Orleans.
A Victorian Mansion with a New Story
Hidden behind wrought-iron gates on the oak-lined grandeur of St. Charles Avenue, The Chloe occupies a magnificent 19th-century Victorian mansion that has become one of New Orleans’ most distinctive boutique hotels. Rather than preserving the house as a carefully staged period piece, restaurateur Robert LeBlanc and his hospitality group LeBlanc + Smith chose to celebrate its historic architecture while allowing it to evolve into something entirely contemporary. The result is a hotel that feels less like a formal luxury property and more like an elegant private residence, where every room, hallway, and veranda carries the effortless charm that has long defined Uptown New Orleans.
Southern Gothic, Reimagined
Interior designer Sara Ruffin Costello approached the project with a deep understanding of New Orleans’ layered identity. Instead of relying on predictable Southern décor, she embraced the city’s fascination with mystery, music, history, and the natural world, creating interiors that are both sophisticated and delightfully unexpected. Original mouldings, soaring ceilings, fireplaces, and historic woodwork provide the architectural framework, while jewel-toned velvets, richly patterned textiles, vintage furnishings, antique mirrors, dramatic lighting, and carefully curated artwork introduce an atmosphere that feels simultaneously elegant and mischievous. Dark corners, hidden spaces, winding corridors, and moody colour palettes subtly reference the city’s Gothic traditions without ever becoming theatrical. It’s a hotel that feels deeply rooted in New Orleans, yet refreshingly free from cliché.
Rooms Full of Character
Each of the fourteen guestrooms has its own distinct personality. Rather than following a standard template, every room combines carefully selected antiques with contemporary comforts, creating spaces that feel as though they have evolved naturally over generations. Four-poster beds, freestanding soaking tubs, House of Hackney fabrics, bespoke lighting by Urban Electric, handcrafted ceramic accessories by Louisiana artist Demetria Chappo, and original photography contribute to an atmosphere of understated luxury. One of the hotel’s most charming details is its partnership with nearby Peaches Records, with vinyl records waiting in every room, introducing guests to New Orleans legends from Louis Armstrong to Lil Wayne and the generations of musicians they continue to inspire. Every detail quietly reinforces the hotel’s connection to the city’s extraordinary cultural legacy.
The Social Heart of the Neighbourhood
The Chloe was never intended to be a hotel reserved exclusively for visitors. Much like the finest neighbourhood institutions, it has become a favourite gathering place for locals as well. The garden courtyard, shaded by mature planting and centred around a beautifully intimate swimming pool, forms the social heart of the property, where long lunches effortlessly become evening cocktails. Inside, the lively bar continues that same relaxed energy, offering a setting that feels equally suited to an afternoon coffee, an aperitif before dinner, or a late-night conversation beneath softly glowing lamps.
A Modern Taste of New Orleans
The restaurant extends the hotel’s philosophy through food rooted firmly in the Gulf South. Under chef Todd Pulsinelli, regional ingredients are interpreted with creativity and restraint, celebrating Creole traditions without becoming bound by them. Seasonal produce, fresh seafood, and wood-fired cooking create menus that feel unmistakably local while remaining thoroughly contemporary. Like every other aspect of The Chloe, the dining experience is refined without pretension, encouraging guests to settle in, slow down, and enjoy the rhythm of the neighbourhood.
Why It Works
The Chloe captures everything that makes New Orleans endlessly fascinating: history, creativity, elegance, humour, and a touch of mystery. By carefully balancing Victorian grandeur with contemporary design, local craftsmanship, exceptional hospitality, and an unmistakable sense of place, it offers an experience that feels both timeless and entirely current. More than simply a beautiful boutique hotel, The Chloe has become one of Uptown’s true living rooms—a place where the city’s rich past and vibrant present meet with effortless style.
