Weaving through the busy streets of downtown New Orleans is not my idea of a relaxing experience, but it was worth it when we arrived at the Renaissance New Orleans Art Hotel, located in the former Warehouse District, which is now a bustling hub of art museums and restaurants. We were greeted by the Valet, who explained the hotel has valet parking only, which runs around $38 a day with taxes.
Housed in a former warehouse, the Renaissance Arts Hotel retains the former charm of the original building while offering all the modern amenities I expect in a hotel. I have to give a huge shout out to the staff at the front desk who went beyond their duties to give me directions to a local attraction I wanted to visit. Not only did they Mapquest the directions and print them for me, they called and confirmed them to make sure they were correct.
By the time we arrived, I was ready for some space and I found it in our suite. We had a living area, complete with a mini fridge, a flat screen television for the kids and a pull out sofa bed, two bathrooms, a large comfy bedroom and two closets. When I discovered the second flat screen in the bedroom, I was in heaven. I stayed in the bedroom and watched HGTV, which no one else in my family will watch, while the rest of the family watched Comedy Central in the living area.
We had just arrived in our room and began to unpack when I heard a knock on the door. Room service had stopped by to deliver us an apple, a bottle of water and some chocolates. I left the apple for the rest of the family and took some chocolates and water with me to enjoy as I watched my HGTV. After all, isn’t vacation supposed to include some “me time?”
Because the rest of the family doesn’t always have the same idea about vacation as I do, I was happy to find the roof top pool for the kids. I could people watch or relax in the hot tub while the kids splashed each other and used up their extra energy. Should I have felt the urge to use up my extra energy, a fitness center is also located on the 5th floor.
My idea of spending time at a hotel includes relaxation so I was pleased to find that the bathrooms had soft , fluffy towels, Aveeda toiletries, and a rainwater showerhead. After I finished my long shower, I could return to the sitting area, put on the plush robe I found in the closet and partake of some of the coffees available for brewing. So maybe my relaxation time was short lived, but I enjoyed every second of it!
The only problem I had was with the internet. I had several deadlines due while I was gone and in-room internet cost $12.95 a night. I didn’t want to spend that much for the short amount of time I needed to be online so I tried to use the business center. It was very nicely done, but it blocked several of the sites I needed to access, although they did have printers and a section exclusively for printing flight boarding passes. Another feature I liked was the video checkout. I simply turned on the television, pushed a few buttons on the remote and within a minute I was checked out and on my way.
The Renaissance Arts Hotel is located on Tchoupitoulas Street, near the French Market. Be sure to check out the second floor art gallery and the artistic décor throughout the hotel and have a meal at the Rene Bistrot while you are there.
Love the entrance and the view…. I have been wanting to visit there and just did’t get there yet. It’s great to see that the town is recovering and it’s nice to have a first hand review of a hotel in the area when I go to visit!
Looks like a pretty neat hotel. I think I really like the sitting room as well as the bedroom. I want to stay the weekend there!
WOW… you really did stay in style.. I love it… what a great place to relax and refresh your mind. Love the rooftop pool.. soo unique and private…just awesome
Lovely looking hotel, and I’m loving the idea of a roof top swimming pool! I bet it’s nice taking in the night-time view 🙂
My hotel charged for internet too but I travel with a hotspot so I never really noticed that and only thought of it because you mentioned it. lol All in all though, that hotel looks really nice!!!!
I simply LOVE that sitting room. Sooo pretty! I am so glad you share all these travel posts … it’s like I get to see all the sights!
What a clean and modern hotel! I love the color scheme. I have never been to New Orleans, but hope to in the near future. I will have to give this hotel a look.
You got some really great photos. Especially love the pool and I know hubby would so enjoy that fitness room. Haven’t been to New Orleans but would love to visit.
Very nice! That bed looks super comfy. New Orleans is on our “list”, so I will definitely bookmark this!
What a lovely hotel! I love the colors.
I love the decor and the red furniture. I’m sure anyone who stays there has a wonderful time.
Wow, this really sound slike a great hotel, and so glad the staff were kind.
that looks lovely especially the lush looking bathroom
Beautiful room and large. That was nice. What a treat, home away from home. IF I ever make it to NOLA I’ll look them up.
Too bad they didn’t offer complimentary WIFI. But the room looks comfy and the hotel looks clean and well-kept.
New Orleans is on my list of places I’d love to visit, mostly to EAT! 🙂 This looks like a GREAT place to stay.
Wow! How awesome looking!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love that comforter.
oh wow, $12.95 a night. eek!!
looks like it was plenty comfy though 🙂
I love the mix of old and new in the decor. It definitely looks like a hotel where I would be very comfortable.
What a great price for that hotel!!
Oh that looks like a beautiful hotel. The bed looks so comfy! I am slowly finding the hotels that offer free wifi vs having to pay for it… which of course I do not like. That’s tough when you (we) have to keep working through your ‘vaca’. I’d love to see that art gallery! I hope I can visit New Orleans one day!
It looks like a really nice hotel. I like that the room looks so clean and spacious. I also like when a hotel has a good workout room and pool like this!
Oh that looks like a really nice hotel! We plan on going to New Orleans in January, I will definitely keep this hotel in mind!
This looks like a trendy hotel to visit! I think that it would be perfect for a mini-vacation with my hubby and son.
I’d probably be tempted to just spend my vacation in the room instead of traveling about. I love the looks of their rooms and facilities.
It does look like a nice hotel, and hurrah for a kind staff (that goes such a long way in determining future stays).
Oh my what a gorgeous looking hotel I adore that entrance view and the pool looks lovely. x