# Hotel/inn on the French Quarter with cat staircase? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 18, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189 "2021-03-18T16:05:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189/1 "2021-03-18T16:05:20Z")
In 1988 I spent a few nights in a quaint little hotel that was very much New Orleans/French Quarter ambiance. It had a courtyard and notably the main house had a tiny spiral staircase and maybe some iron walks near the ceiling for cats to enjoy. I believe it was near the Catholic Church that was well known and part of tours. THe lady who ran it seemed always have bouquets of roses everywhere. This is a long shot, but does anyone know or would be familiar with this place? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189/2 "2021-03-18T16:31:24Z")
Sounds like a place near Jackson Square. St Louis Cathedral does sit on the Square so maybe that was the Church? Every bookstore near in the French Quarter has a cat or three. An old hotel we stayed at had cats around but I don’t recall a spiral stair for them. I’m hoping someone knows the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189/3 "2021-03-18T17:01:34Z")
Ok, I think I have it narrowed down. I think the Church was St. Mary’s which is associated with the Ursuline Convent. So I think it was on or near Chartres street in that area. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189/4 "2021-03-18T17:28:50Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Chartres street Soniat House sound familiar at all? It is across the street from St Mary’s. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189/5 "2021-03-18T23:33:47Z")
It does not sound familiar, but its been so long, there would not be any real chance I would remember the name ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2021, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189/6 "2021-03-19T04:54:57Z")
French Quarter Maisonettes? From a post on [fodors.com](http://fodors.com) from 2003: > [@](#): > > My husband & I stayed there about 15 years ago and although it was spartan (B&W TV and no phone or pool), the suites were spacious, decorated in 50’s era (but in good shape) furniture and all the rooms (maybe 6 of the them total?) opened out into a beautiful courtyard where the owner’s cats would come down their own private cat-sized spiral staircase from her upstairs apartment and visit with us every morning. We enjoyed the simplicity and charm of it. Besides, it was only about $45 dollars a night. > **[Soniat House/ Maisonettes - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums](https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/soniat-house-maisonettes-325614/)** > > United States - Soniat House/ Maisonettes - Author: Vera Date: 06/09/2003, 11:49 am Message: Hi: I posted this question, but it seemed to disappear. Could someone tell me if the Soniat House operates the place across the street that used to be called... Has been associated with Soniat House, as an “annex.” ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2021, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hotel-inn-on-the-french-quarter-with-cat-staircase/938189/7 "2021-03-19T05:21:45Z")
YEP!!! That’s it! I did wonder about the owner from that time and Jessie. From your link: > We stayed at the “French Quarter Maisonettes” a few times back in the '70’s. The “old lady’s” name as a few of you dubbed her was Mrs Junius Underwood and the gentleman who was the butler 's name was Jesse, who is still there, the last time I enquired about rooms, two years ago . By the way, that was bourbon in her teacup. Soniat house did buy the Maisonettes and if you call for rates tell them you want to stay in the Maisonettes, they don’t list it as an annex. Warm memories of our stays there.