Is The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — if you want a full-service luxury hotel on Canal Street with easy walking access to the French Quarter, polished service, and a large on-site spa, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is worth considering. Expect historic Beaux Arts character, a heated indoor pool and dependable dining/jazz options, balanced against downtown/nightlife noise and premium fees for parking and some in-room Wi‑Fi.
In this guide
Location & neighborhood — steps from the French Quarter
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is at 921 Canal Street on the edge of the French Quarter, placing you within a short walk of Bourbon Street, Saenger Theatre, and many French Quarter sights. The hotel sits on Canal Street, the line between the Central Business District and the historic Quarter.
That central location is convenient for first-time visitors who want to see Jackson Square, Café du Monde, the Audubon Aquarium or the casino without long transfers. Expect city noise at night in this area; the hotel is in an active tourist district rather than a quiet neighborhood.
- Address: 921 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112
- About a block from Bourbon Street and the Saenger Theatre
- Close walking access to Jackson Square, museums and Canal Place shops
| Nearby | Typical distance / note |
|---|---|
| Bourbon Street | About 1 block |
| Jackson Square / Café du Monde | Short walk |
| The Shops at Canal Place | Under 0.6 miles |
Rooms, suites and Club options
The property has 528 guest rooms and a range of suites and Club-level options. Room types include Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed; Deluxe Room, 2 Double Beds; Club Room, 1 King Bed; Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony; Executive Suite, with Sofa bed; and several Club Suites and larger one-bedroom suites — use the exact room names when booking to confirm bed configuration.
Club-level rooms and Club Suites are offered (Club Room, 2 Queen Beds; Club Room, 1 King Bed; Club Suite, 1 Bedroom (Maison Orleans, Club Level); Club Suite, 1 Bedroom (Ritz-Carlton, Club Level)). If you value quieter space or additional Club benefits, request Club-level inventory when reserving.
- Examples of room names to look for: Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed; Room, City View; Room, Courtyard View; Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony
- Several suites include sofa beds and larger living areas for families or longer stays (e.g., Suite, 1 Bedroom; Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom)
- Club Rooms and Club Suites are a separate category — ask what Club amenities are included for your specific booking
| Room category | Typical configuration (per hotel listing) |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed | 1 King Bed |
| Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Club Suite, 1 Bedroom (Maison Orleans, Club Level) | 1 King Bed |
Dining, bar and live jazz
On-site dining centers on M bistro (seasonal Contemporary American with Creole/Cajun/Southern influences) and the Davenport Lounge, the hotel's jazz lounge. M bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a weekend breakfast buffet and a Smart Casual dress code.
Davenport Lounge offers refined cocktails, afternoon tea on weekends (reservations required) and scheduled live jazz performances led by Jeremy Davenport and his ensemble on select evenings. Both venues follow Smart Casual guidelines.
- M bistro hours: roughly 7:00 AM–2:00 PM and 5:30 PM–10:00 PM (weekend breakfast buffet times differ)
- Davenport Lounge hours: generally 11:00 AM–11:00 PM (Fri–Sat until midnight); weekend Afternoon Tea by reservation
- 24-hour room service and a Spa Café (9:00 AM–5:00 PM) are also available
| Venue | Primary offering / hours |
|---|---|
| M bistro | Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (structured hours listed on hotel site) |
| Davenport Lounge | Cocktails, live jazz, Afternoon Tea (structured hours on hotel site) |
| Spa Café | Light meals and snacks (daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) |
Spa, pool and fitness — a major reason to stay
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, New Orleans is large for the city at roughly 25,000 sq ft with 20 treatment rooms, a café, boutique and signature treatments such as the Voodoo Ritual and Couples Suite experiences. The spa is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The property has a heated indoor pool that is wheelchair-accessible and open year-round with published pool hours. The fitness center includes weight and cardio rooms, a resistance pool and hot tub area, a mirrored studio with Peloton bikes, and complimentary fitness classes plus premium paid classes.
- Spa hours: daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; in-room treatments available with 24 hours' notice
- Pool hours: published as 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (indoor, heated, wheelchair-accessible)
- Fitness: weight/cardio rooms, resistance pool, hot tub, mirrored studio with Peloton bikes
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ritz-Carlton Spa, New Orleans | 25,000 sq ft, 20 treatment rooms, saunas, cold plunge |
| Indoor pool | Heated, wheelchair-accessible, open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Fitness center | Cardio/weight rooms, resistance pool, Peloton studio |
Meetings, events and weddings
The hotel offers extensive event space — over 48,000 sq ft across 34 event rooms — including a Grand Ballroom (7,448 sq ft) and Lafayette Ballroom (3,520 sq ft), plus courtyards and smaller salons. Capacities vary by room and setup; the Grand Ballroom lists banquet and large-event configurations on the hotel's materials.
The Courtyard is a frequently requested outdoor wedding site with greenery and a gazebo, while the Residence Suite is available for private rehearsals or intimate events subject to minimum-stay rules. The property supports weddings from small elopements to large receptions with in-house catering.
- Total event space: over 48,000 sq ft including Grand Ballroom and multiple salons
- Grand Ballroom: 7,448 sq ft (various capacities listed on hotel materials)
- Courtyard Venue: outdoor ceremonies with gazebo; commonly used for weddings
| Event space | Square footage / common capacity notes |
|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | 7,448 sq ft (hotel lists multiple capacity configurations) |
| Lafayette Ballroom | 3,520 sq ft |
| The Courtyard | Outdoor option with gazebo; used for ceremonies |
Practical details: costs, policy and what to watch for
The hotel is family-friendly and allows children; minimum age to check in without an accompanying adult is 21. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM. The building is a 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche landmark, so some rooms reflect that historic character.
Expect extra charges for certain conveniences: on-site valet parking and some in-room Wi‑Fi for non-Marriott Bonvoy direct bookings, plus a pet fee if you travel with a dog. The hotel does not run a shuttle to/from the airport; the property provides a limousine livery service by reservation.
- Check-in / out: check-in 4:00 PM; check-out 12:00 PM
- Pet policy: one pet per room, up to 30 lbs, non-refundable fee $300 per stay; leash required
- Parking: on-site valet available (hotel lists a daily fee; additional fees apply for EV/oversized vehicles and event parking)
- Wi‑Fi: complimentary in public areas; Marriott Bonvoy members who book direct may get complimentary in-room Wi‑Fi, otherwise in-room internet can carry a daily fee
| Item | Detail | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM / Check-out 12:00 PM | Hotel policy |
| Pool hours | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (indoor, heated) | Published pool hours |
| Pet fee | $300 non-refundable per stay (1 pet up to 30 lbs) | Hotel policy |
| Parking | On-site valet with daily fee; extra fees for EV/oversize vehicles | Hotel parking information |
