Looking for authenticity and a blast from the past? Try The Cornstalk at 915 Royal Street. This intriguing old home was the 1800s residence of Judge Francis-Xavier Martin, author of the first history of Louisiana. Harriet Beecher Stowe stopped there and found inspiration for "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" from the nearby slave market. Surrounded by an ornate green-and-yellow cast fence that looks like a row of cornstalks, legend has it that an early owner brought a young bride to New Orleans from her home in Iowa. The cornstalk fence was erected to soften her homesickness for the swaying cornfields of home. It is one of the most photographed sites in the city, a stop on virtually every city tour.
Entering the front parlor with its brilliant crystal chandeliers and antique mirrors, you feel you have stepped back in time for a visit with a favorite elderly aunt. Guest rooms are very small, but have high, vaulted ceilings; antique furnishings; fireplaces; stained glass windows; and oriental rugs covering the original hardwood floors. Modern touches include private baths (not the case at many area bed and breakfasts), central air and heat, cable TV, and internet access. Guests may enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and morning newspaper in their room, the parlor, the upstairs balcony, or courtyard patio.
The Cornstalk is located one block off Bourbon Street. There is also a "party courtyard for hire" across the street, so be prepared for some noise especially on weekends. It’s the price you pay for authenticity close to the action. My solution: invest in a good pair of earplugs - they have saved many a night’s sleep in hotels around the world. For added insurance, request a room in the back away from Rue Royal. Rates range from $75 to $185 except during Mardi Gras and other special events. If you want to step back into the past, this is your place! (www.cornstalkhotel.com)