Hotel Monroe

Hotel Monroe is a boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Monroe, Louisiana, blending historic preservation with modern luxury. The completed three-building development encompasses nearly 60,000 SF of restored and newly constructed space. The property features 69 individually designed guestrooms and more than 10,000 SF of event and meeting space. The hotel’s ballroom spans over 5,000 SF with a soaring 20-foot ceiling adorned with chandeliers, and panoramic views of downtown Monroe and the Ouachita River, creating a premier destination for gatherings of every scale.

Amenities include a full-service restaurant serving both hotel guests and the local community, a welcoming lobby with a full-service bar, and a rooftop bar atop the former Southern Hardware building with an outdoor viewing deck offers sweeping views of the city. The interiors showcase curated artwork by Louisiana artists, reinforcing a deep connection to the region’s culture. The hotel’s story is rooted in its history. The structures, purchased by the Echols family in 2013, date back to the late 1800s when they housed the Poolside Shop and Southern Hardware. The Poolside Shop building at 120 Walnut was originally constructed in 1891 as the Sugar Brothers Grocery and Opera House and later became the Star Hotel in the mid-1920s.

A newly constructed tower links the original buildings and provides access to all levels, while also framing a charming interior courtyard. Together, the old and new elements create a distinctive destination where Southern character meets contemporary hospitality.

Now part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection, Hotel Monroe stands as a gathering place for community, culture, and connection in the heart of downtown. By honoring Monroe’s past while shaping its future, this project brings new energy to Northeast Louisiana and establishes Hotel Monroe as a landmark destination.

Photography by Andrew Welch