New Orleans, a.k.a. NOLA, is all about the things that make life worth living – good food, great drinks, melodic music, and making merry. What’s more, the city is also a business hub in not just Louisiana but the entire Deep South. It’s also where some of the country’s first luxury hotels sprang up. So, it’s only fitting that NOLA became a central hub for travelers who flew here for work. The Central Business District, thus, was teeming as much with tourists as with suit-and-tie-wearing peeps. Besides the best business district hotels, New Orleans also saw business hotels spring up in other parts of the city. So, whether you’re a suit-donning corporate honcho or a freelancer who’s looking for inspiration, NOLA has a hotel for you.
Take time to see NOLA outside of work, for there are many amazing things to see here. A must-see attraction is the French Quarter, one of the USA’s top tourist attractions. There’s also the stunning Oak Alley along the Mississippi River just outside the city, one of the world’s most gorgeous tree tunnels. The city is also famous for being an excellent US winter vacation spot. And, of course, NOLA is home to the wildly vibrant and over-the-top Mardi Gras, one of the world’s best carnivals.
Table of contents
- The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
- Hotel Monteleone
- The Hyatt Regency New Orleans
- InterContinental New Orleans
- Windsor Court Hotel
- The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
- Royal Sonesta Hotel
- Le Pavillon Hotel
- Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
- The Westin New Orleans Canal Place
- Henry Howard Hotel
- Where to Stay in New Orleans
- Recommended Restaurants / Bars in New Orleans
- Recommended Activities in New Orleans
The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
11
One of the best business district hotels in New Orleans is the Ritz Carlton. The NOLA outpost of the global luxury brand sits smack dab on Canal Street, right along the fringes of the French Quarter. It’s tucked in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building, along with thoroughly modern facilities. A business center aside, the hotel also has photocopying and faxing facilities. However, what’s impressive is that it has 33 meeting rooms of all sizes spread across a whopping 35,000 square feet! This includes a library lounge and two courtyards if you don’t want to meet indoors. But, that’s not all. When you stay here, you have access to excellent services, such as overnight laundry, complimentary overnight shoeshine, and 24-hour room service. So, if you want to do nothing but sip on wine and dig into food after a long day, you can do that too.
The M lounge is perfect if you’re having dinner with your clients or colleagues. But, if you want to blow off steam, the Davenport lounge has live jazz on weekends, which pairs well with the bevy of cocktails on offer. But, if you want to blow off steam, a swim in the indoor pool or a massage or body treatment at the 25,000-square-foot spa sounds just right.
Hotel Monteleone
10
Your French Quarter meeting location has to be the stunning Hotel Monteleone, a grande dame that’s been around since 1886! It’s one of the very few family-owned hotels of its kind, and it radiates old-world European charm. Exhibition cases with literary artifacts and service harking back to the Golden Age of travel are what makes this place so popular with travelers. The restaurant serves delicious Southern classics, with soothing jazz playing in the background. The famous onsite Carousel Bar (it sits around a carousel bar that rotates slowly) has been regaling travelers and locals with cocktails for more than a century!
With 26,000 square feet of meeting space, it’s no wonder that corporates and companies love this hotel. Not only is there a business center with free Wi-Fi and fax/photocopying services, but also there are more than 25 meeting rooms. After a long day at work, cool off in the heated rooftop pool, which is what makes the Monteleone one of New Orleans’ top rooftop pool hotels. Are you staying here? The imperially decorated rooms are sure to make you feel like a royal!
The Hyatt Regency New Orleans
9
The Hyatt Regency is one of the best business district hotels in New Orleans. The large convention hotel sits in a plum spot just behind the Louisiana Superdome and is a cincher for a business hotel. A futuristic glass and steel interior with striking windows and space-age elevators look nothing less than a work of art. It brings all of NOLA’s art, music, cuisine, and culture together to make your corporate unforgettable. They offer professional event planners and have more than 70 flexible meeting spaces spread over 20,000 square feet. It’s one of the only New Orleans hotels in terms of the breadth of amenities and services.
The hotel is the same in terms of amenities, such as the seven award-winning dining options to hold business lunches and team dinners. They’re also great for impressing out-of-town clients and making your pitches over delectable southern cuisine. When you want to unwind, the outdoor saltwater pool, the 32nd-floor gym with sweeping views, and the plush hypoallergenic rooms await you.
InterContinental New Orleans
8
The InterContinental New Orleans, with its four-diamond status, is a Louisiana favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Luxurious rooms aside, the hotel has a 15th-floor outdoor pool and stunning views from the rooms’ balconies. Plus, its enviable location just two blocks from the historic French Quarter means that you have front row seats to Mardi Gras! It’s no wonder that this hotel is so popular with companies who want their team meetings and conferences to be held somewhere non-boring. The hotel offers 30,000 square feet of meeting space spread across 19 rooms of varying sizes. So, whether you’re looking for a boardroom-level small get-together or a large event with hundreds of people, this place is your jam. They even have customized menus to suit various tastes and budgets.
But, that’s not all. Besides complimentary Wi-Fi, guests also have access to a 24-hour concierge, a fitness center, and 24-hour room service. The highlight is the outdoor rooftop pool, where you can even enjoy poolside dining. Private car and limo services round up the facilities here.
Windsor Court Hotel
7
Not all board meetings and conferences have to be held in sterile spaces. A testament to that is the Windsor Court Hotel, one of the best business district hotels in New Orleans. It lies close to the French Quarter and has a decidedly upscale English ambiance and decor. For instance, rooms feature innately British décor, complete with Italian marble baths. It’s no wonder that companies love hosting retreats and offsite getaways at this hotel. Choose from six indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, including the stunning private dining room and the jaw-dropping La Chinoiserie. The hotel also has a business center with everything you require for work in one place. When you want to chill out, the fitness center and the full-service spa and its long list of treatments and massages await you.
However, we’d recommend blowing off steam at the rooftop pool, complete with superb views over New Orleans. The Windsor Court Hotel is one of the best New Orleans pool hotels. Wind up your day by digging into delicious food at one of the four restaurants, including a lounge playing live jazz.
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
6
With more than 60,000 square feet of event space, The Roosevelt New Orleans is the perfect business hotel for your equally grand business meeting needs. The place has not only 23 meeting rooms but also three ballrooms for larger conventions. Just like other excellent NOLA business hotels, this one also has a swanky and well-equipped business center, along with a whole host of facilities such as photocopying and fax services and Wi-Fi. Thanks to complimentary overnight laundry and dry-cleaning services, you no longer need to be worried about finding a clean shirt for the next day.
If you’re staying at the Roosevelt, then you’ll be thrilled by the rooms here. After a long day of work, sink into the bathtub for a soothing soak while watching your favorite movie on the bathroom TV! Wrap one of the plush bathrobes around you and order room service from the excellent Italian restaurant downstairs. Are you feeling like a swim? The hotel has a heated rooftop swimming pool with views of NOLA. Sigh.
Royal Sonesta Hotel
5
The Royal Sonesta Hotel is one of the best business district hotels in New Orleans. The hotel mixes up things and proves that business doesn’t have to be the usual all the time. Besides the French Quarter location, the hotel is the perfect combination of sophisticated style and Louisiana hospitality. It boasts more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space spread across more than 20 meeting rooms of different sizes. There’s also a business center, so if you’re in the city for leisure, you can check your emails and get work done in peace with all facilities.
The Royal Sonesta is mainly known for its superb drinking and dining options. These include a pool bar, a sports bar, an oyster bar, a jazz club, and even a Creole-and-Cajun restaurant and bar that serve craft cocktails! Plus, the outdoor pool is one of the best places to cool off in the city. There’s even a spa where you can unwind with a massage or a treatment. Finally, the rooms are the epitome of luxury, with bathrooms with luxury products and balconies overlooking NOLA.
Le Pavillon Hotel
4
The Le Pavillon Hotel sits right in the very heart of NOLA’s Central Business District and is one of the best business district hotels in New Orleans. It boasts around 12,000 square feet of meeting space spread across 15 rooms, one of which is the 10th-floor terrace. The rooms have names right out of 18th-century France – think Napoleon, Josephine, etc. – and are equipped with all necessary AV and other equipment you require to hold conferences and talks. While it doesn’t have a business center, all rooms boast a large and comfortable work desk. Combining with the free Wi-Fi, that ensures that you can comfortably stay and work here and get in all work done before those deadlines. After work, pop up on the comfy bed, order room service, and watch movies on the flatscreen TV. A snack bar and a fitness center complete the offerings at this property.
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
3
Create and innovate at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, one of the best business district hotels in the city. This hotel has one of the largest meeting spaces in the city – that of more than 100,000 square feet! It’s spread across 60 event rooms and 56 breakout rooms, with the largest room having a capacity of as many as 2,800 people. Moreover, all meeting rooms have state-of-the-art conference facilities, including fast Wi-Fi. It’s a no-brainer that such an excellent business hotel has an equally swanky and well-equipped business center. What’s more, you’ll also find ironing, laundry, and dry cleaning services rendered here for an additional charge.
After work, head to Roux bistro with your colleagues for an excellent dinner or enjoy jazz with cocktails at the Blue Dog bar. Are you staying here? There’s Starbucks coffee in the lobby. Furthermore, rooms have coffeemakers and 24-hour room service, which is all you’re going to need!
The Westin New Orleans Canal Place
2
The Westin New Orleans Canal Place has the most picturesque location – right next to the Mississippi River and close to the business district and the French Quarter. It’s no wonder that it’s a popular business hotel, given the fact that it also has close to 26,000 square feet of meeting space. What’s more, it’s spread across 13 event rooms of various sizes. So, no matter the strength of your corporate event, you’ll find the perfect space to host it at the Westin. The hotel also has a state-of-the-art business center with facilities to meet your business needs. Furthermore, it even takes care of your after-work time with two superb restaurants, a swanky fitness center, and even 24-hour room service. The rooms are exceptionally great with the brand’s signature “Heavenly Beds” and a slew of other comfy mod-cons.
Henry Howard Hotel
1
The Henry Howard Hotel sits at the top of the list of the best business district hotels in New Orleans. This hotel is perfect for corporates that don’t want a run-of-the-mill space but rather a place that dives into NOLA’s history. That’s why it has just one meeting room, but what a meeting room it is! The all-white room features stunning details such as chandeliers and artwork and looks out to the neighborhood’s lush greenery. At the same time, it’s equipped with all the modern conveniences you need for holding a conference or a meeting. While it doesn’t have a business center, staying at the Henry Howard is an experience of a lifetime.
That’s partly because this boutique hotel sits in a stunning 18-room townhouse. There’s an onsite bar where you can enjoy drinks with your clients and colleagues after a day’s work. Are you staying here? Bathrooms have bathtubs, and there’s a terrace and a garden on the property to relax.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
We begin with the Central Business District, home to most of New Orleans’ business hotels. It lies across Canal Street from the French Quarter and is also home to the hip and happening Warehouse District. Not only does it have trendier offerings and a modern vibe, but CBD also has a great mix of cool bars and refined restaurants, making it a great place to stay and explore while on a business trip. Secondly, there’s the French Quarter, which is NOLA’s oldest and best-known neighborhood. When you want to see the best bits of the city after work, the French Quarter is where you head to. What’s more, it also has some of the most iconic hotels in the city, all of which are oozing with character.
Are you a freelancer looking to get some work done without all the hubbub? Then Uptown or the Garden District are the places for you. Here, you’ll find hip hotels, lifestyle and boutique stay options, and fabulous mansions-turned-hotels for those who like it. Do you have a short layover? Here are the best hotels in New Orleans near the airport.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in New Orleans
- La Petite Grocery: This Uptown gem sits is one of the critically-acclaimed restaurants in not just the city or even the country, but the world! After a long day of work, dig into dishes such as turtle bolognese and crab beignets. Soak in the ambiance and rejuvenate yourself for another day of work.
- Galatoire’s: Do you want to impress colleagues or clients with black-tie and white-gloved table service? Then Galatoire’s is the place to be. This Bourbon Street restaurant is the epitome of refinement and is a very popular spot for business lunches. Think famed traditional Creole dishes such as trout amandine and shrimp rémoulade.
Recommended Activities in New Orleans
- New Orleans French Quarter 2.5-Hour Cocktail Walking Tour – Blow off steam after a long day of work with this fabulous craft cocktail walking tour in NOLA. Soak in the vibrant drinking culture by visiting some of the French Quarter’s most famous bars and restaurants. Plus, you get to guzzle on the city’s most iconic libations.
- New Orleans Evening Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez – Have a wonderful time aboard this lovely evening cruise down the Mississippi River. Listen to soothing jazz tunes by the Dukes Trio as you dig into a delicious dinner with NOLA’s best dishes.
