5 Reasons to love Mardi Gras 2020 at the Malaga Inn

By Sonja Lother
There are many reasons to love Mobile, Alabama, but our all-time favorite is because the ORIGINAL Mardi Gras—also known as Carnival—started right here in 1703 when French settlers celebrated at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff. The first celebration was small, but Mobilian's quickly got the hang of it and in 1711, Mardi Gras included a parade – believed to be the first in North America. The rest is history, of course.

The Malaga Inn in Mobile, Alabama is your front row destination for Mardi Gras 2020 parades. Via The Malaga Inn

As the premier historic, boutique hotel in downtown Mobile, we've got a front row seat and we're delighted to share the top 5 reasons visitors love staying at the Malaga Inn during Mardi Gras.

1. The Malaga is directly on the Parade Routes!

Our close proximity to the Mobile Civic Center means that the parades line up directly behind our hotel. Guests enjoy fabulous views (and catch some great beads and throws) when the parades roll directly in front of the Malaga Inn on Church Street.

We'll be there when the first parade rolls on Friday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. That's when the Conde Cavaliers (Route A) kick things off with a parade that includes 16 floats by Royal Artists of New Orleans, and The Conde Cavalier Express, an impressive, self-propelled, four-unit train all aglow with the colors or Mardi Gras! We love seeing this magical parade every year and it's always a guest favorite.

Parades rolling on Saturday, February 8 include: the Bayport Parading Society, Mystic DJ Riders at 2 p.m. followed the Pharaohs, Order of Hebe, and Conde Explorers at 6:30 p.m. We don't know about you but we can't wait to see their wild illuminated snake wagon.

Of course, the parades roll on until Fat Tuesday, February 25 this year so check out the full parade schedule courtesy of Mobile Mask magazine.

2. Walking distance to the Mobile Carnival Museum

The Malaga Inn is also the closest hotel in Mobile to the heart of all things Mardi Gras, the Mobile Carnival Museum, which chronicles over 300 years of Carnival and Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama.

Less than one block from the Malaga Inn is the Mobile Carnival Museum filled with Mardi Gras history. Via Sonja Lother
Since it's less than a block away, you can stroll out the Malaga's front door and reach the museum within minutes. Explore the rich history and traditions of carnival as you enjoy viewing intricate designs and artistry of majestic crowns, scepters and robes of Mardi Gras monarchs.

Mobile Carnival Museum Interior Mobile Alabama

Mardi Gras Mobile pageantry abounds at the Mobile Carnival Museum in Mobile, Alabama. Photo via Sonja Lother
Museum visitors can also climb aboard a rocking float for a "behind the mask view of the street party" (selfies welcome) and kids can become costumed youth riders in the Little Mystics Den.

Southern, Asian-influenced goodness from Von's Bistro in Mobile, Alabama. Photo via Sonja Lother

3. Top notch restaurants nearby

With the Malaga Inn's central downtown location, our visitors also love how many restaurants are nearby. Three blocks from the Malaga Inn, you'll find Dauphin Street boasting a wide variety of places to eat or wet your whistle including: Dumbwaiter featuring Southern and coastal flavors, The Noble South (we love their Spicy Marinated Crab small plate, O'Daly's Irish Pub, and trendy hip spot Squid Ink Eclectic Eats & Drinks, a gastropub that also serves a late night menu on Fridays and Saturdays.

Add in Mobile icon Spot of Tea for lunch, or head a few blocks toward Mobile Bar to Von's Bistro, and enjoy southern, Asian, and locally-sourced cuisine. And over in the historic Oakleigh neighborhood, newly opened The Hummingbird Way Oyster Bar is making waves as Mobile's newest dining "hotspot."

The Hummingbird Way & Oyster Bar Mobile Alabama

The newest hotspot to dine—The Hummingbird Way Oyster Bar. Photo via Sonja Lother

4. No lines, no waiting, NO ELEVATOR WAITS

Our rooms are easy to access with no long elevator wait times during Mardi Gras! Via The Malaga Inn

While other hotels may have multiple floors and long elevator wait times, the Malaga's graceful three-story courtyard design allows guests to easily enter their room, either by a walk through one of the inn's elegant hallways, across the courtyard, or up one the flights of stairs conveniently located in each section of the inn. Of course, for those who prefer, there is an elevator, so your journey back to your room after a night of Mardi Gras revelry is simple and fast, and that oh-so-comfortable bed is waiting for just for you.

Mayme's Bar at the Malaga Inn, Mobile Alabama

Mayme's Bar offers a touch of speakeasy with great service and ambiance. Via The Malaga Inn

5. "Speakeasy" on site! Mayme's Bar welcomes YOU!

Not many boutique hotels can boast of their own "speakeasy," but you'll find a touch of that atmosphere at Mayme's Bar, located to the rear of the inn in what used to be the carriage house portion of this unique hotel.

Guests love being able to have a nightcap (served by some of the friendliest bartenders in Mobile) at Mayme's Bar, just steps from every room. Or, take a glass of wine outside and luxuriate in your Mardi Gras haul throws and beads while enjoying the relaxing sounds of the large fountain and Italian-style outdoor lighting. And, in the morning, the carriage house area transforms to serve guests a true Southern breakfast, so what could be better?

Whatever the season, but especially during Mardi Gras, you can't go wrong with a stay at our historic, boutique inn, conveniently located directly on the parade routes of the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in our nation's history. Come for the parades, but stay for the ambiance and Southern hospitality that the Malaga Inn is known for.

Now, throw me some beads, mister!

Let Malaga Inn be your Mobile, AL home away from home! Malaga Inn is conveniently located in Historic Downtown Mobile, offering 39 custom tailored, private rooms and suites that combine modern comforts with classic, Southern living. Book your room at Malaga Inn now before we fill up!