The land where Bay Saint Louis now sits was part of a 1789 Spanish land grant to Thomas Shields, a merchant from Delaware. Its coastal location made it attractive to wealthy planters and holidaymakers, who traveled to Bay Saint Louis on the New Orleans, Mobile, and Chattanooga Railroad. The town was originally incorporated under the name Shieldsborough in 1818. In 1882, its name was officially changed to Bay Saint Louis.
Bay Saint Louis was impacted by Hurricane Camille and Hurricane Katrina, but it refused to let these disasters keep it down. For a Southern city with real spirit, visit Bay Saint Louis on your next vacation.
What time of year is best to visit Bay Saint Louis, MS?
With its beautiful beaches, you might assume Bay Saint Louis shines in summer. Many tourists agree, making May to mid-August Bay Saint Louis' peak tourist season. But do you really want to swelter through average daily highs of 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity? With so many other tourists in town, you'll pay much higher rates for the privilege.
The temperatures and hotel rates drop after August, but don't be too hasty. September and October are the peak months of the Atlantic hurricane season. These violent storms can really impact your vacation plans, so you should never set off without carefully consulting the weather reports.
November to April is a much more reliable time to visit. The peak season crowds are long gone, encouraging Bay Saint Louis hotels to reduce their rates for all but the festive season. Temperatures range from the mid-40s to mid-60s, depending on your time of travel, so remember to pack a jacket.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Bay Saint Louis, MS:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average price trends by star rating class in Bay Saint Louis, MS. Analyze these illustrations to calculate the least expensive months to stay in Bay Saint Louis throughout the year.
What are the Bay Saint Louis, MS luxury hotels?
4 Star Average Prices: $111.71
You'll always feel pampered at the following hotels around Bay Saint Louis. For first-class facilities near the water, consider these high-end accommodation providers.
Bay Town Inn is a beautiful boutique bed and breakfast hotel opposite Bay Saint Louis' beach and marina. With just ten guest suites, you'll enjoy a more personalized vacation experience here. The rooms feel like home, with premium beds, full-sized tubs in the bathroom, quality appliances, and in many cases, views of the pool and courtyard. As a bed and breakfast, your morning meal is included in your room rate. Enjoy a light meal on weekdays and something heartier on the weekends. Both are delivered to your room so you can enjoy breakfast in bed, the ultimate indulgence.
If you don't mind staying outside Bay Saint Louis, consider Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront in nearby Gulfport. Also opposite the beach, it has all the facilities you'd expect from a large upscale hotel. You'll love its enormous outdoor saltwater pool and high-tech fitness center, perfect for burning the extra calories you consume overindulging in the on-site Bistro restaurant. The Bistro Bar is famous for its cocktails. The Courtyard by Marriott has elegant guestrooms and suites, including many with picturesque Gulf views. High-end touches like the Paul Mitchell toiletries and smart TVs with Netflix and Hulu help you feel pampered.
What options are in Bay Saint Louis, MS for the most affordable hotels?
3 Star Average Prices: $122.84
For affordable hotel rates, consider these hotels around the Bay Saint Louis area. The following hotels aren't the flashiest, but their rates are consistently low.
Motel 6 Bay St. Louis, formerly Knight's Inn Bay St. Louis, has a long tradition of providing some of the lowest-cost accommodations in the Bay Saint Louis region. Conveniently located off Highway 90, its rooms are simple but modern, with cheerful feature walls, wood-look floors, and TVs showing extended cable channels. Free morning coffee provides the energy you need for exploring Bay Saint Louis. Motel 6's pet-friendly policy makes it a smart choice for the whole family.
Diamondhead Inn & Suites, in nearby Diamondhead, suits travelers wanting more than a room. An indoor pool and jetted hot tub in the atrium will put you in a vacation frame of mind. Business travelers will appreciate the meeting rooms. The Diamondhead Inn has rooms to suit all budgets and needs, including pet-friendly rooms, jacuzzi rooms, and selected rooms with fridges and microwaves. While it's a short drive from Bay Saint Louis, there are plenty of attractions at hand, including a bowling and game center and Dairy Queen, Subway, and Park Ten Cafe & Bar next door.
2 Star Average Prices: $98.28
What are the best hotels in Bay Saint Louis, MS that offer discounts?
Some of the best-known hotels in the Bay Saint Louis area offer big discounts for selected travelers. Bring your identification to the check-in desk to secure your preferential rates.
Super 8 Bay St. Louis prides itself on affordable rates, but you'll save even more if you're a AAA auto club member, a senior or AARP member, a government employee, a current or former member of the military, or part of a large traveling group. These travelers qualify for the hotel's special rates. Its rooms are simple but spacious and modern, with large flat-screen HDTVs showing premium cable channels, free Wi-Fi, and coffee and tea facilities for your early morning fix. Your free SuperStart breakfast, featuring waffles, cereal, and fresh fruit, is the ideal way to start your day.
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Diamondhead is a little further from Bay Saint Louis' downtown area, but travelers qualifying for discounts won't mind the drive. Seniors and AARP members, AAA and CAA auto club holders, government and military personnel, and large traveling groups needing at least 10 rooms can all save at this mid-priced hotel. It has a variety of rooms, including pet-friendly rooms and some rooms with fridges, microwaves, and Jacuzzi tubs. All feature free high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. While the A/C keeps guests cool during summer, swimming in the seasonal outdoor pool is much more fun!
Where are the best budget hotels around Bay Saint Louis, MS?
The following hotels around Bay Saint Louis pride themselves on their great value accommodation. While they're not always the most affordable, their excellent facilities and complimentary benefits will put a smile on your face.
High rollers aren't the only guests who appreciate Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast. While staying here puts you close to the gaming floor, there's much more here than gambling. The casino sits on the state's only Arnold Palmer signature golf course, an 18-hole course ranked as one of Mississippi's best. There's a swimming pool with a lazy river, hot tub, and swim-up bar, an on-site spa for relaxation and beauty treatments, and three eateries including the always popular Epic Buffet. After a busy day at the casino, enjoy free Wi-Fi or your favorite TV shows in your well-appointed room or suite.
Holiday Inn Express in Long Beach isn't as feature-packed, but its beachfront location is a real winner. If you tire of the waves, you can cool off in the hotel's outdoor pool. For a more intense workout, hit the fitness center. Its treadmills, exercise bike, and weights will put you through your paces. The rooms feature all the creature comforts of home, like flat-screen TVs with cable, coffee makers, and premium beds and black-out shades to help you sleep soundly. The free Express Start breakfast features all your morning favorites like bacon, eggs, and the hotel's famous cinnamon rolls.
What are the best ways to have outdoor fun in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi?
Bay Saint Louis' attractions encourage visitors to spend time outdoors. Here are some of the best ways to have fun outside in this Mississippi city.
Bay Saint Louis' biggest outdoor attraction is its beach. While there are plenty of places to enjoy a dip in the ocean or relax on the shore, experts agree the best spot lies at the end of Main Street. There's marshland to the north, but miles of open bay to the south, east, and west. The 3-mile bike and walking path stretching from Washington Avenue's American Legion Pier to the Garfield Ladner Pier in Waveland is a picturesque place to exercise.
The waters of the Mississippi Sound, Chandeleur Sound, Lake Borgne, and Biloxi Marsh attract anglers from around the country. Speckled trout, tripletail, flounder, and redfish are just a few fish species common in the area. Drop a line off Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier or join one of the local fishing charters.
Meet some of Bay Saint Louis' feathered residents at the local duck pond. It's a popular spot for picnicking or simply watching the world go by. While ducks will happily eat bread and donuts, these foods are bad for waterfowl. Instead, bring along more nutritious treats like oats, grapes, lettuce, and corn.
Alternatively, enjoy strolling around Bay Saint Louis' city streets. Stop in at the art galleries of Old Town or enjoy a bite to eat at the Depot District's popular restaurants.
Bay Saint Louis is an outdoor paradise with plenty for guests to see and do. It's a vibrant coastal destination offering all the things you love about beach towns without the crowds. Accommodation options are limited though, so book ahead for the best rates.
FAQs about hotels in Bay Saint Louis
Verified reviews of the city: Bay Saint Louis, MS
Below are reviews of the city of Bay Saint Louis, MS from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Bay St Louis is a good town to visit"
Score
4.0 / 5
Joe H., from 13-Jul-2026
"Bay St. Louis is cool"
Score
4.0 / 5
Bay St. Louis is cool. Nice place
Judy S., from 13-Jul-2026
"We have always loved Bay St Louis"
Score
4.0 / 5
We have always loved Bay St Louis. It's our favorite of the coastal towns. Pretty quaint and peaceful.
Fran L., from 26-May-2026
"Town was quaint"
Score
4.0 / 5
Though we were there for a funeral the town was quaint and easy to explore.
Marilyn K., from 14-May-2026
" Downtown laid back town life "
Score
5.0 / 5
1) wooden carving from hurricane, 2 Downtown laid back town life at stores and shops, 3) classy yet friendly night life, 4) Law enforcement personnel who enforced laws in a fair professional manner and who understood you don't have to cite everyone to get them to do correctly.
Betty M., from 01-Apr-2026
"Nice place to stay."
Score
4.0 / 5
Pool area was nice. Great atmosphere there and the downtown area was fun.
Lacey G., from 28-Aug-2025
"Very Convenient"
Score
5.0 / 5
We ate across the street at the waffle House, very convenient to the hotel.
Gianna R., from 28-Jul-2025
"Very Friendly"
Score
4.0 / 5
Very friendly
Albert J., from 27-Jul-2025
"Great Place"
Score
4.0 / 5
Great place!
Ronnie B., from 07-Jul-2025
"Shops & Restaurants!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Shops and restaurants!
Krista M., from 27-May-2025
"Cute and Friendly City
"
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice restaurants, cute friendly city.
Krista M., from 25-May-2025
"Lots to do there!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Lots to do there!
James E., from 02-May-2025
"Very Quaint"
Score
5.0 / 5
Very quaint!
Pamela L., from 14-Apr-2025
"."
Score
4.0 / 5
Small town wonderful people
Ronald H., from 28-Mar-2025
"Cruising the Coast!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cruising the coast!
Steven M., from 15-Oct-2024
"Many Beach Type Restaurants"
Score
4.0 / 5
Many beach type restaurants!
Michael B., from 08-Jun-2024
"Lots to see and do!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Lots to see and do!
Christina Z., from 05-Jun-2024
"Beautiful Scenery"
Score
5.0 / 5
Beautiful scenery!
Ronald J., from 28-Jan-2024
"Beautiful Area"
Score
5.0 / 5
Beautiful area!
Dominick G., from 26-Aug-2023
"Clean, comfortable, clean rooms, polite and friendly staff."
Score
5.0 / 5
Clean, comfortable, clean rooms, polite and friendly staff. The friendly people
Tymbra R., from 11-Jul-2023
"Unique & Quiet Hotel"
Score
4.0 / 5
Unique and quiet hotel.
Deanna P., from 13-Jan-2023
"Cruising the Coast"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cruising the coast!
Paula G., from 10-Oct-2022
"Cruising the Coast!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cruising the coast!
Paula G., from 09-Oct-2022
"Beautiful Scenery!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Beautiful scenery!
Scott A., from 11-Sep-2022
"I LOVED THE CITY"
Score
5.0 / 5
I LOVED THE CITY
Bonnie B., from 14-Feb-2022
The average traveler rating of the city of Bay Saint Louis, MS shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 25 reviews