Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

I've encountered a few Four Seasons properties that were notably "off," for lack of a better term, but their still-quite-new New Orleans hotel is unusually so – the odd part being that it seems this way despite having had such a clearly lavish renovation. As a former professional hotel reviewer, an immediate red flag to me has always been any given Four Seasons not ranked in a city's top 20 – particularly outside of major global capitals. This is the first I've ever seen, however, that's only barely among the top FIFTY PERCENT. But now that I've seen it in person – including four separate guest rooms/suites on two separate trips – I think I get why. First, it's not like Four Seasons lacks experience in terms of massive tourist destinations: it's had a property in Vegas for 20+ years now. The difference, however, is that its Vegas hotel is a respite of sorts: only around 400 rooms ensconced inside the mammoth Mandalay Bay's 5,000 or so. In New Orleans, it's entirely a Four Seasons (including residences), and while I know better than to expect seclusion near the French Quarter, its lobby is reminiscent of Grand Central Terminal! The much more concerning problem, however – and I imagine one of the ones prompting guests to balk at its Windsor Court-level nightly rates, given that it's long been the city's best five-star property – is its location. I know it's landmarked (the former ITM tower), but it's also a fantastic example of a truly hideous, Brutalist-style edifice that's "historic" only as a remnant of a dismal period in urban architecture. (Also, describing a 1960s building as "historic" in one of the literal oldest cities in the US – now well over 300 years old – is itself a bit problematic.) It has zero exterior visual appeal, and while most of New Orleans' more modern towers aren't exactly aesthetically pleasing, it's unusual to see a Four Seasons in one that's flat-out ugly. (Its OG property in Toronto was fully Brutalist, but Four Seasons wisely unloaded it and relocated its flagship into a modern 55-story tower in the early 2010s.) But the true dealbreaker, at least for me – and a stunningly large error in judgment, considering no one appears to have considered its realities prior to choosing to retrofit the building as a five-star hotel – was opening one with a *literal* train passing directly underneath it throughout the day & night. Worse still, they blare their horns most, if not all, of the time. The noise is at least less bad on higher floors, but I could plainly hear it throughout the hotel. While the property has added white noise machines & offers earplugs & whatnot, there's only so much noise those things can suppress, and I could still audibly hear the train even with every noise-suppression means available. Aside from the too-packed lobby, I can't fault the interiors, but despite its admitted proximity to both the Quarter & CBD, I can't recommend this property except to people fortunate enough to be able to sleep through nearly any type of disturbance. A Four Seasons is very obviously supposed to be special, and most truly are. This one's not, and *absolutely* not as one of the city's priciest hotels: they should've followed the lead of Ritz-Carlton in choosing a building to revamp, which opened a New Orleans branch 25 years ago in the iconic Maison Blanche building on Canal. (To be fair, I'd argue it's been poorly managed as well – and it's long overdue for an interior revamp – but I think that's true of the entire chain versus Four Seasons.) If you want a super-deluxe five-star near the Quarter, the Windsor Court has been the best option for decades, and remains so today. If you want deluxe *and* small & secluded – but still inside the Quarter – I'd head straight to the Audubon Cottages without passing Go. (They only have seven total rooms, all of which are suites, so I'd advise booking early.) But if you want Vegas-level crowds, a notably subpar service caliber, and loud trains passing next to the lobby at all hours, this is the place for it. But I suspect most people prefer five-stars where they can actually sleep through the night without disturbance. I'd only return if the hotel's management understands that cheap white noise machines & foam earplugs are a borderline-farcical fix for its noise problem, and that physical remediation of the building – installing bona fide sound absorption measures such as triple-paned windows (which, yes, will cost many millions) – is the only true fix.

Had the most fabulous stay at the Four Seasons New Orleans during Tales of the Cocktail last month. The exterior of the building is so iconic but the moment you step inside, you're transported into a completely different environment that's incredibly luxurious and modern. The chandelier bar is stunning with fantastic cocktails and amazing bar team. The suite is spacious (greatly appreciate the massive walk-in closet) and the Four Seasons bed is just oh-so-luscious, a perfect place to rest and recover after a full day of imbibing. The service is impeccable with top-notch hospitality. Food at Miss River is fabulous - do not miss the whole fried chicken! IRD is also done properly, getting butter-fried beignet delivered in the AM is a great way to start your day. Also, do not skip the spa, the eucalyptus cold mist is essential amidst NOLA's heat and humidity.

I will start with the positive, the hotel facilities are lovely, clean, modern, sleek. My rooms were lovely, we had a living room and bedroom and large changing area and bathroom with separate soaking tub and shower. The bed was very comfortable and the linens, towels and toiletries were all nice. The cleaning staff was amazing. The room was always cleaned well and they magically always handled it at times that were convenient for us. The location, although not in the French Quarter, was in easy walking distance of many things. I found the restaurant to be okay. We had dinner there and breakfast and neither was bad but neither was great either and for the price it should be very good. The service at the restaurant was fairly good. One of the major negatives of the property is its proximity to a train track (you can see it off in the distance from certain sides of the hotel) and they train would loudly blow its horn at all hours, waking me up. In addition, I had an unpleasant experience at the pool that I did not think was handled well. I checked in with the pool attendant and he sat me and my family in a group of chairs that he picked. We then ordered lunch at the pool. While we were eating lunch, a different hotel employee came up and told me that someone else had reserved the seats (they were the front row near the pool, not the rear row near the cabanas). He told us to move over a chair. I was miffed but the folks who allegedly reserved the seats were so gracious about it, I wanted to move for them. The hotel employee who made me move made no effort to get me new towels or assist me in moving all our food. He did not apologize to me profusely, he just implied his colleague made a mistake in seating me there. That really really annoyed me. I can see, if a mistake was made, asking me to move, maybe, but not offering to help me do so (like moving our food or getting us new towels since he took our hold ones) or offer to comp. something in return was very unlike any Four Seasons experience I have ever had. It was so undiplomatic, I was at a loss for words. He came back five minutes later and offered to get me a water while I was sipping a lemonade. As if offering me a water would make this any better or why I would want one while drinking something else, I actually found it even more insulting..... This is not the service quality (or anywhere near it) one should be able to expect from a nice hotel much less a Four Seasons. This is the primary reason I would give this property a 3 out of 5. They have some wonderfully trained staff (think house keeping), but others who seem incompetent. A fine hotel has superb service all around. This isn't even in the same stratosphere as the Four Seasons Park Lane service for example. This pool indecent was definitely the worst service of any of the many Four Seasons properties I have stayed at around the world over the last decade.

customer service 10/10 Food 10/10 I've stayed at the Four Seasons twice now and I will NEVER stay at another hotel in New Orleans ever again. The staff are so helpful and kind. Bed is so comfy, and pool is so relaxing. Hope I can stay there again before 2025 is up!

Julius and the rest of the Four Seasons staff truly made my stay enjoyable from check-in to check-out. It's a premium stay with a family feel, and I can't wait for my next visit!!