There are two hotel stays: where you wonder if you should’ve just slept in your car and where you briefly consider extending your vacation indefinitely because your home isn’t this nice. The InterContinental New Orleans, an IHG hotel, lands squarely in the latter category. It’s where you walk in and immediately feel you’ve accidentally booked something too fancy for your budget. Spoiler alert: You haven’t—it’s just that good.
First, the location. Sitting pretty on St. Charles Street, the hotel is conveniently placed for anyone who wants to roll out of bed and straight onto a streetcar. Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, and the Mississippi River are all within arm’s reach—meaning you can indulge in beignets, questionable life choices, and riverboat gambling with minimal effort. Who doesn’t love efficiency?
Checking in was a breeze, mainly because the staff seems to have mastered the lost art of being helpful and genuinely pleasant. Shocking, I know. They answered every question with the patience usually reserved for kindergarten teachers and Buddhist monks. And if you have a problem, they don’t just acknowledge it—they solve it. Imagine that.
The rooms? The room was spacious, spotless, and blissfully quiet, a miracle considering New Orleans isn’t exactly known for its love of silence. The bed was one of those magical, cloud-like creations that makes you reconsider ever sleeping on your mattress again. The pillows? Fluffy perfection. And the shower? If water pressure were a competitive sport, this one would be an Olympic gold medalist.
Speaking of thoughtful details, the room was equipped with enough outlets to charge an army of electronics and a decent lighted makeup mirror (a rarity in hotel bathrooms, where dim lighting usually makes you feel like you’re preparing for a role in a horror film). They even stocked an impressive array of toiletries, from shampoo and conditioner to a sewing kit, which is either a nice touch or a subtle hint that your wardrobe choices might be questionable.
Breakfast at Pete’s was a highlight, which is saying something because I don’t usually wake up early enough to be impressed by breakfast. The buffet featured made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, and pastries that I can only assume were crafted by the hands of a pastry deity. But the real showstopper? The staff managed to make flipping pancakes feel like a Broadway performance. There was singing. There was dancing. There was joy. And most importantly, there was coffee.
The best part? Our room was ready early, which meant more time to explore the city and less time awkwardly hovering in the lobby, trying not to look like lost tourists.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a hotel that nails every aspect of a great stay—from location to comfort to staff who seem to like their jobs—The InterContinental New Orleans is the one. And if you’re not looking for that? Well, enjoy your budget motel experience, I guess.