Take a look at the best luxury hotels in Central Business District.
The 207-room Jung Hotel & Residences is a modern, upscale property that opened in January 2018 after a 140-million-dollar renovation. Its location a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter affords a quieter atmosphere, but there's little of interest in the immediate, somewhat gritty area. Also on the downside, some guests have complained of interior noise issues. Nevertheless, rooms are spacious and elegant, outfitted with comfy beds, large walk-in showers, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, plus some have kitchenettes or separate sitting areas. On-site features include a rooftop heated pool with seasonal bar, lobby bar, and restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, as well as extensive meeting space and a business center. For comparison, the nearby Ace Hotel offers a more trendy setting, while travelers looking to be within the heart of the Bourbon Street action should consider the Royal Sonesta.
Celebrities, royals, and discerning travelers choose the Windsor Court for its classic style, attentive staff, and big rooms. While there’s plenty to do on the property -- including afternoon tea, a tour of the hotel’s impressive art collection, or a treatment at the lovely spa -- the Windsor Court is quietly located near all the French Quarter action. The rooms are sweet and cheerful, with classic English-style decor and upscale amenities that include free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, Molton Brown toiletries, and Keurig coffeemakers.
Set in a landmark 1890s building in the Central Business District (and a three-minute walk from Bourbon Street), The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is an elegant, upscale property offering 504 genteel rooms and suites with posh, old-world decor. Flat-screen TVs, minibars, plush robes, and Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries come standard. Suites add living rooms and huge bathrooms. There’s a high-end restaurant, an Italian eatery, a casual cafe, and the famous Sazerac Bar. A rooftop outdoor pool features a poolside bar. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center and a luxe spa. Valet parking is available for a fee. The Ponchartrain Hotel in the Garden District offers similar upscale historic charm, plus an ultra hip nightlife scene, but there’s no pool, gym, or spa.
The 202-room Omni Riverfront Hotel is an elegant, upscale property housed in a former rice mill in the Central Business District, within walking distance of the French Quarter and many attractions. Features include a chic restaurant and bar serving French fare, four meeting rooms, and a small but well-equipped fitness center. Modern rooms are tastefully appointed in soft neutrals, though in-room Wi-Fi is for a fee. Kids are well catered for with a bunch of freebies such as games and cookies. There's no pool, though; for that, consider the nearby Hilton New Orleans Riverside, which has two outdoor pools and a larger fitness center.
Trendsetters and celebs stay at the International House Hotel for its quietly sexy vibe, attentive staff, and posh rooms designed by a top L.A. designer. At night, the hotel’s Loa Bar (just off the rose-scented lobby) serves fancy libations by candlelight. The rates here are surprisingly fair, and the Central Business District location is within walking distance of the French Quarter.
The Renaissance New Orleans Arts Hotel is a modern, upscale chain hotel with an artsy feel. The 200-plus rooms are adorned with modern art, as are the common spaces, celebrating the Marriott-run property's Warehouse Arts District location. The hotel also has an indoor sculpture garden and an art gallery. With a pool, a gym, a business center, and a convenient location near plenty of museums, restaurants, and the New Orleans's convention center, the hotel is equipped for business and leisure travelers alike. Legacy Kitchen is the on-site restaurant and Coffee & Beignet is a counter service option. Note that there's a fee for Wi-Fi in rooms, and the French Quarter is about a 20-minute walk away.
The 165-room Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery is a historic upscale property with lots of charm and style in downtown New Orleans, near the Warehouse Arts and Central Business Districts. Much of the hotel still retains historic elements from the building's 19th-century past, including brick walls, wood-plank floors, and exposed piping. Mid-century design details and original art by local students adds even more character. The well-regarded restaurant is led by a "Top Chef" runner-up, and there's a popular coffee shop as well. Other perks include a small fitness room, upscale toiletries, and and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. For about the same price, travelers who don't mind cookie-cutter chain hotels can try the nearby JW Marriott New Orleans, which has a bigger fitness center and a rooftop pool.
Opened in 2016, the four-pearl Ace Hotel New Orleans is a trendy property in downtown bordering the Warehouse District, about a 15-minute walk to the French Quarter. The eclectic hotel is in a 1920s Art Deco building, and it displays a delightful mix of old and new in its stylish lobby. Eating, drinking, and music are a big deal here, with a concert venue and multiple restaurants/bars including a wildly popular rooftop bar and outdoor pool. It also has a large fitness center. Rooms are spacious and well equipped, but their dark and moody decor isn’t for everyone. Those willing to trade style for affordability may prefer the mid-range Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter, which is only a two-minute walk from the French Quarter.
Loft 523 is the platinum standard of New Orleans’ boutique hotels, ushering in sleek, industrial decor (no fussy florals here) in spacious lofted rooms with large, luxurious baths. Because of its size (only 18 rooms), Loft 523 lacks some amenities -- guests will have to go around the corner to sister hotel International House for a restaurant or fitness room -- but room service is available through a popular nearby restaurant, and the property can often be a better overall bargain than a full-service luxury hotel. Partiers will appreciate that hip nightclub Le Phare is attached to the hotel, though room noise levels are louder during club hours.
This upscale, mid-sized hotel in the Central Business District (CBD) drips with opulence, from the chandeliers to the marble floors in the entranceway to the large oil paintings. Decor throughout is of a classic style, but some rooms could use a refresh, and those on lower floors can be noisy. Standard Rooms can be quite small. There's a lovely rooftop pool with views of the city and nightly peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the lobby.
This luxurious chain hotel in downtown New Orleans differentiates itself from other area properties with its sky high location -- the hotel is built on a mall and parking garage. The lobby starts on the 11th floor and rooms ascend above that, so the views of the Mississippi River and surrounding NOLA are spectacular, and the extra height means that there is very little exterior noise. The rooms themselves are spacious but rather nondescript, and a bit dated for the price. All of the requisite amenities for a comfortable stay are, however, present: flat-screen TV, quality bedding, free Wi-Fi,and in-room coffeemaker. The well-stocked fitness facility, 24-hour room service, business center, and meeting spaces also make this hotel a good choice for business travelers. The location on the edge of the French Quarter means quick access to Bourbon Street but none of the obnoxious all-night revelry.
The four-pearl Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue hotel has a historic, yet trendy, atmosphere and is located within walking distance of many famed New Orleans attractions. A large fitness center and an indoor pool and whirlpool are popular features, as is the on-site restaurant serving classic New Orleans fare. The 252 chic, spacious rooms have a subdued glamor and upscale amenities. In-room Wi-Fi is available for a fee, as is breakfast. Compared to other Hiltons, this particular hotel is a bit more expensive, though it's popular among business travelers with its ample meeting space and business center. For a hotel with similar amenities (plus free Wi-Fi), it may be worth checking the prices at Aloft New Orleans Downtown.