This year we rang in the New Year “New Orleans” style with my cousin and his wife who live in LA. All the kids (they have two boys) stayed behind with our parents so we could have a few days of adult time. We haven’t seen one another in five years, it was so nice to have this time together.
Thanks to my cuz, he discovered the Hotel Royal, a restored 1827 Creole Townhouse located one block off of Bourbon St. on the corner of Royal St. and St. Phillips in the heart of the French Quarter. The hotel has a European feel – authentic laced iron balconies, high ceilings with fans, and enclosed courtyard with fountain.
SLEEPING ROOMS
The room size isn’t too bad (comparable to NYC hotels), the decor was simple but elegant. The restored hardwood floors and brick wall added old world charm. The bed was cozy and comfortable, providing a great night’s sleep (minus a few issues). My cousin’s room had a shared balcony that overlooked St Phillips street which was a nice bonus. For more details on the Hotel Royal sleeping rooms, watch our video below.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUJzS4yDIPI[/youtube]
DINING
There is no on-site restaurant, but who needs room service when you have 24 hour access diners, pizza, shrimp po-boys, beignets and more just a few steps away. A continental breakfast (6 am – 10 am) and French coffee is provided in the courtyard or hotel lobby daily. We missed the breakfast, a little too early for us.
AMENITIES
Well, there’s not much to tell about the hotel amenities. According to the website there are welcome gifts (not sure what that was), breakfast and coffee served all day, an ice machine (it was broken), free Wi-Fi (it worked), bellman service, housekeeping, blow dryer, iron, safe that wasn’t bolted to the wall. You get the drift. Slim pickins in this department.
What to know before you go….
- The location is awesome. A few blocks from Bourbon Street and Decator with quick access to restaurants, shopping Cafe Dumond and Le Fettes.
- Staff was extremely accommodating and gracious. From the bellman, front desk and housekeeping service was exceptional.
- It’s VERY, VERY noisy. You hear everything from housekeeping running the vacuum in the room above, everyone coming and going through the hotel and construction next door at 8:00 am. It’s very much like a B&B or sleeping at someone’s home.
- It’s very charming and exeudes the essence of vintage New Orleans.
- Bring ear plugs, a sleep mask and a noise machine.
- The room rate was pricey, however it was New Years eve $229 first night and $329 second night ++.
- The bathroom tile was in need of new grout desperately.
- Parking is available but very limited and only available on a first come first serve basis. It wasn’t an issue for us to park.
We had a lovely time but the consensus was we probably would not go back unless the rates were lower or amenities improved. Sorry Hotel Royal!
