A grand dame blending Old World elegance and gracious Southern hospitality.. The Scene
Since its opening in 1927, this hotel has gone through several owners. But it continues to retain its genteel character and understated elegance. A major refurbishing in 2000 upgraded many of the rooms, and what started as a minor face-lift for the café became a dramatic voyage of discovery when workers uncovered a hand-painted ceiling fresco that dates to the hotel's opening. Now completely restored, the Café Pontchartrain boasts the Art Deco look of its early days.

The Details
Accommodations are fairly large and have such nice touches as thick carpets, cedar-lined closets and other upscale amenities. All 104 rooms and suites are designed individually, and some are named for famous visitors who may or may not have actually stayed in said room. Famous names include musical comedy star Mary Martin, dancer Cyd Charisse and English novelist Evelyn Waugh.…