Loews New Orleans Hotel

Description:

• Swanky. Ooo-la-la. These are the words that spring to mind as you enter the stylish Loews hotel. It's a sharp-dressed combo of modern and moderne, with judiciously applied sprinkles of New Orleans flavor. Maybe it's the relative newness of the place or that the front desk has a photo-tile collage featuring black-and-white shots of iconic local images. Maybe it's the fact that Loews was willing to renovate the adjoining Piazza D'Italia (a local landmark that had gone to seed; be sure to wander amid its fountain and neon-lit glory one evening). Whatever it is, we are quite smitten. The rooms are all spacious, starting with the "Luxury" rooms, at 346 square feet -- bright and decorated with art by a local photographer, with goose-down comforters and pillows. Bathrooms are small, but granite and wood vanities make up for the lack of space. "Grand Luxury" rooms and bathrooms are bigger (and more costly, naturally). Views vary from river to partial river plus piazza to New Orleans city skyline, which get better the higher up you go. Note that the hotel's lowest floor is the 11th, so this is not the choice for those with vertigo or other high-floor issues. There is also a steamy indoor pool and a good-size workout room that could use more machines, plus the excellent restaurant Café Adelaide and the Swizzle Stick bar. Possibly best of all: Loews has a company-wide "Loews Loves Pets" policy, which practically encourages Fido to come join in the fun.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

CitySearch

•  Hotel Staff 2007

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2009
•  Highly Recommended 2010