If it has been awhile since you have been to the Crescent City or you have been looking to experience the rebuilt New Orleans, we highly suggest checking out the W Hotel New Orleans Downtown, as we found out very quickly, this is one hot place to be.
Our stay at the W was a wonderful experience from the moment we stepped out of the car and handed over the keys to the valet. The staff is very prompt and the bellmen are readily available to handle anything you can send their way.
We never really get hyped about the entrance to a building or hotel lobby, but we must admit this was like having a guard open the doors to a palace. Two big doors swing open to what appears to be a small white linen lined room and then whalaa…. The curtains automatically open revealing the very calming lobby. We loved the "living room" as they call it, absolutely gorgeous at night with votive candles lit everywhere.
After a speedy check in process and a little more time to look at the decadence of the lobby area, you will see why this a great choice for both business travelers and leisure travelers alike.
What travelers will like is the selection the W has to offer for rooms. Boasting 423 deluxe guest rooms which include the Wonderful Room, Spectacular Room, Fantastic Suite, Marvelous Suite, and the WOW Suite, the WOW really means WOW and is for when you feel like stepping out for a night.
Our well equipped Fantastic suite was just that. Situated on the higher floors in the hotel, the Fantastic Suite experience starts with the view of the city of New Orleans. Watch the various ships pass, or just peer through the large wooden beach house style shutters out the window and take in some of old history the Crescent City possesses.
In the living area, you can just kick back on the super comfy suede like material covering the couch and watch a game on the 42-inch plasma television, and if you are traveling with someone who just does not want to enjoy your same choices, a second television is located in the main bedroom.
We really liked the placement of the bathroom in the suite, conveniently placed between the main bedroom and the living room area so if you have guests over, there is no disturbances in the other room, if you know what we mean. The bright white colors and large sink area make this a bathroom to be desired in your own home. The bathroom is all the better with the Bliss bath products along with the terry lined spa robes.
Each one of the 423 deluxe guest rooms and 23 suites have the signature W Hotel bedding that includes pillow top mattresses and featherbeds, 350 thread count Egyptian cotton blend sheets, feather and goose down duvets and pillows. These are the beds that every house should have.
After you have relaxed in this wonderful room, everyone has to check out their rooftop pool. Unlike many hotel pools, this rooftop pool is super chic and the lighting at dusk is just stunning. Add the cabanas with televisions and either day or night, this is one cool pool, literally. The lighted pool reminds us of pools we would typically see in South Beach and probably is one of the hottest places to just relax after-hours in New Orleans.
It wouldn’t be a complete trip to New Orleans without some Southern Cuisine. While gumbo and Creole is the norm we took the time to sit done at the super chic Zoe restaurant located on the second floor of the hotel. Zoe is New Orleans meets Spain. Under the direction of Executive Chef Roberto Bustillo Jr. the menu items are more than memorable and the flavor is something you will not find anywhere else in the city.
Our first selection is for those who are looking for a good combination of breakfast and lunch. The fried eggs with Spanish chorizo and potatoes are about as unique as we have seen for any menu item served in a restaurant. The dish is a generous portion and the egg is served just right to the liking. The chorizo gives it the southern spice. This is a great starter for $10.
While the chef has won numerous awards for several items on the menu, perhaps one he definitely should in the future are the Mini Crabmeat and Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Served with Shitake Mushrooms and Lemon Butter Sauce, it is just enough to eat as an appetizer or as a main course.
The best item on the menu and the New Orleans Wine and Food gold fleur-de-lis award winner in 2007 is the Braised Kobe Beef Short Ribs. Served with Mushroom Ragout, Black Truffle essence and a fresh Potato Pancake, these melt in your mouth. They lasted no more than five minutes on the table. If we didn’t have to share the serving and make sure that the marketing rep from the hotel had a sample as well they would have made it to the bottom of our stomach even faster than five minutes.
Another N.O.W.F.E winner and a great choice are the Seared Sea Scallops with Creamy Tuscan Corn Grits and Mushroom. The scallops are huge and more than filling, a great selection for those who really love seafood.
After dinner we suggest unwinding at Whiskey Blue in the lobby. Part of the highly successful Gerber Group who owns the world renowned Whiskey Blue in Los Angeles and the Stone Rose in New York, this version of Whiskey Blue is 1,800 square feet of its own identity. The mahogany bar with a blue lit bar back and the amber lit front makes this a focal point in the lobby. You just can’t miss this quality right in the lobby of your hotel. We spent a good part of the night after a quick trip back from the French Quarter. This is a great place to unwind before bed.
If you are looking for the perfect hotel that is convenient, chic and has some of the best real estate in New Orleans look no further than the W Hotel New Orleans Downtown. Situated across the from the Harrah’s Casino and just minutes from the French Quarter, Riverwalk and the Central Downtown Business district, the W is the place to be, miss it and you will miss some of the best accommodations New Orleans has to offer.
W New Orleans
333 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
