Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans Unveils $15M Renovation

NOLA’s Windsor Court Hotel has unveiled a $15 million property renovation, slated to be completed by early October of this year. A new rooftop pool bar, guest room refresh and ballroom modern makeover highlight hotel’s transformation during New Orleans’ tricentennial. In addition to modernizations for all 316 guestrooms and suites and the grand opening of Waterman Poolside Bar, the impressive undertaking encompasses a refresh to public spaces, including hallways, elevator landings, the Club Level Lounge, and La Chinoiserie, the 3,700-square-foot ballroom on the hotel’s top floor.

“This project was rooted in our desire to stay true to our old-world British elegance and classic luxury décor without having any feeling of being dated or antiquated,” said Windsor Court General Manager Ralph Mahana. “By updating and upgrading our furnishings, color palette and bathrooms, our guest rooms and corridors are brighter, more vibrant and refreshing – yet they maintain the charm, style and elegance for which our hotel is known.”

The most marked of the updates and improvements is the addition of the hotel’s newest libation destination, Waterman Poolside Bar, which overlooks the property’s 65-foot saltwater pool. Just steps away from the facility’s fitness center and spa, the rooftop eatery first opened to hotel and spa guests in April and will open to the public via Resort Pass in mid-July.

A splashy drink selection includes frozen cocktails, wines by the glass, beers and wines on tap, and an assortment of specialty mocktails. A menu of shared plates, salads, sandwiches and wraps is ideal for outdoor dining, and a kids’ menu guarantees every swimmer has something to savor. The cabana-style bar is served with a side of stunning skyline views, four large-screen TVs and plenty of fans to keep things cool during the city’s sultry summers.

Changes to the rooms and suites include new furniture – living and dining room chairs, custom-designed coffee tables, re-upholstered leather head boards with reading lights, full-length dressing mirrors, Tempur-Pedic sleeper sofas and residential style bedside tables with convenient charging stations – complimented by a new relaxing and inviting Benjamin Moore color scheme. New entryway flooring, fresh room and bath accessories from Restoration Hardware and Arteriors, upgraded bathtubs with Botticino Fiorito marble surrounds, and glass door shower enclosures to replace outdated shower curtains round out the room updates.

“We also used this opportunity to upgrade the functionality of our guest rooms and suites,” Mahana said. “All lights were replaced with LED bulbs, rooms are now equipped with far more readily accessible outlets and USB ports, and new lamps from Restoration Hardware allow for better lighting in our living areas.”

In premium suites, which already feature fully-stocked mini-bars, additional mini-refrigerators were installed to accommodate personal items, medicines, and of course, leftovers from the copious dining outings that are synonymous with a New Orleans getaway.

On the 23rd floor in La Chinoiserie, new carpeting, drapery, paint and foyer furniture highlight the cosmetic reboot, while some minor architectural changes to the alcove ceilings help to open up the space, making it appear even larger.

The renovations, which began earlier this year, were a collaborative effort, with Metairie, Louisiana-based contractor Broadmoor helming the construction. Moncur Design Associates spearheaded the revamp of the Club Level Lounge and 23rd floor ballroom, and Flick Mars led the redesign of the guest rooms and corridors. The 2018 makeover comes on the heels of a much larger, $22 million hotel restoration in 2012, which included new décor in all guestrooms, refurbishments in the food and beverage outlets and other public spaces, and the addition of The Spa at Windsor Court.