Sitting in what is undoubtedly the most prominent block in all of New Orleans, the Royal Sonesta is in a unique and incomparable position. With its frontage right on Bourbon Street, and it’s side entrances on Conti and Bienville streets, it’s the ultimate hotel for travellers visiting The Big Easy. The luxury hotel has 483 guest rooms and suites with select rooms featuring wrought-iron balconies that overlook Bourbon Street and Musical Legends Park, and its timeless elegance combined with authentic southern hospitality truly sets itself apart from other French Quarter hotels.
The Lobby and Check-in Experience
The elegant lobby welcomes you in from the overwhelming atmosphere of Bourbon Street, and instantly ensures you feel calm and relaxed amidst the wildness of New Orleans’ busiest thoroughfare. The staff are welcoming, and helpful with guiding you to the hotel amenities and the local hot-spots.
The Rooms at Royal Sonesta
The hotel had a refurbishment in 2016 giving the hotel a much-needed refresh. Our twin guest room had crisp white linens and ocean-blue splashes of colour throughout, with stylish cream headboards completing the contemporary look. The room had everything you could need, including coffee-making facilities, and a beautiful all-white marble bathroom with L’occitane amenities. The entire look of the refurbished rooms is fresh and clean, and the comfortable pillow-topped mattress and luxury linens ensures a restful sleep after a busy day exploring the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Our room was located on 7th floor which is the “R Club Level,” which means our room included a personal concierge and access to the 7th floor Club Lounge which offers complimentary cocktails and appetisers in the evenings, as well as a complimentary hot breakfast. All of the rooms look out onto either the French Quarter or the Swimming Pool Courtyard, with select rooms having balconies that look out over Bourbon Street.
Food and Drink
The Royal Sonesta provides a host of dining and drinking options, including fine-dining restaurant Restaurant R’evolution, and the Desire Oyster bar which serves up some of New Orleans’ freshest oysters and has a $1 oyster happy hour! If you’re in need of a drink, a lush courtyard bar is located on the ground floor where you can enjoy a classic NOLA Sazerac, while The Jazz Playhouse is the hotel’s onsite jazz bar, with live music each evening that’s well-deserving of your attention.
Surrounding the hotel are some of the city’s finest dining options, including Erin Rose for Shrimp Po’Boys, and Brennan’s and Antoine’s for traditional Creole fine dining. Cafe du Monde’s famous beignets are also a short 10-minute walk away through the pretty, historic streets of the French Quarter.
Swimming pool and facilities
A large heated outdoor swimming pool provides a welcome respite and haven of tranquillity in the centre of the hotel, and lush green trees and plants surround the sun-loungers, taking you away from the bustling streets on the outside of the historic building. Beside the swimming pool is a seasonal bar with shaded tables and chairs. In addition to the pool is the fitness centre on the floor below the lobby, with enough equipment to satisfy any traveller in need of a workout to burn off the po’boys and beignets.
The Verdict
The beautiful rooms, heated pool, and relaxing atmosphere of the hotel make for a perfect New Orleans stay right in the heart of the action. The location truly is unbeatable with the hotel being walking distance to most of the key attractions, and close to the trams and taxis that can take you further afield. Not to mention being able to walk out of the lobby and straight onto the wild and rowdy Bourbon street makes it easy to make the most of your time in New Orleans, so you can enjoy the full experience and atmosphere the city has to offer.
Find out more and book at Royal Sonesta.
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Catherine Lux is a food and travel contributor at AGLAIA, and a luxury lifestyle blogger documenting her life on her blog, Lux Life London. With Lux Life London having a large focus on travel and food, she loves nothing more than long-haul flights, excellent restaurants, and relaxing with friends in the coolest places in town.
