If you’re indulging properly in St. Tammany’s month-long Taste of Summer event, you’ll end the evening with a full belly and the heady sweetness that follows a night of delicious cocktails or well-paired wines. So, skip the long drive home and stay the night (or the weekend) to make the most of the Northshore’s range of charming inns, bed and breakfasts, and hotels. The best part? When you wake up, you can do it all again, checking more restaurants off your list. This culinary rendezvous deserves more than a night out—make a staycation out of it!
Keep things simple with the tried-and-true hotel options in Slidell. Conveniently situated right off I-10, you can’t go wrong with a reservation at Marriott’s TownePlace Suites or Comfort Inn & Suites—setting you up for a quick ten-minute or less drive (or Uber/Lyft) to Taste of Summer participating restaurants including Palmettos on the Bayou and Gallagher’s on Front Street. This is also an excellent option for those who want to keep up their workout routine between all the meals—both feature onsite gyms and pools.
Prefer to go all-in on the “home away from home” ? Old Mandeville offers a wealth of locally-owned bed and breakfasts that put you squarely in the (walkable) middle of things. The two cottage suites at Birdies & Rascals attract rave reviews regarding the level of intentionality and care that owners Mitchell and Roberta Pierre infuse into the hospitality experience. Down the street by the Lake Pontchartrain waterfront are the Blue Heron—an oasis offering private porch and gardens—and de la Bleau B&B, whose lake-house-style collection of suites is a favorite of returning visitors to the Northshore. All three are within a quick drive (or a bike ride), from half a dozen Taste of Summer restaurants, as are destinations like the Tammany Trace Bike Trail, the historic Dew Drop Jazz Hall, and more.
Of course, if you’re eyeing Covington, the iconic Southern Hotel serves as a landmark access point to the historic town’s hospitality legacy. Opened as a luxury hotel for New Orleans summer visitors in 1907, the Southern’s walls reflect rich history, elegantly infused with stylish appointments and modern amenities. Lounge in the airy lobby, chill in the Cypress Bar, or delve into French-inflected dishes prepared by acclaimed Chef Alex Harrell at The Gloriette restaurant. As a bonus, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Covington’s downtown district, within easy walking distance of Taste of Summer restaurants like Valencia, Tavi, LOLA, the English Tea Room, and more.
Learn more about the Northshore’s wide variety of overnight accommodations at visitthenorthshore.com/places-to-stay.
