It’s said that the Hotel Monteleone is the gateway to the French Quarter. The grand, 15-story property does, in fact, tower above the historic district in New Orleans, its red rooftop sign a beacon in the night.

The family-owned hotel opened with just 64 elegant guestrooms in 1886, but has since expanded, now offering 570 (even more elegant) accommodations. It also has an onsite restaurant, swimming pool, full-service day spa, and one-of-a-kind Carousel Bar (featured in writings by Ernest Hemingway and Eudora Welty) that resembles an actual carousel — a must-visit for parents and a fun photo op for the whole family.

Speaking of literary greats, the hotel features a selection of Literary Suites named for famous writers with connections to the hotel. Hotel guests have included William Faulker, Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote, who liked to claim he was born at Hotel Monteleone.

The hotel is just one block from Bourbon Street, but far enough away that families will find it to be a quiet respite from all the action at night.

The hotel offers a total of 570 accommodations, 55 of which are suites. All guestrooms feature high ceilings, crown mold and elegant furnishings -- similar to the to the hotel's décor when it first opened in 1886.

Cribs are available upon request at no charge; rollaways are not. Connecting rooms are available with advance notice.

Note: Rooms are based on single or double occupancy, and there is a $25 charge for each additional guest per night.

Guestrooms
Guestrooms come in two categories: Traditional and Preferred. The only difference between them is the views; some Traditional Rooms overlook the French Quarter (most face building tops and parking garages), while Preferred Rooms face the Mississippi River or French Quarter.

Guestrooms have one king or two queen beds, and feature mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, bathrobes, and flat-screen TVs, plus all the standard extras -- safes, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and clock radios. Bathrooms feature granite countertops and shower/tub combos, convenient for bathing little ones.

Luxury Suites
All suites feature private bedrooms with king beds and sofa beds in living rooms, with the exception of the Vieux Carre and Riverview Suites. In addition to standard guestroom amenities, suites also have iHomes, Jacuzzis (most), separate showers (except Executive and William Falkner Suites), and portable phones. Some suites also have wet bars and ice makers.

Literary Suites
The Literary Suites are inspired by the greats who had connections to the Hotel Monteleone -- William Faulkner (who was fond of the hotel), Truman Capote (who claimed to be born here; that's not the case, but hotel staff did assist his mother in getting to a nearby hospital), Ernest Hemingway (who featured the Carousel Bar in "The Night Before Battle"), Eduora Welty (who also mentioned the Carousel Bar in her short story, "The Purple Hat") and of course, Tennessee Williams (whose play, "The Rose Tattoo," featured the hotel).

Each suite is slightly different, but all feature separate bedrooms and/or sleeper sofas and connecting capabilities for families.

Pool
The hotel has a heated rooftop pool that's perfect for an afternoon break from sightseeing. Drinks and light bites, such as pizza, sandwiches and salad, can be ordered poolside. The pool is open year-round, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Criollo Restaurant
Criollo serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in a fancy setting that's not too stuffy for families. Breakfast features Daily Benedicts (a different type each morning), along with omelettes, breakfast sandwiches and other favorites. Burgers, sandwiches, entrée salads, soups and more are served for lunch, and for dinner, there's seafood and steaks with a Louisiana flare.

The restaurant, which opens at 6:30 daily, also features an extensive wine list and menu just for kids.

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the hotel, but slightly slow. You can upgrade your service for $5.95 per day.

Fitness Center
The hotel has a small fitness center that's open 24 hours with key card access.

Pets
The Monteleone graciously welcomes pets and even offers "Monte's Pet Package," complete with a mat, water and food bowls, and a map of pet-friendly places in the city. There is a non-refundable charge of $100, plus a fee of $25 for night.

In-Room Extras
Guests may surprise family members with extra in-room amenities (fee), such as fruit, cookies and milk, or pralines (a local favorite).

The Art of Smart Timing
New Orleans is full of tourists no matter the time of year (tourism is the city's highest revenue generator, after all), with most people descending upon the city for Mardi Gras and in the months following -- typically through June. It's also busy in the fall. The best time to visit is actually the summer, in terms of hotel rates and crowds.

Getting There
The Monteleone is about 30 minutes from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The cheapest way to get to the hotel is by Uber or taxi; taxis are $23 for three people, plus $15 for each additional person. You can also take the Airport Shuttle, which is $20 per person.

Getting Around
It's easy to walk anywhere within the French Quarter. If you want to explore the city's Garden District, famous for grandiose homes, or City Park, home to two amusement parks, you'll want to take the streetcar -- an iconic experience in itself. Fare is just $1.25 each way (and free for kids under 2).

The hotel has two valet parking garages, including one onsite. Parking is $40 per day, plus 13 percent tax for all vehicles.

For Mom and Dad
Head to the world-famous Carousel Bar, a carousel for adults! The bar actually resembles a historic carousel, and is equally popular for its cocktails, which include specialty martinis and cordials. Fun Fact: Ernest Hemingway and Eudora Welty both wrote about the Carousel Bar.

You might also consider a trip to Spa Aria, the hotel's full-service day spa. The spa offers everything from massages (couples sessions included) to cold and sinus treatments.