Review: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Hotel Website: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
Location: Google Maps
Book: Check availability
Room Type: Executive Suite – King, Sofa bed, 700sqft/63sqm, Living/sitting area, Separate living room, 1.5 Bathrooms
Review Score: Results of our review
Hotel Fact: Set within the 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche building, our hotel highlights traditional Southern ambiance with an elegant interior that reflects the graciousness of Garden District mansions.

Our Highlights

Exceptional Location: Perfectly situated on Canal Street where the vibrant French Quarter meets the Central Business District.
Jazz and Cocktails: Daily live jazz by Jeremy Davenport in the elegant Davenport Lounge.
Unique Lobby: A stunning, traditional Ritz-Carlton lobby and terrace located uniquely on the 3rd floor.
World-Class Spa: Home to one of the largest and most luxurious spas in New Orleans (25,000 sq ft).
Impeccable Service: Standout personalized service, from the valet to the lounge team.

Things to Know

The 3rd Floor Lobby: The ground floor contains the valet and street entrance, but the main check-in, the gorgeous floral display, the lobby, the Club Lounge, and the main outdoor terrace are all located on the 3rd floor. This layout is part of the building’s historic charm (it occupies the former Maison Blanche department store).
Club Access: Unlike many Ritz-Carlton properties, the Club Lounge is located on the 3rd-floor lobby level, not a high-rise “Club Level” floor. It still offers enhanced food and beverage services but is conveniently located near reception.
The Spa is an Experience: The 25,000 sq ft spa offers unique regional treatments, including signature Voodoo Rituals. Plan time to use the facilities (steam, sauna, whirlpool) even if you aren’t booking a service.
Pool Location: The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, which is located on the 12th-floor rooftop, offering scenic city views—a great spot for photos.
Valet is Essential: Given the French Quarter location, valet parking is highly recommended for convenience, especially if you plan to move your vehicle frequently.

Amenities

🕒🏨 24-hour room service
🍸 Bar
🏋️ Gym
📋🏢 Meeting rooms
🐾 Pet friendly
🍽️ Restaurants
💆‍♀️ Spa

The Luxe Atlas Rating

Design: 10/10
Vibe: 10/10
Romantic: 9/10
Air Conditioning: 10/10
Room: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Location: 10/10
Gym/Fitness: 10/10
Cleanliness: 10/10
Wow Factor: 9/10
Overall Experience: 9.7/10

Our Relaxed Take: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (A French Quarter Favorite!)

The best parts of this hotel are easy to talk about! The property has a killer location, perfectly situated on Canal Street, right where the vibrant French Quarter meets the main business area. You absolutely must catch the daily live jazz by Jeremy Davenport in the elegant Davenport Lounge—it’s a total must-see! We also loved the cool lobby, which is beautiful and traditional but uniquely located on the 3rd floor. Oh, and they have a huge spa (seriously, we’re talking 25,000 sq ft!). Plus, the top-notch service from everyone, from the valet to the lounge team, was just fantastic.

Good Things to Know Before Booking (Friendly Advice)

Before you book, here are some friendly bits of advice you should know! First, the main lobby is on the 3rd Floor, so don’t be surprised that the ground floor is just for the valet and street entrance. That gorgeous flower display, check-in, and the main terrace are all up there, and it’s part of the building’s awesome historic charm (it used to be the Maison Blanche department store). Also, the Club Lounge is right there by check-in on the 3rd floor, which is kind of different than the usual high-floor Club Level, but it’s super convenient for grabbing snacks and drinks! Speaking of space, the Spa is a massive experience at 25,000 sq ft, so plan time to use the facilities, like the steam room and whirlpool, even if you skip a service like one of their signature Voodoo Rituals. Don’t forget to check out the outdoor pool way up on the 12th-floor rooftop—the scenic city views from up there are totally worth the elevator ride! Finally, parking near the French Quarter can be a nightmare, so do yourself a favor and just use the valet, especially if you know you’ll need your car a few times.

Hotel Vibe and Look

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is the luxury spot in the French Quarter. It’s perfectly located on Canal Street, acting like this grand, sophisticated doorway right into the historic heart of the city, which is great when you need a polished retreat from the crazy crowds. Honestly, we think this place gives you a unique, high-quality experience that just beats most of the other luxury hotels we’ve seen around here. We absolutely love the stunning Art Deco style decor—it’s everywhere! All that gorgeous marble, rich mahogany, and dramatic light fixtures really capture that old-school New Orleans glamour from the 1920s. It just gives you this amazing sense of historical luxury that follows you throughout your stay, which is perfectly complemented by the plush bedding and those killer city views from the rooms.

Downstairs (Ground Floor)

When you first walk in, you’re on the ground floor. That’s where you’ll find the valet drop-off and the street entrance, naturally. The entrance to the huge 25,000 square foot Spa is right down here, making it super easy to pop in for a treatment or hit the gym. Speaking of which, the gym is impressively large—seriously, they have virtually every piece of workout equipment you could possibly need. Oh, and there’s a cute little shop down here for candles, clothes, and, of course, all that Ritz-Carlton branded gear.

Checking In (Up on the 3rd Floor)

Checking in is a whole magnificent moment! You take the elevator up to the 3rd floor, which is actually the main lobby. The lobby is totally beautiful and always features the traditional, giant Ritz-Carlton flower display set up right in the middle. Right off the lobby is a lovely outdoor terrace/courtyard area; we loved sitting out there! I bet if you’re here on a weekend, you’ll definitely run into a wedding using that beautiful space. You’ll also find the Club Lounge here on the main lobby floor, and there’s another, smaller shop nearby offering waters and little snacks.

Food, Drinks, and Music

The food and music here are key to having a truly memorable New Orleans evening.

Davenport Lounge

The Davenport Lounge is the heart of the hotel’s evening atmosphere—a great place where life comes together! The bar area is gorgeous, featuring a full stage and tons of comfy seating, from the long bar to tables and plush couches. The biggest draw, the live jazz, usually runs on many nights from around 5:30 PM until 11:00 PM, where you can catch the legendary Jeremy Davenport playing music with his band. The service here is just incredible! We particularly enjoyed the expertly made craft cocktails—a must-try experience. The bar service is approximately from 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM daily.

M Bistro

M Bistro is the main restaurant, located right behind the bar, and it’s where we went for breakfast. It focuses on delicious local Louisiana cuisine. The morning spread was an absolute dream, featuring all the bacon and food you could want, along with special egg preparations. Here’s a hot tip: you have to get the orange juice—you can definitely tell that stuff is freshly squeezed! M Bistro serves breakfast daily from approximately 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

The Executive Suite Accommodation

We got super lucky and were upgraded to a gorgeous Executive Suite—what a wonderful surprise! The suite was fantastic, featuring a separate living room, a proper bedroom, and a spacious full bathroom. Just like you’d expect in a suite, it included two bathrooms: one being a half-bath and the other a full bath. We really enjoyed the lovely views looking out at the city and the hotel’s terrace area.

The Special Touches

The team here just makes everything feel so unique and special. As an elite member, I received some really nice amenities directly from the hotel itself. A huge shout-out to Classic Travel! They gave us champagne and chocolate treats—that was so incredibly kind of them, and we loved it! Also, the valet team was super helpful. I had to move my car a few times, and they were always quick and gracious to assist. Just a quick note: we didn’t get turn-down service, even though we were out, but honestly, it was no big deal—didn’t spoil our stay at all!

Final Thoughts: Go Book It!

So, here’s our final word: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is absolutely charming, and it’s a total must-go experience in the French Quarter. From the second you step into that beautiful lobby until you pull away with the smooth valet service, this place just nails luxury New Orleans hospitality. The true magic, though, is how they perfectly blend that fancy elegance with real local culture. Seriously, how many hotels can boast both a stunning, traditional luxury lobby and a vibrant, world-class jazz club right inside? Spending an evening listening to Jeremy Davenport while sipping on one of those amazing craft cocktails isn’t just a hotel bar thing—it’s a classic New Orleans cultural event, just wrapped up in Ritz-Carlton comfort. The combination of the friendly, personalized service—from the helpful valet staff to the great breakfast team—and the sheer scale of luxury (like that huge 25,000 sq ft spa and that fresh-squeezed juice!) makes this hotel a total standout. If you’re looking for a plush, historic, and well-connected home base right next to all the French Quarter action, honestly, don’t look anywhere else. We highly recommend booking your next trip here; it’s guaranteed to turn a simple vacation into an unforgettable memory. We can’t wait to go back!