The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

I stayed a weekend for my wife's birthday. The staff at this hotel failed across the entire organization, except for Mario (one of the managers) I had to call 10 (not a typo) times to place an order for flowers and cake for our room before we checked in. This isn't a unique request - it is literally a product they have on their ordering portal. Examples of failure include: Front desk: gave me conflicting information how to place this order, and also the wrong URL for the portal. This took 6 calls to get to the right portal. most of the time the front desk forwarded my call to guest services, who see below Guest services: only one team member, who apparently is on lunch break entire afternoon each day. he does not know their own portal Managers: there are two managers. Mario is good. The other is horrible. Case in point - I called this manager to specifically make sure my order would be done implemented correctly, even providing the time i would check in. I only did this after the 8th call and seeing there likely would be an issue given the incompetence of the staff. SHOCKER but only half of the package was delivered in the room. Offered to refund the package, but that is it. Did not sound apologetic at all Doormen: not related, but just watched me and my wife load our luggage into our taxi to the airport. Not a big deal, but was a punctuation when we were leaving about the service here I finally connected with the other manager, Mario, eventually, who is apparently the only competent team member here. He was very apologetic and tried to make things right, specifically delivering small treats to our room (which was appreciated) and offering 50K bonvoy points as a sorry. In a complete non-shocker, the hotel only delivered 25K bonvoy points. I have called and they said they will follow up, and shocker nothing. This hotel truly is an embarrassment for the brand. I didn't know it was possible to fumble such a simple, standard request (let alone for a "5 star" hotel). Thank you Ritz New Orleans for losing a Ritz customer for my life Stay away from this hotel until they retrain their staff

It's a Ritz - so you know it won't be bad. But it could be better. You enter from the street and go up to the second floor for reception. I assume this is designed to address flooding. But it's a big step down from how one usually enters a Ritz. The room was nicely appointed but small. The bathroom was the same - functional for one person but a second person would not be able to get ready at the same time. Overall the space itself was somewhere between fine and a little uncomfortable but nice enough. It's NOLA so stepping out onto the street can be interesting. A woman might not want to walk alone after dark. The good news is that the city has fixed-rate airport taxis so you don't have to wonder. I found them cheaper than Uber each way. Overall, I needed to be here for a specific reason but if I just needed to be in NOLA I'd probably pick somewhere else.

Just wrapped up a two-night stay at the RC New Orleans. It was such an amazing stay from the moment we got out of the car until the bellman put us into our car to the airport. Every staff member we encountered was gracious and offered the ultimate in Southern Hospitality. The Club level is truly as they advertise as a hotel within the hotel. Entering though the secret blue door dispatches you into another world where the design, decor and the all day offerings delighted us at every turn. There were many standouts in the club but I have to call out that they changed out some breakfast menu items each day which gave it variety. It is rare you find tha in a Marriott club. The working fireplaces and warm spaces made this such an enjoyable spot. The room was newly reimagined and the huge soaking tub was a real treat. Housekeeping was impeccable — organizing our things and braiding our charging cables into perfection. We are already planning our next stay here. What a gem!

Do not stay if you expect 5-star service and atmosphere. As a Marriott Gold Elite member and a frequent guest of Ritz-Carlton properties worldwide—most recently experiencing the impeccable five-star standards of the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain—my recent stay in New Orleans was profoundly disappointing. The experience was inconsistent with the brand’s "Gold Standard" and felt more akin to a mid-tier lifestyle hotel than a premier luxury destination. My concerns are rooted in four specific areas: • Pre-Arrival & Front Desk: My experience began with a Friday inquiry call regarding parking. The staff member who answered was visibly annoyed and dismissive, setting a poor tone before I even stepped foot on the property. Upon arrival, the check-in process was hampered by long lines and a lack of Elite recognition. • Security & Atmosphere: The lobby and third-floor areas were crowded with non-guests wandering in from the French Quarter. While I understand the hotel’s location, the Ritz-Carlton should maintain an exclusive environment. Allowing "lobby hoppers" to congregate detracts from the safety and prestige of the guest experience. Access should be more strictly monitored for residents and those with legitimate business on-site. • Substandard Dining Service: We dined at the hotel restaurant and waited 30 minutes before a server even acknowledged our table. The delay was so significant that I had to physically go to the bar to purchase our own drinks. This level of neglect is unacceptable in a fine-dining environment. • Loss of Personal Property: I inadvertently left my portable phone charger at the table. When I inquired the following morning, the item was not in Lost and Found, and staff were indifferent to the loss. In a true five-star environment, an item left at a table should be logged and secured immediately. The fact that it vanished suggests either a lack of internal protocol or a lack of integrity regarding guest property. The "Ladies and Gentlemen" of the Ritz-Carlton are known for anticipating guest needs, yet this stay was defined by apathy.

From the minute we walked into the beautiful lobby, we knew we would be treated royally. The lobby was decorated for Christmas, and smelled delicious too with a beautiful gingerbread display and candles throughout. Mario Mills, the manager on duty, went out of his way to welcome me, and get me checked in. My room was not ready yet, but Mario checked my luggage, and offered to help me find something to do while I wait for my friend. He asked what we planned to do, and I said it was a girls weekend with a friend I have not seen in a few years. A while later, Mario approached me in the lobby and addressed me by my surname - he remembered, love that, and said he had something to send to my room. We found a beautifully chilled bottle of Rose bubbly waiting for us on ice with glasses and a hand written note by Mario welcoming us and wishing us a good girls weekend. It is personal touches like that that made us feel so special and welcome. The rooms are clean, spacious and bedding was comfortable. It was a great experience and stay. Fifa at the front desk was also very kind and professional. Only cons - the rooms slippers make a sticking noise when you walk on floor, and the bathroom by the pool was unclean.