Hurricanes Katrina / Rita Update (11/11/2005)

Many thanks to all who have expressed their concern and offered their help! Being reminded how many friends one has really does good!

I was in Europe on my way back to New Orleans when Katrina struck. My flight was cancelled, and in retrospect I guess that was the best that could have happened to me. So I stayed with friends / family in Europe. This way I did not take away housing and supplies from other evacuees who needed them so desperately! I flew back 10/2 -10/3, spent the first night with friends in Houma, then "moved in" to The Burgundy on 10/4. (Electricity was restored 10/3, and we were officially allowed back in 10/4.) I had friends staying here starting 10/5, and the first "paying guests" arrived 10/10.

The Burgundy did not flood. Most of the historic sections of the city did not, in fact, as they were built on the highest ground. We received our last missing service, gas, today. It's amazing how we take sewerage, water, electricity, cable, internet, phone, garbage pick-up, mail and newspaper delivery and gas service for granted til we don't have it! (Above is the order in which our services were restored.)

So many have asked what you can do to help New Orleans. It has become obvious that not only New Orleanians love the city! The best way to help is to come and visit! Tourism is our lifeline. It has already been announced that Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest 2006 will take place.

Carl

The Burgundy

New Orleans Bed and Breakfast

We are a small and cozy gay owned and operated New Orleans Bed & Breakfast Inn in the Faubourg Marigny, just a few blocks from the French Quarter. The guests of our B and B accommodations are a perfect mix of lesbians, gay men and straight men and women - come enjoy our Louisiana hospitality, as we cater to your individual wants and needs!  We can guide you to many local sites and attractions - including restaurants, shopping, music clubs and lesbian and gay New Orleans bars.

We have renovated and converted the property from the 1890's Eastlake style shotgun double to the bed and breakfast.  Almost everything in the house is original, including the 8 (not working, formerly coal-burning) fireplaces, the hardwood floors, the 12 foot ceilings (a few of which have original plaster medallions and crown moulding), the louvered shutters, as well as the doors (including two sets of pocket doors) and windows. We have made every effort to retain the original character of this New Orleans treasure in the new bed and breakfast. So the only structural changes we made in the front eight rooms were installing doors between the two sides and a bathroom  in a former hallway.  One of the two rear rooms (a former kitchen) has been divided into a galley kitchen and a bath.

The Burgundy Bed and Breakfast has 4 guest rooms, 3 of which have their own private bath. We share the courtyard, spa, porches and the dining room with our guests. And there is a parlor and a galley kitchen for the guests to share.  The parlor is a meeting point, sitting room, library (videos and books) and "cyber-cafe" - we have wireless internet - all in one.  The galley kitchen has a refrigerator, sink, microwave, coffee maker and toaster oven. The rear porch opens onto a courtyard, which is suitable for sunbathing.  Across the courtyard is the half-open "tub house",  in which the spa (whirlpool, hot tub,  Jacuzzi) is located. We have a "clothing optional" policy in the spa and sunbathing area.

And by the way, "Burgundy" is one of several street names which are locally "mispronounced": We say bur-GUN-dy, although the color of the same name is pronounced BUR-gun-dy. Probable reason: The street was named after the Duke of Burgundy, in French bour-GON-ye. 

Check availability and request reservations here:

Availability and Reservations

or call The Burgundy Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans at 1-504-942-1463 (also guest rooms and fax number) or my cell phone: 1-504- 261-9477

 or call toll-free within the Continental US 1-800-970-2153 

or send us an email to theburgundy@cox.net (in English, French or German)!