Auld Sweet Olive Bed and Breakfast

I searched high and low for a place that would make our New Orleans trip special. It was my birthday, our 15^th anniversary and our first trip away from home without kids. Nancy was great from my very first email and I knew I had found the right place. She sent me some very informative emails with recommendations that ended up being spot on and really helped me to plan out our trip before we even arrived.
Auld Sweet Olive is a beautiful old house with so much character. We arrived late but made arrangements so Nancy was there waiting for us and gave us a tour. Our room (garden suite) was perfect. It had its own entrance which was great and it was very quiet. The bed was really comfy, too. Breakfast was cereal, baked goods of some type, fruit and a hot dish every day. It was perfect to get our day started but not too much which is good because there are so many restaurants close by. The absolute best part about staying here was the love that Nancy has for this city. With her guidance we were able to see the best of New Orleans! Frenchmen Street is an easy (and pretty) walk and there is so much to see there. The bike tour she referred us to (confederacy of cruisers) was the highlight of our trip and had the same local pride vibe that we felt from Nancy.
If I had to list one negative it would be that our legs were a bit sore from all of the walking. It isn’t that far to walk to the French Quarter but you also do a lot of walking there. We walked a lot of miles 3 days in a row. In hindsight, renting bikes would have been a great idea. You definitely don’t need a car but consider bikes or be prepared to walk. A LOT. The good news is that you walk off all those extra calories that you will be drinking and eating.
We had such an amazing time that we are already planning our next trip back and we are bringing friends! Can’t wait to stay here again!

Awesome Bed & Breakfast place just outside Frenchman Street with an absolutely charming owner, who defines the expression «Southern Hospitality.» Apparently she was a former producer of reality shows (she has a few awards and Emmys on the wall in the public area) who decided to retire from the rat race and open this B&B in New Orleans. The house is beautiful and spacious, with a beautiful patio that you can entertain guests or just hang out in. She is also an excellent chef and lays out an amazing gourmet buffet breakfast in the morning. Nancy is also really happy to help out with any questions or suggestions about New Orleans: where to go, eat, and drink. I stayed at the Marriott on Canal St, but felt more relaxed and at home here, as Nancy does her best to make you feel entirely welcome.
This place is also within walking distance of some really awesome bars and authentic restaurants. Don’t be put off by the surrounding neighborhood of Marginy, it’s gentrifying and the people are friendly. Pretty hipster actually. You can walk to Frenchman St for some really good jazz.
Nancy is an amazing host and very generous, going out of her way to make me feel welcome. The house is beautiful and well kept, it was just restored when she bought the place in 2013. The room is spacious and really comfortable, for the price it’s a steal. One of the best kept secrets in NOLA!

Beautiful place in and out. You have to ring the bell so you are greeted by Nancy. Very nice and personable woman. She gave me a tour and a list of what’s around. Walking distance to bars and restaurants and my room reminded me of when I was a kid. It had everything including bottled water.
The décor was fabulous and even the courtyard. Too bad I only stayed for one night. I highly recommend this place. The airport shuttle will take you to French quarter suites on The same street and you can either walk or take a bus from there. It’s definitely worth the cab ride.
Buffet breakfast at your kitchen table. Very classy. Thanks Nancy for an enjoyable stay.

My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon in late July and had the absolute best experience. Nancy was very accommodating and very pleasant. She made us feel right at home, even letting us borrow her beach bag for when we went to the beach one day and letting us use her umbrellas for the out-​of-​nowhere down pours that NOLA has. Nancy gave us great recommendations on where to eat and listen to great jazz music. It was the perfect distance from the quarter, close enough that we walked everyday we were there. The rooms were very clean and were pretty good size too. I would highly recommend that you stay at Auld Sweet Olive if you are visiting New Orleans!

Me and my mom stayed with Nancy in March and we plan to stay again when we go back. The place was gorgous and Nancy was the epitome of down home hospitality. The staff was awesome as well they were ready and willing to accommodate at all times they were on staff. The B&B is centrally located as well and if you have not rented a car and are in good walking shape its not a far walk to the French quarter. Give Nancy Gunn your business and you cannot go wrong. Miss ya’ Nancy, Jim and Charlotte.

A friend and I stayed here during the Essence Fest a couple weeks ago. I secured this reservation back in February after talking to the owner, Nancy. She was very pleasant and helpful on the phone when I asked her several questions about the bed and breakfast and about New Orleans in general. When we checked in, she was there to greet us and give us the lowdown on the B&B, including our rooms, breakfast, and how to get around. We stayed in the Magnolia and Oak rooms. I loved this setup. I’m a private person and really don’t like to share my space outside of my husband and kids so I was very grateful that we each had our own room and bathroom. Our rooms were separated by a door which could lock on my side of the room. The pricing was very competitive and in line with the rates of other hotels and B&Bs for the special occasion weekend. I almost panicked because I forgot my Lysol which I carry with me when I travel for peace of mind. However, the rooms were clean so I had no worries. And my bed was very comfortable. I had breakfast the first day by myself since I was up way too early and it was continental breakfast with a little more. I tried the savory bread pudding that had veggie sausage, onions, and cheese. It was delicious. Along with fresh strawberries, juice, and some pastries. The walk to the French Quarter was about 12 – 15 minutes. Frenchmen street was nearby and that’s a cool area to visit with great food and music. I’ll probably spend more time in that area on my next visit. All in all, it was a great stay, Nancy was a gracious hostess, and I felt safe staying there. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone considering a visit to NOLA! I can’t wait to come back.

Beautiful room and Nancy was wonderful and so accommodating, room is beautifully decorated.
I agree with another Unilocaler that the neighborhood is a little sketchy, it was about 20 – 25 mins walk to french quarter and was told by Nancy where to go and where not to…
Wish it was closer, otherwise very nice

I hesitated writing a review of Auld Sweet Olive for a selfish reason: I’m afraid this small B and B will become so popular that it’s rooms will all be booked months in advance. It would be wrong, though, not to acknowledge such excellence in hospitality. Auld Sweet Olive is a giant step above the average B and B. The house is genuinely charming. The walls of each room are painted by a set designer in different tropical vegetation themes (the name, BTW, isn’t a cute version of «old» but a reference to Stephen Auld, another set designer who once lived there). The proprietor could not be more accommodating (armed with menus from what looked like every restaurant in NOLA, for instance, she spent 15 minutes helping make the perfect choice), but at the same time not to the slightest degree intrusive. Winner of local cooking awards, she bakes a different dish for breakfast every morning, all perfectly delightful.
Perhaps we were just lucky, but the other guests were unusually interesting. Conversations over breakfast weren’t just pleasant but actually stimulating.
The only downside of Sweet Olive is that it is nine or so blocks from the French Quarter. That’s a pleasant walk through the Marigny, a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. It seems perfectly safe, except perhaps late at night, but it does mean that you have to be a bit more planful about your activities. On the other hand, once back at Sweet Olive, you can enjoy a night without noise pollution.

We absolutely loved staying at Sweet Olive. We knew we didn’t want to stay in the French Quarter so when a friend recommended Auld Sweet Olive I immediately booked it.
The owner, Nancy, was so lovely and accommodating and took lots of time with us when we arrived to explain the neighborhood, give us maps, and tell us her favorite local spots to explore. The house has a rich history and is really beautiful. The breakfast was delicious and Nancy’s baked goods are out of this world.
I’m pretty sure all of the negative reviews are from before Nancy was the owner as I can’t imagine anyone having a bad experience with her! If you’re going to New Orleans I highly recommend a stay at Auld Sweet Olive. Great neighborhood, walking distance from Frenchman Street, the French Quarter and less touristy spots like the Bywater district. We slept well, were well fed in the morning and had a great experience at Sweet Olive!

Because Auld Sweet Olive has a new owner, I thought it only fair to give another review.
If you are going to New Orleans, you are coming to one of the most historically rich cities in the US. Please, do not rob yourself of the most beautiful and contagious qualities of the city; the undeniable passion and pride that its people have for it.
I will never understand why people would prefer to line the pockets of Arne Sorenson and stay in one of the Marriott’s sterile and non-​specific rooms.
Anyway, my point is that when you stay in a B & B you are staying in someone’s home and business. Someone who loves what they do so much they live it 24hours a day, 365 days a year. That kind of passion is exactly what you will find at Auld Sweet Olive.
We stayed in the Courtyard Suite and it is wonderful. The large walk-​in shower, the huge comfortable king-​size bed and the fully functional kitchenette are perfect for any length of stay. The proximity of the Sweet Olive to neighborhood bars, restaurants and stores is fantastic for walking the wild, weird, wacky and wonderful streets of New Orleans.
If you’re going to come to NOLA, do it right– stay at the Auld Sweet Olive.

First of all… Check the dates on the reviews. The current owner, Nancy, bought Sweet Olive’s around April or May 2013, and has transformed it into a lovely place. Dave, Dale, or anyone else has since moved on and is longer affiliated with the B&B.
I came to NOLA for business. Since my days were going to start early and end busy, I needed a conveniently located, quiet and private place to stay. Sweet Olive’s was just that, and more. Here’s the breakdown:
THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
The Marigny is a bit on the hipster side. It’s gentrifying, but still has a certain character that only New Orleans can provide. I walked to Frenchmen St. and the Quarter with no issues. There are small cafes and coffee shops nearby, even an organic co-​op (grocery store) across the street! If you want to stay in an actual community where real residents of the city are, the Marigny is perfect. Safety is not an issue.
THE ROOM:
I stayed in the Cypress Room, which was comfortable, clean, homey, and had a private bathroom (shower only). After working all day, it was amazing to take a hot shower and collapse into a room that actually felt like a home. The AC worked great. There was a fan. And the adorable bathroom had fluffy, soft towels, artisan handsoap, and herbal hair products. (I got a tour of a few other rooms. The suite looked fantastic!) Everyday, my room was tidied up. Even my shoes were arranged and organized.
THE HOUSE:
It’s a beautiful, restored New Orleans home with some classic French architecture. I was able to sit in the main room with a glass of wine and quietly work on my laptop. SO MUCH better than sitting in a hotel lobby or busy coffee shop. It was a laid back and well-​equipped oasis from work. (I might have spent some time in the hammock in the courtyard.) Plus, Nancy has books available for reading or trading, snacks and drinks, and tons of interesting decorations. (Her Emmy is in the kitchen, next to the dry goods. Not even kidding.)
THE BREAKFAST:
A full spread with continental items and at least one hot protein, like goat cheese frittata or baked egg cups. Coffee, tea, orange juice, and milk. Sweet bread, muffins, bagels, toast, english muffins, and all the fixings. Bananas, oranges, apples, etc. The menu was printed out and framed with the weather forecast for the day.
THE HOST:
When I called the check availability, Nancy answered from her car and made plans to meet me with fifteen minutes. No one else I called was that personal and accommodating, and that’s what hooked me. Nancy was around if you needed her. She made sure everything was stocked for you. And she was always a kind and smiling presence without being too overbearing. She had great tips for the neighborhood if you needed them. And we had some interesting conversations about travel, etc. She’s lovely.
THE PRICE:
Are you supposed to post rates on reviews? Since I was on business, my budget was fairly non-​negotiable. The room was less than what I’ve paid at stock hotels in other cities. And for the quality, breakfast, space, and experience, it was a steal.

Best place I have ever stayed at delicious food, vary clean, sweet owner. I loved it soooo much!

My brother and I had a delightful time at the Auld Sweet Olive. The new owner, Nancy is very gracious and accommodating. I think that some of the negative reviews were based on the last owners.
Our rooms were so sweet! You can see on the website how special the wall murals are. The artistry was remarkable. Rooms do not have televisions but the wi-​fi was good.
If you want a conventional hotel surrounded by corporate businesses, this is not for you. If you want a sweet, homey b&b in an a bohemian neighborhood, you will be very charmed.
We can’t wait to go back!

I hate leaving a bad review, especially for the place we stayed on our honeymoon, but I just did not enjoy my stay here. When we arrived the owners were more than a little peeved that they had tried to call us that day and couldn’t get a hold of us. Gee sorry, I was GETTING MARRIED. Apparently they had tickets to an event and we were holding them up. They gave us the key and no real welcome into the home before they left. The room was very cute, but the walls… they are PAPER thin. I could hear every conversation going on in this small place. You are warned. The neighborhood was a little sketchy, but we didn’t have any real problems with that. Breakfast was muffins and tea, the tea was very good, though I guess I was expecting a bigger breakfast at a bed and «breakfast». My biggest issue is that I never really felt welcomed here, more like I was an unwelcome visitor then a paying guest. I was happy when we left.

The hotels were booked ahead of our visit to New Orleans. While I noticed a few negative reviews on Unilocal,I thought tthey were anomalies. WRONG!
I was horrified when the owner, Dave, called me when I was an hour late and yelled at me as soon as I said ‘hello.” I could barely get a word in. I’ve never ever dealt with anyone so rude in the hospitality business, let alone all my life. This was the only rude person I encountered in all of Louisiana.
I bit my tongue and checked in anyways since I knew the hotels were all sold out and I had already paid for my stay a few months in advance. As soon as I pulled up, he was waiting outside with his hands on his hips yelling at me for being an hour late. I tried hard to be the better person and kill him with kindness.
The rooms were clean. The entire place could use a touch up — it’s a little run down. Neighborhood is a little sketchy. The website is not reality. It is not a scenic ‘stroll’ to the French Quarter. The property is not as nice. This place is not for everyone.
Breakfast was ok for me, but again, not for everyone. Coffee, bagels, muffins, cereal, yogurt — all store bought.
I’ve stayed at many B&B’s and this was the worst ever.
A new owner took over last week, so there is hope.

Where to begin !?
Auld Sweet Olive is a very comfortable, very laid-​back yet professional establishment. I was going to take a week long vacation in Houston in July 2011, and due to the sudden death of a close cousin, I needed to change my location and dates to New Orleans (where I am from). I immediately thought about trying a different approach, looking at bed and breakfast style accommodations. In my good luck, I have a friend who knows Dale and David, the Sweet Olive owners. I was thoroughly delighted to see that they have a truly great deal when staying four nights: The 4^th night is free! Obviously, this doesn’t include major holidays. That is an amazing deal at any establishment, much less one as nice as this!
I stayed in the Palmetto Guest Room. Very well-​appointed, and with a lot of storage and a truly awesome bathroom with excellent hand made soaps! The staff was courteous, professional, and around just enough to see to any needs. No need for meddling people in your personal business, UNLESS you engage in conversation with them. Clara was amazingly nice. She is a true New Orleanian. I can’t even tell you how amazing the incredibly generous spread was for breakfast. Jams, breads, fresh fruit, berries, cream cheese, muffins, bagels, you name it. Extremely generous and ever-​evolving. I was very pleased.
By the way, parking is extremely easy, as it is located across the street within a stones throw of the front door. Also, it is a secure lot off the street. Seriously, it can’t get easier than that!
By the way, WiFi is free!
The house was very pretty and very well taken care of. I do not see the validity of some of the negative reviews that have been posted. Perhaps they were expecting the W Hotel or Intercontinental? Get real. This place is amazing.
I will absolutely stay here whenever I am in town. No doubt about it.
Michael D

This Inn is an ok place to stay, I might stay there again one day.
It would benefit greatly from more TLC and an increased presence and involvment of the owners.
And for crying out loud: replace those broken down great room furniture, they are fit for donation …

Rather than repeat the details from Jack M’s wonderful review, I just want to add to the positives and say that my fiancée and I, my mom and her friend had a great experience here.
The rooms are comfortable & spacious (for the price), and the whole place is virtually a museum of old New Orleans, from the aforementioned Mardi Gras décor to the many many books all over the huge comfy lounge full of antique furniture. We also had a great time saving money by bringing our own wine and kicking back in the courtyard till the wee hours.
We didn’t meet Dale, but found David to be very welcoming and he didn’t so much as sneer when we had make a last minute booking change — mind you, I don’t think they were doing too much business that weekend.
Best upside: the rates are unbelievable for the location and quality.
Downside: the bathroom floors weren’t very clean. But Miss Clara is 78 years old, so we still tipped her.
The neighborhood is great, despite some nearby construction. Didn’t get to check out the Healing Center, but you’re one block away from a different kind of «healing center»: Marie’s Bar — a safe, friendly dive bar that offers great po-​boys out of the back kitchen and a chance to knock a few back with the locals, including Miss Clara. Just a few blocks away on Elysian Fields are Phoenix — for the leather & denim boys, and John Paul’s — the friendliest bar I’ve ever been to, and one of my favorites in the whole city. And that’s coming from a straight man. If you want to know more about JP’s, I’m going to give it it’s own review.
You could stay here for days without ever going to the French Quarter. Take a daylight stroll through the Bywater and check out Dr Bob’s art… thing, Elizabeth’s for the best breakfast ever, and Euclid Records for the vinylphiles.

I spent hours — days, even — researching B&Bs for our trip to New Orleans, and while I noticed a few negative reviews for Auld Olive, the cute website and location won me over.
So I was horrified to find out, four hours before our stay was to begin, that the owner was an absolute asshole, and we didn’t have a place to stay. Here’s the skinny: After an exhausting plane ride from the west coast, our flight out of JFK was held up (with us on the plane of course) for two hours, and our arrival time was pushed from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Not wanting to inconvenience Dale and David, the owners of Auld Olive, I called and let them know the situation, thinking that some advance notice would alleviate the inconvenience a bit. Instead, after letting the man who answered the phone know about our arrival time, this is the response I got (imagine a very angry southern drawl): «I have to WORK in the morning!»
Uh… Yeah, Stunned silence for a moment, then I ventured «I’m sorry about that but I guess I thought that maybe you could leave a key somewhere…»
«This is MY HOUSE! I can’t leave a key out! I should just cancel your reservation right now!»
At that point, I gratefully agreed. There was no freaking way we were going to stay with a person like that.
I should add that when I originally made the plane reservation, I contacted Dale and David to apologize for the late (11 p.m.) arrival, mentioning that in my experience these late-​night flights often arrive even later, and suggesting that pre-​arranging some sort of key-​drop might be best, but they assured me it would be fine.
It was not fine.
While it was certainly stressful to arrive in New Orleans at 1 a.m. with no reservations, on a weekend where nearly every room was taken (it took us 1 anxious hour at the airport, calling random hotels from the phone book ’till we finally found a vacant but obviously very expensive room), we consider ourselves lucky for not having to stay at Auld Olive.
I tend not to write negative reviews, but in this instance I had to. Spare yourself, and book a room elsewhere.

Great little B&B in the Marginy district. Not too far off the beaten path. Beautiful vaulted ceilings and original woodwork throughout. Extremely comfortable. Our caretakers were knowledgeable of the area and had a plethora of suggestions. Continental breakfast is included. Revolving selection of locally baked treats, bagels, jam, yogurt, fruit and more. Happy, the house dog, is cute as a button. Can’t beat for the value. Within walking distance of Frenchmen and the Quarter. Would definitely choose again.