The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel offers the charm of old New Orleans with the benefits of a modern luxury hotel.
Location
Just a block from the west side of the French Quarter, The Roosevelt provides the convenience of walking distance to the action of Bourbon Street without the noise and pollution of being above the bars and nightclubs.
Address: 130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
Phone: +1 (504) 648-1200
Classic Charm Near the French Quarter
The Roosevelt New Orleans originally opened as the Grunewald in 1893 before changing hands and rebranding as The Roosevelt Hotel. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the hotel remodeled and re-opened as The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
During the remodel, the owners worked hard to maintain and restore the original elements that made the property iconic. Hand-laid tiles, ornate chandeliers, and textured crown molding accentuate the attention to detail from a bygone era.
Aspects of the hotel’s design make certain design quirks less convenient than modern peers, but that’s all part of its charm.
The Roosevelt is just a fifteen-minutes walk from Jackson Square, the cruise port and, of course, world-famous beignets from Café du Monde.
Suite
The old-world elegance of this classic property really shone through in the design of the suite, the layout, and the decor.
In the living room (separated from the bedroom) a large desk, couch, and several chairs sat opposite the TV and dresser with mini-fridge.
The bedroom featured a very cramped ensuite bathroom (traditional for the time of construction), a large closet, and windows with a city view.
The property left me with two small complaints, both dismissable given the style of the hotel and its age. When opening the door to the bathroom, the door nearly hit the toilet and did hit the sink. There’s no room for error, but apparently there was still room for an odd piece of wall art.
My second complaint would be the view out of my suite. Unfortunately, instead of facing the busy streets of New Orleans or a sliver of a sea view I looked directly onto the neighboring building. At an angle, I could just make out the property’s pool across the rooftops, ladders, and air conditioning units. The (below) image was the best possible angle, directly out the window was the side of another hotel.
Hilton’s Global Service
As a Hilton Honors member, I was able to earn points and status during my stay. I also enjoyed a late checkout, free wifi, and an upgrade to a fantastic suite but my favorite benefit was included breakfast in the Fountain Lounge.
Learn more about the honors program here – Everything You Should Know About Hilton Honors.
I was traveling with a work colleague who was able to join me for breakfast as my guest and we tried out four different menu items during our two-day stay. The food was delicious, service was great and the benefit added to value of my stay.
For more information on the Hilton Honors loyalty program, see this post.
Value
The hotel typically charges between $200-250/night, a fair price for the quality of the hotel, and the overall market. Expect much higher nightly rates during Mardi Gras. Gold and Diamond members will find exceptional added value with their benefits.
For Hilton Honors members, prices start at 70,000/nt for a standard room. Unfortunately, that’s simply not a good use of Hilton Honors points as a redemption, unless redeeming them for a five-night stay as Honors members receive the fifth night free.
You can earn points even faster with a Hilton credit card. Learn Why Every Traveler Should Have A Hilton Honors Credit Card.
Conclusion
The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was an excellent experience for me as a Diamond Hilton Honors guest. The beautiful design, classic style, excellent proximity, and luxury elements add to an experience that will only deepen the appreciation of travellers visiting New Orleans.
What do you think? Have you stayed at The Roosevelt? How was your experience?
