Courtesy: W Hotel
By Jae-Ha Kim
jaehakim.com
August 15, 2017
My husband had been to New Orleans before, but this was the first time for me. Though there was a preventable mishap at our hotel (more on that later), it was an enjoyable stay in a beautiful, vibrant city with so much to do and see.
Located near Bourbon Street and Jackson Square, the W New Orleans is situated in a great area that made it easy to walk to restaurants, music venues and sites. Of course, traveling with a young child, we had to make sure there were plenty of things for him to do as well. We all enjoyed walking to the famous Cafe Du Monde to buy freshly-made hot beignets. But it was just as nice to cool off in the hotel’s quaint and beautiful pool.
Courtesy: W Hotel
Our room was modest in size, but clean. And as in the Caribbean, where everything tends to feel a bit moist, our room never felt completely dry. But then again, we’re used to the humidity of Chicago summers.
The hotel has nice little touches, like their first-rate toiletries. I particularly liked the Bliss products they left for us in our bathroom. I had forgotten to bring my facial cleanser and found the Bliss facial wash better than the one I used at home. It was gentle enough for my sensitive skin, but also cleaned off that day’s grime.
We did have an issue, which the staff mishandled, but ultimately took care of (after some nudging on our part). With few parking lots in the French Quarter, the hotel’s valet parking was the best option for us. Or so we thought. The hotel’s garage uses hydraulic lifts to park cars three-high in a single space. Our car was on one of the upper lifts, and the employee working that morning didn’t know how to operate the lifts properly, which resulted in our car being damaged to the tune of several thousand dollars. Luckily, it was still drivable. (For those wondering: The hotel took full responsibility for what had happened and their insurance covered the cost of repairs.)
Accidents happen. No one was hurt. And we still have great memories of our first family trip to New Orleans.
Courtesy: W Hotel
Just the facts: W New Orleans – French Quarter, 316 Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 (504-581-1200)
From their website:
Illuminating the energy of the city, W New Orleans – French Quarter is a vibrant oasis in the center of it all. Experience cobblestone streets and historic buildings as you arrive at our hotel. Our courtyard-style architecture preserves the heart and soul of New Orleans while offering vital creature comforts. Revel from our proximity to Jackson Square and Bourbon Street, and easy access to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. SoBou, our signature French Quarter restaurant, is home to our original Legs & Eggs Burlesque Brunch, where live entertainment and authentic Creole cuisine converge. Sweat off the night’s indulgences in FIT®, our state-of-the-art gym, or linger poolside at the outdoor courtyard pool, WET®. Throughout, connect to our marque WHATEVER/WHENEVER® service, catering to your every desire and dream. After living it up in New Orleans, crash in our modern guest rooms and suites, some of which feature private balconies with picturesque views of the French Quarter.
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