I needed to be in New Orleans for a work exhibition. During my previous stays in NOLA, I’d stayed in other areas, so this time I wanted to try a hotel in the French Quarter.
Research & Booking
The W Hotel New Orleans is ranked #64 out of 166 hotels in New Orleans on TripAdvisor, which is around the middle.
At the time of writing this review, this property was classified as an SPG Category 5 property, costing 16,000 Starpoints per night.
After the merger of SPG into Marriott Rewards, this is now a Category 6, costing 40,000/50,000/60,000 Marriott Rewards points per night (off-peak/standard/peak).
At check-in, I was upgraded as an SPG Platinum member to a Fantastic Suite, which averages $600-700 USD per night.
The Room: Fantastic Suite
The suite has a bold jazz décor, reflecting the city’s proud musical heritage, with bright yellow walls and ceilings and limited natural light.
As you enter the suite into a hallway, to your left is a separate sitting room, which doesn’t have any windows, has LED lights lining the walls and ceiling.
To your right is firstly the ensuite and then the bedroom at the end of the hallway, which has a balcony overlooking Charles Street.
The bold colours continue into the compact bathroom, where there is a combined bath/shower with Bliss toiletries.
I wasn’t sure if this suite was occupied often, due to a string of little problems.
Firstly, the bedroom air conditioner was that loud on the first night we had to turn it off the other nights.
Sitting at the work desk, the drawer would slowly fall out onto you. The coffee machine spat hot water as it brewed.
The wifi was so slow that I had to tether my phone to be able to work on my laptop. When I went to ring reception to bring up these matters, I discovered the phone wasn’t connected!
The Hotel
This property, with just 97 rooms across five floors, feels more like a boutique hotel than a major chain.
The compact ‘Living Room’ connects onto a bar, which then leads onto the SoBou (South of Bourbon Street) Restaurant, the hotel’s only dining venue.
We dined at SoBou one night, where the Creole-inspired menu is made for sharing. Try the beignets and avocado ice cream cones!
I took the complimentary continental breakfast as my welcome gift for being a Platinum member, as I was assured that there were no restrictions (unlike the W Hollywood).
The FIT gym has a selection of modern equipment.
Amenities
The hotel features a WET pool area in the hotel’s courtyard (not pictured as each time I went to photograph the pool there were guests using it). It features a number of outside lounges, a water feature and manicured gardens.
All the hotel staff were friendly and displayed typical southern hospitality. When I was photographing the Living Room lobby, the receptionist came out to style the pillows to make sure the room looked its best.
When I notified reception of the inoperable phone, they had a technician out to fix it within minutes. The slow wifi was blamed on ‘the rain’.
On departure, I emailed the manager regarding the string of other room faults and was compensated in the form of points.
Around the hotel in the French Quarter
This hotel is in an excellent location, situated just two blocks from Bourbon Street and within walking distance to bars, restaurants, jazz clubs, Jackson Square and the riverfront. It is a quick rideshare or taxi to the convention centre.
Summing up: W Hotel New Orleans
If you are looking for a hotel with a boutique feel in the heart of the famous French Quarter in New Orleans, then consider the W Hotel.
The styling won’t be to everyone’s taste however the location is excellent if you’re in town for either work or pleasure.
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