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Legendary hotels
We stayed at The Roosevelt New Orleans, a 5-star hotel in New Orleans
Not far from the French Quarter, The Roosevelt is a privileged witness to the city’s history. Every nook and cranny of this New Orleans hotel evokes the past, lulled by the echoes of jazz’s heyday. Let’s take a closer look at this legendary address, which has been combining luxury and elegance for over a century.
The pitch | The Roosevelt, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, a living monument
A stone's throw from the bustling Canal Street, Bavarian businessman Louis Grunewald built a luxurious hotel in New Orleans in 1893, to which he gave his name. Fifteen years later, the establishment hosted one of the first hotel nightclubs in the United States, The Cave, frequented by influential figures, jazz musicians and writers. Renamed The Roosevelt in 1923, it became the nerve center of Louisiana's political and cultural life, and one of the most emblematic hotels in New Orleans. Huey Long, governor of the state from 1928 to 1932, had a suite at the hotel, where he held informal meetings.
To support his activities, his supporters placed "donations" in a dedicated box, now recreated in the lobby, on the site of the original. Frequented by Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Eisenhower and others, this 5-star hotel in New Orleans has also hosted concerts by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra in its legendary Blue Room. It has changed hands several times, and is now part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, owned by the Hilton Group.
Among the illustrious guests who have passed through her salons: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Eisenhower
What's the hotel like? The lobby and its emblematic clock
Behind a classical façade, a grandiose lobby, lined with gilded columns and lit by crystal chandeliers, leads to an emblematic clock (a Waldorf Astoria hotel tradition). Known as the "Paris Exhibition Clock", it was designed by French watchmaker Eugène Farcot in 1867 for the Universal Exhibition. It features a bronze sculpture of a young girl by French sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier de Belleuse, an allegory of the city of Paris. This exceptional piece was installed here in 2009 after the work imposed by Hurricane Katrina.
And the rooms?
Steeped in history, this New Orleans hotel boasts 504 keys. Adorned with elegant dark wood furnishings, brightened up with leather details and thick textiles, the rooms and suites incorporate a few design elements and other contemporary pieces. Soothing cocoons for restorative breaks after wandering the streets of Louisiana's capital.
How's the dining?
Three options: the Fountain Lounge for its sophisticated all-day breakfasts and plates, the Italian restaurant Domenica for its homemade pastas and wood-fired meats, and Teddy's Café, a favorite of sweet tooths. Each season, pastry chef Kareena Dennis creates a new menu of pastries made with local ingredients.
What makes it different?
A nod to the golden age of jazz and Prohibition, Bar Sazerac boasts an eponymous beverage, a daring blend of cognac and absinthe that has become the official cocktail of New Orleans. It was the first drinking establishment to serve women, who, until the rebellion of September 26, 1949, were only allowed into a bar on Mardi Gras day.
Things to remember?
Close to all the main points of interest, this elegant 5-star hotel in New Orleans, with its blend of historic features and contemporary comforts, exudes a luxurious ambience reminiscent of yesteryear.
Practical
5 things we love about The Roosevelt, 5-star hotel in New Orleans
- The prime location, a stone's throw from the French Quarter
- Buffet breakfast in the Fountain Lounge
- Cabanas around the rooftop pool
- Second entrance 130 Roosevelt Way, so you don't have to go around the block depending on where you're coming from
- Easy, flowing traffic, which makes you forget the large number of rooms