First, the location. Casa Pelican is on the ‘other’ side of the Mississippi in a wonderful historic area called Algiers Point, full of quiet streets lined with 19th century houses. It’s a tranquil, slightly sleepy, atmsopheric, residential area with some wonderful bars and a couple of restaurants (we tended to eat in the bars which served great comfort food). Algiers has a very special atmosphere - pavements buckled by the roots of trees, magnolia ptals covering roads, quirky signage decorating each house front. Maybe it comes from leaving the hubbub of the city behind as you catch the ferry. We had decided to split our week, staying for a few days in the Garden District and then coming here. I am so glad we did. Algiers offers a different perspective, literally: you gaze over the great river at the French Quarter and the skyscrapers of the finance district and waterfront. I loved the sense of leaving all the crowds behind as you get on one of the ferries, that run frequently for $2 a trip. There’s peacefulness here - I was woken by unfamiliar birdsong the first night - and atmosphere and a sense of mystery, somehow, as you walk back through moonlit streets. The bars are great too - try the Crown and Anchor or the Dry Dock Cafe.
Then there’s the Casa Pelican itself, hosted by Karen who dispenses suggestions and warm conversation as generously as she does coffee. She is a font of information and interesting perspectives. We had the bedroom at the front with its wrap around verandah where we would sit at the end of the day and sip a bottle of pecan beer and gaze out into the darkness and wish we lived here. The bedroom is large and comfortable and the bathroom had one of those antique slipper baths where we would shower at the end of the day. Best are the breakfasts, each one different, each reflecting Karen’s love of cooking and her expertise. So souffles, buttermilk pancakes, sausage, omelettes were rolled out along with blackberries, grapefruit from the grapefruit tree, toast and pear conserve and lashings of hot coffee. It was great chatting to the two other guests while we were there, hearing their stories. There are cookery courses too - next time...
It is simply one of the nicest places I have stayed in, and that is thanks to the location but above all the warmth and hospitality of Karen and her husband.