I agree with KansCityKid about Ashton's. It is a beautiful bed and breakfast with a great host, Patrick, who prepares the most amazing breakfasts. I think it fits all of your requirements except I'm not sure about eating in your room or on a patio. When we stayed there we ate at the dining room table with other guests. Just a FYI, they do allow children there. I know that some people prefer b&bs that don't allow kids. We took our well-behaved granddaughters there several years ago and they still talk about it.

Please check www.bbnola.com. This is the Professional Innkeepers Association of New Orleans (P.I.A.N.O.) website. It is searchable by neighborhood.

Toby, I can't (even in my wildest dreams) visualize a finer B&B than Ashton's

http://www.ashtonsbb.com

Here's another vote for Ashtons B&B! Beautiful, extremely clean, gorgeous grounds, great iced tea, great food, excellent staff, wonderful owners! Definitely Ashton's!

I'm also a big fan of Ashton's, HOWEVER you specifically inquired about a B & B "near the French Quarter or the West French Quarter"; West French Quarter not being a locally recognized term. Ashton's is 10-12 relatively short blocks Northwest ("Lakeside") of the French Quarter, a pretty significant hike.

You should know that in addition to hotels, New Orleans has inns, guest houses and bed and breakfasts. Because of relatively strict local regulations requiring commercial grade kitchens for the service of "full" breakfasts, many of these properties, particularly those in or very close to the French Quarter, do not have the "full" breakfast component; Ashton's does.

Although I don't have a lot of first hand knowledge regarding these properties, you might want to check out Soniat House and Audubon Cottages, though both lack the "full" breakfast component. Innkeeper's referal to the bbnola website is also very well placed. One B&B that might meet your location, bedding and breakfast criteria is La Maison Marigny, though I also lack first hand knowledge of this property.

I was also going to suggest La Maison Marigny as my folks and in-laws have stayed there more than once. They also like Marigny Manor House and B&W Courtyards, two other near-FQ establishments.

Thanks KansasCity Kid for your recommendation of Ashton's!

Thanks Destination Expert for your reply to my search for a great B&B in NOLA!

Thanks Hermacane! I went on line to check out Ashton's and it looks fabulous!