Experience Luxury at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans: A Hotel Review
When it comes to New Orleans, The Royal Sonesta Hotel is truly unmissable and thankfully not only because it sits right in the heart of the city’s famous french quarter. Situated on Bourbon Street, The Royal Sonesta Hotel is famous across the globe for its picture-perfect location, Artistic Design and string of highly prestigious travel awards under its belt.
With so much more to explore within our FAULT Magazine Travel Guide to New Orleans, check out our review of The Royal Sonesta New Orleans where we discover if the hotel truly lives up to the hype.
With 483 guest rooms and suites, The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is one of the largest hotels in New Orleans. Despite its size and scale, the hotel still offers the most tranquil relief from the otherwise wild world of the french quarter on its doorstep. The spacious chandeliered lobby and gold-pillared entranceway, acted as the most luxurious refuge from the sometimes feverish bourbon street, while also making for the perfect jumping-in point for those in the mood to partake in some feverish fun of their own.
Location
While the food, music and ambience of Bourbon Street might not be to every traveller’s tastes, its convenience as a base location is difficult to dispute. Within touching distance of Jackson Square and Woldenberg Park and walking distance of Treme, By Water and the Warehouse District, the hotel can’t be beaten on location for travellers looking to both enjoy the french quarter, but also venture out to other areas within the city.
Room Review
The hotel boasts many room types and for the duration of our stay, we experienced the Two Queens – Interior Balcony. The room was larger than to be expected and boasted several amenities we were surprised were included as standard for all guests.
During our stay in New Orleans, we’d come to find plush toiletries, coffee-making facilities, in-room ironing facilities and Complimentary Wi-Fi are not always offered as standard so we’re glad to see The Royal Sonesta New Orleans went above and beyond to provide for our comfort.
Despite the often loud surrounding area, the rooms were surprisingly peaceful – despite the on-site Jazzclub (more on this later) and late-night restaurant and our room being within touching distance of the pool, I slept soundly every night with thanks to both the comfortable beds and the soundproofing of the rooms.
Hotel Amenities
The hotel boasts a large heated outdoor pool on the second floor and Oasis Pool Bar. We must mention just how heated the pool is, while the phrase is often used throughout Europe but rarely felt, you’re sure to feel the benefits while at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans. We stayed in New Orleans during an unseasonal cold spell yet the water was so warm we were still able to have an enjoyable swim.
As Hotel gyms go, the Royal Sonesta New Orleans is one of the bests we’ve experienced. Available 24 hours a day, it made for the perfect early morning jet-lag activity for those rouge 5 am risings. Equipped with modern equipment and with a sufficient amount of cardio machines and free weights, I never found myself wanting more from the facilities.
On-site, you’ll find The Jazz Playhouse, to experience a broad range of late-night entertainment. We attended Trixie Minx’s Burlesque Ballroom at The Jazz Playhouse, feat. Romy Kaye. With reserved seating, table cocktails and great music, the evening was a wonderful way to experience great music without leaving the hotel grounds. As hotel bars go, the venue certainly punches above its weight, however, don’t think it essential while the neon lights and local talent of Bourbon street sit on your doorstep.
Dining
Click here to read the full review of the Desire Oyster Bar
On-site, you’ll find the Desire Oyster Bar, open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The menu boasts all the New Orleans classics from Po Boys to Jambalaya but for sure, visit the namesake, Oyster Bar. Opting for a seat with a view of the oyster bar, we watched as the oysters were Chargrilled before our very eyes. While Oysters are certainly easy to come by in Nola, not all chefs are created equal however we’re pleased to say that the team at Desire Oyster Bar kept us well looked after.
We can’t end this review without also commending all staff for their level of professionalism and high level of customer service throughout all sectors of the hotel. All staff went above and beyond to make sure our stay was as comfortable as possible.
Geography might make The Royal Sonesta New Orleans noticeable, but the staff, amenities and first-in-class food, make it unmissable.