New Orleans…August 11^th, 2003

This is one of our stories offered in a series of articles that will allow you the reader a first hand view of an establishment that you may want to patronize in the New Orleans area. Mardi Gras Digest has taken great pride in being the travel site to come to not just during Mardi Gras but 365 days a year, because in the Big Easy there is always something going on.

We decided to venture to the Historic Garden District of New Orleans along St. Charles Ave. There are several hotels, restaurants, and lounges, beautiful mansions and a host of other, want to see, attractions.

This particular story will be about a Bed and Breakfast that I happened to stumble upon. It is truly, one of New Orleans, "best kept secrets". It is the "Hubbard Mansion".

When we arrived, Mrs. Hubbard was in the process of taking care of one of her guest, so we were politely asked to wait in the foyer of this grand estate. While waiting, we felt like we had stepped back in time, where truly life was taken at a slower pace, with the Southern Grander that was then of daily life. The fine furnishings are of period antiques and heirlooms. The crystal chandeliers in this home are magnificent, with walls adorned with pictures of Don and Rose, Don's Mom and Dad, dignitaries they had meet and Don with celebrities during his tenor as a fight promoter. There was a picture of he and Mohammed Ali that graced a wall as well as free hand artwork that was done by a local artist. As we waited, you could easily immerse yourself in time and imagine a butler coming around the corner to greet you with an "Is there anything I can get you while you wait?" sort of question.

Upon meeting Ms. Hubbard, it seemed as though, you were meeting a new relative. She was very welcoming into her home. Her professionalism, along with her grace and charm, ignited warm childhood feelings of being at home, with my Mom or grandmother. The ease in our greeting, lead to a very enjoyable and informative interview, with this newest innkeeper on the St. Charles Ave.

The Hubbard Mansion was the idea of Don and Rose Hubbard, which came to reality in the year 2001. Don and Rose Hubbard are native New Orleanians, with 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren. Upon Roses' retiring from the Civil Service system, Don asked Rose what would she like to do since she wasn't really ready to retire. Even though Rose had retired from her career, Don's day had not come for retirement at the Dept. Of Agriculture as of yet. After exploring several options, the opening of a bed and breakfast on St. Charles Ave. became more intriguing by the moment. With the help of friends in the Tour and Travel industry and educating themselves with the nuances of operating a B&B, the challenge and adventure was on.

As we toured the home, it became apparent that Rose and Don had really put their hearts and soul into making this the best B&B in the New Orleans area. The Hubbard Mansion Bed and Breakfast is a Greek Revival home. It has five guest rooms that have suite accommodations that are offered. All of the rooms are furnished with antiques and heirlooms of the historic style and elegance of a period. The Hubbard Mansion opened it doors in 2001 as a newly built replica of a Natchez, Mississippi Mansion. The Mansion offers guests, a full breakfast each morning. For those of us who are well traveled and may have stayed in B&B's that offer dinner or maybe a midday tea/lunch, you will not find this amenity as well here in New Orleans. A little known local ordinance, mandates that B&B's in New Orleans may only offer breakfast to their guests, in their establishments. "Go figure".

Each room it seemed, had it's own personality, which was by the owners unique design. When we entered HENRY II, it had a very exquisite manly air that seemed to fit it. It had all the strength of the past king and his palace with a king sized bed, triple bevel-mirrored armoire and marble topped dresser, which all are reproductions of the Louis XVI series, in walnut with lemon inlay.

This room is located in the front of the mansion that allows the sun to peak through and the guest to look out upon the streetcars of St. Charles Ave. When giving us a little background on the rooms Ms. Hubbard indicated that she and Don cherishes their relationship with their family so they decided that they would honor them by naming a room after them. Henry II was named in honor of Don's father

The room name VICTORIA was also located in the front of the mansion. Its décor was a little softer than the room of HENRY II, and offers an elegance and richness that would make any woman feel like a queen. This room's furnishings, has the quality of Prudence Mallards' four posts, full tester king bed. It is a French Creole bed featuring Mallard's signature egg with delicately carved mahogany curves. When you sit in the window of this room, you could imagine yourself in the1800's looking out the window and listening to the streetcars ringing their bells, (ding ding ding-a-ling) down St. Charles Ave. , while sipping on a Mint Julep in the summertime. This room is named after one of their several granddaughters, Victoria. The Hubbards affectionately call their granddaughters their queens. You'll hear me state this from time to time This room conjures up the memories of love and passion that will embrace you during your stay here.

As we toured the room known as the BREION, the atmosphere was of a peaceful, quite, sensuously royal feeling, laid claim to this room. The mahogany, rosewood and burgundy colors with marble top dresser and the custom designed crown canopy -king sized bed offers romantics the ideal place privacy during a get-away-weekend. Another queen, (granddaughter) of Don and Rose, is named BREION, for which this room is named. The room known as, QUEEN DELL was our next stop. This taste of class has Henry II French antiques of warm walnut with pink and green floral fabrics. It has a queen-sized bed and matching single armoire, which made the room, very cozy and quaint, yet charming and subdued at the same time. This room of QUEEN DELL is truly named after Rose's mother Dell.

The STELLA PERE GRANDE is a 650 square feet suite located in the North Wing of the Mansion and this suite lets you know the true meaning of family living with luxury and style. Now, we come to my favorite room in the house the room named DOOKIE. When I entered this room it reminded me of my Grandmother, as all the feelings of, the love, warmth, caring, comfort, country, homey, family feeling, came rushing back to me.

Rose informed me, the room had been named after Don's mother whose nickname of Mama Dookie, which was given to her, by the family. The room colors are red and white with a luxurious half tester bed, which invites you to sit or lay on it without fear or reprisal from the host. All furniture that occupies this room, as in others is of the period, from the bed, to the armoire or the vintage tub in the private bath, all gives you a total piece of mind and protects you from outside distractions.

The Mansion also boasts a set of luxury apartments, for those in town for long periods of time. These apartments allow you the comforts of home away from home, and will give you that sense and taste of belonging to the New Orleanian culture. You may want to check into the CARRIAGE HOUSE of the Hubbard Mansion if you wish to experience the city before you move here. It's that much of a perfect setting in which you can get the true feel of the city. These fully equipped two bedroom apartments has complete furnishings and appliances, that are perfect for entertaining guest. They are located behind the Mansion and have ample parking space.

As we continued with the tour, Ms. Hubbard speaks to me with the passion and feeling of an accomplishment, one also, that was a dream come true. The Hubbard Mansion is more than just a place to lay your head. Spending time on the front porch of the Mansion, people watching or watching the Streetcars go by on St. Charles Ave. or preparing for a cook out or cocktail party on the rear porch all seems to be very inviting. The Dining Room and the Veranda is a perfect place to hold, weddings/receptions, dinner parties, lunches (business or leisure), or any other social events. In hosting these type of functions, Ms. Hubbard has become very efficient in coordinating events. She is a "One Stop Shop". You can inquire with her about caterers, tours, and entertainment for your events.

As we came to the end of our tour, I felt a feeling of nostalgia and emporia of going back in time for a short period. But, this is the effect that New Orleans has on it visitors and locals. The history is deep with a multitude of cultures and lifestyles that make it a place of intrigue. Even though the Hubbard Mansion is new to the Garden District it has already taken on the characteristic of some of it's older neighbors and is most definitely a part of the family along the avenue.

Don and Rose Hubbard has The Hubbard Mansion is a place where you should visit when coming to New Orleans. The time is know to make reservations for Mardi Gras.

Please visit their website for further information and more room pics.