Diana

My husband and I are planning a trip to New Orleans in January and having trouble picking a hotel for our anniversary. We need advice!!! I am looking for a luxury hotel, which offers suites, preferably with jacuzzi tub and luxury, luxury , luxury. It is so hard to tell from the websites. HELP

Rocky

Windsor Court hands down.No comparison.No substitute.Facsimiles NOT accepted.No riff raff.

david

I agree with Rocky. We stayed in the Windsor Court last year and it was one of if not the nicest hotel I've stayed in. All rooms are suites w/balconies. Outstanding service by everyone we encountered in the hotel. Very classy. Convenient location as well (we were there for a conference so could walk both to convention center and french quarter).

Diana

Thanks for the replies, it was on my list as well as the Fairmont, Hotel Monaco.

susan

You should also check out Maison Orleans, which is the upper scale section of the Ritz Carlton complex. It hasn't been opened too long and isn't as widely known as Windsor Court. It has 24 hour butler service and is apparently quite lovely. I've stayed at the Windsor Court and while it's definitely a luxury hotel it has absolutely no New Orleans ambience whatsoever. I doubt the Maison Orleans does either but I've heard very nice things about it.

Sandy

I did not like the Windsor Court because of the snobby wait staff in the restaurant and the location outside of the French Quarter. And Rocky, there WAS riff raff in the hotel! High rates don't seem to keep them out when there's a casino across the street!! (We had gamblers slamming doors and yelling in the halls). Room was very lovely but my room wasn't a suite.

I'd do the Monaco based on reputation although I'm not familiar with the New Orleans location.

Dan

Most of the rooms at the Windsor Court are suites, but about 75 of the 325 aren't. FYI.

Overall, it is a very nice hotel and gets consistently good reviews. It's a Mobil Four Star property, too, which is the best rating in New Orleans. Only the Omni Royal Orleans and Ritz Carlton can match it.

Mac

The Fairmont is also a good choice. I was upgraded to a very nice suite via their frequent guest program. Nice service and location (easy walking distance to the French Quarter).

Diana

Choices, choices, choices... I appreciate all the feedback. Please keep it coming. I think I will also check out the Maison Orleans, I hadn't heard of that one.

Jessie

About 5 years ago Windsor Court was the top rated hotel in the entire US in Conde Nast (for whatever that's worth...it's no slouch).
I cannot see how someone can mention the Fairmont and Windsor Court in the same sentence. The Fairmont is more than a full cut below.
Maison Orleans is Windsor Court's only real competition in NO.

Diana

Okay, I have narrowed it down to the Windsor Court and the Maison Orleans. The choice is so hard to make!

Ms. Ghost

Diana, Just now saw your post because when you first posted, we were in New Orleans at the Maison Orleans!! Don't know if it was just the time of year we were there, but it was a LOVELY and quiet hotel with gorgeous public rooms. It is very much its own, self-contained spot amidst the hustle and bustle of the larger Ritz-Carlton and the even busier French Quarter just outside. Our room had a great view out across the rooftops of the French Quarter with the river in the far distance. There is lots of attention to detail--particularly the fabrics, linens, towels and glassware. The baths were huge and luxurious, and a nice touch was the 2 candles (complete with glass covers) positioned by the tub and replaced daily. Though not a jetted tub, to me it was every bit as nice since it was quite large and surrounded by amenities such as a loofah, bath salts and bath gel as well as the aforementioned candles! Separate shower was nice too. Another nice touch is the evening honor bar as it was nice to stop in and enjoy the fire that was lit nightly. Although I have also heard wonderful things about the Windsor Court, I'm sure it can't match the quiet intimacy of the Maison Orleans!

Sue

Royal Orleans is very lovely, in the heart of the French Quarter.

Leslie

Stay at the Maison Orleans now before the whole Ritz complex goes belly up. Friends who are involved in New Orleans real estate tell me it's in real trouble along with 2 or 3 other hotels.

Diana

I have booked a suite at the Windsor Court, but after reading the reply from Ms. Ghost, I may reconsider. The Maison Orleans sounds wonderful! I hope your trip was enjoyable.

Ms. Ghost

Diana, If you should decide to try the Maison Orleans, be SURE and ask for a room with a view. As I mentioned, ours was a very quaint one over the rooftops of the French Quarter, but I think some of them might just look across an inner courtyard at rooms in the Ritz Carlton--so be specific about your request! Yes, it was a wonderful trip! For us, highlights were a tour of Longue Vue House and Gardens, perusing the antiques shops of Royal St., the Fabrege collection at the museum and just the overall ambience of the French Quarter and Garden District. Dining highlights were dinners at Bayonna and Stella! as well as lunch at Mr. B's Bistro. Disappointing was Peristyle and somewhere in between was Brightsen's. Have a VERY happy 25th anniversary!

Diana

Ms. Ghost, I have changed my reservation to the Maison Orleans. Will let you know how it went..Thanks!