New Orleans City Guide - Hotels

Hotel rooms are plentiful in the Big Easy, except during Jazzfest, Mardi Gras or when a large convention is in town. Hotel tax is 13% plus US$1-2 per room per night (depends upon the amount of rooms in the hotel). Rates are lower in the summer (July and August) and during the Christmas season. The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau offers an accommodation reservation service (tel: (504) 566 5011 or 1 800 672 6124; website: www.neworleanscvb.com, www.neworleansinfo.com or www.hotels.com).

Four hotel categories are listed here: Business, Luxury, Moderate and Other Recommendations. Price categories are as follows:
$$$$ (over US$300)
$$$ (US$200 to US$299)
$$ (US$100 to US$199)
$ (up to US$99)
Check hotel websites for online specials. Prices given are for a double room per night; breakfast is not included unless specified.

Fairmont

Having been constructed in 1893, the Fairmont's elegant and often busy lobby still evokes the splendour of the Victorian era. The venue served to inspire Arthur Hailey to pen his best selling novel, Hotel. Guestrooms, decorated in earthy colours, have nice touches like down pillows, fax machines, data ports, bathroom scales and luxury toiletries. The hotel also has a business centre, a spa and a health club. The lobby-level Sazerac Bar & Grill specialises in Creole cooking and award-winning lobster bisque. The hotel is located in the Central Business District, adjacent to the French Quarter.

123 Baronne Street
Tel: (504) 529 7111 or 1 800 257 7544.
Website: www.fairmont.com
Price: $$$$
Please note: The hotel is currently closed and should reopen in April 2007.

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

Located a short walk from the conference centre, this huge property focuses on the business traveller. French provincial furnished rooms are spacious and include pillow-top mattresses, wireless Internet, mini-bar, coffee maker, and bathrooms with granite-countered vanities and magnifying make-up mirrors. Rooms have either a courtyard or sweeping river view. A multilingual staff, ATM and currency exchange make it convenient for foreign visitors. The hotel has a self-service business centre, squash and tennis courts, a video arcade, two restaurants, shops and a sports bar. Across the street is the city's only land-based casino, Harrah's, while the Riverwalk shopping mall and the Aquarium are almost on its doorstep.

2 Poydras Street
Tel: (504) 561 0500.
Website: www.neworleans.hilton.com
Price: $$

Royal Sonesta Hotel

Southern charm, tranquility and opulence permeate a lobby of sparkling crystal chandeliers, marble and mirrors. It is difficult to believe that boisterous Bourbon Street is right outside its doors. The building circles a leafy, shaded courtyard – the perfect place to relax after exploring the French Quarter. Spacious rooms have French provincial furniture, pillow-top mattresses, fine linens and flat-screen TVs. Granite countertops on top of vanities with drawers grace modern bathrooms. The award-winning Beque's Restaurant features Creole and Cajun cuisine as well as scenic views of the courtyard. A lighter fare is available at Desire Oyster Bar. Thirst is not a problem here as there are two lounges, a daiquiri shop and coffee and champagne served in the lobby from 0600-1200.

300 Bourbon Street
Tel: (504) 586 0300.
Website: www.sonesta.com/neworleans_royal
Price: $$

Ritz Carlton

The old Maison Blanche Department Store has been renovated and historically restored to become the elegant Ritz Carlton. Decorated with fine art and antiques, its lobby opens onto a French Quarter-styled courtyard and oozes Southern charm. Spacious rooms are furnished with local antiques, feather beds, plush linens and oversized marble baths. The hotel's world-class spa, restaurants, lounges and service have garnished raves.

921 Canal Street
Tel: (504) 524 1331.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/new_orleans
Price: $$$$
Please note: The hotel is currently closed and should reopen in December 2006.

Soniat House

Old books, fine artwork, Oriental rugs, American and European antiques: it is the little touches like these that make this hotel unique. The two 1830s restored townhouses have spiral staircases, balconies and patios. Sweet olive, magnolia, guava and ginger grow in the courtyards. Each of the 19 rooms and 14 suites are furnished with antiques that are accompanied with European fabrics, Frette Egyptian cotton bed linen, wireless Internet, data ports and two phones. There are two honour bars and for an additional charge, one can savour memorable homemade biscuits and jam, plus fresh orange juice and café au lait for breakfast.

1133 Chartres Street
Tel: (504) 522 0570 or 1 800 544 8808.
Website: www.soniathouse.com
Price: $$$-$$$$

Windsor Court Hotel

Well-deserved accolades that have been heaped on New Orleans' only AAA Five Diamond Hotel include the recognition of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as one of the finest hotels in North America. Located in the Central Business District, but discreetly surrounded by a courtyard, its elegant lobby is tastefully decorated as an English manor. Afternoon tea is served in Le Salon, among an original art collection that features Gainsborough and Reynolds. Oversized guestrooms are furnished with original artwork, plush carpeting, canopy or four-poster beds, goose down bedding, fine linens, enormous mirrors, marble baths and state of the art electronics. Service is impeccable and the Polo Lounge makes a killer martini.

300 Gravier Street
Tel: (504) 523 6000 or 1 800 596 0955.
Website: www.windsorcourthotel.com
Price: $$$-$$$$

Hampton Inn

Formerly a 1903 'skyscraper' office building, the Hampton Inn is just two blocks from the French Quarter. Every Monday-Thursday between 1700-1900, the lavish lobby is the scene for the complimentary manager's reception. Rooms are large and comfortable with high-speed Internet, king-size or two double beds, and bathrooms have hairdryers. The hotel also has a gym, concierge, coffee shop and parking for a fee. The daily hot breakfast buffet is included.

226 Carondelet Street
Tel: (504) 529 9990 or 1 800 426 7866.
Website: www.hamptoninn.com
Price: $

La Quinta Inn and Suites Downtown

Consider what this AAA three diamond-rated hotel has to offer at bargain prices: large bathrooms, king-size or two double beds and some guestrooms even have microwaves. In-room business facilities include data ports, oversized desks, free high-speed Internet access and local calls. Add to that a heated pool and spa (temporarily closed), plus a free breakfast. The location is convenient for the French Quarter, Superdome, downtown, and the convention centre. Lounge open Tuesday-Saturday evenings. Charge for parking.

301 Camp Street
Tel: (504) 598 9977.
Website: www.lq.com
Price: $

Hotel Provincial

Modern conveniences such as plush mattresses and cable TV are combined with antiques and period reproductions to make each of the 155 rooms in this historic venue very comfortable. The buildings that make up the hotel surround a courtyard with two swimming pools – a truly great place to escape the hubbub of Bourbon Street. The elegant Stella! gets raves from the local foodies. Stanley, the hotel's newest restaurant, is open for breakfast and lunch. Hotel Provincial is popular with returning guests, even ghosts.

1024 Rue Chartres
Tel: (504) 581 4995 or 1 800 535 7922.
Website: www.hotelprovincial.com
Price: $-$$

Monteleone

Built in 1886, the French Quarter's oldest hotel combines old Southern charm with modern conveniences. Liveried doormen, a large lobby that shimmers with crystal chandeliers and marble, and the revolving Carousel Bar have been around for ages. Spacious, earth-toned guestrooms decorated in lush fabrics are a modern affair with state of the art amenities and marble baths. And a unique extra – many believe the seventh and 14th floors are haunted.

214 Rue Royale
Tel: (504) 523 3341 or 1 800 535 9595.
Website: www.hotelmonteleone.com
Price: $$$

Omni Royal Orleans

Think Old World New Orleans. The hotel, with its white marble exterior and interior of gilded mirrors, sconce-enhanced columns, huge crystal chandeliers and fan windows, is a reproduction of the 19th century St Louis Hotel. Guestrooms, some with balconies, have Creole and French touches, marble baths, three phone lines, computer connections and wireless Internet. Amenities also include a rooftop fitness centre, foreign exchange, multilingual staff and complimentary shoeshines. Prime rib is specialty at the award-wining Rib Room, which also features other beef, fowl and seafood.

621 St Louis Street
Tel: (504) 529 5333 or 1 800 843 6664.
Website: www.omnihotels.com
Price: $$-$$$

Bourbon Orleans

A huge renovation has restored this historic hotel to its former Southern splendour. Though each room is unique, all include pillow-top mattresses, high-speed Internet, desks with ergonomically designed Hermann Miller chairs, coffee makers, shower massagers and Golden Door amenities. The property's swimming pool sits within the courtyard. Thirst quenching can be done at the Vieux Dieux Brew coffee shop or at the hotel's two lounges – Snook's Bar, which features the live blues music of Snooks Eaglin and the 'after hours' Napolean's Itch. Hunger is sated at Paillard's, a restaurant that specialises in southern fusion cuisine. Located just behind the French Quarter's famous St Louis Cathedral.

717 Orleans Street
Tel: (504) 523 2222 or 1 800 996 3426.
Website: www.bourbonorleans.com or www.wyndhambourbonorleans.com
Price: $$-$$$