The world has its share of standalone restaurants that are opened by everyone from qualified chefs, famous celebrities, and the everyday cook, so there's definitely not a shortage of places to eat when you're on vacation.

However, sometimes it's just too much of a hassle to travel from your hotel to a restaurant and back again. This is why hotel restaurants have really upped the ante in recent years, delivering fine cuisine to their many guests. One of the most celebrated hotel restaurants in the United States is the Bistro at Maison De Ville in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The hotel itself isn't overly luxurious. Although it is on the high-end side of temporary living, and undoubtedly one of the best New Orleans has to offer, it's not up there with the New York and Dubai hotels - but that's just fine by the guests staying there.

The same basic amenities and service for only a percentage of the price is a great bargain. Add to that the fact that you can enjoy a classical French meal from the Bistro and you have a winning combination.

The Bistro opened up in the 1980s, and it didn't take long to build a solid reputation. Unlike many other hotel restaurants, the Bistro isn't exclusive to guests. Anyone can eat there and enjoy the cuisine. It's a particular favorite of New Orleans residents since it deals in the French blended and fused Creole, and tourists absolutely adore the quaint setting and the mouthwatering food.

The décor was inspired by Parisian bistros, with the red leather banquettes, wood floors and impressionist paintings, so it's not exactly original. However, it is a contrasting style of other establishments in the city, which makes it stand out. The Zagat Guide named it the top “Haute restaurant” in the area.

Head chef Greg Picolo is a New Orleans native who specializes in Creole cuisine. He has taken great strides to make it stand out against the many, spicier, Cajun dishes around, and he has also injected a lot more classical French into the menu than is usually found in the dishes of the area.

Although there are very sophisticated dishes on the menu, the Bistro earns most of its praise from the simple delights, like the BLT salad that the New York Post named the best meal in all New Orleans.

Picolo offers a wide selection of soups and breads for appetizers and starter courses. He then moves on to more intriguing dishes like the frog leg grillades with grits or the crabmeat and pea risotto. One of the restaurant's most recent awards is the Gambit's “best oldy but goody restaurant,” given to the Bistro for its retro style and up-to-date menu.

One thing guests really do appreciate about the Bistro is its price range. A place with notoriety, in a major American city, and attached to a luxury hotel could easily charge around $100 for a single person and require everyone to show up in a suit and tie. But the Bistro isn't as pretentious as others around.