The Lafayette Hotel, a 1918 historic landmark on fashionable St Charles Avenue, has been restored to its former splendour with its original French doors and period wrought iron balconies. The foyer is an exotic mélange of Italian marble, wood mouldings, English carpets and a French polished mahogany front desk. Upstairs, the 44 rooms and suites are luxuriously decorated and furnished with designer fabrics; the lavish marble baths matched by thoughtful touches such as terry bathrobes and French-milled soaps. As one would expect, the staff delight in offering a highly personalised service. Mike Ditka's 'Restaurant' recalls his famous Chicago signature dishes with new creations from Chef Christian Karcher incorporating all that has made New Orleans famous for food.