The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Goodness me the bad was truly bad here. This place was rammed and there was nowhere near enough staff with the number of guests using this hotel. Failed dismally to get served at the bar on Saturday night and noon on Sunday, just gave up after a long time waiting. Valet car service was manic, staff doing their best with the overwhelming numbers. The small room was cold and had to call out engineering to fix it. The bed was comfortable and the breakfast was very nice but all in all, probably the worst hotel experience I have ever had. The staff were surly and hard to find. I can’t believe what this place charges for such an underwhelming experience. A highly disappointed customer here who will never return. Lesson learnt.

My Husband and I booked this Hotel for the first time and it was a Bittersweet trip we had really been looking forward to. See his Grandfather was in World War 2 and this was the last place his Grandmother ever saw his Grandfather before he was shot down in his plane during air combat. So this was to be a very special trip and this hotel unfortunately was the worst part about our trip. We expected it to be busy this time of year with all of their beautiful Christmas Decorations but the amount of people in the Hotel at ALL hours of the day was unbearable. How the quantity of folks didn't put the occupancy over fire capacity was astounding. With as many years as they've been doing this you would think they'd have a system down to only allow so many non-guests in at a time. Perhaps timed reserved entry or something. We could not find a place to sit ANYWHERE in the lobby because it was filled with drunk obnoxious people. This isn't Bourbon Street.....It's a Waldorf Astoria! We tried to get in the Sazerac Bar to sit where his grandparents shared their last drink together and we could not get a seat or anywhere near the bar, so we left completely heartbroken. The straw that broke the Camels back was at 4am when two care parked in the middle of the street in front of the entrance of the hotel and BLASTED music for 30 minutes with all doors open and just stood outside of it looking up at the hotel. It legit was so loud that when I called the front desk to complain she said she could hear it loud from the phone. The thing is we watched out the window and at no time did hotel security approach them and at no point did police come to break it up. We understand the hotel has no control over what people do in the street but when it's in front of your hotel and it's the middle of the night loud enough to wake up ALL guests in your hotel something needs to be done. We spent over $500 a night to stay here. The room was tiny, windows paper thin so you can hear everything outside. Impossible to enjoy ANY aspect of the hotel. We even received a text from the hotel room staff asking if we needed anything. We asked for ONE thing, our ice bucket to be filled while we were out. Came back and nothing. I would have expected turn down service as well for a hotel of this caliber, nothing. Needless to say this hotel was extremely underwhelming which was SUCH a disappointment given the history in our family here. As a Saints season ticket holder and flying from Dallas to New Orleans at least 10 times a year this hotel had the opportunity for us to be repeat guests but I can say with certainty that we will not be back. Such a shame.

We were so excited to stay at this hotel! It was quite the bust. We checked in a little early and didn’t expect our room to be ready so we had lunch in the hotel coffee shop. I ordered a Caesar salad and they forgot the croutons and then said they didn’t have the croutons and then said they couldn’t find the croutons and then they found the croutons. My husband had a burger and the bun was soggy and when he asked for a glass of water the older gentleman behind the counter acted like he was being extremely inconvenienced. We had to go back to the desk to find out our room was ready, although they had promised they would text us when it was ready which was after check-in at three. The gentleman at check-in was quite curt and acted like he could’ve cared less, we were only a transaction to him. We were so excited to have drinks at the Sazerac bar and couldn’t even get into the bar because it appeared the hotel had rented it out to the pharmaceutical convention. The hallways were completely full and jampacked with these conventioneers. We didn’t think the Waldorf Astoria would have participated in a citywide convention, but they were completely full with the convention attendees who were loud, partying, drinking heavily and almost yelling. I asked the front desk if hotel guests had priority in the Sazerac bar and she said she didn’t understand my question. Then, we went to what we thought was the hotel restaurant for a nice romantic dinner. It was called Domenica. It actually felt like a sports bar without the TVs. They had food runners and the waitress made sure we were only a transaction. There was no personality. When thebill, we tried to sign it to our room, and found out that they were not associated with the hotel, the waitress said that the hotel was their landlord. The entire Roosevelt experience was disappointing; don’t come during a convention. There were two positives. The hotel was very beautifully decorated so hats off to the decoration staff, and secondly, the Bellman couldn’t have been nicer. We asked for a history of the hotel and one of the Bellman printed it off and even gave me a timeline. Those two departments were great and the room is nice and clean. That being said, however, the overall experience was extremely disappointing.

We stayed here for three days as we were attending a concert at the Saenger theater so it was convenient and within walking distant. It is an easy walk to Bourbon street and the French Quarters. Checking was very easy and the reception desk was very helpful. We booked thru Am Express fine hotels and loved the extra amenities. Breakfast in the Lounge was also nice. They have great beignets. The room was also nice, great Aesop bathroom products. They did turn down the room when asked. Checkout very fast. Would highly recommend.

Going to the Roosevelt is like returning to another era. The lobby is stunning, a turn of the 20th century masterpiece. We were lucky enough to see the holiday decorations go up, which took it to a whole additional level - magical. But what sets this hotel apart is the service. Concierge there on site and at your fingertips via text. Solved every problem I had. Got a great upgrade on room, $50 toward food per day at the excellent Teddy's Cafe and Fountain Lounge, and an additional $100 per day "Experience the Stay" credit since I booked that type of stay early. Amazingly, booking early it was less expensive than far inferior hotels. What did I love? Service, service, service. It is like going back in time to have everyone be so friendly and genuinely helpful. Requesting specific time for room cleaning? Need something not in room? Need to check on bill or credits? Need to know something city? All dealt with quickly and perfectly. Lobby and restaurants. Oh, that lobby. It is not an exaggeration: Teddy's DOES have the best beignets in NOLA. And the crawfish and tasso ham omelette is to die for. Monday night chicken dinner in Fountain lounge - may be the best friend chicken I ever had. Room. Upgraded to King Deluxe - nice sofa and table, set-up of minibar, snacks, and coffee was superb, wine glasses and corkscrew in the top drawer, Nespresso machine. Shower with 4 different heads, great toiletries. Sazerac Bar - so cool. Minor inconveniences? Room looked out on to lower roof - rain splashes up from roof, so windows very dirty and no real view. For the quality of the room, it was a minor problem. I love views, but I decided I'd take this upgraded spacious room over a smaller one with view. They ran out of umbrellas. I took brunch at Fountain Lounge too late, so food was not at its best - my own fault on that one - would have been good earlier. All in all, one of my favorite hotel stays ever. Jasmine and entire Waldorf crew, THANK YOU for a great stay. I'll be back!