The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Stepping into The Roosevelt feels like stepping back in time, starting with the grand marble lobby full of soaring columns and glittering chandeliers. The hotel has changed names several times, but the grandeur has stayed the same. Opened in 1893 as The Grundewald Hotel, it was first rebranded as The Roosevelt in 1923. Renamed The Fairmont in 1965, the gorgeous property reclaimed the name The Roosevelt in 2005, complete with fabulous Art Deco signs calling back to its earlier days.Well-heeled guests, including politicians, celebrities, and New Orleans elite, have long walked the floors of the posh hotel, and they continue to do so today. Business travelers can be spotted in the lobby and dining in the high-end restaurant, while the famous Sazerac Bar draws a near-constant crowd of hotel guests and outside visitors. Families with small children tend to gravitate to the rooftop pool a few floors above. For guests who want a true taste of classic elegance and New Orleans history, few hotels have as much to offer as The Roosevelt does.

Set just half a block off busy Canal Street on the edge of the Central Business District, The Roosevelt New Orleans is in a prime position for visiting many of the city’s biggest draws. On the other side of Canal Street is the French Quarter, and guests can walk to lively Bourbon Street in just three minutes. Harrah’s New Orleans Casino is an 11-minute walk from the hotel, while the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is a 16-minute walk (or a five-minute drive) away. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a 10-minute drive away.  At Canal Street, guests can also catch the city’s famous street car -- a ride to the middle of the Garden District takes about 25 minutes. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport can be reached by car in about 30 minutes.

Rooms at The Roosevelt are the epitome of elegance and class. Plush fabrics, warm tones, and classic, polished wood furnishings combine with modern conveniences for a pampering stay. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars come standard, but there are no coffeemakers. Wi-Fi comes with a fee (it’s only free for Hilton Honors members, though this program is free to sign up for). Closets are equipped with irons, ironing boards, and safes, as well as plush robes and old-school shoeshine kits complete with a selection of brushes. Inviting marble bathrooms include hairdryers and high-end Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries. Even the bathrooms in the entry-level Deluxe Rooms offer flat-screen TVs. Evening turndown service leaves trays on the beds that include slippers, extra toiletries, and fancy chocolates.Upgrading to Superior Rooms adds sitting areas and better city views. King Suites feature separate living areas with sleeper sofas. The next step up are the one-bedroom Luxury Suites, which include large living rooms, dining areas, and huge bathrooms with either clawfoot or deep soaking bathtubs. Waldorf Suites and Astoria Suites are even bigger, featuring larger living and dining areas. At the top of the line are the Presidential Suites, which are the epitome of elegance and are large enough to feel like a true home-away-from-home.

The Roosevelt New Orleans offers an extensive range of high-end amenities. On the dining front, guests can choose between the upscale Fountain Lounge, which offers small plates and live entertainment, and the more modern, hip Domenica, which serves Italian fare. Room service is available 24/7. Teddy’s Cafe in the lobby offers coffee drinks and pastries. One of the hotel’s biggest draws for guests and non-guests alike is The Sazerac Bar, a historic New Orleans institution located in the lobby. It’s here that the bar’s namesake Sazerac cocktail was first invented, which is believed by many to be the world’s first mixed drink. Tuxedo-clad bartenders  can also mix up other delicious cocktails for patrons tucked into warm booths below ornate murals.On the fourth floor is the outdoor Rooftop Bar, which sits beside the hotel’s beautiful outdoor pool. There are plenty of sun loungers, bar tables, and a few cabanas for relaxing, as well as an open terrace area with a huge chessboard. The whole rooftop offers scenic views of the picturesque domes of the Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church across the street, as well as the rest of the Central Business District skyline. For ultimate pampering, the hotel offers the Waldorf Astoria Spa. The lush oasis features 10 treatment rooms and a full-service salon. A large menu of massages, treatments, and beauty services is offered for a fee. Beside the spa there’s a modern, 24-hour fitness center that features Technogym cardio machines, a Wattbike, free weights, Pilates balls, and yoga mats. It also offers free towels and bottled water.Other amenities include a high-end gift shop, a shoeshine station, and a concierge desk. Wi-Fi is free in public spaces. Valet parking is offered for a fee (it’s on the pricey side), but there’s no self-parking option. Small pets are welcome for a surcharge.