The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

I will NEVER EVER book this hotel again. I was coming down for Essence Festival weekend, I booked my hotel stay for me and my husband a few weeks prior to my trip. I ended up having flight issues and had to wait until next day to be able to get to New Orleans. I contacted the hotel and booking agent and it was notated on my account that I will have a late check in for the next day. Well I get to the hotel after dealing with 4 different flight issues to get there. I get there and they cancelled my hotel. I asked why, the staff stated she see the note saying I would have a late check in and she didn’t understand why it was cancelled, so when the manager get there after his lunch after 30 mins he began to tell me he cancelled it bc the room was in need and they were fully booked. I said I don’t care about that because my room was paid for the entire weekend weeks in advance so no matter if I had a late check in, my paid room should’ve been available when I got there. I’m sure he cancelled my room to upsell it for a higher price to someone else. No empathy or anything for having me stranded with no place to go during that busy weekend. Thank God a hotel around the corner was available and will be me and my family and friends go to place. I’m a travel advisor and this place will never be recommended. Worst experience ever!!!! The manager needs to be fired for how he handled this situation with his nonchalant attitude.

I just spent over $1000 for three nights in a suite at the Roosevelt in New Orleans. I took care of childcare in Clt, grabbed my husband, and got out of town. TWO OF THE THREE NIGHTS we had alarms sounding randomly. They were unbelievably loud and completely false. They lasted between midnight and 2am on Monday night and then from 3am to 4:30am Thursday morning. When I messaged the Consierge, he told me to stop by the desk in the morning. There was a note to comp our room service Monday (about $125). Ummm not even CLOSE to making up any ground. It’s almost insulting. I paid $1000 to sleep three nights and two of those were TERRIBLE.

Went there the week of Christmas to New Year and apparently there’s a tradition in New Orleans to go visit the beautiful lights and decorations on the hotel lobby, what that translates to is 10 minutes to be able to be able to get from the corner to the hotel entrance, no one was there to help with the bags as they were dealing with the crowds, once in the lobby there’s a bunch of people standing around taking family pictures or waiting for their drinks from the bar carts all over the lobby. As I was finally able to get through the multitude and arrive to the lobby, the noise from the crowd was so loud neither the reception clerk nor I could hear each other very well even though we were yelling so it was one of those I think I know what you mean but not sure if you said that. This was a daily occurrence during that week, avoid the hotel during that time.

We chose this hotel based on the lobby at Christmastime and it did not disappoint. However, it should be made clear that this is not what you think a "Waldorf Astoria" experience should be. Because this is the most gorgeous lobby in all of New Orleans (and probably just about anywhere), it is a major attraction and it is a sea of people trying to get their family photo or TikTok reel. This really puts a strain on the hotel's resources. We were unable to eat at either restaurant because we did not plan in advance and they were booked. The Teddy Cafe had a limited menu, but the poor people working there were so overwelmed and not super friendly. When we arrived, we had to drag our own suitcases up the dirty red carpet into the lobby for registration because none of the men standing around offered to help. I am not sure if they were only there for parking assistance, or if they just ignored us, but they were Roosevelt employees. A few times we wanted to ask a question, there was no one at the concierge station. I didn't mind the mayhem in the lobby, but would have liked to have felt that the hotel was still standing up to a Waldorf reputation otherwise. A few people stood out during our stay: The gentleman that checked us in on the evening of 12/23 was very kind and helpful. The bartender in the Sazerac bar, Rachel, had a great attitude and served us with a smile. The housekeeping staff did a great job as well. Overall it was good, but not exceptional.

We enjoyed our stay at the Roosevelt! Will definitely choose this hotel for future trips and would recommend to family & friends!!