I’ve just returned home from my first (and hopefully not last!) visit to New Orleans.

I was there to speak at the Summit 2017 conference hosted by IAAP, the International Association of Administrative Professionals. While I was highly focused on delivering the best possible presentation, I also built time in to explore the city.

… and what a city! It’s historic and oozes southern charm, and the people are hospitable.

They also like their fun! I stayed in three different hotels while down south, in order to catch the essence of different parts of the city. In addition to the Hyatt Regency, which was the conference site, I also spent time at a couple of historic properties: Pontchartrain Hotel and Hotel Monteleone.

I’ll soon be sharing more about these properties. The two historic hotels are also home to two of the hottest lounges in the city: Hot Tin at Ponchartrain and the whimsical elegance of Hotel Monteleone’s The Carousel Bar.

For now, though, here’s a peek at The Carousel Bar and a glimpse inside Hotel Monteleone.

I was joined in New Orleans by some friends and sophisticated travellers from more countries as far flung as Canada, England, South Africa, the UAE and the USA.

Like me, all of them were impressed by The Carousel Bar.

Those lucky enough to nab a colourful bar stool will find themselves rotating only very slowly, and the rest of the lounge oozes vintage charm. Click below for another look at what you can expect when you visit.