Laurie is a star and staying at her place was a lovely experience. It’s in a quiet, safe neighbourhood within easy walking distance of the tram car on a direct route into the centre of the city and several nice restaurants. The house is welcoming, clean and comfy, and Laurie herself is super friendly and charmingly idiosyncratic. She has loads of useful information on New Orleans and went more than the extra mile by picking me up from the airport (a lifesaver) and trusting me to take her beautiful dog, Ajax, out running.

If you want to go and stay in a sterile soulless box, go and stay in one of the big hotels in the middle of town. If you want to stay in the real New Orleans and meet some really nice people who turn into friends that you go back and visit, go and stay with Laurie.

This was my first Airbnb experience and if other airbnb places are like Laurie’s then I will never choose to stay in a hotel again.