Description: Nearing the end of a long road trip and having just driven a Herculean stretch across Texas, my two roadmates and I were looking forward to finding comfortable lodgings at our final destination, New Orleans. It had been almost a year since I'd tramped from hostel to hostel in Europe, so I was eager to check out our choice: India House Hostel.
Though the Rough Guide describes India House as "well off the beaten path," the distance to the French Quarter is negligible if you have a car, and its close proximity to the streetcar makes for an easy commute. Factor in the nightly rate of $17 ($22.50 for a double bed private) and it's not hard to see why this is the best deal in town.
But, the real allure of India House lies in its unique blend of European ambiance and Southern comfort. The eccentrically decorated walls—adorned with pictures, postcards, and Bohemian art—will evoke fond memories of overseas hostel life, while the turtle pond, Southern fauna, and bungalows in the rear courtyard lend the unmistakable feel of Creole country.
Diverse amenities abound as well. You can cook for yourself in the 24-hour kitchen, or order one of the two breakfasts offered to light and heavy eaters alike (so long as they don't run out of ingredients). The well worn couches in the main building's two common rooms and the picnic tables in the rear courtyard offer the perfect opportunity to kick back a few beers with fellow transients. And, not only is there no curfew, but you're likely to find the friendly young staff hanging out on the porch well into the morning after you return from a night in the Quarter.
If you're looking for a mint on your pillow, the India House probably isn't for you. You'll be making your own bed and using communal showers, but what it lacks in the way of pampering, it more than makes up in character. The staff is more than capable of providing alternatives to the fraternity atmosphere of Bourbon Street, and it's likely you'll have shared enough drinks with other guests to make it a group affair.
For expensive rates and HBO On Demand, see the Radison. For a unique boarding experience, rare this side of the Atlantic, pick up your sheets upon payment at India House.
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