I recently had the opportunity to stay at The Ritz Carlton New Orleans. This historic hotel, set in the 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche building reflects the grace and charm of New Orleans, combined with the service you’d expect in a Ritz-Carlton hotel. The hotel is on Canal street, very close to the Bourbon Street restaurants, and popular sites.
Prior to my stay I coordinated a site-inspection with Chad Strakbein, the Front Office Manager. Chad took on an in-depth, hour long tour of the facilities. Chad and his team provided me invaluable assistance – especially when we sought out their nearby restaurant recommendations!
The rooms are luxurious, elegant, and the hotel is a quiet, peaceful oasis…. close to but separate from the chaos on Bourbon street. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is quite large featuring varied rooming options, live music at the Davenport Lounge, farm-to-table dining experiences at the M Bistro, a HUGE (and well-stocked) Club Room, an interior courtyard (perfect for weddings and celebrations), and the Destination Spa (the largest in the city!).
LOBBY
The hotel is set within the historic 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche building. And you can see this in the 3rd floor lobby. The lobby is spacious, retaining the grace and charm of an antebellum mansion. It’s a busy, happening spot, but step into the Courtyard or Davenport Lounge for a brief respite.
BEDROOM
There are three room options: The Deluxe Room, the Deluxe Double, and the Deluxe King. Sizes range from 35 – 37 sq. ft and views differ. We recommend an upper floor, city view.
Then there are the suites. And this is where The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans excels. These suites include:
– The Studio Suites (650 sq ft)
– The Balcony Suites (575 sq ft) Balcony overlooking the Mississippi River
– The Premium Suites (700 sq ft)
– The Executive Suites (700 sq ft)
– The Vieux Carre Suite (815 sq ft) Expansive views of the French Quarter
– The Ritz-Carlton Suite (2,800 sq ft) New Orleans’ Premier Room with a View
On the Club Floor – a great getaway – there are these rooms:
– The Club King Room (400 sq ft)
– Club Executive Suite (700 sq ft)
– Maison Orleans Suite (900 sq ft)
GENERAL AREAS
There are many quiet spots just off the lobby… and many of these can be used to schedule your events. The M Bistro, which features farm-to-table and authentic New Orleans cuisine is also where you’ll get your Virtuoso breakfast: Daily breakfast hours 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
SPA and STORE
The spa is the largest in the city, offering more than 100 treatments in 22 treatment room. Yes, it is BIG… It also includes a café, fitness center and boutique. Located on the first floor of the building, their treatments include indigenous therapies such as the Marie Laveau Voodoo Love Bath and Massage and the Essence of Lavender Mint and Massage.
CLUB ROOM
You can’t beat the convenience and comfort of The Ritz-Carlton Club Level. There are continuous culinary offerings throughout the day and the Club Level rooms will enhance you stay in New Orleans.
Through our affiliation with Brownell, we are able to reserve rooms with the Virtuoso Amenities. Those amenities include– Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
– Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
– $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
– Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Brownell is also a Ritz-Carlton STARS agency which gives us unique contacts and support at this and other Ritz-Carlton hotels. For you, this means a more personalized stay in one of the finest hotel in the city. I very much enjoyed my stay at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, and with our help… I know you will also!
copyright (c) 2014 by Ron Phillips Travel LLC – luxury travel and consultancy. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, Contact Ron Phillips Travel
