THE ROYAL SONESTA NEW ORLEANS, New Orleans

The Royal Sonesta New Orleans - A landmark French Quarter hotel with jazz lounge, fine dining, and art collection

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this AAA Four-Diamond New Orleans hotel houses an impressive 6000-piece art collection featuring works by Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, and Roy Lichtenstein. The Royal Sonesta offers multiple dining venues including Restaurant R'evolution for Cajun-Creole fine dining, Desire Oyster Bar with fresh Gulf seafood, and The Jazz Playhouse showcasing local jazz talent. A heated outdoor pool and 24-hour fitness center complement the property's amenities. Guest rooms feature balconies overlooking Bourbon Street or the courtyard, with modern amenities and traditional French Quarter design elements. PJ's Coffee Cafe serves locally-roasted coffee and light meals, while five historic dining rooms accommodate private functions. The hotel sits directly on Bourbon Street, two blocks from Canal Street's streetcar lines and within walking distance to Jackson Square and the French Market.

Pros

Houses one of the first corporate hotel art collections with over 7000 contemporary works

Features expert oyster shuckers preparing fresh Gulf oysters at Desire's raw bar

Offers nightly live jazz performances by the city's top musicians

Maintains a seasonal outdoor heated pool, rare in the French Quarter

Cons

Located 9.5 miles from New Orleans Lakefront Airport

Bourbon Street's nighttime pedestrian-only policy may affect vehicle access