#35 Dive Inn Guest House

"Clothing Optional" in New Orleans

We heard this hotel had an odd  history and some kitschy décor.  We also heard it had an unusual indoor ceramic tile pool, that was built by a Mexican Consulate for his family in 1927.  An figured an overnight at Dive Inn would be a great addition to the 90-Nights List!

We learned the property and pool had become a dive school in the '70s.  Then we discovered, the now hotel & pool was... clothing optional.  I just laughed.  This could be the most curious of all 90 Nights. But was I up for that much adventure?

A Neighborhood Inn

This purple and green building is what we saw when we turned down Dryades from Napoleon.  We parked and fumbled with the buzzer and intercom, while a few neighbors congregated on a porch nearby and waiters took a break at Pascal's Manale across the street.  I was sure these folks in the neighborhood were used to having some fun, evaluating the guests who arrived at The Dive.  

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Diving into The Dive

Monday is a good day to be a guest at the Dive Inn, if you're feeling just a bit creeped out about bumping into naked strangers.    The owner, Wayne buzzed us in and we climbed the stairs to a set of colorful doors.  Our host greeted us in a rumpled teeshirt and barefeet. I was relieved about that. He said we were the only guests staying that night. I was also relieved with that news.

The Colorful Pool Paradise

Wayne seemed a little weary.  He admitted he usually lets his more sociable wife greet the guests, but then he ended up giving us a 25 minute tour.  He showed us the antique bar and the beer stocked fridge that works on the honor system. He pointed out the domed "lamella" structure over the pool, which was quite a big deal in 1927.  He showed Don how to open the cover of the pool and then turned to me with a little chuckle,  "Just knock on my door when you're ready to swim. " By this time I had already winced at a few of his joking comments about the perks of owning a "clothing op" hotel.  I hated to inform him that I had no intention of nuding up, so I just asked more questions about the history.

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Hotel Changes

Wayne told us how he and the wife rescued the place in 1991 after it became a real "dive" during the Dive School years. They purchased and created a B & B, filling the place with quirky decorations and curious antiques. They invited starving artists to paint the wall and floor murals in exchange for free rooms.

Drawn to the Pool

Back when they first opened, the guests wore clothes.  Folks were probably drawn to the place because it was different than your typical touristy French Quarter getaway.  Some, like actor Dennis Quaid came because it was away from the crowds and nosy fans.  After a few years of ownership, an upper level was added. The costly addition was completed just before 9/11.  The plunge in tourism that followed caused the owners to search for a gimmick to attract customers.  That's when The Dive began catering to the nudist community.

Finding the Room!

I could have had better stories had we come on a busy weekend, when many return guests gather. But I was uncomfortable enough just imagining the bare bods mingling around the bar.  Wayne assured me I'd be a pro at it soon.  I was just eager to get to the room, thank you.

We headed down a small hall right off the pool area.  Wayne pointed to the door at the end. "That's where we live. Just knock if you need anything.

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Our host struggled a bit with the ancient, sliding pocket door to our room.  He joked... I think it was a joke, about how they don't use keys.  But he did end up giving us one.

"Neptune's Lair"

This was the room we chose online.  It was one of 4 rooms that were part of the original 1847 Creole Cottage, which was on the property when the Consulate purchased in 1908. I grinned to see that the decor was even more entertaining than I'd expected.  The woodwork and claw footed tub were pink. The toilet was enclosed in what was once a wooden phone booth.  The thick wood floors creaked underneath the carpets and a musty smell hung in the air.  But old sounds and smells are part of old hotels, so I was okay with that.

The Sleeping Oasis

Wayne pointed out the tropical mural surrounding the bed.  He motioned to the wobbly bed post and explained,  "I think the woman last night thought she was Demi Moore doing a pole dance!"  (TMI, Wayne!) Wayne attempted to screw the post back in, but we found the wobbly thing a little precarious at bedtime...and removed it.

A Jungle in Nola

It was nice to see a few Mardi Gras beads strung up here and there,  just in case the vines and palms made us forget we were in New Orleans.

And There's More

Our suite actually included a little sitting room with stained glass windows, a tiny kitchen area and a back door to the "garden".  

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So Much Stuff

I guess $137. is a good price for a suite in New Orleans, but this is no typical hotel suite.  Guests need to be reminded that the white glove test would fail here.  Not complaining.  You get a little dusty when you're 167 years old and filled with hard to dust knickknacks.  I have a feeling the nude crowd is willing to pay a little more for the privilege.  I didn't get my money's worth by nuding up, but I did enjoy the figures in the window above the door.  And I was entertained by counting the duck figures on the inside of the phone booth toilet.  I think there were 39.

A Morning Swim

Don got his money's worth by swimming laps before we checked out in the morning. Yes, he's wearing a suit, but he didn't have to.  I was too busy back in the room trying to figure out how to pull the curtain around the old tub for a shower.

So, what was notable?

I guess it's notable that we didn't see a single naked body.  And that's pretty much what I was hoping for. It was unique and will never be forgotten and I'm glad we had the partial experience... once!