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If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in New Orleans where the emphasis is on service, comfort and a little old-fashioned elegance, Windsor Court Hotel New Orleans is worth a look. Located just outside the French Quarter, the hotel gives you easy access to the city’s attractions while offering a quieter and more refined atmosphere when you return.
The hotel has 316 guest rooms and suites, and the property has undergone a major renovation to update the accommodations and public spaces while keeping the elegant character that has made Windsor Court one of the city’s better-known luxury hotels.
Many of the rooms offer private balconies or bay windows, with views toward the Mississippi River or the New Orleans skyline. That’s a nice feature when you’ve spent the day seeing the city and want to come back, relax and enjoy the view for a while.
Windsor Court Hotel New Orleans: Luxury and New Orleans Hospitality
Windsor Court has the sort of amenities you’d expect from a high-end New Orleans hotel. There is fine dining, afternoon tea, weekend brunch and a classic cocktail lounge where you can enjoy live jazz.
There’s also a 65-foot saltwater pool with a cabana-style bar, a fitness center and a full-service luxury spa. And yes, the hotel is pet-friendly, so your dog doesn’t necessarily have to miss out on the New Orleans vacation.
The location is another advantage. You’re close to the French Quarter, the Mississippi River, Canal Street and many of downtown New Orleans’ attractions, but you aren’t actually in the middle of the Quarter’s busiest streets. That can be a welcome combination if you want to explore the city during the day and have a quieter place to return to.
A Remarkable Art Collection
One of the things that really sets Windsor Court Hotel New Orleans apart is the hotel’s art collection.
This isn’t just a few paintings hanging in the lobby. Windsor Court has a collection of museum-quality paintings, sculptures, tapestries and furnishings valued at more than $10 million. The collection includes work by more than 60 artists and spans several centuries.
Much of the collection has a British connection, with an emphasis on paintings depicting Windsor Castle and British royalty. Among the artists represented are William Powell Frith, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough and Jacob Huysman.
You don’t have to be an art expert to enjoy it. One of the pleasures of staying at a hotel like this is simply wandering through the public areas and discovering something interesting along the way.
Dining, Jazz and Afternoon Tea
Windsor Court also gives you plenty of reasons to stay in for part of the evening. The cocktail lounge is a comfortable place to listen to live jazz, and afternoon tea is a particularly elegant New Orleans tradition here.
There’s something appealing about having that option. You can spend the day walking through the French Quarter, visiting museums or exploring the city, then come back to the hotel and slow things down with a drink or afternoon tea.
For travelers who enjoy food as much as sightseeing, the hotel’s dining options provide another reason to make Windsor Court part of the New Orleans experience.
A Hotel for the Whole Experience
What I like about a hotel such as Windsor Court is that you don’t have to leave the property every time you want to do something. You can have a good meal, enjoy a cocktail and some jazz, spend some time at the pool or spa, and still have the French Quarter waiting for you just outside.
Of course, you should get out and see New Orleans. That’s why you’re here. But having a comfortable, elegant place to come back to can make a big difference.
And if you’re traveling with a dog, the pet-friendly approach is another nice touch. The hotel goes beyond simply allowing pets and offers amenities intended to make four-legged guests comfortable as well.
For someone looking for a luxury hotel in New Orleans with excellent service, a convenient downtown location, extensive amenities and an art collection that is genuinely unusual, Windsor Court deserves serious consideration.
It isn’t the cheapest way to stay in New Orleans, but if you’re looking for classic luxury with a distinctly New Orleans setting, this is one of the hotels I’d put on the list.
Travel+Liesure has rated The Windsor Court the number 1 best hotel in New Orleans for 2022.
