This Iconic New Orleans Hotel Is Just 1 Block From the French Quarter—and It Has a Bar That Made the Sazerac Famous

Travel + Leisure

5 days ago

The Roosevelt New Orleans The Roosevelt New Orleans excels at making guests feel pampered and catered to in fine Southern style.
Located just a few blocks from world-famous Bourbon Street, the hotel is close to all the action while still being pretty quiet itself.
The décor here strikes the perfect balance between historic and modern.
The hotel has five onsite locations where visitors can grab a light bite or enjoy a full sit-down gourmet dinner.
When people think of New Orleans, they usually imagine wild parties, lots of drinking, and plenty of music. For those who want to have a different kind of experience in New Orleans (or at least stay in a quiet location after they're done partying), I invite them to reserve a room at The Roosevelt New Orleans. A luxury hotel under the Waldorf Astoria umbrella, it opened in 1893 as "The Grunewald" and has deep roots in the Big Easy's history.
The hotel has hosted legendary guests such as Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, and multiple United States presidents—but not, as you may (logically) assume, Theodore Roosevelt. In 1923, the property was renamed "The Roosevelt" in honor of the 26th president for his efforts in building the Panama Canal, which significantly boosted the local New Orleans economy. But, no matter how New Orleans has evolved over the decades, The Roosevelt has served as a memento of its illustrious past.
Grand piano and chandeliers decorate the hotel lobby.
William James Rust/Courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
From the moment the hotel's uniformed doorman opened my car, I felt as if I had been transported into another time. The main entryway, specifically, took my breath away. The extremely high ceilings were embellished with large crystal chandeliers, while the floors and floral arrangements gave the hotel a European feel and flair. Employees greeted me warmly, and even though the main lobby area was huge, I never heard noise or felt distracted. It was as if you were the only guest in the hotel, even though we were there the week before Mardi Gras.
The Roosevelt is no petite Southern belle. It has 504 guest rooms (including an astonishing 125 suites), a world-class spa, an outdoor pool, the Sazerac Bar (which is credited with popularizing one of the city's signature drinks), five dining venues, and 60,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel encompasses an entire city block and ensures that guests have every amenity they can think of.
Located in downtown New Orleans and only one block from the French Quarter, the hotel is an easy walk from the heart of the city. Being able to easily walk to the Canal Street streetcar line, parades, entertainment, and bars means that it never takes long to get to where the action is—and it's never too far to get to that next New Orleans party.
Here's what it's like to stay at The Roosevelt New Orleans.
The Rooms
There are four room types that guests can pick from at The Roosevelt New Orleans, ranging from deluxe rooms to luxury suites. All rooms at the hotel are characterized by their luxurious design.
I stayed in a superior room, which felt large and spacious thanks to the high ceilings that are topped with crown molding. The bedding felt comfortable and sumptuous, but my favorite feature of the room had to have been the bathroom—it was large and there was more than enough room to change clothes without bumping into walls.
While there are no less than five on-site restaurants, the in-room mini-bar was stocked with all the necessities (including a Nespresso coffee maker), if you wake up wanting a nosh after a night of too many brandy milk punches. All rooms also have amenities like flat-screen televisions and high-speed internet.
Food and Drink
The restored landmark of the Sazerac Bar.
William James Rust/Courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
The Roosevelt New Orleans has five on-site restaurants as well as a seasonal rooftop bar.
The Fountain Lounge has a laid-back atmosphere and a menu packed with classic New Orleans dishes, small plates, and craft cocktails. I ate breakfast here my first morning, and there were plenty of healthy choices in addition to yummy options like crawfish and Tasso ham omelets or pecan waffles.
At Domenica Restaurant, guests can enjoy housemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, antipasti dishes, and delicious desserts. The restaurant's rustic feel makes it a favorite among locals and visitors (I highly suggest making reservations—my friend and I tried to walk in early one evening and couldn't even get a spot to sit at the bar to grab a bite).
If you want a quiet place to work or read a good book, head to Teddy's Cafe. It's the perfect place to grab a coffee, beignets, and light bites.
Looking for a historic and iconic place to grab a drink? The Sazerac Bar fits the bill. Originally located in the French Quarter, it moved to The Roosevelt in 1949. With its art deco décor and low lighting, it's an intimate place to enjoy a predinner drink or nightcap. And naturally, consider ordering a Sazerac while you're here. Created at the original location, the combination of rye whiskey, absinthe, bitters, and sugar is a classic New Orleans libation.
The Spa
The relaxation room inside the hotel's spa.
William James Rust/Courtesy of The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
After you're done making your way through Bourbon Street, you may feel ready for some rest and relaxation—thankfully, the Waldorf Astoria Spa will have you covered. There are 10 treatment rooms here and an expansive menu of services to pick from, including deep tissue massages, cupping therapy, and reflexology.
In addition to body treatments, the spa also does facials, manicures, pedicures, bridal makeup, and hair styling for locals and guests. Spa users can also enjoy access to the steam room, sauna, and relaxation lounge.
Activities and Experiences
There's a rooftop pool at The Roosevelt New Orleans, and it has gorgeous views of the city. But, given its convenient location to the French Quarter, you're likely to spend most of your time off-property during your time here.
However, this hotel offers one of the most unique annual events in (arguably) the country: the Stormin' of the Sazerac. This hyperlocal holiday celebrates the day that women, who were once restricted from being in the Sazerac Bar, to take it over in protest. Shortly afterwards, the Sazerac became the first bar in New Orleans to open to open to women outside of Mardi Gras.
Now celebrated annually, Stormin' of the Sazerac often sees activities such as a fashion show, lunch, and live entertainment.
Family-friendly Offerings
The Roosevelt doesn't explicitly offer family-friendly amenities, but this is a great place to take the whole gang. Certain rooms and suites are connected or adjoined, while other units have rollaway beds. You'll be able to find kid-friendly menu items at the on-site restaurants, and the rooftop pool is sure to be a hit with the little ones as well.
Accessibility and Sustainability
There are four accessible room types at The Roosevelt, including standard rooms with queen or king bed arrangements or superior rooms with queen or king beds. Make sure to double-check what kind of accessible room you're booking—some come are best suited for those with mobility issues and have roll-in showers, while others have hearing accessibility accommodations.
Since The Roosevelt is a part of Waldorf Astoria (which is a Hilton brand), it follows Hilton's sustainability principles. The hotel aims to maximize water efficiency with modern fixtures, reduce waste in everyday operations, use more environmentally friendly lighting, and source food and produce locally when possible.
Location
Located in downtown New Orleans, The Roosevelt is 15 miles from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), or a 30-minute drive. The French Quarter is walkable from the hotel, while the Garden District is fairly easily accessible by the St. Charles Line streetcar, and the closest stop is just a few blocks from the hotel.
If you're only planning on exploring downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods, the area is pretty walkable. However, if you're interested in exploring the areas surrounding New Orleans, you may want to rent a car. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are available within the city.
Book Now
The Roosevelt New Orleans is a Waldorf Astoria property, so Hilton Honors members can earn points for each night's stay or use accumulated points to pay for rooms. The property is also a part of American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts program. If you book your stay with a qualifying travel card on Amex's website, you can get access to perks like late checkout, early check-in, and daily breakfast for two.
Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.