The Drifter Hotel
3522 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119-7016
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About
#82 of 120 B&Bs / Inns in New Orleans
Location
4.0
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
2.9
Value
3.0
Boutique Hotel built in 1956 and completely reimagined in 2017. Thanks to its retro “motel” sign out front, this unassuming low-rise seems at first glance like a forgotten 1950s anachronism. But look past the period-piece signage and The Drifter reveals itself as an exercise in modernized nostalgia, both in terms of design and concept. With a name inspired by the iconoclastic Beat Generation of postwar America, the property is a playful respite from New Orleans’ expected offerings, shining a light on a newly hip side of the city by acting as a melting pot for the local and global “drifters” who end up there.
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Property amenities
Paid private parking on-site
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Evening entertainment
Meeting rooms
Adults only
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Coffee shop
Wine / champagne
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
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Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English
Location
50Car recommended
Grade: 50 out of 100
75Restaurantswithin 0.75 miles
11Attractionswithin 0.75 miles
Contact
3522 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119-7016
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $46/day
23Reviews0Q+A5Room tips
Reviews
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Most Recent
Anthony M wrote a review Dec 2022
Disaster for me! They canceled my reservation day of as I was in route from the airport. I was told a pipe burst, which happens, but there was no empathy, concern, or help offered to me. I sat in the lobby for an hour desperately looking for an alternative place to stay while other guests checked in and were given free drink coupons. No one apologized to me in the lobby or offered me even a glass of water. Again just no class or decency. I had to pay over $200 more because it was day of on a Saturday night with a medical convention in town. I emailed them later asking if there was anything they could do to help cover the cost and got no response.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
If I could give this place an 11/10 I would. Genuinely such a wonderful stay with super accommodating staff that made the stay even more enjoyable. This was an unforgettable ambiance and truly spectacular in all ways possible. If you’re looking for a fun stay with friends this is the place to be.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: If you’re planning on checking in/ out later just make sure to contact the hotel staff to let...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
rad hotel that is a great great value. everything is very clean and well-maintained. mattress, linens, toiletries are all great. lobby and bar are great gathering stop. no big parties while we were there so cant comment on that aspect but would gladly stay there again.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I traveled to NOLA for a birthday party and the host chose The Drifter for accommodations. Everyone was booked there however one of the rooms had roaches. Roaches can be a danger to your health and I am sure if they were in one room they are probably throughout the property. I do not have roaches at my house and had no intention of bringing them home with me. I was refused a refund for my room. We all ended up having to find another hotel last minute on the busy weekend of the CFB National Championship. The hotel staff and managers seemed as if the roaches were not a big deal and did not put forth any effort to refund my money. Clearly this was money wasted.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Do not stay here. Book somewhere else.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Loved my stay here. There was a great party vibe, lots of lovely young beauties basking by the pool all day, fun parties every night, though mostly just a local hangout and not my scene. Whatever, I'm going out at night anyway. They are not there to party with you but generally I felt welcome among the kids (I am mid forties and older than most patrons there). Coffee beer and food was all what it needed to be, not too expensive overall. I was only there a day between flights and a cruise. Enjoyed it immensely. This place reminded me of some of the better 3 star hostels I frequented in far flung places. I'd recommend it, just know what you're signing up for. Oh yeah it's loud at night, bring earplugs and a blindfold and maybe nyquill because the club music just pounds like some island club in jamaica ...…
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Date of stay: March 2019
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Ground floor probably better.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Terrible place to stay unless you want massive parties on your door step, to be stopped by security each time you come back to the venue, you want to be greeted by police cars in the evenings or just surrounded by drugged fuelled parties. I was due to stay for 4 nights and after 2 days of constant parties i spoke to the receptionist who was rude, cocky and useless. Once i managed to speak to a manager he was barely anymore helpful. I asked to get a refund for my remaining two days as the music and parties were way beyond acceptable and he offered one night stating "i dont even have to do that". The receptionist also added " you can see the parties on our calendar on the website and we say have a fun party on our welcome letter" When i said that the calendar is at the bottom of the website which doesn't say "you will have a club on your doorstep' She was also quite proud in stating that people with families or not here to have fun quite often leave when they see the place or read the welcome letter.... All in all a terrible experience and an awful place. Do not ruin a trip to such a great city by staying here.…
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Date of stay: August 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: All rooms are loud
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
There was an event at the hotel and I was going to get some food and drinks. My bag was searched at the door, which I found odd but went with it. I was then told I could not sit outside that I could go outside just to order my food then I had to wait in the lobby because I had on what the guy referred to as "streetwear" I had flipflops on and it is an outdoor pool and sitting area. I was then told I had to pay 5 dollars to then go order food that I was not allowed to wait for. It was clear me or my money was not wanted in the establishment. I am not a tourist, I am born and raised in New Orleans. Trust me people there are BETTER hotels you can stay at in the city, better location, more affordable with true hospitality and good service to all people REGARDLESS of what they look like Leave the superficial nonchalant discriminating hipsters to their b.s. I will not return to this place and I will actively share my story until the management makes changes or addresses this situation.…
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
This is not a hotel. Their main business is being the trendiest place in town for the under 20's based on hosting pool parties. They happen to have some basic refurbished motel rooms which they rent out on a nightly basis but this does not make them a hotel. When we arrived the reception/bar/hangout area was closed with a sign saying the pool had reached capacity and the door was locked until 7pm. There is no parking so you have to find a space on a side street. We could hear the beat of the drum and bass from the pool several blocks away. When I eventually got past two guys who may or may not have been security hanging outside it became clear that running a hotel was not their main business - they told me I had turned up on the wrong day but changed that when I showed them my receipt. However it was becoming clear that we weren't going to get any rest after a long journey so we decided to leave and look elsewhere. By the way the website is a hilarious irony free zone which really deserves to be mined for the comedy gold that it is. This place tries so hard to be hip it cant see over its pelvis (to paraphrase Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). However for the adults in the room who want a hotel for grown ups this is not the place.…
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
Minimal room, but that’s all you need. Clean & comfy! Every single staff member was very nice & helpful. Great laid back vibe throughout. Pool is the highlight of the property! Yummy food popups and trucks were a nice bonus! ONLY downside is there is no reserved seating for overnight guests at the pool. There are so many day pass people at the pool you have a hard time even finding somewhere to lay your towel down. It would be nice if they could put some old school fold out chairs in the room, reserve some for guests, or charge the day pass people a higher premium to rent the chairs so that the people actually staying with them could enjoy them. It was very busy during our stay, and the staff worked very hard to keep everything clean. My boyfriend is a light sleeper, and we had no issues with noise that previous people have complained about. In fact, we didn’t encounter any issues that previous posters have complained about! Nice location. Free parking (unheard of in Nola)! Great room rates. Overall it’s a little hidden gem. I will definitely stay here again any time I visit Nola! Thanks for a great weekend Drifter!…
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
The Drifter is the best place for laid-back relaxation. Julian at the bar is awesome, the pool is warm and City Park is a short walk away.There was also an awesome vegan sushi pop-up while we were there.
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Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Rose Inn Motel
LOCATION
United StatesLouisianaNew OrleansMid-City District / Mid-City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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Claim Your ListingTHE DRIFTER HOTEL - Reviews (New Orleans, LA)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Drifter Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Drifter Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Chickie Wah Wah (0.6 miles), Bayou Beer Garden (0.7 miles), and Finn McCool's Irish Pub (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Drifter Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Drifter Hotel?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The Drifter Hotel?
Yes, paid private parking on-site is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Drifter Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Angelo Brocato Ice Cream, Katie's Restaurant & Bar, and Ruby Slipper Cafe.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Drifter Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are there any historical sites close to The Drifter Hotel?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Hermann-Grima House (2.1 miles), Longue Vue House and Gardens (1.6 miles), and Beauregard-Keyes House (2.4 miles).