Reservation Policy
If you make a reservation directly, it makes things much easier for everyone involved. You are on the right website to make a reservation. Guests who deal with third parties, (AirBnB, Expedia, Booking.com, etc.) will have to make cancellations and reservation changes through those agents. They have your money. We don’t.
What follows only applies to guests who book directly through this website. We will continue with other policies that will interest other guests shortly….
Deposit.
A 50% deposit is required to reserve a suite for the desired timeframe. This deposit will be charged to a guest’s credit card. The deposit reserves the suite for the dates subscribed according to the applicable rates, either standard rates or event rates that are charged during festival weeks or holidays, or during major sporting events and conventions. The balance due is payable at check-in, payable either by credit card, cash, money order, or traveler’s cheque (no personal checks).
Reservations can be made via the internet, or by contacting La Belle Esplanade, LLC by telephone at (504) 301-1424. Reservations made by internet will supersede any arrangements made by phone if there is a conflict of reservation timing, and no fee will be incurred by the guest who does not receive his or her desired reservation via telephone.
Suite Rates.
Suites at La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast include two rooms: a bed room and a sitting room. Each suite has a private bath. Rates are set for renting the suite to one or two adult individuals, or to one parent or guardian accompanying a minor older than thirteen years of age. Each suite contains a refrigerator, coffee maker, and tea kettle. There will be an urn of coffee and cups in the dining room after 7:30AM daily.
Breakfast is not included. Our neighborhood is full of coffeeshop and restaurant options. Get out and explore.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET FOR BREAKFAST OR FOR LUNCH TO DISCUSS NEW ORLEANS, PICK OUR BRAINS FOR RESOURCES, OR TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU WON’T FIND ON THE INTERNET, WE ARE AVAILABLE.
JUST LET US KNOW.
Rates for each suite are listed on our website and change with the seasons. Rates are higher during Mardi Gras, festivals, major sporting events, and conventions. When in doubt, please call La Belle Esplanade, LLC at (504) 301-1424 to confirm the applicable rate for your scheduled stay and the cancellation policy that applies. The rates on our website are accurate and non-negotiable.
None of our suites accommodate more than two people willing to share a bed.
Cancellation Policy.
Cancellations of reservations at standard rates that occur prior to 14 days before the reservation date will be refunded the full deposit minus a 10 percent cancellation fee to cover processing the transactions. Guests who cancel their reservations on or after the fourteenth day prior to the reservation date will forfeit their deposit. Refunds will be made to the credit card used to make the reservation.
During times of high demand, i.e. Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival, La Belle will retain the deposit for cancellations less than 30 days prior to the reservation date. As a small hotel that does not work through third party booking platforms, it is very difficult for us to fill rooms last minute after turning people away because someone else has paid for us to reserve that room. Prior to 30 days, the deposit will be returned minus a 10 percent cancellation fee to cover the transaction fees involved.
Potential guests who are unsure of the dates for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, other festivals, holidays or major sporting events are encouraged to contact La Belle Esplanade for clarification prior to making a reservation.
Many companies offer travel insurance to reimburse travelers who have to cancel their plans and cannot recoup the money obligated for their vacation plans. La Belle Esplanade does not endorse any particular carrier, it does, however, encourage travelers to consider this option if an unforeseen change of plans comes about.
What follows applies to all guests at La Belle Esplanade, regardless how they made a reservation.
Holidays.
While the inn is open on holidays, La Belle Esplanade does not accept reservations that start on the following holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Mardi Gras Day, Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. Reservations received that start on any of these days will be canceled at the time of receipt and the deposit will be refunded in full.
Check-In/Check-Out.
Standard check-in is available between 3:00PM and 6:00PM. If an earlier or later check-in time is required, please contact La Belle Esplanade, LLC via telephone at (504) 301-1424, or, preferably, via e-mail at [email protected] to make mutually acceptable arrangements. Please let us know what time you expect to arrive (New Orleans time is CST). As a small boutique operation, the inn is not staffed 24 hours a day. Please notify La Belle Esplanade of your plans as soon as possible so that we can ensure someone is here to meet you.
Check-out time is 10:30AM daily, after breakfast ends. Reservations are made by the night, not by the day. Suites will be vacated no later than 10:30AM on the morning following the last night of the reservation. Luggage can be stowed in the parlor if departure time is after 10:30AM, but La Belle Esplanade, LLC cannot be held liable for personal belongings.
Restrictions.
La Belle Esplanade is furnished with period antiques and a unique collection of curios. La Belle is not a suitable environment for children younger than thirteen years old. La Belle is also not a suitable environment for pets. Guests accompanied by children younger than thirteen years of age, or accompanied by pets, will be refused service without a refund of deposit at the time of check-in and the full balance due for the reservation will be charged.
Guests who are disruptive to the daily operations of La Belle Esplanade will be evicted without refund. La Belle reserves the right to refuse service to any guest for any lawful reason. Any behavior that jeopardizes the safety of other guests, or that in any way negatively impacts the enjoyment of the property by other guests or by tenants of the adjoining properties, will be reason for eviction without refund of any payments made. This decision is made at the sole discretion of management. Any damage to the property, including missing items that make up the furnishings of La Belle Esplanade will be charged to the credit card of the person who made the reservation at a sum to cover La Belle’s expenses. Persons who are not listed on the reservation, regardless of age, will be refused accommodation or entrance.
Smoking.
La Belle Esplanade prohibits smoking and open flame in all indoor spaces. This includes incense. Smoking of tobacco is permitted on balconies and in the garden area. Guests are required to use provided ashtrays and be mindful of fire hazards. Candles, incense, and open flame are not allowed within the house. If guests choose to smoke tobacco on the balconies, the windows that lead from suites must remain closed to prevent smoke from entering La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast’s interior. Violation of this policy, as determined by management, will result in a cleaning and loss-of-use fee of $500.00 to remedy the condition of the suite. Illegal drug use will not be tolerated and will result in eviction without refund of any money paid, as well as a cleaning and loss-of-use fee of $500.00.
Special Needs.
La Belle Esplanade, makes every effort to accommodate the special needs of guests. When making a reservation, please communicate what those needs may be, preferably via email to [email protected]. As a historic home built in the 1890s, La Belle is not ADA compliant, nor is required to be under the American with Disabilities Act. Suites on the second floor are reached by steep, turning staircases equipped with handrails. Like most historic New Orleans homes, La Belle Esplanade is elevated three steps above the ground. There are no wheelchair ramps.
As noted in individual suite descriptions, bathrooms are equipped with antique claw foot tubs rather than walk-in showers. Shower bars and other assistive devices are not installed within the suites, except for Les Fleurs Suite.
Transoms above doorways remain permanently open one-quarter of an inch to the hallways to permit the free circulation of air to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature. To ensure a consistently comfortable temperature throughout the building, all transoms must remain open this minimal amount at all times. Along with the transoms, wall and floor insulation was uncommon when the house was constructed. Loud conversation is discouraged.
Guests who have any concerns are encouraged to contact La Belle Esplanade beforehand, preferably via email at [email protected] or by phone at (504) 301-1424 so that appropriate preparations can be made prior to check-in.
Parking.
On-street parking is available on Esplanade Avenue in front of La Belle Esplanade. There is always ample parking except. Even during Jazz Fest.