World 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 a US$2 per-room-night. 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 (800) 672 6124; website: www.neworleanscvb.com/new_site/visitor/visitoraccom).

Four hotel categories are listed here: Business, Luxury, Moderate and Other Recommendations, with two hotels in each section. Prices categories are as follows:

$ (up to US$100 per night)
$$ (US$100 to US$199 per night)
$$$ (US$200 to US$299 per night)
$$$$ (over US$300 per night)

Check hotel websites for online specials. Prices given are for a double room; breakfast is not included unless specified.

Business

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 upscale toiletries. The hotel also has a business centre, a spa and a health club. The lobby-level Sazerac Bar & Grill specializes 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 (800) 257 7544 or 441 1414 (reservations).
Website: www.fairmont.com
Price: $$$$

Windsor Court Hotel
Well-deserved accolades have been heaped on New Orleans' only AAA Five Diamond Hotel. Located in the Central Business District and surrounded by a courtyard, its elegant lobby is tastefully decorated as an English manor. Afternoon tea is served in Le Salon, among original art collection that features Gainsborough and Reynolds. Oversized guestrooms are furnished with original artwork, plush carpeting, canopy or four-poster beds, goose down beds, fine linens, oversized 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 (800) 596 0955.
Website: www.windsorcourthotel.com
Price: $$$

Luxury

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: $$$$

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 21 rooms and 12 suites are furnished with antiques that are accompanied with European fabrics, Frette Egyptian cotton bed linen, 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 (800) 544 8808.
Website: www.soniathouse.com
Price: $$$

Moderate

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

226 Carondelet Street
Tel: (504) 529 9990 or (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, plus a free breakfast. The location is convenient for the French Quarter, Superdome, downtown and the convention centre.

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

Other Recommendations

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 (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 hook-ups and data ports. Amenities also include a rooftop fitness centre, foreign exchange, multi-lingual 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 (800) 843 6664.
Website: www.omnihotels.com
Price: $$$