Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue {US-LA}
Sep 11, 2006, 7:44 pm
#1
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,178
Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue {US-LA}
It appears that the good folks from Hilton were able to negotiate for the former
Hotel Monaco in New Orleans.
It is a small boutique hotel within easy reach of the French Quarter.
If I remember correctly it is right across the street from the InterContinental.
Hopefully one can dine in Cobalt and earn HH points if it still is operating.
I will assume the current difficulties post Katrina gave Hilton a good opportunity to step in.
The hotel is undergoing renovations and sounds like it may be ready to accept guests according to the HH website in January 2007.
Great to have another HH choice in the city ^
Hotel Monaco in New Orleans.
It is a small boutique hotel within easy reach of the French Quarter.
If I remember correctly it is right across the street from the InterContinental.
Hopefully one can dine in Cobalt and earn HH points if it still is operating.
I will assume the current difficulties post Katrina gave Hilton a good opportunity to step in.
The hotel is undergoing renovations and sounds like it may be ready to accept guests according to the HH website in January 2007.
Great to have another HH choice in the city ^
Last edited by 777 global mile hound; Jan 23, 2008 at 9:55 am
May 3, 2007, 8:49 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA (MSY)
Programs: DL 1 MM/DM; HH Lifetime Diamond; Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 986
For kicks, I just did a search tonight on MSY area hotels and was surprised to find a new HH property, the New Orleans Hilton/St Charles Avenue hotel.
I live here, and didn't even know about this.
Where the heck have I been?? 
Had I kept current with the Hilton FT thread, I would have known. 
Good to see another HH property in my hometown of N'Awlins! ^
I live here, and didn't even know about this.
Where the heck have I been?? Had I kept current with the Hilton FT thread, I would have known. Good to see another HH property in my hometown of N'Awlins! ^
May 25, 2007, 6:00 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta FO
Posts: 661
Jun 4, 2007, 8:38 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Houston
Programs: Too much flying; Lots of hotels
Posts: 555
Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue Trip Reports and Reviews
Stayed in the newly opened Hilton on St. Charles last week on a business trip. Nice to have a good hotel in a rewards program next to the office I visit to compete with the Intercontinental.
On the plus side, the rooms have been nicely updated, keeping in mind that the Hotel Monaco (prior incarnation) tended to be fairly well maintained given the building's age. It was not very busy yet, which was a good thing since the staff is clearly still coming up to speed. As a Gold I got an upgrade to a suite...in which the most impressive feature was the enormous/deep whirlpool tub. I also peeked in on a regular room just to get a feel for what I might expect once occupancy picks up; common features were nice marble entries and updated baths. Otherwise, a typical Hilton with furnishings adjusted to the period style of the hotel. Nicest part was that the hotel has not been through a Mardi Gras yet, so all the carpets were unstained and nice looking, and there were no mystery odors.
On the down side, it was very surprising that after spending considerable time and money on the renovation of the hotel, that Hilton put old picture tube televisions in the rooms, and the equipment offerings in the fitness center were very disappointing (in particular if I compare to IC and to JW Marriott, which are the closest hotels in the range). Service on this trip was not impressive, but since it has been open less than a month I will wait for another visit to see how it develops - the staff was certainly very friendly.
On the plus side, the rooms have been nicely updated, keeping in mind that the Hotel Monaco (prior incarnation) tended to be fairly well maintained given the building's age. It was not very busy yet, which was a good thing since the staff is clearly still coming up to speed. As a Gold I got an upgrade to a suite...in which the most impressive feature was the enormous/deep whirlpool tub. I also peeked in on a regular room just to get a feel for what I might expect once occupancy picks up; common features were nice marble entries and updated baths. Otherwise, a typical Hilton with furnishings adjusted to the period style of the hotel. Nicest part was that the hotel has not been through a Mardi Gras yet, so all the carpets were unstained and nice looking, and there were no mystery odors.
On the down side, it was very surprising that after spending considerable time and money on the renovation of the hotel, that Hilton put old picture tube televisions in the rooms, and the equipment offerings in the fitness center were very disappointing (in particular if I compare to IC and to JW Marriott, which are the closest hotels in the range). Service on this trip was not impressive, but since it has been open less than a month I will wait for another visit to see how it develops - the staff was certainly very friendly.
Jul 15, 2007, 7:52 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Orleans
Programs: Hilton Hhonors Diamond, Northwest Airlines Platinum, Hertz #1 Gold, Loewsfirst Platinum
Posts: 16
Recent stays
I've stayed here three times in the last three months with the stays ranging from one night to ten nights. Here are my observations:
Staff - With the exception of the Valet parking guys, the employees appear to be excellent service-oriented folks. There appeared to be an "attitude" on the part of the Valet guys but beyond that every other employee from front desk to housekeeping went beyond the call of duty ... always smiling and always friendly.
Restaurant - "Luke" Restaurant, on the first floor of the hotel, is excellent and the space is operated/leased by world-famous Chef John Besh. We experienced world-class service and food.
Hhonors/Executive Lounge - The space is small with a limited number of chairs and tables. However ... there is a "help-yourself-to-the-refrigerator" policy even when the lounge is not officially open so you're welcome to pick up soft drinks, snacks, fruit, bottled water, etc... at any time. This is especially convenience when the "late night munchies hit."
Rooms - During my stays I experienced three types of rooms ... a Suite, King bedded room, and Double bedded room. All three classes of rooms were immaculately cleaned and well maintained. The only thing I found a little strange was some of the towels were tagged as belonging to the Doubletree Hotel chain. A review of each class ...
Suites - very large with marble entry, bathroom with separate glassed-in shower stall and huge whirlpool soaking tub, sitting area with couch, numerous chairs, and desk, and a bedroom separated from the sitting area by pocket doors. Very cool! Typical Hilton bedding.
King Room - Somewhat on the smaller side (but typical for "historic hotels"), marble entry, nicely appointed, typical Hilton bedding.
Double Room - Good size room, marble entry, nicely appointed, typical Hilton bedding.
Two notes ... first, areas of the hotel are still under construction so ask, when checking in, if your assigned room is on a floor that is still undergoing construction. If so, you'll want to move simply because the carpet floor in the main elevator hallway (which is covered with plastic on the floors under construction) tends to be a little dirty and can be tracked into your room.
Second note ... you may want to not stay on the 12th floor. There appears to be an electrical problem on that floor (rumors abound it is a ghost left over from the days when the hotel was in it's first incarnation as a Masonic Temple ... but hey ... it's New Orleans!).
This hotel is far above the Hilton Riverside hotel and all other Hilton properties in New Orleans. HIGHLY recommended.
Staff - With the exception of the Valet parking guys, the employees appear to be excellent service-oriented folks. There appeared to be an "attitude" on the part of the Valet guys but beyond that every other employee from front desk to housekeeping went beyond the call of duty ... always smiling and always friendly.
Restaurant - "Luke" Restaurant, on the first floor of the hotel, is excellent and the space is operated/leased by world-famous Chef John Besh. We experienced world-class service and food.
Hhonors/Executive Lounge - The space is small with a limited number of chairs and tables. However ... there is a "help-yourself-to-the-refrigerator" policy even when the lounge is not officially open so you're welcome to pick up soft drinks, snacks, fruit, bottled water, etc... at any time. This is especially convenience when the "late night munchies hit."
Rooms - During my stays I experienced three types of rooms ... a Suite, King bedded room, and Double bedded room. All three classes of rooms were immaculately cleaned and well maintained. The only thing I found a little strange was some of the towels were tagged as belonging to the Doubletree Hotel chain. A review of each class ...
Suites - very large with marble entry, bathroom with separate glassed-in shower stall and huge whirlpool soaking tub, sitting area with couch, numerous chairs, and desk, and a bedroom separated from the sitting area by pocket doors. Very cool! Typical Hilton bedding.
King Room - Somewhat on the smaller side (but typical for "historic hotels"), marble entry, nicely appointed, typical Hilton bedding.
Double Room - Good size room, marble entry, nicely appointed, typical Hilton bedding.
Two notes ... first, areas of the hotel are still under construction so ask, when checking in, if your assigned room is on a floor that is still undergoing construction. If so, you'll want to move simply because the carpet floor in the main elevator hallway (which is covered with plastic on the floors under construction) tends to be a little dirty and can be tracked into your room.
Second note ... you may want to not stay on the 12th floor. There appears to be an electrical problem on that floor (rumors abound it is a ghost left over from the days when the hotel was in it's first incarnation as a Masonic Temple ... but hey ... it's New Orleans!).
This hotel is far above the Hilton Riverside hotel and all other Hilton properties in New Orleans. HIGHLY recommended.
Jul 16, 2007, 4:05 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: UA Gold (Million Miler), FI Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,075
Jul 16, 2007, 8:40 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New Orleans
Programs: Hilton Hhonors Diamond, Northwest Airlines Platinum, Hertz #1 Gold, Loewsfirst Platinum
Posts: 16
Well... let's see....
Hilton Riverside Downtown - Stained carpet in rooms time and time again, dirty hallways, dinged furniture (and these rooms in the "newly renovated towers building), a confusing policy as to which floors are actually "Executive Level" floors (sometimes they tell you floors 19+ sometimes they tell you floors 21+ and there has never once been the appropriate "Executive Level" amenities in my rooms), dirty windows, ... BUT if you're fortunate to be assigned a room overlooking the river the view is nice.
Hilton New Orleans Airport - A relatively nice airport property but too far from downtown for daily downtown business meetings, no Executive Lounge (at least as of three months ago when I stayed there). restaurant closes at 9PM and the only food service then is until midnight in a noisy smoke-infested bar.
Doubletree Hotel Downtown - In serious need of renovation, stained carpets, bad furniture in the rooms, and rumors abound they miserably failed the last Hilton Corporate inspection.
Embassy Suites Hotel Convention Center - Very bad restaurant, dirty rooms, noisy, a general "run-down" impression.
Hampton Inn Metairie - Limited service as is all Hampton Inns, no full-service restaurant, rooms in need of renovation. Not close enough to downtown for daily downtown business meetings.
Hampton Inn St. Charles - Limited service as is all Hampton Inns, no full-service restaurant, not close enough to downtown for daily downtown business meetings, some rooms need renovation.
Hampton Inn Elmwood - Limited service as is all Hampton Inns, no full-service restaurant, not close enough to downtown for daily downtown business meetings.
Hampton Inn Convention Center - Limited service as is all Hampton Inns, no full-service restaurant, but a good quality renovation of an old historic warehouse. Some rooms are extremely nice while others need cosmetic work/repainting.
Hilton Garden Inn Airport - Actually this property is some distance from the airport and is located on the edge of Lake Pontchartrain beside the Treasure Chest Casino. It could take, during peak traffic periods, half an hour to reach the airport. While the property is well maintained it is too far from downtown for daily downtown business meetings and has no full-service restaurant.
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown / Convention Center - Rude front desk staff on more than several visits, very bad housekeeping issues ... they outsource housekeeping to non-English speaking individuals who are given little supervision ... short-sheeted beds (only a bottom sheet on two occasions), dirty towels in the rooms, stained sheets on the bed, no vacuuming of the rooms even between guests (they do a wierd thing of putting a towel over a the bristle end of a broom and sweeping the room!), caught them wiping out two glasses in the room with the same cloth they just used to clean the bathroom. Very bad parking area (small, not enough spaces if the hotel is over 80% occupied). The hotel miserably failed the latest Hilton Corporate inspection. The restaurant has an extremely limited menu BUT ... the restaurant staff is extremely accomodating and nice.
Hilton Garden Inn "French Quarter" / CBD - Owned and managed by the same folks who own and manage the Garden Inn Downtown / Convention Center location so many of the same issues as stated in the above review apply. Another very bad parking area.
Homewood Suites CBD - Good solid property but generally sold out since Hurricane Katrina so I have limited experience here. One room was great while another room was in need of serious renovations.
And this brings us to the St. Charles location .... newly renovated so there are no cosmetic / worn issues, a former Hotel Monaco so furnishings are high-quality, excellent and friendly staff (with the exception of Valet attendants), world-class restaurant run by a world-renowned Chef, conveniently located downtown so perfect for downtown business meetings, historic beautiful renovation ... and the only negatives (construction on a few floors which will soon be finished and an electrical problem on the 12th floor which may or may not be a ghost) will, obviously, be corrected. Not to mention extremely reasonable rates.
At least for me, the St. Charles location is one of the better Hiltons I've experienced lately and certainly, at least in my opinion, the best Hilton choice in New Orleans. So, I'm not sure how you read so much "negative" into my earlier post.
Jul 16, 2007, 11:10 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: South Arkansas
Programs: HH Gold SPG Gold Hyatt Diamond Marriott Gold
Posts: 124
nolatraveler - Thanks for taking the time to provide so much info. We've booked two rooms for $80 each for three nights in Sept. And I love John Besh's food creations - can't wait for dinner!
Jul 16, 2007, 12:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: SWA A-List Preferred, Hilton Diamond, ICH Platinum
Posts: 243
Good info here. I have a kid who goes to Tulane so this looks like a nice place to burn points. $29/day to park seems excessive.
Our first choice is typically the Hampton Inn on St. Charles which has always been excellent. Free parking and great location for Garden District. Second choice and always available for points are the HGI's in the CBD & Convention. Maybe not the friendliest staff but overall many good stays. Both charge for parking but occasionaly there are reasonably priced room rates at the Convention Center HGI with free parking.
Our first choice is typically the Hampton Inn on St. Charles which has always been excellent. Free parking and great location for Garden District. Second choice and always available for points are the HGI's in the CBD & Convention. Maybe not the friendliest staff but overall many good stays. Both charge for parking but occasionaly there are reasonably priced room rates at the Convention Center HGI with free parking.