Windsor Court Hotel

Although only dating back to 1984, the Windsor Court has already become a grand dame of New Orleans. In a city of hipster hotels and colonial boutiques, the Windsor Court majors on quiet luxury and impeccable service. There is a certain level of service you expect from hotels, so it’s rare to comment, but from the moment you walk in, you can tell this is a key USP of the hotel and that their staff have been trained to deliver above and beyond. At chain hotels it can feel mechanical – even in a Four Seasons. Here it is personal. From the gentleman barman who is genuinely interested in your reason for being there, to the reception staff and concierges who follow through on requests, the place is charming. This focus is mirrored in their attention to detail – small luxuries like Molton Brown toiletries in the rooms, soft towelling robes and super comfortable beds. The 300+ rooms and suites are furnished in the English style, with antique style furniture and plush soft furnishings. The lobby itself feels both grand and yet intimate, with one of the finest collections of British old master art of any hotel in America, including a Gainsborough casually hung next to the elevator bank. This relates to the name, as the hotel was founded by an anglophile with a thing about British royalty. Fortunately he had impeccable taste! Location-wise, the hotel is on the edge of the French quarter in the CBD (Central Business District), bang in the middle of downtown and a short distance from the Mississippi, so perfectly positioned for sightseeing or business and a welcome haven after the sticky heat and sometimes edgy attractions of the Big Easy. A recent $22m refurbishment has placed this hotel at the top of its game. Over 80% of the rooms are suites, and even the entry level rooms are spacious, starting at 400 square feet. There’s a fabulous rooftop pool, as well as a spacious, award-winning spa.