Revisiting New Orleans
For more on the rebirth of the hotel and the city, visit our slideshow.
The rebirth of New Orleans as one of the nation's premier travel destinations continues apace with the reopening of the iconic Roosevelt New Orleans.
"This has been the largest private investment project ... post-Katrina," said Mark Wilson, director of sales and marketing. "It will have a big economic impact."
Wilson said the return of the Roosevelt, now a member of Hilton's Waldorf-Astoria Collection, is a benchmark in the Big Easy's rebound. "New Orleans is a city that gloms onto its history. To bring something this historical back makes this a special case," he said.
The reborn Roosevelt, in soft opening since July 1, was refitted to the tune of $145 million. It will celebrate its official grand opening Oct. 23 to 25; in the meantime, the brand-new Guerlain Spa, measuring 12,500 square feet with 10 treatment rooms, and the new, casual Domenica restaurant, serving Italian fare, are set to debut at the end of September.
Facilities already in place include the restored Sazerac Restaurant; the legendary Blue Room, the venue for the hotel's Sunday Jazz Brunch; coffee shop Teddy's Cafe; an open-air Pool Cafe; and the Roosevelt Gift Shop, a high-end emporium.
The Roosevelt's 504 guest units, including 135 suites, were gutted, redesigned and redecorated. They now boast flat-screen TVs, refreshment centers, alarm clocks with MP3 connections and beds outfitted with 300-thread-count sheets.
Seven VIP Astoria Suites measure a minimum of 1,400 square feet. Astoria Suite guests enjoy premium amenities, such as private check-in; 24-hour butler service; two 42-inch, flat-screen TVs; in-room bar setup; fruit basket; fresh flowers; evening canapes; bottled water; newspapers; shoeshines; and Guerlain bath amenities. "They're fully loaded ... with all the accoutrements of luxury that you'd expect," said Wilson.
The Roosevelt also has three themed Presidential Suites: the Teddy Roosevelt, Huey P. Long and Louis Armstrong suites.
On a recent two-night visit, the largely youthful hotel staff were exceedingly polite, professional and eager to please.
"I think if we're authentically friendly and we really follow up on details, we're going to have an extraordinary property," Wilson said.
Unrestricted nightly rates start at $239 for a deluxe guestroom with a king-size bed. The Astoria Suites, meanwhile, rent for about $1,500 per night.
See www.therooseveltneworleans.com.