Chiming Inn

     As I have been writing about my most recent stay in The Crescent City for the annual Po'boy Festival I have made numerous references to my lodging at The Chimes.  It is an amazing B & B located in a quiet residential neighborhood Uptown and not far from the Garden District.  The location is perfect for quick transit to Downtown and the French Quarter by either the fabled St. Charles Avenue streetcar line or the modern bus system that runs along Magazine Street.  It is only 15 minutes from all the action but is a world away from the raucous din of Bourbon Street.

     Jill, with the support of her husband, Charles, have about a half dozen rooms set around a enclosed courtyard that creates a small community setting for guests to congregate and share stories of the day's events.  Another meeting place is around the long breakfast table where beginning at 8am each day a morning meal is served and plans are made to explore the sights, sounds and tastes of New Orleans.  It is also there that Jill enthusiastically listens and offers advice on what to see and do and also what to avoid. 

     Though not a native, she has learned from her time in The Big Easy what works and  conversely what does not.  And she can let the listener in on the idiosyncrasies of life and politics there, like for instance, the rule that her Bed & Breakfast establishment cannot serve a cooked breakfast since she does not have a commercially licensed kitchen.  No matter.  Each morning she drives to a neighborhood French bakery (sometimes going the wrong way up a one way street!) and selects an assortment of fresh breads and pastries to serve along with sliced fresh fruits, cheeses and granola with yogurt.  Add to that a cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea and the meal is perfect to provide a jump start on the day without being too heavy or filling.

     Each room has its own personality and charm with unique items that Jill has found along the way.  My corner room had twelve foot tall ceilings and in the bathroom hung an imported Italian chandelier that was carefully reconstructed after suffering "water issues" from Katrina.  Everything about both my stays there was thoughtfully prepared, from the choice of bath soaps and shampoo to the spring water in glass containers to the personally created and annotated restaurant guide.

     Want a pleasant home away from home when in New Orleans?  Give Jill a call.