8 September 2023
Whether it’s for Swifties heading to see Taylor Swift or sports fans flooding into the Big Easy to see the Super Bowl, New Orleans offers plenty of fantastic hotels near the arena.
There are plenty of options for travelers heading to NOLA. If you’re a Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton or IHG loyalist or prefer to try out a chic independent hotel, you won’t leave disappointed with a stay at any of our favorite hotels below.
Sure, New Orleans is known for the French Quarter and Bourbon Street fun, but these hotels will keep you happy from the very moment you set foot in the Crescent City.
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Who needs Bourbon Street when your own hotel is the life of the party? Virgin Hotels is already a brand known for its fun and hospitable service. Throw in the Big Easy and Southern charm, and you have a particularly special stay at Virgin Hotels New Orleans.
The quirky design (yes, that is a sculpture of a man in a bunny costume playing chess that you see in the library) set the stage for this being a fun place to unwind and enjoy a vacation.
Virgin Hotels mainstays like the Commons Club restaurant are on hand, and we love the New Orleans outpost for its burlesque brunch (with the option to add a bottomless Veuve Clicquot accompaniment to your shrimp and grits). Guest rooms and suites are spacious, with city views and well-designed dressing areas in even entry-level rooms. Be sure to check out The Pool Club on the rooftop — swimming with a sunset view over New Orleans is a great start to any night of bacchanalia.
Rates start at $161 per night.
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Despite its prime location near the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the Hyatt Regency New Orleans is more than just another convention hotel. Guest rooms and suites feature city views and large workstations, while suites come with separate sitting areas (some even include a balcony). While the hotel might be in a more business-oriented neighborhood of New Orleans, it is still within walking distance of the French Quarter and the Garden District.
The Bywater Pool on the fifth floor is an excellent place to soak in the sun or enjoy a snack from the Bywater Bar & Grill before a show at the Superdome. You’ll also find plenty of other dining options at on-site restaurants like 8 Block Kitchen & Bar (the “grits and bits” pancakes are a must), Vitascope Hall sports bar (named for the world’s first for-profit movie theater, which began in New Orleans) and the Lagniappe Exchange for grab-and-go food items.
Rates start at $138 or 9,000 World of Hyatt points, per night.
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The art deco aesthetic throughout the Higgins Hotel gives off a yesteryear vibe as you approach the check-in desk — and we couldn’t love this hotel more for that.
In a prime location near the National World War II Museum (which clearly inspired the design team at the hotel), the Higgins Hotel provides an artistic first impression with a floor-to-ceiling mural depicting wartime factory workers and the New Orleans skyline. You’ll also find retro decor and chandeliers throughout the lobby.
Upstairs, guests are treated to rooms and suites with a 1940s-inspired design scheme with art deco headboards and panoramic city views (guests looking for a little more quiet can choose a room on the courtyard side of the hotel). Spacious suites are worth the splurge for extra living areas and features like terraces and original artwork.
The wartime inspiration continues at the Higgins Hotel’s bars and restaurants. Kilroy’s Bar & Lounge off the lobby plays 1940s music while you imbibe a cocktail. Rosie’s on the Roof pays homage to the women on the homefront of World War II and has one of the best views of downtown New Orleans of any hotel in the city.
Rates start at $149 or 36,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
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Ultraluxury arrived on the banks of the Mississippi River when the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans opened its doors in 2021 after a long-awaited renovation of the city’s World Trade Center and International Trade Mart tower. The finished product is a hotel with equal parts refined Southern hospitality and “let the good times roll” fun.
Guest rooms and suites feel cozy with their design featuring shiplap wood, plaster moldings of magnolia blossoms and spacious bathrooms with soaking tubs. River-view rooms are the star of the show, and you’ll want to save a little time to lounge at the hotel’s curved terrace pool overlooking the mighty Mississippi River.
The Chandelier Bar is a must-visit for both a glass of something fabulous and to snap a photo of the enormous namesake light fixture hanging over the bar. Sip a Sazerac and sparkle, we say. Louisiana cuisine gets a luxe liftoff at Miss River, chef Alon Shaya’s “love letter to Louisiana.” Let’s just say we have our own love letter to write to Louisiana after getting some of Shaya’s carved buttermilk-fried chicken followed up with caviar and ice cream service.
Rates start at $360 per night.
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Impeccable European and industrial-chic design gives this business district hotel plenty of French Quarter, homey flair. The Eliza Jane keeps us coming back for more with its creative aesthetic giving a nod to its history — the hotel is in what was once a printing factory — with features like The Press Room, a sleek bar with an impressive lineup of cocktails and mocktails (we love the zero-proof Phony Negroni). While New Orleans has a litany of amazing restaurants, The Eliza Jane’s very own Couvant restaurant draws in a crowd beyond hotel guests thanks to its impressive menu of hits like blue crab gnocchi and brioche-crusted veal.
The industrial vibes continue upstairs in guest rooms and suites featuring exposed brick walls and high ceilings. Consider splurging on the Editor’s Suites if you’re traveling with larger groups, as these come with separate living areas with sleeper sofas (and some feature two queen-size beds in the bedroom).
Rates start at $169 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
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The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans nabbed the crown as the luxurious queen of Canal Street. The hotel — formerly a department store building — rises over the French Quarter’s western edge and is a downtown landmark thanks to its white Beaux Arts exterior.
Guest rooms and suites are stately, not stuffy, and feature bright furnishings and an array of views. City views are great, but we love the courtyard views for a little pop of greenery. Spacious marble bathrooms include walk-in showers.
The Ritz-Carlton wins out with its stellar service and local vibes: You’ll hear live jazz music in the Davenport Lounge (named for resident musician Jeremy Davenport). We find trumpet music goes down well with the lounge’s signature Purple Haze, a Monkey 47 gin-based concoction of aquafaba, blackberry sage syrup and lemon. When hunger strikes, head over to the M Bistro for blue crab beignets and coastal seafood.
We find the best relaxation here comes at the sprawling Ritz-Carlton Spa, which offers a Voodoo Ritual (which is just an 80-minute massage in a candlelit treatment room) that’s more calming than it is spooky.
Rates start at $352 or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
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The hipster, the beautiful and the millennial demographics converge anytime the popular Ace Hotel brand opens a new property, and it’s no different at the gorgeous New Orleans location. The 1920s art deco building is impressive, but the real charm is found inside the Ace Hotel New Orleans’ doors.
Minimalist rooms are comfortable and feature full-size Smeg refrigerators, Uka toiletries and Pearl soap. Oh, and don’t leave Fido at home, as the Ace Hotel is pet-friendly. Those willing to splurge can book rooms with patios or get an Ace Suite for a two-level living area and an outdoor terrace.
The rooftop pool is one of the more see-and-be-seen scenes in New Orleans and also features Alto, a poolside bar. Lifestyle hotels are known for their restaurants, and the Ace is no exception: Josephine Estelle blends Italian and Southern cooking (why shouldn’t cornbread and rigatoni go hand in hand at the dinner table?) while Seaworthy is a fun spot for happy hour Champagne and oysters.
Rates start at $177 per night.
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It might give off sleek, brooding vibes with its 50 shades of gray exterior, but the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is a buzzworthy lifestyle hotel steps from all the action of New Orleans and its entertainment venues. The hotel has an inviting lobby with wicker furniture accented by dark wood. Guest rooms and suites maintain that aesthetic with wicker-and-iron headboards with a pop of color thanks to pink velvet accent pillows. Frette linens and Atelier Bloem amenities make this a stay that comes with resounding rest and relaxation.
The Peacock Room is the hotel bar of dreams with its mosaic floors, colorful banquettes and backlit bar perfect for a sultry glass of something. We’re partial to El Pavo Real (a slightly spicy tequila creation with hibiscus and pomegranate). Perhaps even more impressive: This hotel was once a Staybridge Suites. The Kimpton Hotel Fontenot might be the most successful face-lift in, well, ever.
Rates start at $161 or 27,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
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Courtyards are integral to New Orleans and French Quarter lore, and the W New Orleans courtyard is a particular crowd-pleaser. The luxe hotel blends historic with haute couture with its stylish, modern take on the courtyard, where funky furniture and a fabulous pool mesh with a sweeping staircase and water fountain complete with a gaslit fire feature.
Guest rooms and suites are colorful and cheerful, and you can have your own balcony and French Quarter view if you decide to splurge on a suite. The ultimate splurge is the Studio Suite, which has a whirlpool and courtyard view.
The 3rd Block Depot Kitchen + Bar is the W’s stylish hotel bar, but when you’re this deep into the French Quarter, it’s well worth dropping by for a cocktail and then asking the friendly W team for nearby restaurant recommendations.
Rates start at $237 or 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
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The Ace Hotel’s sister property is the more decorated of the hotel siblings; it feels like walking through a collector’s beautifully decorated home with plush couches and an array of art filling up the walls. This eclectic vibe extends upstairs to the guest rooms and suites, featuring dark blue upholstered headboards, soaking tubs and many, many fun design features (snake shower door handles and zodiac sign etchings on wooden coffee tables, to name a few).
Bar Marilou is the hotel’s highly coveted cocktail bar with scarlet walls and tiger print barstools and flooring. Hotel guests get top priority in a private salon accessible by a hidden revolving doorway. Maison de la Luz is a winner on the hospitality front, but it does lack a pool. Have no fear: You can beat the heat using the Ace Hotel’s pool just across the street.
Rates start at $342 per night.
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A stay at the Pontchartrain Hotel is akin to having a sleepover at one’s fabulous Southern aunt’s home. This Garden District mainstay might look a little old on the outside, but it’s filled with refined decor, hospitality and guests on the inside.
Chandeliers accent a black-ceilinged lobby while things get much brighter upstairs in guest rooms and suites with a mint, pink and gold color palette. Seating areas in the room are perfect for kicking back with a book or a bourbon from the handsome minibar, and bathrooms feature walk-in showers and Le Labo products.
Make your way up to the rooftop bar, Hot Tin (Tennessee Williams would be honored), for jaw-dropping views of downtown New Orleans and the Mississippi River. The Second Line Spritz with tequila and Campari is our go-to summer cocktail when we’re in town.
Rates start at $179 per night.
Best credit cards for booking hotels near Caesars Superdome
There are over a dozen excellent travel rewards credit cards out there for hotel stays. The right one(s) for you will depend on if you’re loyal to a particular program or chain, whether you want premium perks, and if you value benefits like annual free nights, automatic elite status and lucrative earning rates.
Here are three great credit cards to use for booking stays across a variety of hotel chains and independent properties while still enjoying money-saving features and high-end benefits, though.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earning rates: This card earns 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year). Plus, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. Remember, Amex points transfer to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio and to Choice Privileges at a 1:1 rate, and there are sometimes transfer bonuses.
Benefits: This card is absolutely packed with perks, but among the travel-related ones you’ll want to maximize, including some hotel-specific benefits are:
Up to a $200 annual hotel credit, in the form of a statement credit, on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Platinum (Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum).*
Access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection.
Complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.*
Up to $200 in statement credits annually for incidental fees charged by one airline you select.*
Up to $200 annually in Uber Cash, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (split into monthly $15 credits plus a $20 bonus in December).*
Up to $189 in statement credits to cover your Clear Plus annual membership.*
An up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or an up to $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years (depending on which application fee is charged to your card first).
Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights).*
*Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Amex Platinum card.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earning rates: Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.
Benefits: Cardholders get up to $300 back in statement credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel. Plus 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel). Through the Capital One Premier Collection, cardmembers can enjoy free breakfast, on-property credits and room upgrades (if available) on stays at participating properties booked through Capital One Travel. They also receive up to $100 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Capital One Venture X.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earning rates: This card accrues 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase travel portal, on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through March 2025, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points). It also racks up 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal; and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Benefits: Cardholders receive a $50 statement credit on hotel stays purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal upon opening the card and each following cardmember anniversary. They also receive a 10% bonus based on their total spending during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for each $10 spent. This card also has some of the best travel protections in the industry, including trip cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance and primary rental car coverage among other policies.
Annual fee: $95.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Related reading:
Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or expert traveler
The best travel credit cards
The 18 best places to travel in 2023
6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.