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Hats and Horses
Tricia Graham and Brigitte Kemnade Shellie D’Angelo Delaney and Cindy DeScenna
&HATS HORSES
Kentucky Derby Benefit for CASA
Photos by Andrew Crumpton The 6th Annual Hats & Horses Kentucky Derby event included a mint julep station, tasty hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, best hat contest for the ladies, dapper man contest for the gents, a putting contest, and a mystery wine pull. The event benefited CASA, an organization that provides trained volunteers that are appointed by a judge to speak for the well being of abused and neglected children in legal proceedings.
Jennifer and John Ronderos
Ann and Reeves Dill Jennifer Kramer and Paul Shorrosh
Tricia Slack and Stephen Coleman
April and James Williams
Dr. Lindsey Beakley and Randall Boudreaux Patty Yore and Amber Krempa
Theresa Whelan, David Quittmeyer, and Valerie Case Debbie Simpson and Cosmo Comiskey
Christopher J. Bosarge, M.D.
Board Certified in Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology
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GEAUX LOCAL
BY LIESEL SCHMIDT GEAUX LOCAL
BY LIESEL SCHMIDT
BY LIESEL SCHMIDTW ith its sculpted white plaster façade, mullioned windows, and ornate
With its sculpted white plaster façade, detailing, the Hotel Monteleone is a bastion mullioned windows, and ornate of old-world luxury that seems to have detailing, the Hotel Monteleone is a bastion slipped the ruthless grasp of progress and of old-world luxury that seems to have modern development. Heralded by blue and slipped the ruthless grasp of progress and white flags that wave proudly above the city modern development. Heralded by blue and street and bear the Monteleone crest, the white flags that wave proudly above the city hotel beckons to those in search of true New street and bear the Monteleone crest, the Orleans hospitality, offering a white-gloved hotel beckons to those in search of true New hand and a step back in time. Orleans hospitality, offering a white-gloved hand and a step back in time.
As spectacularly beautiful as it today, the Hotel Monteleone has undergone quite a few changes during its lifetime—and amassed quite a colorful and remarkable history, as well. Originally called the Commercial Hotel, it wasn’t until 1886 that the 64-room hotel at the corner of Royal and Iberville Streets began its rise to true greatness. Purchased that year by an immigrant named Antonio Monteleone, the hotel became a passion project for the Sicilian businessman who had left his home and high standing in society as a successful shoemaker in Sicily to pursue a greater dream in America.
While the ownership of a hotel was a far cry from the shoe industry and quite a departure from the life he might have imagined when he opened a cobbler shop on Royal Street after arriving in New Orleans in 1880, Monteleone’s head for business proved that the leap was a wise investment rather than a fool’s errand. Over the next two decades, the hotel’s success led to the need for an expansion; and in 1903, 30 rooms were added to the hotel. 1908 brought with it the addition of 300 more rooms as well as a rebranding; and despite the financial panic that was engulfing the country, the newly named Hotel Monteleone soldiered on.
When Antonio Monteleone passed away in 1913, his son Frank took up the mantle, bringing the hotel into a second generation of ownership. 200 more rooms were added in 1928; and a year later, the U.S. found itself in the midst of the Great Depression. Once again, widespread financial ruin could have meant the end for the hotel. Once again, it overcame the odds and emerged the crisis with its head held high, becoming one of the nation’s few family-owned hotels to withstand the Depression.
Still standing proudly, the hotel went on without further change until 1954, when a fourth addition required the demolition of the original building that was replaced by a new building that included guest facilities, ballrooms, dining rooms, and cocktail lounges. Along with the monumental changes to the hotel’s structure, the ’50s also brought with them another change as ownership passed to a third generation when Bill Monteleone took over after his father passed in 1958. In 1964, Bill’s vision for the future of the hotel brought to bear additional floors, guest rooms, and a Sky Terrace that featured swimming pools and cocktail lounges.
The Hotel Monteleone has endured for more than a century, welcoming a fourth generation of ownership by the family that has made it iconic to New Orleans. Those four generations have much to be proud of, for within its walls are thousands upon thousands of hours of history—not to mention the many stories that have been written within its rooms. In fact, the Hotel Monteleone bears the distinction of being one of the few hotels dedicated as a Literary Landmark by the Friends of Libraries USA. Over the course of its lifetime, the hotel hosted numerous famous and beloved writers including Richard Ford, Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, Sherwood Anderson, Ernest Hemingway, and Truman Capote. The Hotel Monteleone has even been written into some of their well-read pages, and the self-invented tale of Truman Capote’s birth claims the Hotel Monteleone as his birthplace. Fictitious though it might be, this is only one example of the innumerable stories have made the Hotel Monteleone such a treasured part of French Quarter New Orleans and its history—and the hotel has responded in kind by naming its Literary Author Suites for its most treasured writers.
History aside, the hotel is an architectural gem worthy of celebration. Much like the ornate façade that greets all who pass by, walking through the brass and glass doors into its massive foyer is to step into another world—one with tall white walls that stretch high towards heaven, massive columns, gleaming marble floors, and arched mirrors that perfectly capture and reflect the light to make the entire space feel like a jewel box, all underneath a ceiling whose elaborate gold detailing tells of countless hours of craftsmanship. Naturally, the level of hospitality matches the grandeur that is so clearly on display; and each of the 570 guest rooms is equally a reflection of excellence. The amenities appointing each of the hotel’s guest accommodations are worthy of five stars, including Keurig coffee brewers, in-room safes, refrigerators, WiFi, high definition LCD TVs, plush robes, and spacious marble and granite bathrooms. As luxurious as the guest rooms are, the 55 Luxury and Literary Author Suites boast an even higher degree of elegance, boasting walk-in glass showers, garden Jacuzzi tubs, and sofa beds in the parlors as well as some additional features that make a stay here better than a home away from home.
Of course, not every moment can be spent tucked away—plush as the rooms might be. Fortunately, the Hotel Monteleone offers a wide variety of ways to while away the hours…some of them more relaxing than others. For anyone in need of some pampering, the Spa Aria provides an entire menu of spa services including massages, nail services, facial and skin treatments, and foot therapy to soothe and pamper both the body and the mind. Re-invigorated souls will find an outlet for their energy in the 24-hour access fitness center complete with state of the art cardio machines and strength training equipment—all of which overlooks the Mighty Mississippi River and the French Quarter. Up on the roof, the crystal blue waters of the heated pool welcome a dip all year long.
No hotel worthy of note would be complete without a dining experience to compliment its finery, and the Hotel Monteleone is no exception. Offering a menu of refined dishes that bear a distinct Southern flair and truly pay homage to New Orleans and its unforgettable cuisine, Criollo is everything one might expect from a restaurant nestled within this jewel box. A gem of undeniable beauty, Criollo’s allure lies in each bite of the transcendent food served to its guests from breakfast to dinner; and its popularity speaks to its excellence.
Another point of popularity—not to mention notoriety— is the Carousel Lounge. Widely loved for its fantastic cocktails, the Carousel is unique in all the ways that count and truly special enough to be unforgettable. Much like its name would imply, it features a circular central bar that orbits the bartender, all underneath the sweeps of an actual carousel. Round and round it goes, this rotating
bar whose horses have been replaced by seats painted with detailed pictures, while patrons sip expertly crafted drinks that have been a draw to this very spot since it opened in the 1940s. Much like the rest of the city, the Carousel Lounge has also had a great love affair with music, hosting some of the greatest names in history while people listened, falling under its spell.
For generations, the Hotel Monteleone has held tightly to the ideals of a time gone by, proving that true beauty is created by vision and uncompromising dreams.
