317 Baronne St, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | (251) 219-4428
Modern, upscale hotel in the city’s former public utility headquarters
Convenient location in the Central Business District, six minutes from Bourbon Street by foot
Gorgeous 1920s building with original architecture and preserved NOPSI artifacts
Polished rooms offer flat-screen TVs, minibars, and coffeemakers
Beautiful suites feature bathrooms with deep soaking tubs
Chic Public Service restaurant serves tasty dishes made with local ingredients
Beautiful lobby bar with a large outdoor patio
A trendy rooftop with a bar, an outdoor pool, and posh cabanas
Fitness center with Life Fitness cardio machines and free weights
Pet-friendly property with special perks for dogs
Free Wi-Fi
In-room spa services offered
Only option is valet parking, which is fairly expensive
Opened in July 2017, NOPSI Hotel New Orleans is a modern and upscale hotel in the Central Business District, set in the elegant 1920s former headquarters of the city’s public utilities company. The 217 polished rooms offer flat-screen TVs, minibars, and coffeemakers, and suites add sitting areas and deep bathtubs. There’s a hip restaurant and a chic lobby bar with a patio. A popular roof terrace features an outdoor pool and a trendy bar. Other amenities include a fitness center, in-room spa treatments, and pet-friendly perks. Wi-Fi is free, and valet parking is offered for a fee. Guests who want a historic property with a full-service spa and similar amenities might consider The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, though room rates tend to be higher.
Scene
A hip, modern gathering place with a distinct nod to an industrial past
NOPSI Hotel New Orleans fully embraces its past as the headquarters of the New Orleans Public Service Inc., the city’s power and utilities company, from 1927 to 1995, and not just in its name. The soaring lobby features gleaming marble floors and vaulted ceilings that are immaculately preserved from the building’s original state. Furnishings, papers, and artifacts from the building's prior business days are on display throughout the hotel. Industrial decor touches give a stylish nod to the building’s former role in the life of the city. Even the bars and restaurants have utilities-related names like Public Service, UnderCURRENT, and Above the Grid. Many properties try to pull off an industrial-chic vibe, but the NOPSI Hotel does it with a modern twist and a meticulous attention to detail, and the result is at once gorgeous and nostalgic.Old blends seamlessly with new in the hotel’s public spaces, which attract a trendy, young crowd. The chic rooftop, open to the public, is a place to see and be seen, with its open-air bar, outdoor pool, and posh cabanas that can be rented out for a full day of indulgence. The breathtaking views of the New Orleans skyline are a nice bonus. The same hip vibes extend into the hotel’s beautiful rooms, which incorporate colorful modern art by local artists that gives a nod to the building’s past and the storied history of the city. Simply put, the NOPSI is beautiful, and it’s hard to imagine a property doing a better job of paying homage to its past while offering all the modern conveniences guests could want.
Location
In the Central Business District, a few blocks from the lively French Quarter
NOPSI Hotel New Orleans enjoys a prime location in the middle of the city’s Central Business District, offering easy access to many of the city’s top sights. Lively Bourbon Street, the main street in the vibrant French Quarter, is a six-minute walk away. Harrah’s Casino New Orleans and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome can both be reached on foot in about 12 minutes. Guests can reach the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center by car in just under 10 minutes. There’s a streetcar stop a three-minute walk away, which will take guests to The National WWII Museum and the rest of the Garden District in about 20 minutes. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is a 25-minute drive away.
Rooms
Modern rooms with minibars and coffeemakers, plus suites with living areas and huge bathrooms
Dominated by neutral tones, the polished rooms at the NOPSI Hotel offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and air-conditioning. Minibars, coffeemakers, and trays offering locally made snacks and souvenirs like Mardi Gras masks (for a fee) come standard. Beautiful modern art by local artists adds a welcome pop of color and ties in with the hotel’s overall theme of honoring its public service and industrial past. Closets come equipped with robes, umbrellas, safes, irons, and ironing boards. Large bathrooms with marble floors and countertops feature walk-in showers, hairdryers, and Mistral toiletries.At the entry level, guests can choose between Deluxe King Rooms (with one king-size bed) or Deluxe Double Queen Rooms (featuring two queen beds). Upgrading to the aptly named Terrace Rooms adds large private terraces with city views. Of the hotel’s 217 rooms, 76 are suites. Junior Suites add sitting areas, while Deluxe Suites have living areas and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. The top-of-the-line units are the Power Suites, which feature separate bedrooms and sweeping terraces with views of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the Central Business District.
Features
Trendy dining and bars, plus a rooftop pool, a modern fitness center, and spa services
NOPSI Hotel New Orleans has established itself as a hotspot on the city’s dining and drinking scene. The stylish yet casual Public Service restaurant specializes in seafood, pizza, and regional dishes, offering a rotating menu that incorporates ingredients from local farms and fisheries. Room service is offered 24/7. Located in the lobby, UnderCURRENT features a polished marble and leather bar surrounded by comfortable lounge areas. Its handcrafted cocktails and creative small plates can also be enjoyed on the large adjoining patio, which features plenty of tables and couches secluded from the road by wrought iron fences and greenery.The hotel’s crown jewel is Above the Grid, a hip rooftop featuring an open-air bar and an outdoor pool. Open to the public, the buzzing rooftop attracts a beautiful crowd and offers stunning views of the New Orleans skyline. Posh poolside cabanas can be rented by the day for ultimate relaxation. A small, modern fitness center features Life Fitness cardio machines and free weights. There’s no full-service spa, but in-room spa treatments are offered for a fee. The stunning, industrial Dryades Ballroom, with soaring ceilings, original exposed brick and duct work, and glittering chandeliers, is popular for weddings and functions.Pet-friendly amenities include dog beds, water bowls, and dog food, which can even be ordered from the room service menu. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout the hotel. The only on-site parking option is valet parking, which comes with a fairly hefty fee.