Nestled in the heart of the French Quarter in a pre- Civil War building, the Hotel Chateau Dupre has served as home to statesmen, potentates, magnates and matriarchs of hoity-toity New Orleans society. With a prestigious address on shop-lined Canal Street, the Dupre stands less than two blocks from the decadence of Bourbon Street and the kid-friendliness of the Aquarium of the Americas, and six blocks from the shops of Riverwalk Marketplace. The House of Blues is a block away. So is the Louisiana Music Factory, which specializes in local and regional CDs and musical paraphernalia. It's enough to make Thibideaux and Beaudreux shout "Ay-Yee]"

Built in 1856, the four-story building has operated as a hotel since the early 1990s. The 56 guest rooms give the place that boutique quality and the mistaken identity of a private residence it once was long before Thibodaux and Boudreaux could spell "etouffee." Meanwhile, guests are served complimentary continental breakfasts of croissants, chicory coffee and other goodies at the adjacent Orleans Café, a tiled, brick-walled eatery with warehouse charm and heaps o' local specialties, including gumbo and jambalaya.

To reveal the 1850s-era building's historic charm, the Dupré's guest rooms are decorated with antique-style furniture, four- poster beds, floral print fabrics and exposed brick walls. Amenities also include fax machines, data ports and safe-deposit boxes. Guests also can enjoy complimentary access to the fitness center at the Parc St. Charles Hotel seven blocks away.

The Hotel Chateau Dupre is known for drawing couples with lovin' on their minds who are looking for quaint ambience and location near world-renown restaurants where candelit dinners for two sets the wheels in motion. However, leisure tourists also flock here for the location to everything synonymous with a Big Easy vacation.