The Royal Sonesta New Orleans

Gorgeously decorated for the holidays! Our room was very clean and a wonderful place to stay! Our room faced the courtyard so we were able to get a great nights sleep despite the hotel being right on bourbon street! Would stay again!

It all started when we checked in. Upon arrival, we were informed that there needed to be a credit card on file for a $50 hold on the card for any charges made to the room. I tried 2 different credit cards and both immediately bounced. They told me it was their system. The woman at the front desk immediately apologized and reassured us that we just could not charge anything to the room. Since my partner and I had no plans to do so, we said it was fine. The next day, my partner and I returned to the room to rest. I was sleeping and my partner heard a subtle voice mumble the word "security." Before my partner could even move towards the door, this man unlocked and barged into our room. It was about a 5 second delay. He told us that we did not pay our parking and that he would be locking the room keys and we needed to get out. We are out of state and did not have a car parked anywhere. Security proceeded to tell us they did not have a phone number or email on file. That is inaccurate considering I received text messages from the hotel earlier on in the trip, and my partner provided their email at check-in and we provided emails and phone numbers to book the trip. My partner told security he had no valid reason to lock our room and that he was going to call the front desk. Security responded that he would be waiting outside of the room. After 3 phone call attempts my partner finally got ahold of the desk. They informed him that it was not an unpaid parking ticket, but that there was no card provided by us at check-in. This contradicts what we were told at check-in.This disgusting breach of privacy not only made me feel unsafe and unwelcome but also deeply concerned with the way there is a true lack of communication and transparency in the way the Royal Sonesta is run. When my partner emerged from the room to head down to the front desk, the security guard was gone. He gave the front desk one of the cards we initially provided and the hold went through this time. Staff remained cold and unfriendly throughout this entire process and there was no remorse or guilt for an unwarranted room barge in. There were a couple more issues about our stay. On our first night, we had to have a room change because our shower and iron were broken. The iron burned a hole through a pair of brand new pants which made the entire room smell like smoke. Luckily we were given a room change, but this resulted in missing a dinner reservation that was booked well in advance. The gym facilities were also gross, unkept, and out of wipes to wipe down machines/equipment the entire stay.Overall, my partner and I both agree that New Orleans is a great city. Between the food, music, art, and culture the city was near perfect. However, I can say that I will never stay at a Royale Sonesta again. I did speak to management and they are issuing a partial refund. Still, sometimes things can happen that are just unforgiveable.

Queen Elizabeth was Queen for 70 years. Then she died. We've loved Royal Sonesta for almost 50 years. After this stay, we fear RS is gonna die as well. More like, it might oughta be put to death. Every little thing wrong became glaring as our weekend went on. Teeny, tiny threadbare bath towels. Is this the Motel6? Housekeepers who do not speak a word of English. TV channels continually have 'Signal weak, no reception' msgs. Very noisy AC. Noticeable mold, a dirty carpet, & peeling paint. A shower that barely sprays any water due to a presumed water-saver shower-head made it almost impossible to take a decent hot shower. The lobby coffee shop is repeatedly closed early at 6pm instead of the posted 8pm - 'the girl had to go home'. Just as well - 'the girl' lazily sits on her sizable posterior and talks to someone hiding behind her counter beside her instead of doing her job by keeping her cooler full of cold water bottles. Warm $4 water bottles after a day in the FQ in humid 88 degree heat is no bueno. A dog in a room down the hall barks incessantly starting at 6am. Dogs in the RS? Barking dogs? On top of everything else wrong, our beloved R-Club had been eliminated. One of the best reasons to come to the RS is now a memory. Going back to the 80's, we've enjoyed at least 15 staycations at the RS. Unfortunately, this visit will be our last. We lamented the Queen's passing. Now we'll lament the death of our favorite FQ hotel - farewell Royal Sonesta.

You cannot beat the location (right on Bourbon)... And the staff was very nice and accommodating. There was a mishap, explained below, that's what the one star is deducted for. In fact, I would have taken off another star, because it truly is an overall 3...but the location and the fact that they were so accommodating, I have to recognize, so 4 stars it is!When I made my reservation with a live agent, I requested a room off the street (so I could sleep) and once at the hotel in the morning, before check in time, I approached the front desk and re-requested the off street room again. They said they would do the best they could to get me one.We had to place our bags in with the bell man because we got to the hotel too early...checkin at 4 pm. And even if they have the room available and/or ready, they will charge you if you check in before that time. Also, no late check outs unless you want to be charged again.But they were able to accommodate my request on this trip and was so happy to hear that! And they even sent me a text and left me a voicemail when the room was available and ready.With their program, although you are paying a resort fee (they call it a "destination fee") that covers your "complimentary" wifi, the pool, the gym, a couple waters... you know, the things all other hotels typically provide to you for free... they offer a $10/day credit when you use one of their hotel establishments, such as the Jazz Playhouse, RJs coffee or other connected restaurants. I stayed 4 nights but actually only used that offer once (although I did go to 2 of the places inside the hotel - mentioned here and have reviews as well).We did not have a car, thank goodness - the garage parking is nice that it's in a garage, but the nightly price is absurd.The hotel is old, you can definitely tell, but it is maintained fairly well. Although my friend said the AC unit in that room sounded like a freight train in the middle of the night... Mine was quiet.The lobby is nice, has several areas to sit as you wait for people. I enjoyed the alligator photo of 'The Commodore' but I think one of the staff said that picture cost so much, it took away from their raises The main reason for the drop in stars is that I had my "Shhhh" sign on the doorknob and did not want service. When I returned back from my room on day 2, there were 2 dental kits and 2 shaving kits in my bathroom on the sink counter. Someone obviously entered the room even with the "Shhhh" sign on AND I NEVER REQUESTED THOSE ITEMS! That's disturbing. Thank goodness I wasn't in the room trying to nap or shower when that occurred. I notified the front desk of the incident and they were very apologetic and offered me tickets to the Jazz Playhouse show that evening, which was appreciated, but that is unacceptable. The 4 stars is mainly the location and accommodating staff during my stay.

I stayed here when I was in town for a wedding. It's located on Bourbon Street so getting there can be a little chaotic but once you're inside you hardly notice. The staff were very friendly and helpful and were able to get me checked in a little early. That being said, the walls inside are very thin. You can hear anyone talking in the hallway and let's just say you can hear your neighbors' acrobatics as well.

I've stayed at the Royal Sonesta multiple times throughout the last 10 years and it's always been my go to whenever I visit New Orleans. I've always enjoyed the location on Bourbon in the heart of the French Quarter. That being said, my most recent stay recently will be my last stay here for a while. Maybe I'm just becoming an old man, but the location is just a little too lively for me now. Also, the Royal Sonesta isn't by any means run down, but it's just lost a little luster...they could use a renovation soon.Thanks for the great memories!

It's been a long time since we have stayed here. It's still as beautiful as it was before . Wonderful service at the front desk from Alice. Who helped us w/ special requests. Historic and a Great location. A Gem in the Bourbon Strret Area :)

READ IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING WITH KIDSThis is a great hotel on its own merit. It's clean, the service was great and we had a comfortable stay here in New Orleans over the Christmas break. The hotel is gorgeous and well worth the money for a lovely stay. Here is the caveat though. If you are unfamiliar with New Orleans, you need to be aware of Bourbon St which is where the hotel is situated on. If you are travelling with kids, or if you just want to quietly wind down after a long day, its not going to be for you. The partying and music (and base) coming from Bourbon St is noticeable and it goes well into the night. If you need a quiet setting to end your day, you might want to look elsewhere for your stay. The proximity to Bourbon St is the draw for most to the hotel, but if you are travelling with little ones or need quiet, then you want to look elsewhere. The stay we recently had was great, but I was happy to not have that base pounding in my head when I got home after the trip.

The hotel was clean, it was SUUUPER convenient, and I LOVED the interior balcony and being able to just walk over to the pool and the pool bar/grill area. Was a great stay and would do again in heartbeat

Booked a room one year in advance for a balcony room, next to a family members room. Not only were we on opposite sides of the hotel from our family but we weren't given a balcony room and were still charged for the balcony room price