This week, the Fairmont New Orleans officially welcomed its first guests, marking the luxury brand's return to the Crescent City after a 20-year hiatus, and the opening of Fairmont's 100th hotel worldwide. Within walking distance of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the French Quarter and the Caesars Superdome, the 250-room property brings more than 19,000 square feet of meeting and event space to the city's Central Business District.
A landmark reimagined
The Fairmont New Orleans occupies the first 17 floors of the former Bank of New Orleans building, a 31-story landmark. Originally designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and completed in 1970, the structure has undergone an extensive restoration that preserves many of its original architectural features while introducing interiors inspired by the “glamour and optimism of the 1970s,” per a release.
The guest rooms and suites have a residential feel, with floor-to-ceiling windows, custom artwork inspired by New Orleans' cultural and natural history and, in select king rooms, faux balconies with café tables.
Meeting space for up to 500 attendees
The hotel accommodates events ranging from 10 to 500 people across nine venues totaling more than 19,000 square feet. Meeting facilities include two approximately 4,000-square-foot ballrooms, six meeting rooms and an executive boardroom, along with three dedicated prefunction spaces.
The second floor, formerly the Bank of New Orleans' main lobby, has been restored and now serves as the centerpiece of the event space. Original cypress wood ceilings and bronze paneling have been preserved throughout the ballrooms and foyers, creating a distinctive setting for events.
Among the property's culinary highlights is Chef Emeril Lagasse's Delmonico Steakhouse, which features prime Creekstone Farms beef dry-aged in-house, Japanese wagyu beef, premium seafood, and an oyster and caviar menu.
More offerings to come
Additional venues scheduled to open in December include Bleu Perdu, a rooftop dining venue overlooking the city, and Third Measure, a cocktail bar developed in collaboration with Neal Bodenheimer, founder of New Orleans cocktail destination Cure.
The hotel also will debut a 10,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. Amenities are set to include three treatment rooms, a couples suite, a sauna, a steam room and relaxation lounges.
Further, groups seeking elevated accommodations soon will have access to Fairmont Gold rooms and suites, opening in December on the 29th and 30th floors. The hotel-within-a-hotel experience will feature a private lounge with views of the Mississippi River, dedicated concierge service and personalized check-in.
"Celebrating Fairmont's landmark 100th hotel in New Orleans is a moment of perfect alignment," Fairmont Hotels & Resorts CEO Omer Acar said in a statement. "After two decades away, returning to New Orleans feels like a joyful homecoming."
